At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research to shape innovative digital applications and improve user experiences.
- Company: Join Ordnance Survey, a leader in geospatial technology with over 230 years of trusted data.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and ethical research practices.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by understanding user needs and driving design decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35010 - 40845 € per year.
We are Ordnance Survey, Great Britain's national mapping service and a pioneer in geospatial technology. With over 230 years of trusted data, we empower better decisions, deeper understanding, and meaningful connections to the places we live, move through, and care for.
We are looking for a UX Researcher to support a new discovery phase for a government and commercial-focused digital application. You will work directly within a multidisciplinary product team, alongside a UX Designer, Product Owner, engineers and stakeholders, helping to define and validate the direction of the service through high-quality research and insight. The role is research-focused, with design collaboration forming an important part of how your work informs and shapes the product.
We're seeking a UX Researcher with proven experience planning and delivering user research within digital product or service environments. You will lead on research activity to better understand user needs, behaviours and pain points across a range of user groups, helping the team make informed, evidence-based decisions.
As a UX Researcher, you will be responsible for generating clear, actionable insights that inform service and product direction. The role will require you to translate high-level questions into structured, practical research plans, balancing methodological rigour with real-world constraints such as time, access and policy. You will conduct research across diverse user groups and contexts, ensuring that findings are inclusive, ethical and grounded in real user needs.
You will work closely with a UX Designer to test concepts, validate ideas and iterate designs, ensuring that research insight is embedded throughout the discovery and early delivery phases. The role balances strong analytical and research skills with hands-on project involvement, stakeholder collaboration, and clear communication of insight.
Main Responsibilities of a UX Researcher
- Planning and conducting user research during the discovery phase
- Translating high-level questions into clear, structured research plans
- Conducting qualitative research including user interviews and usability testing on concepts and prototypes
- Working closely with the UX Designer to test ideas, validate assumptions and iterate designs
- Recruiting participants and ensuring research is conducted ethically, inclusively and accessibly
- Analysing research data to identify user needs, behaviours and pain points
- Producing research outputs such as insight summaries, personas, journey maps and problem statements
- Collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary agile team
- Feeding research insights into sprint planning and design iterations
- Maintaining research documentation and contributing to shared insight repositories
- Communicating the value and limitations of research to non-research specialists
Required Skills and Experience
- Proven experience conducting and delivering user research in a digital product or service environment
- Strong qualitative research skills, particularly in user interviews and usability testing
- Ability to analyse research findings and translate them into clear, actionable insights
- Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary agile teams
- Understanding of how research informs design and service decisions
- Familiarity with inclusive and accessible research practices
- Understanding of data protection, consent and ethical research standards
- UK Service Standard and GDS research principles is desirable
Inclusion at OS: Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At Ordnance Survey, we're committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace.
Experience Designer- Researcher in Southampton employer: Ordnance Survey
At Ordnance Survey, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values diversity and innovation. As a UX Researcher in Southampton, you will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects that shape government and commercial digital applications, while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Join us to contribute to impactful research that empowers better decision-making and enhances user experiences across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experience Designer- Researcher in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common UX research questions and scenarios. Think about how your past experiences align with the role at Ordnance Survey and be ready to share specific examples that showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your research skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, including case studies that demonstrate your process and the impact of your research. This will help you stand out and show what you can bring to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Ordnance Survey team.
We think you need these skills to ace Experience Designer- Researcher in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the UX Researcher role. Highlight your relevant experience in user research and how it aligns with the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Research Skills:In your application, emphasise your qualitative research skills, especially in user interviews and usability testing. Share specific examples of how your research has led to actionable insights in past projects. This will help us understand your approach and impact.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to communicate your ideas and experiences. We appreciate clarity, as it reflects your ability to communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Ordnance Survey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ordnance Survey
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on various research methodologies relevant to UX. Be ready to discuss how you've applied qualitative methods like user interviews and usability testing in your past roles. This will show that you understand the importance of choosing the right approach for different user groups.
✨Prepare Your Insights
Think about specific examples where your research led to actionable insights. Be prepared to share how these insights influenced design decisions or improved user experiences. This will demonstrate your ability to translate research findings into practical outcomes.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since you'll be working closely with a UX Designer and other team members, highlight your experience in multidisciplinary teams. Share examples of how you've effectively collaborated with designers and stakeholders to ensure research insights are integrated into the product development process.
✨Emphasise Ethical Research Practices
Given the focus on inclusive and ethical research, be ready to discuss how you ensure your research is accessible and respects participant consent. Mention any frameworks or guidelines you follow, such as the UK Service Standard, to show your commitment to ethical practices in UX research.
