At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research to shape digital services for public sector, ensuring user needs are central.
- Company: Join Pixelated People, a diverse and inclusive tech company focused on meaningful design.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public services while advocating for users in agile teams.
- Qualifications: 8+ years of UX research experience, strong communication skills, and active SC clearance required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on inclusion and diverse perspectives.
Job Description
SENIOR UX RESEARCHER – SC Clearance Required
đź’°500-600pd DOE
📍HYBRID/LONDON (2 days onsite)
đź‘€ Must have active SC Clearance
👩🏻 💻Designing Services that protect National Security
The role
We’re looking for a Senior User Researcher who’s grounded in delivery, sharp on the detail, and confident in leading user research across public services.
This is not a “pure research” role sitting on the sidelines. You’ll be embedded in agile teams, shaping services from discovery through to live. That means asking the right questions, surfacing evidence, and keeping user needs front and centre – every sprint, every playback, every trade-off.
You’ll also help steer how research works across our team – coaching juniors, building capability, and making sure insight feeds strategy, not just validation.
What you'll be doing
- Leading end-to-end research across Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live phases
- Running interviews, usability tests, contextual research, and surveys, choosing the right method for the job, not the handbook
- Keeping feedback loops alive – connecting regularly with users to understand real-world needs, not just what they say
- Turning research into action: journey maps, pain point summaries, user needs, problem statements, priorities
- Helping teams test ideas early – prototypes, content, flows, concepts before they harden into code
- Facilitating workshops, playback sessions, and cross-team alignment – keeping everyone close to the why, not just the what
- Supporting inclusive research practices – meeting GDS and WCAG standards and designing with, not just for
What we’re looking for
- 8+ years of hands-on research experience across complex digital services
- Proven experience of planning, lead, and deliver user research for public services across Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live phases
- Proven experience leading research in agile teams (public sector a big plus)
- Strong portfolio or case studies that show how your work led to better decisions and outcomes
- Confident working with both qualitative and quantitative methods
- Clear communicator who can land insights with stakeholders at every level
- Experience working to GDS standards, including assessments and service patterns
- Deep understanding of inclusive design and accessibility (WCAG 2.2)
- Comfortable mentoring and leading research in multi-disciplinary teams
- Experience with service blueprinting or integrating research into policy and ops is a bonus
- SAAS/Salesforce background? That’s a nice-to-have
- Must have active SC clearance
The mindset
You take ownership. You’re not afraid to challenge assumptions. You bring energy, clarity, and craft to your work. You advocate for users even when it's hard, and help others do the same. You’re delivery-minded, not just theory-led.
If you’re looking to do meaningful research that shapes services people depend on – and to do it in teams that respect the role of design – you’ll fit right in.
🫵 Join us and help shape the future of digital public services!
At Pixelated People, we don’t just do inclusion and diversity. We embrace people that have different opinions, perspectives and personalities. Because we believe that by seeing the world from all sorts of angles, we can make life better for all the people who live in it. So we want you to know that the things that make you, you — like your age, ability, background and identity — are things that we celebrate and support.
User Experience Researcher - SC Cleared employer: Pixelated People
Contact Detail:
Pixelated People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land User Experience Researcher - SC Cleared
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Connect with professionals in the UX research field on LinkedIn or at industry events. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be when it comes to landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work and showcases your process. We want to see how you’ve turned research into action, so make sure to include case studies that demonstrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like a pro! Research the company and its projects, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We recommend practising common UX research questions and preparing examples that highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team and shaping the future of digital public services.
We think you need these skills to ace User Experience Researcher - SC Cleared
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your 8+ years of hands-on research experience in your application. We want to see how you've led user research across different phases, especially in public services. Use specific examples from your portfolio to demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate a straightforward approach that communicates your skills and experiences without fluff. Remember, clarity is key when landing insights with stakeholders!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Senior User Researcher role. Show us how your background aligns with our needs, especially around agile teams and inclusive design.
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 you’re keen on joining our team at Pixelated People!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pixelated People
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you’re well-versed in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these techniques in past projects, especially in agile environments. This will show that you can adapt your approach based on the needs of the project.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Bring along a strong portfolio or case studies that highlight your best work. Focus on how your research led to better decisions and outcomes, particularly in public services. This is your chance to demonstrate your impact and expertise!
✨Emphasise User-Centric Design
Be prepared to talk about how you advocate for users in your research. Share examples of how you’ve kept user needs at the forefront during every phase of a project. This aligns perfectly with the role’s focus on inclusive design and accessibility.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves working closely with multi-disciplinary teams, show your collaborative spirit. Discuss how you’ve facilitated workshops or playback sessions in the past, and how you keep everyone aligned with the project goals. This will highlight your leadership skills and team-oriented mindset.