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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research to shape digital services and enhance user experiences.
- Company: Join a central government department on a major digital programme.
- Benefits: Earn £500/day, enjoy occasional travel, and work within a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving accessibility and usability in government services.
- Qualifications: Active SC clearance and proven user research experience required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced User Researcher with active SC clearance to support a Central Government department on a major digital programme. This role is ideal for someone with deep user research expertise, experience delivering insights that shape complex digital services, and familiarity with GDS standards and ways of working.
You will play a pivotal role in understanding user needs, behaviours, and experiences, helping teams design services that are effective, usable, and accessible. You'll work closely with delivery teams, service designers, and senior stakeholders to embed user-centred design principles across programmes.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Planning and conducting qualitative and quantitative research, including interviews, surveys, usability testing, and field studies
- Analysing and synthesising research findings into clear, actionable insights
- Creating personas, user journeys, and experience maps to inform service design
- Advising on research methods, best practices, and user-centred approaches
- Collaborating with service designers, product teams, and stakeholders to ensure research informs decisions
- Supporting accessibility, inclusivity, and regulatory compliance in digital services
- Ensuring research aligns with GDS standards and government service design principles
- Communicating findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
About You
Essential Experience:
- Proven experience as a User Researcher or in a similar user-centred design role
- Active SC clearance
- Strong expertise in planning, conducting, and analysing user research
- Experience with a range of research methods (qualitative and quantitative)
- Skilled at synthesising research into actionable insights and recommendations
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience in regulated, sensitive, or government environments
- Experience working with GDS standards and digital service frameworks
Nice to Have:
- Experience with remote research tools and techniques
- Knowledge of accessibility and inclusive design standards
- Familiarity with service design, UX design, or digital transformation programmes
- Relevant certifications (e.g., UX, HCI, or research-related qualifications)
Reasonable Adjustments:
Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
SC Cleared User Researcher (Mid-Senior) in Plymouth employer: Sanderson Government and Defence
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Government and Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SC Cleared User Researcher (Mid-Senior) in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the user research field, especially those who have experience with government projects. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on GDS standards and user-centred design principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your past work – real examples will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your research skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, including personas, user journeys, and insights from previous projects. This will give potential employers a clear view of your expertise.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace SC Cleared User Researcher (Mid-Senior) in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your user research experience and SC clearance. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Showcase Your Research Skills: In your application, emphasise your experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. We’re looking for someone who can analyse findings and turn them into actionable insights, so give us examples of how you’ve done this in the past.
Communicate Clearly: Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical audiences, it’s crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Use clear language in your application to show us that you can convey complex ideas simply and effectively.
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’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government and Defence
✨Know Your User Research Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your user research methodologies. Be ready to discuss your experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as how you've applied them in past projects. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but can also implement them effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with GDS Standards
Since this role involves working with GDS standards, it’s crucial to understand these principles. Review the Government Digital Service guidelines and think about how your previous work aligns with these standards. Being able to reference specific examples will demonstrate your expertise.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
You’ll be collaborating with various teams and stakeholders, so practice articulating your findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Think of examples where you successfully communicated complex insights and how they influenced decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Accessibility Knowledge
Accessibility is key in digital services, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve incorporated inclusive design principles in your research. Bring examples of how you’ve ensured that your research and recommendations support accessibility and compliance, which will highlight your commitment to user-centred design.
