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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research to shape digital services for UK Central Government.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on impactful government projects.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, remote work flexibility, and a chance to influence real change.
- Why this job: Make a difference by advocating for user needs in government services.
- Qualifications: Active SC clearance and mid-senior level user research experience required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diversity and offering support throughout the recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 64800 £ per year.
We are seeking a mid-senior level SC Cleared User Researcher to support a UK Central Government department on a complex digital delivery programme. This Inside IR35 role requires an experienced researcher who can independently plan and deliver high-quality research while influencing product and service decisions.
The Role
You will lead and deliver user research across one or more services, ensuring user needs and insights are at the heart of decision-making. You will work closely with designers, product managers, policy teams, and engineers to shape services that meet real user needs and government standards.
Key responsibilities include:
- Planning and delivering qualitative and quantitative user research across discovery, alpha, beta, and live
- Selecting and applying appropriate research methods, including interviews, usability testing, surveys, and field research
- Synthesising research findings into clear, actionable insights
- Communicating evidence effectively to multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders
- Advocating for user needs throughout the delivery lifecycle
- Supporting design and product decisions through continuous research and testing
- Ensuring research meets GDS standards and ethical guidelines
- Contributing to service assessments and assurance activities
About You
Essential experience:
- Active UKSV SC clearance
- Proven experience operating as a User Researcher at mid-senior level
- Experience delivering user research within UK Central Government or similarly regulated environments
- Strong knowledge of GDS research standards and the Service Manual
- Experience working within agile, multidisciplinary teams
- Confidence engaging and influencing senior stakeholders
- Comfortable working remotely with occasional onsite attendance
Nice to Have:
- Experience mentoring junior researchers
- Familiarity with accessibility research and inclusive research practices
- Experience working closely with policy, operational, or frontline teams
- Exposure to complex or high-risk service environments
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) 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)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who have experience in user research within government settings. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights or even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best user research projects. Make sure to include examples of how your research influenced product decisions and improved user experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing common questions related to user research methodologies and your experience with GDS standards. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills. Plus, applying directly gives you a better chance of standing out to recruiters who know what we're looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace SC Cleared User Researcher (Mid-Senior)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience as a User Researcher, especially in the context of UK Central Government. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Research Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to plan and deliver user research. Mention specific methods you've used, like interviews or usability testing, and how they’ve influenced product decisions. We love seeing concrete examples that demonstrate your expertise!
Communicate Clearly: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use straightforward language to communicate your insights and experiences. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can effectively share findings with multidisciplinary teams, so let that shine through in your writing!
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 gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government and Defence
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you’re well-versed in the various research methods mentioned in the job description, like interviews and usability testing. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these methods in past projects and the impact they had on user experience.
✨Showcase Your SC Clearance
Since active UKSV SC clearance is essential, be prepared to talk about your experience with it. Highlight any previous roles where you’ve worked in regulated environments, especially within Central Government, to demonstrate your familiarity with the standards required.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to communicate findings effectively to multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders. Practice summarising complex insights into clear, actionable points. This will show that you can advocate for user needs throughout the delivery lifecycle.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare examples of how you’ve influenced product and service decisions in the past. Think about times when you’ve engaged with senior stakeholders and how you’ve ensured user needs were at the forefront of those discussions.
