At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct innovative design research to shape the future of architecture and the built environment.
- Company: Globally recognised architecture and design practice with a focus on research and innovation.
- Benefits: Collaborative culture, opportunity for impact, and involvement in cutting-edge projects.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and explore emerging technologies while contributing to thought leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in architecture by translating research into meaningful design strategies.
- Qualifications: 5–10 years of design research experience and a degree in a related field.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
A globally recognised architecture and design practice is looking for a Design Researcher to join its Research and Innovation team. You would be joining a multidisciplinary international practice where research plays an important role in shaping design thinking, client strategy and the future of the built environment. Working alongside architects, designers, clients and subject matter experts, you would explore human behaviour, emerging technologies and how people experience spaces, translating research into meaningful design strategies and innovative solutions. This is an opportunity for a curious, analytical and creative researcher who enjoys tackling complex questions and wants to see their work directly influence real-world architecture and design projects.
Job Description
- Plan and deliver design research across architecture, interiors and wider built-environment projects.
- Work collaboratively with designers, engineers, clients, stakeholders and subject matter experts to investigate complex design challenges.
- Conduct qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research, including interviews, surveys, workshops, behavioural observation, behaviour mapping, contextual inquiry, environmental assessments, space syntax analysis and literature reviews.
- Analyse and synthesise complex research findings into clear insights and actionable design recommendations.
- Translate research into design strategies, planning decisions, prototypes, proof-of-concepts and client deliverables.
- Facilitate visioning workshops, stakeholder engagement sessions, research activities and user testing.
- Identify emerging technologies, behavioural trends, industry challenges and future opportunities that could influence the built environment.
- Develop new research approaches, tools and frameworks that support evidence-based and human-centred design.
- Contribute to publications, conference presentations and wider thought leadership initiatives.
- Help develop research methodologies, tools and knowledge while embedding evidence-based design thinking across the wider practice.
- Build relationships with academic institutions, industry organisations and external research partners.
- Manage multiple research initiatives simultaneously, ensuring programmes and deliverables are achieved.
Key Skills
- 5–10 years of professional design research experience, ideally within architecture, interior design or the wider built environment.
- A professional degree focused on Design Research, Design and Environmental Analysis, Human-Centred Design, Environmental Psychology, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
- A professional architecture, interior design or similar design qualification would also be advantageous.
- Strong experience designing and conducting qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research.
- Excellent analytical ability with experience translating complex information into meaningful insights and practical recommendations.
- A strong understanding of human-centred design and a genuine interest in improving people's experience of the built environment.
- A naturally curious mindset with the ability to explore complex problems and develop creative research approaches.
- Strong systems thinking, with the ability to connect people, place, organisational objectives and design.
- Excellent written, verbal and visual communication skills with the ability to present research to different audiences.
- Comfortable working within multidisciplinary teams and navigating ambiguity.
- Experience facilitating workshops, stakeholder engagement and collaborative research activities.
- Experience contributing to research publications, thought leadership, peer-reviewed research, grant-funded studies or conference presentations.
- Familiarity with human-subject research protocols, ethical research practices and IRB processes would be advantageous.
- Experience with research, survey and visualisation platforms such as UserTesting, Qualtrics, Microsoft Forms, Power BI or Tableau would be beneficial.
- Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Revit or other 3D modelling experience would be advantageous.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join the Research and Innovation team of a leading global design practice, where your research would directly influence projects, clients and the wider direction of architectural design. You would have the opportunity to explore emerging ideas and technologies, collaborate across disciplines and contribute to research and thought leadership with genuine application to the future of the built environment.
Design Researcher in Slough employer: Scale Careers
Scale Careers is an excellent employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the aviation sector. With a focus on high-profile projects and a commitment to design quality, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and professional growth. The flexible working options available in Central London not only promote a healthy work-life balance but also provide a vibrant environment for creativity and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Researcher in Slough
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Scale Careers who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Researcher in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Scale Careers!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Scale Careers. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scale Careers
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Scale Careers.
