At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research to shape evidence-based decisions for critical digital services.
- Company: Join a consultancy impacting national security and public safety.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid work model, and opportunities for contract extensions.
- Other info: Must hold active SC clearance; dynamic role with potential for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public safety while working with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and understanding of human factors is essential.
Hybrid - 2 days a week onsite in London | 6 months | £400-£500
SR2 is supporting a consultancy delivering a high-impact digital service for a central government client within the national security and public safety space. We are looking for an experienced User Researcher with a strong human factors and analytical lens to join a growing multidisciplinary team.
This role will play a key part in shaping user-centred and evidence-based decisions across discovery and early delivery. You will focus not only on usability, but on how users interact with complex systems, make decisions, and operate under real-world constraints, ensuring digital tools and services effectively support critical operational work.
You will work closely with service designers, content designers, business analysts, and delivery leads to ensure human needs, behaviours, and risks are fully understood and reflected in design and delivery decisions. This is an opportunity to contribute to critical national infrastructure and services that directly impact public safety, working at the heart of the UK's national security ecosystem.
Due to the secure nature of this work, candidates must hold active Security Check (SC) clearance. Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor SC clearance for this role.
Experience required:
- Strong background in qualitative and quantitative user research, with experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams within the public sector or on GDS-aligned services.
- Experience planning and delivering research across service phases, particularly discovery and Alpha, with an emphasis on deep analysis and synthesis.
- Ability to apply a human factors perspective, including understanding user behaviour, cognitive load, decision-making, and interaction with complex or data-heavy systems.
- Comfortable engaging with a wide range of users and stakeholders, including operational or specialist roles, and translating insights into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Experience working in regulated environments and on services impacted by policy or legislative change.
- Familiarity with GDS standards, design principles, and service assessments is highly desirable.
Overview:
- Start: February 2026
- Contract: 6-month initial engagement + extensions likely
- IR35 TBC
- Rates likely: £400 per day (Outside IR35), £500 per day (Inside IR35)
- 2 days a week onsite in London
Please apply with a copy of your CV. Emma will contact suitable candidates to discuss next steps.
User Researcher in London employer: SR2 - Socially Responsible Recruitment
As a Personnel Security Consultant with us, you'll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of our people across a nationally significant estate. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values employee growth, offering opportunities for professional development and meaningful contributions to live threat management. With the flexibility of remote work and minimal travel, you can achieve a healthy work-life balance while making a real impact in a vital role.
Contact Details:
SR2 - Socially Responsible Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land User Researcher in London
✨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 put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common user researcher questions. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your work! Create a portfolio that highlights your user research projects, methodologies, and outcomes. This will give potential employers a clear view of your skills and how you can contribute to their 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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace User Researcher in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in user research, especially in agile and multidisciplinary teams. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Research Skills:In your application, emphasise your background in both qualitative and quantitative research. We’re looking for someone who can dive deep into user behaviour and decision-making, so share examples that demonstrate your analytical prowess.
Engage with the Job Description:Read through the job description carefully and reflect on how your experiences relate to the key responsibilities. Use similar language in your application to show us you understand what we’re looking for!
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 this exciting opportunity to impact public safety!
How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 - Socially Responsible Recruitment
✨Know Your User Research Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your qualitative and quantitative user research skills. Be ready to discuss specific methodologies you've used in the past, especially in agile environments. Highlight any experience you have with GDS-aligned services, as this will show you're familiar with the standards expected in this role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate how you've applied a human factors perspective in your previous roles. Think about examples where you've analysed user behaviour or cognitive load, and be ready to explain how these insights influenced design decisions. This will help you stand out as someone who can think critically about complex systems.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be working closely with various stakeholders, practice how you communicate insights and recommendations. Prepare examples of how you've translated user research into actionable strategies for different audiences, including operational roles. This will show that you can bridge the gap between research and practical application.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Role's Context
Given the nature of the work, it's crucial to understand the implications of working within national security and public safety. Research the consultancy and their projects to speak knowledgeably about how your role as a User Researcher fits into the bigger picture. This will demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the sector.
