User Researcher in Birmingham

Location: This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs in either Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf).

Contract: until 31.12.2027

Job Summary

The User-Centred Design (UCD) team helps UKHSA design services that are effective, accessible and centred on the needs of users. We champion inclusive design, embed UCD practices across the organisation and ensure user needs inform decision-making at every stage. Working across multidisciplinary teams, we help improve public health outcomes and reduce health inequalities through better user experiences. We also lead UKHSA's UCD community of practice, supporting professional development, standards and best practice across the organisation.

Job Description

As a User Researcher, you'll work within multidisciplinary teams to ensure services, products and policies are shaped by a deep understanding of user needs. You'll plan and deliver high-quality research, turning complex findings into clear, actionable insights that influence design decisions and drive meaningful change. You'll champion inclusive research practices, ensuring diverse voices are represented and that services work for the people who need them most. You'll also play an active role in the UCD community, sharing knowledge, improving research practice and helping to embed user-centred approaches across UKHSA.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and deliver user research activities, including participant recruitment, discussion guides, research sessions and synthesis of findings.
• Analyse and communicate insights in a compelling way, helping teams make evidence-based decisions.
• Advocate for users and promote the value of user research across strategy, policy and service design.
• Collaborate with colleagues across UKHSA to build a shared understanding of user needs.
• Provide clear recommendations based on research findings and communicate them confidently to stakeholders.
• Ensure research is conducted to high professional standards, aligned with government, NHS and industry best practice.
• Contribute to the development of user research capability, standards and ways of working across UKHSA.
• Actively support and participate in UKHSA's UCD community of practice.

Person specification

• Experience of using user-centred design methods and practices in complex organisations.
• Experience of designing and delivering inclusive user research with a range of users.
• Experience of qualitative research methodologies and knowing how to apply different methods to different research projects.
• Experience of using basic techniques to analyse and synthesise findings.
• To be able to create actionable, evidenced-based insights using a variety of techniques to tell compelling stories.
• Experience of developing user research practices and a good understanding of the key standards in assuring the quality of user research.
• To be able to explain the value of research practice, navigate stakeholder landscapes and gain support for research plans, findings, and ways of working.
• To be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, working directly with other professions to ensure effective and timely delivery.
• Government service assessments.
• Working in an agile environment.
• Coaching and mentoring other user researchers.