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- Tasks: Plan and conduct user research to enhance government services and user experiences.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking government team dedicated to improving public services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a civil service pension.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by advocating for user-centred design in government.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research methods and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 46062 - 50182 £ per year.
Salary: £46,062 (National) or £50,182 (Croydon) plus up to £5,000 skills allowance, pending assessment.
Location: Croydon, Manchester or Sheffield (hybrid with 60% office attendance).
Close Date: 11:55pm Monday 19th January 2026.
Security Check: This role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years.
As a user researcher, you will plan, design, and carry out research activities to inform the design of government services. You will help teams to gain a deeper understanding of the people that use them. You will develop research plans and approaches for a given service. This includes a range of research methods, including usability testing, contextual interviews, observations, and rapid analysis that involves the wider team whenever possible. You’ll use your communication skills to deliver insights from research in impactful ways to delivery teams and stakeholders to drive change and improve government services.
Essential Skills
- User research: understanding and applying a range of user research methods (including but not limited to usability testing, interviews, and contextual research) correctly for different life‑cycle phases.
- Communicate, persuade and advocate: clearly articulating to stakeholders the benefits of taking a user‑centred approach, based on evidence.
- Research ethics: applying ethical research standards and practices to ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of participants and researchers.
- Accessibility and inclusion: conducting research with diverse audiences to deliver accessible and inclusive digital services.
- Analysis and synthesis: analysing and synthesising research data, communicating clear research findings to inform decisions.
- Collaboration: participating and facilitating group work, and actively seeking feedback on your work.
Benefits and Allowances
- A civil service pension with employer contribution rates of at least 28.97%.
- In‑year reward scheme for one‑off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
- The ability to potentially adopt flexible working options that suit your work/life balance, plus the opportunity in future to take a career break.
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service.
- Eight days public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
- 26 weeks maternity, adoption or shared parental leave at full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, after qualifying service.
- Maternity and adoption support leave (also known as paternity leave) of two weeks full pay, after qualifying service.
- Paid leave for fostering approval processes, support when a child is substantively placed with you plus a foster to adopt policy.
- Support for guardians and kinship carers.
- Corporate membership of ‘Employers for Carers’ providing additional information and advice for carers, plus a ‘Carer’s Passport’ to discuss workplace needs and underpin supportive conversations.
- Time off to deal with emergencies and certain other unplanned special circumstances.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level.
Employment type: Full‑time.
Job function: Information Technology, Design, and General Business.
Industries: Government Administration, Design Services, and Information Services.
Please click on apply now to be redirected to the full job advert and our application portal.
User Researcher in London employer: UK Home Office
Contact Detail:
UK Home Office Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land User Researcher in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its services inside out. When you walk into that interview, show us you understand the user needs and how your research can make a real difference. It’s all about demonstrating your passion for user-centred design!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to articulate your research findings clearly and persuasively. Try explaining your past projects to friends or family to get comfortable with sharing insights in an impactful way.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your research methods in detail. We want to hear about your experiences with usability testing, interviews, and contextual research. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to adapt methods based on different project phases.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your collaborative spirit! Share instances where you’ve worked with teams to gather feedback and improve processes. This role is all about teamwork, so let us see how you thrive in a group setting.
We think you need these skills to ace User Researcher in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the User Researcher role. We want to see how you can apply user research methods effectively, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be delivering insights to stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly in your application. Use examples that show how you've persuaded teams or advocated for a user-centred approach in the past.
Highlight Ethical Research Practices: We value ethical research standards, so make sure to mention any experience you have in safeguarding participants' wellbeing. This will show us that you understand the importance of conducting research responsibly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply 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 access to all the details about the position and our company culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Home Office
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you’re well-versed in various user research methods like usability testing and contextual interviews. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these techniques in past projects, as this will show your practical experience and understanding of the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your insights and findings in a clear and impactful way. Think about how you can persuade stakeholders of the benefits of a user-centred approach, using evidence from your research to back up your points.
✨Emphasise Ethics and Inclusion
Be prepared to talk about how you ensure ethical standards in your research and how you conduct studies with diverse audiences. This is crucial for delivering accessible and inclusive digital services, so have examples ready to share.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience in collaborating with teams and facilitating group work. Discuss how you actively seek feedback on your work, as this demonstrates your willingness to learn and adapt, which is key in a user researcher role.