At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research and collaborate on service design to enhance user experiences.
- Company: Public sector organisation in Edinburgh focused on user-centred design.
- Benefits: Competitive rate of £500/day, flexible working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by being the Voice of the User in impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and service design methodologies.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
A public sector organisation in Edinburgh is currently looking to recruit a User Researcher with Service Design for an initial 12 month contract with option to extend on a rate of £500/day (Outside IR35). This role will be based in Edinburgh, however, attendance at the project site will only be required on an as-needed basis.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and collaborate with targeted user groups to gather information about their current experience, pain points and specific requirements.
- Conduct focus groups and user research interviews; assist with usability testing; document findings and recommendations.
- Understand qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Awareness of costs and budgets.
- Confident in presenting findings and recommendations from user research to business users.
- Work closely within a multidisciplinary team, including UX colleagues, UI developers and programmers.
- Have an awareness of current technology/user-centred trends.
- Ensure all work and research comply with the law and equal opportunities policies.
- Be the Voice of the User for the project.
- Assist with identification and creation of personas, drawing on existing and new ethnographic/demographic data and research.
- Assist with the sourcing and recruitment of users that are representative of one or more persona groups.
- Using proven experience and UCD-driven methodologies, conduct user research activities (quantitative and qualitative).
- Collaborate with others on the project team to ensure user needs are reflected in user journey maps.
- Conduct usability testing through defined, iterative stages of the project.
- Ensure an evidence-led approach is followed throughout, adhering to legal and ethical user research principles and governance.
- Document findings for a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Apply service design principles to ensure end-to-end user journeys are cohesive across all touchpoints (digital and non-digital).
- Map and analyse as-is and to-be service journeys, identifying pain points, gaps, and opportunities for improvement across the whole service ecosystem.
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of service blueprints, aligning front-stage user interactions with back-stage processes and systems.
- Work collaboratively with product, policy, operations, and delivery teams to ensure services are holistic, inclusive, and user-centred.
- Identify and support improvements to service processes, workflows, and interactions that impact user experience.
- Facilitate or support service design workshops and co-design sessions with stakeholders and users.
- Ensure that user research insights inform service design decisions, service standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support the definition of service design measures of success, including user satisfaction, accessibility, and service performance.
- Consider accessibility, inclusion, and equity in the design of end-to-end services.
- Champion a whole-service perspective, ensuring alignment between user needs, organisational goals, and operational feasibility.
User Researcher with Service Design employer: Venesky Brown
Venesky-Brown is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises user-centred design in the public sector. Based in Edinburgh, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on community services. With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to projects that enhance user experiences across various touchpoints.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land User Researcher with Service Design
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that User Researcher gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your user research projects and service design work. We want to see your process, findings, and how you’ve made an impact. A strong portfolio can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to user research and service design. We suggest you come armed with examples of your past work and how you’ve tackled challenges. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you a better chance of getting noticed by hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace User Researcher with Service Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in user research and service design. We want to see how your skills align with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Research Skills:When detailing your experience, focus on your ability to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research. We love seeing examples of how you've gathered insights and presented findings to stakeholders.
Be the Voice of the User:Emphasise your understanding of user-centred design principles. Share any experiences where you’ve advocated for user needs and how that influenced project outcomes. We’re all about putting users first!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
How to prepare for a job interview at Venesky Brown
✨Know Your User Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as well as your understanding of user-centred design principles. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also put it into practice.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since this role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with UX designers, developers, or other stakeholders. Be prepared to share how you’ve facilitated workshops or co-design sessions, as this will highlight your teamwork skills.
✨Showcase Your Presentation Skills
You’ll need to present findings and recommendations, so practice articulating your insights clearly and confidently. Use specific examples from your previous work to demonstrate how your research has influenced service design decisions. This will help convey your ability to be the 'Voice of the User'.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the organisation's goals and how user research fits into their overall strategy. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to creating cohesive end-to-end user journeys and improving service processes. This shows that you’re not just focused on individual tasks but understand the broader impact of your work.
