User Researcher in Edinburgh

Version 1 has celebrated over 28 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Our expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly changing Digital-First world we live in. We foster strong partnerships with leading technology giants including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, and OutSystems, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services.

As a User Researcher Consultant at Version 1, you will shape meaningful, accessible services that deliver lasting value across both public and private sectors. You’ll lead research across the full delivery lifecycle, helping agile teams validate assumptions, reduce risk, and prioritise work based on real user needs. You will work autonomously within multidisciplinary teams—collaborating with product managers, designers, business analysts, and developers—to ensure evidence drives decision‑making at every stage. Beyond projects, you’ll influence service strategy, foster a user-first mindset in client organisations, and strengthen Version 1’s user research practice by collaborating with colleagues and sharing your experience across our community of practice.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver user research for digital projects, ensuring findings directly inform product, service, and strategy decisions.
• Proactively contribute to client meetings, workshops, and presentations, building strong relationships and providing actionable recommendations.
• Develop strong client relationships by anticipating client needs, advising on research opportunities, and driving outcomes that align with both user needs and business objectives.
• Collaborate with team members to foster a supportive and positive working environment.

Qualifications:

• Broad experience (at least 2-3 years) as a researcher, leading research including work on digital services in Agile environments.
• End-to-end research capability—from designing and running generative and evaluative studies to analysing and synthesising findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Broad methodological expertise, with the ability to select and apply a range of qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., moderated and unmoderated usability testing, depth interviews, surveys, co-design, diary studies) to meet project needs.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to present findings with clarity and impact to senior stakeholders, advocate for users, and engage multi-disciplinary teams throughout the research process.
• Proven impact, demonstrated through a portfolio or case studies showing how your research has informed successful product, service, or strategic outcomes.
• Thorough understanding of ethical considerations in user research, particularly when working with vulnerable users or those with access needs.
• Working understanding of inclusive design and accessibility, including conducting research with users with access needs and familiarity with WCAG 2.2.
• Working knowledge of UK public sector service design, including GDS service standards, GOV.UK design system patterns, and assessment processes.
• Experience working within Agile teams, actively contributing to ceremonies and supporting iterative, user-centred delivery.

Expected behaviours:

• Takes ownership of research deliverables, ensuring they are high quality and aligned with project objectives and client needs.
• Anticipates challenges and delivers proactive, evidence-based solutions to problems.
• Communicates confidently and effectively, acting as a trusted research voice in meetings and workshops.
• Fosters a collaborative, inclusive team culture, actively supporting colleagues’ development.
• Brings enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, helping to build a positive and supportive working environment.

Additional Information:

At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability. Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company’s profits. Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme. Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work-life balance. Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme. Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies. Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat. Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform. Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.