The Role

As a user researcher, you’ll be responsible for conducting research, usability testing and analysis in line with the Government Service Design Manual and dxw’s own research principles.

You’ll use your creativity, problem-solving, research and communication skills to ensure that throughout dxw’s work, user needs are researched, understood and met. You’ll work with empathy, intelligence and energy, and will relish a good challenge.

You’ll have a good understanding of both qualitative and quantitative approaches and embrace a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach. We’re looking for someone who can help dxw and our clients make pragmatic, user-focussed decisions.

Main responsibilities

Main responsibilities

1. Design and plan research with dxw product teams and clients so that the services we build meet user needs
2. Conduct user research using a broad range of qualitative and quantitative methods; including interviews, observational studies and usability testing
3. Effectively communicate research findings, especially to those who are not familiar with user research and user-centred design
4. Consider and mitigate research risks, especially those which may introduce bias
5. Work with designers and developers to ensure that research findings are actionable and can be incorporated into their work
6. Conduct research in line with the Digital Service Standard and support dxw clients who need to go through service assessments
7. Throughout delivery, advocate for users based on research findings
8. Lead activities within dxw to review and improve the way we work, ensuring that all the research we do is efficiently and effectively conducted
9. Mentor dxw staff to improve their research skills

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are required:

1. Experience of planning, delivering and interpreting both qualitative and quantitative research
2. Ability to explain complex events or methods in easy to understand ways
3. Ability to make quick, pragmatic decisions based on the best information available, balancing the need for further research with the need for action
4. Experience of recruiting research participants using a range of methods, including working with clients to recruit
5. Able to advise clients and potential clients on how research can meet their needs, being mindful of their expertise, budgets and ambition
6. Be self aware and observe any external variables influencing the research
7. Strong organisational skills, taking personal responsibility for ensuring that work is completed on time and to a high standard
8. Good communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English

These following skills and experience are valuable:

1. Experience of working as part of an agile development team
2. Experience of working in government and the public sector
3. Experience of using service design thinking in research, so that user needs can be translated into prototypes that can be tested with users
4. Working knowledge of researching with a focus on assisted digital and/or digital literacy.

Personal qualities

1. Articulate and personable
2. Empathetic and sensitive to people’s needs
3. Good listener
4. Genuine interest to learn and develop
5. Ability to multi-task
6. Conscientious and dedicated
7. Gains genuine satisfaction from being useful and helping people to understand new concepts
8. Positive outlook when faced with a challenge

Salary & terms

We’re looking for candidates at all levels of experience, from Junior to Heads of, and are happy to adapt the role to suit, so we encourage any interested person.

Salary negotiable depending on experience.

This role is based at our offices in Hoxton Square, London. Some travel to client offices in London will be required.

Appointment is made subject to a successful background check.

You’ll make it easier for us to review your application if you talk us through your previous experience, showing how you’re a good fit for this post.