User Researcher - GDS
Posted Today by Sanderson Government & Defence
£450 Per day
Inside
Remote
London, UK
Summary: We are looking for a Senior User Researcher to support a Central Government department in delivering complex user research aligned with Government Digital Service standards. This role is primarily remote with occasional travel to London, focusing on evidence-based insights to inform service design and strategic decisions. The successful candidate will lead user research activities and advocate for user-centered approaches while mentoring junior researchers. Strong experience in public sector user research and stakeholder management is essential.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead user research programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
- Conduct and synthesise complex research, delivering actionable insights for service design.
- Set and maintain high standards of research quality, ethics, and accessibility in line with GDS guidance.
- Advise stakeholders and ensure research findings are applied effectively.
- Apply inclusive research practices, representing diverse users and meeting accessibility standards.
- Operate effectively in secure, collaborative government environments.
- Work within agile teams, adapting methods to product complexity.
- Support and mentor junior researchers to foster a culture of research excellence.
Key Skills:
- Senior-level user research experience in the public sector, ideally with multiple Central Government roles.
- Expertise in GOV.UK User Design & User Research, and the GOV.UK Design System.
- Proven ability to lead complex research programmes and translate findings into strategic insights.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
- Comfortable working remotely with occasional London travel.
Salary (Rate): £450/day
City: London
Country: UK
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: inside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: IT
User Researcher - Central Government - Remote/London - £450/day (Inside IR35) - Contract via Umbrella Company
We are seeking an experienced Senior User Researcher to support a Central Government department on key digital service initiatives. This predominantly remote role, with occasional travel to London offices, focuses on complex user research delivered to Government Digital Service (GDS) standards using the GOV.UK Design System.
The RoleYou will lead and coordinate user research activities, ensuring evidence-based insights inform service design and strategic decisions. Acting as a senior practitioner, you will guide teams on best practice, advocate for user-centred approaches, and influence stakeholders to deliver services that meet user needs.
Key ResponsibilitiesLead user research programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
Conduct and synthesise complex research, delivering actionable insights for service design.
Set and maintain high standards of research quality, ethics, and accessibility in line with GDS guidance.
Advise stakeholders and ensure research findings are applied effectively.
Apply inclusive research practices, representing diverse users and meeting accessibility standards.
Operate effectively in secure, collaborative government environments.
Work within agile teams, adapting methods to product complexity.
Support and mentor junior researchers to foster a culture of research excellence.
Essential Experience
Senior-level user research experience in the public sector, ideally with multiple Central Government roles.
Expertise in GOV.UK User Design & User Research, and the GOV.UK Design System.
Proven ability to lead complex research programmes and translate findings into strategic insights.
Strong stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
Comfortable working remotely with occasional London travel.
Desirable
Experience mentoring or leading a research community of practice.
Familiarity with government digital services and agile product delivery.
Reasonable Adjustments:
Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.
If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
