Design Researcher - 12 Month FTC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Researcher - 12 Month FTC

Company: Lloyds Banking Group

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Design Research

Date Posted: 2026-05-29

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years estimated)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on shaping product and service development through strategic Design Research within a large, collaborative team of over 40 researchers.

• You will be responsible for developing and leading the research strategy and roadmap for a key area of the business, guiding product and service innovation.

• The position involves managing the end-to-end research plan and roadmap, delivering both generative and evaluative research across the product development lifecycle.

• A key aspect of this role is synthesizing complex insights into actionable recommendations that solve customer problems and unlock new business opportunities, influencing wider business stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is titled "Design Researcher," its responsibilities heavily align with a Senior UX Researcher or a Lead UX Researcher role, particularly with the emphasis on strategy, roadmap development, and influencing stakeholders. The "12 Month FTC" (Fixed-Term Contract) indicates a project-based or temporary need, which can offer opportunities for diverse project exposure. The mention of a large research team suggests a supportive environment with opportunities for knowledge sharing and mentorship.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the research strategy and roadmap for a designated service or product area, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer needs.

• Manage the end-to-end research plan, from identifying research questions to delivering actionable insights that guide product and service development.

• Conduct a variety of research, including generative research (e.g., ethnographic studies, contextual inquiry, diary studies) and evaluative research (e.g., usability testing, concept testing).

• Synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources (triangulation) to create compelling customer stories and identify key opportunities.

• Effectively communicate research findings and recommendations to multi-disciplinary design, product, and engineering teams, as well as wider business stakeholders, to drive consensus and action.

• Collaborate closely with design and product teams to prioritize research questions and ensure research efforts directly support strategic decision-making.

• Contribute to and leverage the wider Design Research and Analytics community within Lloyds Banking Group, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a researcher who can operate both strategically (setting roadmaps, influencing stakeholders) and tactically (executing diverse research methods). The emphasis on "solving customer problems" and "unlocking new opportunities" indicates a proactive and impact-oriented approach to research.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design Research, or a related discipline is typically expected for roles of this nature. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Proven experience in a Design Research or UX Research role, with a strong track record of delivering impactful research outcomes. The estimated experience level is 5-10 years, aligning with the responsibilities of leading strategy and influencing stakeholders.

Required Skills:

• Deep qualitative research experience using techniques such as moderated and unmoderated usability testing, concept testing, and in-depth interviews.

• Proven ability to create research roadmaps and strategic plans, identifying and prioritizing key research questions.

• Demonstrated skill in synthesizing insights from qualitative and quantitative data, and triangulating from different sources to tell compelling customer stories.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate findings and influence decision-making across various business levels.

• Experience working closely with design, product, and engineering teams within a multi-disciplinary environment.

• Familiarity with accessibility research and/or research involving vulnerable customers.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience combining qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.

• Ethnographic research experience, including techniques like contextual inquiry or diary studies.

• Experience with a broad range of research tools and platforms for conducting and analyzing studies.

• Familiarity with the financial services industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "years of experience" guideline is flexible, emphasizing transferable skills and practical experience over strict tenure. This suggests that candidates with a strong portfolio and demonstrated impact, even if their career path is unconventional, are encouraged to apply. The preference for combining qualitative and quantitative methods points towards a need for well-rounded researchers who can provide a holistic view.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of research strategy development and roadmap creation for specific projects or product areas.

• Case studies showcasing the end-to-end research process, from initial problem definition and research planning to insight synthesis and impact on product/service development.

• Examples of how qualitative and quantitative data were combined to deliver comprehensive customer understanding and actionable recommendations.

• Evidence of influencing stakeholders and driving product decisions based on research findings, highlighting communication and presentation skills.

• Projects that specifically address accessibility research or research with vulnerable customer groups.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a structured approach to research planning, including methodology selection, participant recruitment, and data collection protocols.

• Detail the process of synthesizing research findings, including thematic analysis, affinity mapping, and creating compelling narratives.

• Illustrate methods for effectively communicating research outcomes to diverse audiences, including executives, product managers, designers, and engineers.

• Document how research insights were integrated into product development workflows and iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving strategy and influencing stakeholders, a portfolio should not just showcase research execution but also strategic thinking, impact, and communication prowess. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process, the rationale behind their methodological choices, and the measurable outcomes of their research.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £61,344 - £68,160 per annum.

Benefits:

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%.

• An annual performance-related bonus.

• Share schemes, including free shares.

• Benefits that can be adapted to lifestyle, such as discounted shopping.

• 30 days of holiday, in addition to bank holidays.

• A range of wellbeing initiatives.

• Generous parental leave policies.

Working Hours: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The work style is hybrid, requiring at least two days per week (or 40% of time) in the Edinburgh office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a research role at this level in Edinburgh, UK. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting Lloyds Banking Group's commitment to employee well-being and financial security, which is attractive for a fixed-term contract role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services. Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's leading financial services groups, offering a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions. This context implies a need for research that is rigorous, compliant, and addresses the complex needs of a diverse customer base within a highly regulated environment.

Company Size: Lloyd's Banking Group is a very large organization, employing tens of thousands of people globally. This means that operations, processes, and career paths can be extensive and structured. For a researcher, this size offers opportunities for impact across numerous products and services, but also requires navigating larger organizational structures and influencing diverse teams.

Founded: Lloyds Banking Group has a long and complex history, with its origins tracing back to the late 18th century. This deep heritage signifies stability and a strong market presence, influencing a culture that may balance tradition with modern innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Design Research team itself is large, comprising over 40 researchers, suggesting specialization and a strong internal community.

• Researchers work within multi-disciplinary design, product, and engineering teams, indicating a collaborative, agile environment where research is integrated early and often.

Methodology:

• The team values continuous learning, collaboration, and experimentation with new research methods.

• Research is applied to shape product and service development, solve customer problems, and unlock new opportunities.

• There's an encouragement to test and learn, fostering an environment of innovation and continuous improvement in research practices.

• The role involves both generative and evaluative research, indicating a comprehensive approach to understanding user needs and validating solutions.

Company Website: https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "helping Britain prosper" suggests a mission-driven culture. For a Design Researcher, this translates to understanding how their work contributes to customer well-being and societal impact within the financial sector. The emphasis on diversity and inclusion is also a key cultural pillar.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior to Senior level, indicated by the responsibilities of developing research strategy, managing roadmaps, and influencing stakeholders. It requires a researcher who can operate with autonomy and strategic foresight.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, researchers typically report into a Design Research Lead, Head of UX, or a Product/Design Manager. Within the multi-disciplinary teams, they will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers. The existence of a large, dedicated Design Research team suggests a clear career progression path within research itself.

Operations Impact: The Design Researcher has a direct and significant impact on product and service development by ensuring customer needs are understood and addressed. This role influences strategic decisions, guides the creation of user-centered solutions, and ultimately contributes to customer satisfaction, business growth, and the company's mission to help Britain prosper.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative techniques, quantitative analysis, accessibility research). The collaborative team environment and encouragement to "test and learn" new methods foster continuous skill enhancement.

• Leadership Potential: As a senior researcher, there are opportunities to mentor junior researchers, lead research initiatives across larger projects, and potentially transition into a Lead UX Researcher or management role over time, particularly if the contract is extended or if permanent opportunities arise.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Working within diverse product and engineering teams provides exposure to different aspects of product development and business operations, broadening overall understanding and career adaptability.

• Industry Exposure: Deepen understanding of the financial services sector, its unique user needs, and regulatory landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 12-month FTC nature of the role means that direct "growth" might be more about skill acquisition and project experience rather than a defined internal promotion path within that timeframe. However, excellent performance could lead to contract extension or conversion to a permanent role, opening up further growth. The emphasis on sharing expertise suggests a strong internal learning culture.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Edinburgh and follows a hybrid working model, requiring colleagues to spend at least two days per week, or 40% of their time, at the Edinburgh Princes Exchange office site. This indicates a modern office environment designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s): Edinburgh Princes Exchange, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. This location is a well-established hub for financial services and technology companies in Scotland.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and multi-disciplinary team structure foster a collaborative workspace, encouraging interaction between researchers, designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Tools and Technology: While specific tools aren't listed, it's expected that the company provides standard UX research software, collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Teams), and access to relevant analytics and product development tools.

• Team Interaction: The large research team and cross-functional project teams offer ample opportunities for daily interaction, knowledge sharing, and mentorship, both formally and informally.

Work Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid work schedule offers flexibility, allowing for focused work at home and collaborative sessions in the office. Colleagues with disabilities may have adjustments made to hybrid working expectations in line with the Flexibility Works policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The £61,344 - £68,160 salary range is competitive for Edinburgh. The hybrid working policy (2 days in office) is standard for many large organizations post-pandemic, balancing in-person collaboration with remote flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter or HR screening call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and alignment with the role and company.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, research methodologies, and approach to problem-solving. This may include behavioral questions and scenario-based questions.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present a selection of your work, showcasing your research process, strategic thinking, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodology, insights, and the outcomes of your projects.

• Stakeholder/Cross-Functional Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential colleagues from design, product, or engineering teams to assess collaboration style and fit within a multi-disciplinary environment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your ability to develop research strategy, conduct diverse research methods (qualitative, quantitative, generative, evaluative), synthesize complex data, and influence outcomes.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research questions, your methodology and rationale, the key insights, the actionable recommendations, and the impact on the product/business. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in conversion," "reduced task completion time by 20%"). If direct metrics are unavailable, focus on how your research informed critical decisions or unblocked teams.

• Showcase Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked with designers, product managers, and engineers, and how you communicated findings to different stakeholders.

• Address Accessibility: If you have projects related to accessibility or vulnerable customers, ensure these are highlighted, as it's a stated requirement.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical research challenge, such as designing a research plan for a new feature or diagnosing a user problem. Focus on your structured approach, methodological choices, and how you would collaborate.

• Process Questions: Expect questions about your preferred research tools, how you handle conflicting insights, how you prioritize research efforts, and how you ensure your research is actionable.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating how you would influence a skeptical stakeholder or gain buy-in for a particular research approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on influencing stakeholders and strategic roadmap development, interviewers will be looking for more than just execution skills. They'll want to see evidence of strategic thinking, business acumen, and strong communication and persuasion abilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze), in-depth interview support, and potentially remote collaboration tools for moderated sessions.

• Quantitative Research Tools: Survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics) and potentially tools for analyzing quantitative data or integrating with analytics platforms.

• Ethnographic Tools: Tools for diary studies or contextual inquiries, which may involve mobile apps or specialized platforms.

• Collaboration & Synthesis Tools: Whiteboarding tools (e.g., Miro, Mural), presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides), and potentially dedicated insight synthesis platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to triangulate research findings with behavioral data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how research insights can inform CRM strategies or improve customer journeys within financial services is beneficial. Familiarity with how customer data is managed and utilized can be an asset.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, candidates should be comfortable with a range of industry-standard UX research tools. The ability to integrate qualitative findings with quantitative data from analytics platforms is crucial for "triangulating" insights.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, particularly within the context of financial services, ensuring products and services are accessible and beneficial.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, sharing knowledge, and fostering a supportive environment for continuous learning and development.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouragement to explore new research methods, test hypotheses, and drive innovation in product and service design.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using research insights, combined with quantitative data, to inform strategic decisions and guide product development.

• Inclusion & Diversity: A commitment to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues can thrive, and to conducting research that considers diverse user needs, including accessibility and vulnerable customers.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Researchers are embedded within product, design, and engineering teams, working collaboratively on a daily basis.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Open communication and knowledge sharing are encouraged across different disciplines and with wider business stakeholders.

• Feedback Culture: A willingness to share expertise and learn from others suggests an environment that values constructive feedback and continuous improvement in research practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group's stated values of "helping Britain prosper" and commitment to diversity and inclusion are central. For a researcher, this means understanding how their work contributes to these broader organizational goals and ensuring inclusive research practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Organization: Influencing decisions and integrating research findings effectively within a large, complex financial institution requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Balancing Generative and Evaluative Research: Managing a roadmap that effectively balances exploratory research for new opportunities with evaluative research for existing products can be demanding.

• Data Triangulation: Effectively integrating diverse data sources (qualitative, quantitative, behavioural, market) to create a cohesive and compelling customer narrative requires analytical rigor.

• Fixed-Term Contract: As a 12-month contract, there's inherent uncertainty regarding long-term employment, requiring adaptability and a focus on making a significant impact within the contract period.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodological Expansion: Opportunities to gain experience with a wider array of research techniques and potentially explore quantitative research methods more deeply.

• Domain Expertise: Developing a strong understanding of the financial services industry, its regulatory environment, and specific customer needs.

• Strategic Impact: Gaining experience in developing research strategies and influencing senior stakeholders within a major financial institution.

• Mentorship: Access to a large team of researchers provides opportunities for mentorship and learning from experienced professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in large organizations and for contract positions. The growth opportunities are significant, especially for someone looking to deepen their expertise in financial services UX and strategic research leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a research strategy or roadmap for a complex product area. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, planning, and impact.)

• "How do you prioritize research questions when faced with multiple competing needs from different stakeholders?" (Demonstrate prioritization frameworks and stakeholder management.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Design Research within the financial services sector, and specifically at Lloyds Banking Group?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent initiatives.)

• "How do you ensure your research is inclusive and considers the needs of diverse user groups, including vulnerable customers?" (Align with the company's DEI commitments.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem/Opportunity -> Your Role & Objectives -> Methodology (why these methods?) -> Key Findings -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.

• Visuals: Use mockups, user journey maps, personas, quotes, and data visualizations to make your presentation engaging and easy to understand.

• Focus on "So What?": For every insight, clearly articulate what it means for the business and what actions should be taken. Connect your research directly to business goals or customer value.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your methodology, participant selection, data analysis, and how you handled challenges or unexpected findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the company's size and the role's strategic nature, interviewers will be looking for a candidate who is not just a skilled researcher but also a strategic partner who can drive change and contribute to business objectives. Emphasize impact and influence in your answers and portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Lloyds Banking Group careers portal.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods, research roadmap development, stakeholder influence, and working in cross-functional teams. Use keywords from the job description such as "Design Researcher," "qualitative research," "usability testing," "ethnographic research," and "stakeholder management."

• Prepare your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your strategic thinking, research process, insight synthesis, and the impact of your work. Be ready to present these in detail.

• Research Lloyds Banking Group: Understand their mission ("helping Britain prosper"), their values, their current initiatives in digital transformation and customer experience, and their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Practice your story: Prepare to articulate your experience clearly, focusing on your contributions, the challenges you've overcome, and the measurable outcomes of your research.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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