Lead UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Researcher

Company: Elekta

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX Research / Human Factors

Date Posted: 2026-05-01

Experience Level: 6+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day WFH)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead hands-on user research and usability testing for complex, regulated medical hardware and software products, ensuring exceptional user experiences.

• Drive the usability strategy and execution for Elekta’s product portfolio, aligning with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

• Collaborate strategically with Product Management, Engineering, UX Strategy & Design, Industrial Design, and UX Development teams to champion user-centered design principles.

• Act as a key contributor and thought leader in human factors engineering and usability, particularly within the medical device industry and its stringent regulatory landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on UX Research within a highly regulated medical device environment, emphasizing usability engineering principles crucial for regulatory submissions and compliance. The "Lead" aspect indicates significant responsibility for strategy, execution, and potentially mentoring.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver comprehensive UX research and usability testing activities for large, complex products or integrated solutions, ensuring end-to-end user experience quality.

• Define and execute usability strategies that align with business targets and product roadmaps, taking holistic responsibility for the user experience of designated products.

• Independently plan, conduct, facilitate, and document a range of research methodologies including contextual studies, interviews, surveys, task and use error analyses, user reviews, heuristic evaluations, and formal usability testing.

• Coordinate and prioritize discovery and user-centered design activities within their domain in close collaboration with Product Managers, ensuring alignment with project timelines and resource availability.

• Plan and facilitate workshops focused on complex user experience problems, driving decision-making and fostering forward progress in product development.

• Lead concept exploration through early-stage prototype and wireframe testing to validate product decisions and user needs before significant development investment.

• Organize and facilitate workshops for research data analysis, journey mapping, service design, and product innovation initiatives.

• Collaborate closely with product leaders, actively networking across departments to ensure broader alignment on user experience decisions and represent the voice of the user.

• Clearly articulate and champion the value of user-centered design to stakeholders across the organization, influencing decision-making and promoting best practices.

• Serve as the primary expert on regulatory usability requirements and usability engineering principles, representing product usability in internal and external audits.

• Manage external agencies for usability testing, including participant recruitment, RFQ creation, and proposal review, ensuring quality and compliance.

• Instruct, coach, and delegate tasks to other UX professionals, overseeing their performance and ensuring successful task completion within project scope.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on research, strategic planning, cross-functional leadership, and regulatory expertise, typical of a senior or lead UX Researcher in a regulated industry. Emphasis on "holistic responsibility" and "thought-leader" indicates a significant scope of influence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in Human Factors Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Experimental Psychology, User-Centered Design, or an equivalent field of study.

Experience: 6+ years of progressive experience in human factors, usability, or UX research, with a strong focus on complex, regulated medical devices.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including contextual inquiry, in-depth interviews, surveys, task analysis, use error analysis, heuristic evaluations, and formal usability testing.

• Proven ability to select and apply appropriate research methods to diverse research questions and project phases.

• Extensive experience in the human factors and usability engineering of complex, regulated medical devices, with a deep understanding of medical device regulations (e.g., FDA, MDR) and compliance standards.

• Proficiency in leading concept exploration and discovery activities to inform product strategy and roadmap definition.

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment on design and user experience decisions with confidence and credibility.

• Experience in guiding and mentoring junior design and research professionals across and within functions.

• Expertise in audit processes and techniques, with comfort and capability in acting as the Usability Lead during internal and external audits.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and common digital collaboration tools such as Miro, FigJam, or LucidChart.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and PI-planning practices.

• Experience managing external research agencies and vendor relationships effectively.

• Familiarity with early-stage prototyping and wireframing tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a deep specialization in medical device UX research and human factors, with a clear need for regulatory knowledge. The experience level and leadership responsibilities suggest a candidate who can operate autonomously and influence strategic direction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a robust portfolio showcasing hands-on experience with a variety of UX research methodologies, particularly those applied to regulated medical devices.

• Include detailed case studies that highlight the process of defining usability strategy, planning and executing research, and translating findings into actionable design recommendations.

• Showcase examples of managing usability testing for regulatory submissions, including documentation and how research directly supported compliance efforts.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate clear processes for planning and executing research activities, from defining research objectives to recruiting participants and analyzing data.

• Provide examples of how user feedback and research findings were documented and communicated to cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, Design) to ensure shared understanding and buy-in.

• Demonstrate experience in documenting usability engineering files and contributing to regulatory submissions, adhering to strict quality and compliance standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead UX Researcher in medical devices, the portfolio must go beyond standard UX work to explicitly demonstrate regulatory compliance experience, strategic planning, and the ability to manage complex research projects with significant business impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the location (Crawley, UK), the experience level (6+ years), and the specialized nature of UX research in regulated medical devices, a competitive salary range is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for Lead UX Researchers in the UK, the estimated annual salary could range from £60,000 to £85,000. This estimate considers the complexity of the role, the requirement for regulatory expertise, and the hybrid work arrangement.

Benefits:

• Work Pattern: Hybrid model with 4 days per week in the Crawley HQ and 1 day Work From Home, offering a balance between in-office collaboration and flexible working.

• Paid Vacation Days: Up to 25 paid vacation days annually, providing ample time for rest and personal pursuits.

• Holiday Purchase Scheme: Option to purchase additional holiday days, allowing for greater flexibility in managing time off.

• Private Medical Insurance: Comprehensive private medical insurance coverage for employees.

• Attractive Employer Pension Contribution Package: A strong employer pension contribution scheme to support long-term financial planning.

• Cycle to Work Scheme: Encourages sustainable commuting by offering tax-efficient bicycle purchases.

• Life Assurance: Provides financial security for dependents in the event of an employee's passing.

• Onsite Subsidized Restaurant: A convenient and budget-friendly dining option available at the Crawley HQ.

• Love Electric (EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme): A modern benefit offering access to electric vehicles through a salary sacrifice program.

Working Hours:

Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on UK market data for similar roles and experience levels. The benefits package is comprehensive and typical for a senior role in a global technology company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology, Medical Devices (specifically Radiation Therapy and Radiosurgery). Elekta plays a critical role in developing tools that improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Company Size: Elekta is a significant global organization, indicated by its presence in multiple countries and its focus on advanced medical technology. This scale suggests robust processes, a formal structure, and opportunities for broad impact.

Founded: Elekta was founded in 1972. This long history signifies stability, deep expertise in its field, and a well-established market presence.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team is part of a larger UX & Design (UX&D) organization, which likely includes UX Strategy, UX Design, Industrial Design, and UX Development functions.

• This role reports to the Manager, UX Research, indicating a clear reporting line within the research discipline.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a user-centered design approach, integral to developing effective and safe medical devices.

• Agile principles and practices are utilized in product development, suggesting iterative work cycles and close team collaboration.

• A strong focus on data-driven decision-making is evident through the emphasis on research, analysis, and the need for measurable impact.

Company Website: [Elekta Company URL - Placeholder as it was not provided in input]

📝 Enhancement Note: Elekta's mission to improve cancer care is a strong cultural driver. The company's long history and global presence suggest a professional, process-driven environment with a commitment to quality and innovation, particularly critical given the medical device context.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is a "Lead" role, signifying a senior individual contributor or a potential stepping stone to management. It requires significant autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to guide other professionals, placing it at an advanced level within the UX Research career path.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Researcher reports to the Manager, UX Research. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while providing a clear escalation path. Collaboration will extend across product teams and with senior leadership.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work directly impacts the efficacy, safety, and usability of Elekta's cancer treatment technologies. This has profound implications for patient outcomes, healthcare professional efficiency, and Elekta's market competitiveness and regulatory standing.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Opportunity to deepen expertise in human factors for medical devices and potentially transition into a formal UX Research Manager role or a specialized User Experience Architect role within Elekta's product lines.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a deeper understanding of product management, engineering, and regulatory affairs within the medical device industry, enhancing overall business acumen.

• Strategic Influence: Grow in influence by leading research initiatives for major product development cycles, shaping the strategic direction of Elekta's user experience.

• Mentorship: Develop leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior researchers and contributing to the growth of the UX&D team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" designation is key here, implying not just execution but also strategic oversight and mentorship. Growth will likely involve increasing scope of responsibility and strategic impact on Elekta's product portfolio.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the Crawley HQ, suggesting a dynamic office environment designed for collaboration. Elekta's commitment to a hybrid model (4 days in office) indicates an expectation of in-person interaction for team building, brainstorming, and key meetings.

Office Location(s): Crawley, United Kingdom. The mention of Helsinki in locations_alt_raw suggests potential cross-office collaboration or a broader organizational scope, though the primary location is Crawley.

Workspace Context:

• The collaborative nature of the UX&D team and close work with Product Management and Engineering points to an environment that values teamwork, knowledge sharing, and iterative development.

• Expect access to standard office productivity tools and potentially specialized UX research software or lab facilities for testing.

• Opportunities for interaction will include team meetings, cross-functional project discussions, design reviews, and company-wide events.

Work Schedule: A hybrid work schedule is specified, with 4 days in the Crawley office and 1 day working from home. This offers a structured approach to in-person collaboration while providing personal flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant aspect of the work environment, balancing the need for in-person collaboration in a complex industry with employee flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and relevant experience, particularly in medical device UX research.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Likely to focus on your experience, leadership capabilities, understanding of human factors principles, and approach to complex research challenges. Be prepared to discuss your experience with regulatory requirements.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with other UX Researchers and/or stakeholders from Product Management and Engineering. These will assess your collaboration style, technical skills, and ability to integrate into the team.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: A common step where you'll be asked to present a detailed case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your research process, problem-solving skills, and impact.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Medical Device Experience: Clearly showcase projects involving regulated medical devices, emphasizing your understanding of usability engineering and regulatory compliance (e.g., IEC 62366, FDA guidance).

• Detail Your Process: For each case study, articulate your research questions, chosen methodologies, participant recruitment strategy, data analysis approach, and how your insights influenced design and business outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research, such as improvements in task completion rates, reduction in use errors, or positive feedback on user satisfaction.

• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you've led research initiatives, mentored others, or influenced strategic decisions.

• Prepare for Audit Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you've contributed to or led usability documentation for regulatory submissions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem-Solving Scenario: You may be given a hypothetical product or design challenge and asked to outline your research plan to address it, including methodology, participant criteria, and anticipated outcomes.

• Methodology Justification: Be prepared to explain why you chose specific research methods for particular problems, demonstrating your strategic thinking and understanding of trade-offs.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating complex research findings and their implications to non-research audiences, focusing on actionable insights and business value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on medical device regulations and audit experience is crucial for portfolio preparation and interview responses. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate tangible results and a deep understanding of the product development lifecycle in this specific industry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro, FigJam, LucidChart – essential for remote collaboration, workshop facilitation, journey mapping, and brainstorming.

• Productivity Suite: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) – for documentation, data analysis, and presentation creation.

• Prototyping/Wireframing Tools: While not explicitly listed, familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD may be beneficial for concept exploration and testing early-stage designs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in analyzing qualitative and quantitative research data is key. This may involve using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) for quantitative data and robust qualitative analysis techniques for interviews and contextual studies.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX Research tool, understanding how research insights feed into product roadmaps managed via Agile tools (e.g., Jira) and potentially CRM systems for customer feedback is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Miro, FigJam, and LucidChart suggests these are actively used collaboration tools. The role requires strong analytical skills for both qualitative and quantitative data, inherent to UX research.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centricity & Improving Lives: A core value at Elekta, driving the mission to enhance cancer care. This translates to a strong focus on user needs and the impact of technology on patients and healthcare professionals.

• Quality & Safety: Paramount in the medical device industry. This means a rigorous approach to design, research, and documentation, with a commitment to minimizing risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.

• Innovation & Excellence: A drive to develop cutting-edge solutions and maintain high standards in research and design practices.

• Collaboration & Integrity: Working effectively across teams and upholding ethical standards in all aspects of work, especially concerning sensitive patient data and medical device development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and other UX&D disciplines to ensure research findings are integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• Data-Driven Dialogue: Fostering discussions based on research evidence and user insights to guide product decisions and strategy.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages learning, sharing best practices, and supporting the growth of team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to fight cancer is a strong cultural anchor. The values will likely reflect a dedication to quality, safety, and user well-being, combined with a collaborative and innovative spirit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Regulations: The primary challenge is ensuring all research and design activities meet stringent medical device regulations (e.g., IEC 62366, FDA 21 CFR Part 820) while still delivering excellent user experiences.

• Balancing Research Rigor with Project Timelines: In a fast-paced product development environment, balancing thorough research with tight project deadlines can be demanding.

• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively communicating complex research findings and advocating for user needs to a range of stakeholders with varying priorities (e.g., engineering, marketing, regulatory).

• Managing Research for Integrated Systems: Leading research for complex hardware-software integrated systems requires a holistic approach to understanding the entire user journey.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Regulatory Expertise: Become a recognized expert in usability engineering for medical devices, potentially leading to specialized roles or certifications.

• Advanced Research Methodologies: Explore and implement advanced qualitative and quantitative research techniques tailored to complex technical products.

• Leadership Development: Gain experience in leading research strategy, mentoring junior team members, and contributing to the growth of the UX&D function.

• Industry Exposure: Attend industry conferences and engage with the broader UX and medical device communities to stay abreast of best practices and emerging trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are heavily tied to the regulated medical device environment. Growth opportunities will involve deepening expertise in this niche and expanding leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the usability strategy for a complex regulated medical device. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure compliance while meeting user needs?" (Focus on your strategic thinking, regulatory knowledge, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you approach balancing iterative design and rapid prototyping with the need for rigorous, compliant usability testing in a medical device context?" (Demonstrate your understanding of trade-offs and practical application of methodologies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Elekta's mission and our work in radiation therapy?" (Show genuine interest in the company's purpose.)

• "How do you see your role as a Lead UX Researcher contributing to Elekta's goal of improving cancer care globally?" (Connect your skills and experience to the company's mission.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a clear overview of the problem, your role, and the project's impact. Then, detail your research process, key findings, design recommendations, and the ultimate outcomes.

• Emphasize Regulatory Contribution: Explicitly call out how your research supported regulatory compliance, usability documentation, or audit readiness.

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you led the research effort, mentored others, or influenced strategic decisions.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, data analysis, and how you handled specific research challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating regulatory acumen, strategic thinking, and leadership skills, backed by concrete examples from your portfolio, especially those related to medical devices.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application and résumé through the Elekta careers portal. Ensure your résumé is tailored to highlight your experience in UX research, human factors, and medical device regulations.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your leadership, your experience with regulated medical devices, and your ability to drive impact through research. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, findings, recommendations, and outcomes, with a specific mention of regulatory contributions.

• Prepare Your Elevator Pitch: Be ready to succinctly describe your background, key strengths, and why you are a strong fit for this Lead UX Researcher role at Elekta, emphasizing your passion for their mission.

• Research Elekta: Gain a deeper understanding of Elekta's products, their market position, and their commitment to improving cancer care. Familiarize yourself with their company values and recent news.

⚠️ 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.