User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher Company: Made Tech Location: Any UK Office Hub (Bristol / London / Manchester / Swansea) Job Type: Permanent Category: User Experience & Research Operations Date Posted: August 01, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams to conduct user research, informing the design and delivery of public services that are useful, usable, and create successful outcomes.
• Apply a range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including usability testing, contextual inquiry, and rapid research, to gather actionable insights.
• Analyze research data using basic analytical techniques to synthesize findings and confidently challenge or confirm team understandings of problems and ideas.
• Communicate research findings effectively through reports, presentations, and "show & tells" to project stakeholders and wider teams, fostering empathy and understanding of users.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "User Researcher," the responsibilities and context suggest a strong overlap with operations, particularly in how research findings translate into actionable insights for service design and delivery. The role requires understanding project phases and data analysis, aligning with operations' focus on process improvement and data-driven decision-making. The emphasis on collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and influencing design principles also points to a key operational liaison role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Contribute to scoping research activities that directly inform the design of public services, ensuring they meet user needs and achieve desired outcomes.
• Proficiently apply qualitative and quantitative research methods, selecting the most appropriate techniques for specific research deliverables to maximize insight generation.
• Support Senior or Lead User Researchers on one or more research projects, gaining exposure to complex research challenges and strategic implementation.
• Conduct research with individuals, creating a comfortable environment for them to share personal details essential for designing effective public services.
• Analyze research data, synthesizing it into clear, actionable findings that empower teams to validate or question their problem and solution understandings.
• Develop and present research reports, artifacts, and "show & tells" to project teams and stakeholders, translating complex data into understandable insights.
• Actively involve entire project teams in user research processes to build collective understanding and empathy for users and service operators.
• Demonstrate and instill good habits for sharing research insights and facilitating data-driven decision-making within project teams.
• Contribute to the definition of Made Tech's design principles by successfully delivering impactful public services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong process orientation, from scoping and methodology selection to data analysis and stakeholder communication. The role requires not just research execution but also the ability to integrate findings into the broader service design and delivery lifecycle, a core function within operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, or a related discipline. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience: 2-5 years of experience in user-centered, lean, and agile research methodologies.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in qualitative research methods, including usability testing, contextual inquiry, and rapid research.
• Experience with quantitative research methods, including survey development and measurable/evaluative research.
• Strong understanding of accessibility and inclusive design principles.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into actionable findings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for creating reports, presentations, and stakeholder communications.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams (e.g., designers, developers, policy advisors).
• Familiarity with user-centered design principles and agile/lean methodologies.
• Understanding of the Government Digital Service (GDS) phases of project development.
• Awareness of the Market Research Society (MRS) code of practice and GDPR regulations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting research within the public sector or for government services.
• Knowledge of advanced data analysis techniques and statistical software.
• Experience in facilitating workshops and co-design sessions.
• Familiarity with prototyping tools and their use in user research.
• Ability to mentor junior researchers or team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level suggests a candidate who can operate independently on research tasks but may still benefit from senior guidance. Familiarity with specific standards like GDS phases and MRS code of practice indicates a need for candidates who understand structured project lifecycles and ethical research practices, crucial for operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a range of user research projects, showcasing the application of various qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Include case studies that clearly articulate the research problem, the methods used, the insights gained, and the impact on service design or delivery.
• Highlight examples of how research findings influenced design decisions and contributed to improved user outcomes or operational efficiencies.
• Showcase artifacts such as user journey maps, personas, usability test reports, and survey analysis summaries.
• Evidence of collaboration with design and development teams, illustrating how research was integrated into the product development lifecycle.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how research plans were developed, including scoping, participant recruitment, and methodology selection.
• Showcase how research data was analyzed and synthesized into actionable insights, potentially including templates or frameworks used.
• Include examples of how research findings were communicated to stakeholders, demonstrating clarity and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a User Researcher role, a portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical application of research skills. The emphasis here is on showcasing the entire research process from planning to impact, which aligns with operations' focus on documented, repeatable, and effective processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £38,000 - £42,000 per year.

Benefits:

• 30 Days Holiday: Generous annual leave allowance (30 days) plus bank holidays, promoting work-life balance.
• Flexible Working Hours: Adaptable working hours to accommodate personal needs and optimize productivity, supporting effective time management.
• Flexible Parental Leave: Comprehensive parental leave options to support employees during significant life events.
• Remote Working: Part-time remote working options available, offering flexibility in work location and supporting hybrid work arrangements.
• Paid Counselling: Access to paid counselling services, along with financial and legal advice, demonstrating a commitment to employee wellbeing.
• Flexible Benefits Platform: Includes options for a Smart Tech scheme, Cycle to Work scheme, and an individual benefits allowance to invest in a Health care cash plan or Pension plan.
• Social & Wellbeing Calendar: Optional events focused on connection, social interaction, and wellbeing.

Working Hours: Full-time (typically 40 hours per week), with flexibility in daily start and end times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level User Researcher in the UK. The benefits package is robust, emphasizing flexibility and employee wellbeing, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking a supportive work environment. The mention of flexible working hours is particularly relevant to operations roles that often require managing complex schedules and project demands.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Services / Public Sector Consulting. Made Tech focuses on using technology to improve public services and societal impact. Company Size: Growing, with a significant community of designers and researchers being built. This implies opportunities for influence but also a dynamic, evolving environment. Founded: Made Tech was founded with a mission to positively impact the future of the country through technology, emphasizing a design-led approach to service delivery. This foundational principle guides their work in the public sector.

Team Structure:

• User Researchers are part of the Strategy & Design department, contributing to a growing community of designers and researchers.
• They collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, working alongside developers, designers, project managers, and potentially policy experts.
• The structure encourages shared learning and the development of shared design principles through practical project delivery.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: At the core of their approach, ensuring services are designed around the needs of people.
• Lean & Agile Research: Utilizing efficient and iterative research methods to quickly gather insights and adapt designs.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using research findings to inform and validate design and development choices.
• Collaborative Working: Fostering an environment where teams work together to understand user needs and co-create solutions.

Company Website: https://madetech.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is mission-driven, focused on social impact through technology. For operations professionals, this translates to working on meaningful projects with a clear purpose. The emphasis on collaboration and learning within a growing community suggests a dynamic environment where contributions are valued and there's potential to shape processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level User Researcher, requiring independent execution of research tasks and contribution to broader project goals. It serves as a foundational role within the user-centered design practice, with potential to grow into more senior or specialized research positions. Reporting Structure: User Researchers are part of the Strategy & Design department and report into a Senior or Lead User Researcher or a Design Lead. They work closely with project teams, collaborating with various disciplines. Operations Impact: User research directly impacts the efficiency, usability, and success of public services. By ensuring services are user-centered, this role contributes to reduced operational costs (e.g., fewer support calls, less rework), increased user adoption, and ultimately, better societal outcomes, aligning with key operational KPIs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior User Researcher: Progression to a Senior role involves leading research projects, mentoring junior staff, and contributing to research strategy and standards.
• Specialization: Opportunities to specialize in areas like accessibility research, quantitative analysis, or service design research.
• Community Development: Contribute to the growth and maturity of the User-Centered Design (UCD) community at Made Tech, potentially leading knowledge sharing initiatives or developing best practices.
• Client Engagement: Develop stronger client-facing skills and contribute to business development by showcasing the impact of user research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path clearly indicates opportunities for specialization and leadership within the user research discipline. For operations professionals, this means a clear trajectory for skill development and career advancement, with the potential to influence operational processes and team growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. Employees can work from any of Made Tech's UK office hubs (Bristol, London, Manchester, Swansea) or remotely part-time. This offers flexibility in choosing a work location that suits individual needs and project requirements. Office Location(s): Bristol, London, Manchester, Swansea. These are established tech hubs, offering access to a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Office hubs are likely equipped with spaces designed for team collaboration, workshops, and presentations, facilitating the sharing of research findings and co-creation.
• Technology Access: Access to necessary research tools, software, and potentially prototyping or testing equipment.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with multidisciplinary teams, fostering a shared understanding of project goals and user needs. The growing UCD community also provides peer support.

Work Schedule: While the role is full-time, Made Tech offers flexible working hours, allowing individuals to manage their schedules effectively. This flexibility is crucial for balancing research activities, team collaboration, and personal commitments, typical of operational roles that require adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and flexible work environment is a significant draw for many professionals. For operations roles, this flexibility can be critical for managing project timelines, conducting fieldwork, and maintaining work-life balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Screening: Initial review of CV and portfolio to assess relevant experience and skills.
• Initial Interview: Typically with a hiring manager or senior team member to discuss experience, motivations, and cultural fit. Expect questions about your research process and how you handle challenges.
• Practical Exercise/Case Study: Likely a task to assess your research skills, analytical abilities, and communication style. This could involve analyzing a dataset, planning a research study, or presenting findings from a past project.
• Final Interview: May involve a panel interview with team members and stakeholders to assess broader fit, strategic thinking, and ability to collaborate.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 strong projects that best represent your skills and experience, focusing on diversity of methods and impact.
• Structure for Clarity: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, research methodology, key findings, and the impact of your work. Use visuals where appropriate.
• Highlight Process: Detail your research process, from planning and recruitment to analysis and reporting. Emphasize how you adapted methods or overcame challenges.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your research in terms of user behavior changes, design improvements, or operational benefits.
• Tailor to Made Tech: Research Made Tech's work in the public sector and try to align your examples with their mission and client focus.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology: Be prepared to discuss your preferred research methods and justify why you choose certain approaches for different problems.
• Analysis: Practice synthesizing qualitative data into themes and actionable insights. Understand how to use quantitative data to support qualitative findings.
• Communication: Rehearse presenting your findings concisely and persuasively, focusing on the "so what?" for stakeholders.
• Agile Context: Be ready to discuss how you integrate research within agile development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, assessing both technical research skills and the ability to integrate into a collaborative, mission-driven environment. A strong portfolio that demonstrates a clear, impact-driven research process is essential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for remote usability testing and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).
• Survey Tools: Experience with survey platforms for data collection (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Typeform).
• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Proficiency in tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, Miro for affinity mapping) and potentially basic quantitative analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets).
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Understanding of tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD to work with prototypes and conduct usability testing on them.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Presentation Software: Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote for creating reports and presentations.
• Collaboration Tools: Miro, Mural for collaborative whiteboarding, synthesis, and workshops.
• Data Visualization: Basic understanding of tools like Tableau or Power BI could be beneficial for presenting quantitative findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user research data can feed into customer understanding and service improvement processes is valuable. Familiarity with how customer data platforms (CDPs) or CRMs are used to track user journeys and feedback can be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a blend of specialized research tools and general productivity/collaboration software. The ability to work with data and present findings effectively is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving users, ensuring that all design and service delivery decisions are user-centered.
• Impact Driven: A focus on delivering tangible, positive outcomes for society through technology and design.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and cross-functional partnership to achieve shared goals.
• Continuous Learning: Encouraging personal and professional growth through knowledge sharing, feedback, and adapting to new methods and technologies.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical research practices, data privacy (GDPR), and professional standards (MRS Code of Practice).

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Research is seen as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, not a siloed function. Researchers actively participate in team ceremonies and discussions.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing research insights widely to build empathy and inform decision-making across the project.
• Feedback Culture: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve research practice and project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture strongly emphasizes user-centricity and collaborative impact, which aligns well with the operational goals of efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Needs with Project Timelines: Public sector projects can have tight deadlines, requiring researchers to be efficient and prioritize effectively.
• Recruiting Diverse Participants: Ensuring research participants accurately reflect the diverse user base of public services can be challenging.
• Translating Research into Action: Effectively communicating complex findings and influencing design decisions to ensure they lead to tangible improvements.
• Working Across Different Public Sector Contexts: Adapting research approaches to the unique needs and constraints of various government departments and services.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodological Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methods or learn new ones (e.g., advanced quantitative analysis, ethical AI research).
• Industry Standards Mastery: Gaining deeper knowledge of government digital standards, accessibility regulations, and ethical research frameworks.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Senior and Lead User Researchers within the Made Tech community.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining insights into design, development, and policy through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges present opportunities for skill development in areas crucial for operations, such as time management, stakeholder influence, and adaptability.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to adapt your research methodology to meet project constraints or tight deadlines. What was the outcome?" Focus on your process, decision-making, and the impact of your adaptations.
• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and effectively communicated to diverse stakeholders, including those without a research background?" Prepare examples of reports, presentations, or workshops you've conducted.
• "Walk us through a research project where you identified a significant user need that challenged the team's initial assumptions. How did you handle this?" Showcase your analytical skills and ability to influence decisions.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the public sector and specifically with Made Tech's mission?" Research their website and recent projects to articulate your alignment.
• "How do you approach collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, and what role do you see user research playing in that dynamic?" Highlight your teamwork skills and understanding of integrated development processes.
• "How do you measure the success or impact of your user research?" Discuss metrics, feedback loops, and how research contributes to service outcomes.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Storytelling: For each project, start with the core problem and end with the impact. Keep the narrative focused and engaging.
• Visual Aids: Use slides or a digital board (like Miro) to present key artifacts, data visualizations, and quotes from participants.
• Process Walkthrough: Clearly explain your steps, decision points, and how you synthesized information.
• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your methods, findings, and how you handled challenges, and be prepared to elaborate.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a clear, impact-oriented research process and aligning personal values with Made Tech's mission. Understanding how research integrates into broader project operations is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Pinpoint HQ.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases projects demonstrating your proficiency in user-centered, lean, and agile research methodologies. Select case studies that highlight your ability to translate research into actionable insights for service design and delivery, particularly those with measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with qualitative and quantitative research, GDS phases, GDPR compliance, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions related to methodology, communication, and teamwork.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Made Tech's mission, values, and recent public sector projects. Understand their design-led approach and how user research contributes to their overall strategy.

⚠️ 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.