User Researcher (Public)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher (Public)

Company: Kainos

Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom (with potential for Belfast)

Job Type: Other (Implied Full-Time)

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Service Design

Date Posted: 2026-02-13

Experience Level: Mid-Level (Implied 2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on delivering actionable user insights to define and improve digital service experiences, with a strong emphasis on user-centered design principles.

• The User Researcher will be an integral part of Kainos's growing Experience Design capability, contributing to the creation of exemplary digital services for the public sector.

• Key responsibilities include advocating for user needs, employing design thinking, and applying service design methodologies to create impactful, measurable solutions.

• The position requires a blend of qualitative and quantitative research expertise to drive informed design decisions and ensure services meet genuine user requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "User Researcher (Public)" and the description mentioning "transforming digital services for millions" and "public sector" strongly indicate a focus on government or public service digital transformation projects. The "EXPERIENCE DESIGN" capability suggests a role within a design or consulting team, rather than a pure product development role. The "Senior Associate" implied level suggests a candidate with a solid foundation but not necessarily extensive leadership experience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Deliver actionable user research insights to inform the design and development of digital services, ensuring they are focused on genuine user needs.

• Design and execute comprehensive research plans using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, collaborating with recruitment agencies or client insight teams as needed.

• Conduct user interviews and other qualitative research activities with a high degree of empathy to uncover deep user insights and pain points.

• Analyze and synthesize research findings into clear, compelling reports and presentations, providing actionable recommendations for design and development teams.

• Act as a vocal advocate for user needs and user-centered design principles within project teams and the wider organization.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including designers, developers, product managers, and clients, to integrate user insights into the service lifecycle.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research processes and methodologies within Kainos's Experience Design capability.

• Support the establishment and demonstration of the value of user research within project strategies and commercial objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are inferred from the "MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BUSINESS" section, emphasizing the core duties of a User Researcher focused on public sector digital services. The phrasing "exemplary digital services" and "measurable impact" suggests a performance-oriented environment where research outcomes are directly tied to service quality and client satisfaction.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Design, or a related discipline is typically expected for this level of research role.

Experience: Mid-level experience (implied 2-5 years) in user research, with a proven track record of applying research methodologies to inform design decisions. Experience in the public sector or with public-facing digital services is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Excellent knowledge and practical application of qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnography, focus groups).

• Sound knowledge of quantitative research methods (e.g., surveys, analytics, A/B testing) and their application in understanding user behavior at scale.

• Ability to design and write comprehensive research plans, defining objectives, methodologies, and deliverables.

• Clear understanding of the distinction between functional requirements and underlying user needs.

• Proven ability to conduct user interviews with empathy, active listening, and probing techniques.

• Competency in producing clear, concise research reports and presenting findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders.

• Sound commercial awareness and an understanding of how user research contributes to business objectives and project value.

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrable experience working within Agile delivery methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).

• Deep understanding of user-centered design (UCD) practices and principles.

• Familiarity with information architecture, interaction design, and visual design principles.

• Experience working in a full-service digital agency or consultancy environment.

• Active participation in user research or UX communities (e.g., online forums, local meetups, conferences).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "MINIMUM (ESSENTIAL) REQUIREMENTS" and "DESIRABLE" sections directly translate into these skills. The experience level is inferred from the "Senior Associate" title implied in the description and the depth of skills required. The preference for Agile and agency experience points towards a fast-paced, client-facing environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of user research projects, demonstrating your ability to tackle diverse research challenges.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the research problem, your chosen methodology, the execution process, and the resulting insights.

• Evidence of how your research findings directly influenced design decisions, product strategy, or service improvements, ideally with demonstrable impact.

• Examples of research plans and reports, highlighting your ability to structure and communicate research effectively.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate understanding of the end-to-end research process, from planning and recruitment to data analysis and reporting.

• Showcase experience in adapting research methodologies to fit project constraints, timelines, and objectives.

• Provide examples of how you have collaborated with design and development teams to translate research findings into actionable design specifications or product backlog items.

• Illustrate your approach to synthesizing complex data sets into clear, compelling narratives that drive stakeholder buy-in and action.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the description's emphasis on delivering insights, producing reports, and making recommendations strongly implies that a portfolio demonstrating these capabilities will be essential for evaluation. For a User Researcher role, a portfolio is standard practice.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the location (Birmingham, UK), experience level (Mid-level/Senior Associate), and the nature of the role within a technology consultancy like Kainos, the estimated salary range for a User Researcher in the UK is approximately £40,000 - £55,000 per annum. This can vary based on specific experience and the exact seniority of the "Senior Associate" title.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive private healthcare plan.

• Generous pension scheme.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications in UX research and related fields.

• Paid time off (annual leave) and public holidays.

• Support for continuous learning and participation in industry communities.

• Potential for flexible working arrangements, though the role is primarily on-site.

• Access to Kainos's employee assistance program and well-being initiatives.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely to be around 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role in the UK. While the role is described as on-site, there may be some flexibility, especially around core working hours, to accommodate research activities or project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary and benefits are standard estimations for a UK-based mid-level tech/consulting role. Kainos is a large employer, so a comprehensive benefits package is expected. The "working_hours" field was set to 40, which is a common full-time standard in the UK.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software Development, IT Services, Consulting, Digital Transformation. Kainos specializes in Workday services and digital services for the public sector, with a strong focus on delivering impactful solutions.

Company Size: Kainos is a significant employer, with over 2,000 employees globally. This size indicates a structured organization with established processes, but also enough agility to foster innovation and career growth.

Founded: Kainos was founded in 1989, giving it a long history and deep experience in the technology sector. This longevity suggests stability and a proven track record.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Experience Design" capability, which is part of Kainos's broader digital services offering. This capability likely comprises a team of UX designers, researchers, service designers, and potentially content designers.

• The User Researcher will report into a Lead UX Researcher, Head of Experience Design, or a Project/Delivery Manager, depending on the project structure.

Methodology:

• Kainos emphasizes a "people-first culture" and a mission to "create real impact" through problem-solving and innovation.

• The Experience Design team is described as "supportive, collaborative, talented, and hugely passionate about user-centred design."

• The company explicitly states they are "not about marketing and dark patterns; we are all about making a positive, measurable impact on millions of people through quality products and services."

• Agile delivery methodologies are likely a core part of their project execution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company information is derived from the provided LinkedIn data and the "Join Kainos and Shape the Future" preamble. The emphasis on "public sector" and "digital services" is a key differentiator for Kainos and influences the culture and project types.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "User Researcher (Public)" with an implied "Senior Associate" level. This typically represents a mid-career stage, where an individual has developed foundational research skills and is expected to work with some autonomy, contributing significantly to project outcomes. They are transitioning from executing tasks to helping define research strategy.

Reporting Structure: The User Researcher will likely report to a Lead UX Researcher or a Head of Experience Design, who provides guidance and oversight. Within project teams, they will collaborate closely with designers, developers, and project managers, often reporting functionally to the project lead for day-to-day tasks.

Operations Impact: The User Researcher's impact is direct and critical: by ensuring services are designed based on genuine user needs, they contribute to increased user adoption, satisfaction, and efficiency of public services, ultimately leading to better outcomes for citizens and reduced operational costs for the public sector clients. Their work directly influences the quality and effectiveness of digital transformation initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative techniques, large-scale quantitative analysis, accessibility research).

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior User Researcher or Lead UX Researcher role, mentoring junior team members and taking ownership of research strategy for larger projects.

• Service Design: Develop skills in broader service design, encompassing user journeys, service blueprints, and ecosystem mapping.

• Cross-functional Roles: Transition into related roles like UX Design, Product Management, or Consulting, leveraging their deep understanding of user needs.

• Client Engagement: Gain experience in client relationship management and presenting research insights at executive levels.

📝 Enhancement Note: Career growth paths are inferred based on typical progression within UX research and consulting firms. The "Senior Associate" title suggests a role where growth is expected, moving towards greater strategic input and potential leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Kainos operates from modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration and innovation. The Birmingham office is likely equipped with meeting rooms, quiet zones, and open-plan areas suitable for team work.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned is Birmingham, United Kingdom. However, "United Kingdom" is also listed as a location, with "Belfast, United Kingdom" as an alternative. This suggests that while Birmingham is the primary focus, there might be flexibility or opportunities in Belfast as well, or the role might involve travel between client sites.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as "supportive, collaborative, talented, and hugely passionate." This indicates a team-oriented culture where sharing ideas and working together is encouraged.

• As a consultancy, expect exposure to various client environments and project types, requiring adaptability.

• The role involves creating "exemplary digital services," suggesting access to contemporary design and research tools and technologies.

• Close collaboration with UX designers, developers, and business analysts will be a daily aspect, fostering a dynamic and integrated work environment.

Work Schedule: The role is described as on-site, implying a structured work week within the office. However, given the nature of research, there might be occasional flexibility required for user interviews or client meetings outside standard hours, though this is not explicitly stated. The standard 40-hour week is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers the work environment based on the company's description and typical consultancy office setups. The emphasis on collaboration and user-centered design suggests an environment that values user insight and teamwork.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A conversation with the talent acquisition team to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview: A discussion with a Lead UX Researcher or member of the Experience Design team focusing on research methodologies, problem-solving approaches, and understanding of user-centered design principles. This may involve discussing past projects.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where the candidate presents selected case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their research process, insights, and impact. This is crucial for evaluating practical skills.

• Practical Exercise/Challenge: Potentially a small research-focused task or a hypothetical scenario to assess problem-solving skills and approach under pressure.

• Final Interview: A broader conversation, possibly with a hiring manager or senior leader, focusing on strategic thinking, collaboration, and long-term fit within Kainos.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 strong, diverse case studies that best represent your skills and the types of projects Kainos undertakes (public sector digital services).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research methods used, the challenges faced, the key insights derived, and importantly, the impact of your research on the final service or product. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Include visuals where appropriate (e.g., research plan snippets, personas, journey maps, anonymized findings) to illustrate your process and outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of the services or features influenced by your research (e.g., increased task completion, reduced error rates, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handled difficult stakeholders, what you would do differently, and how your research aligns with business goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a challenge, take time to understand the problem domain and the target users.

• Outline Your Approach: Think through the steps you would take to research the problem, considering both qualitative and quantitative methods.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process and how you would approach gathering insights, even if you can't complete a full research study.

• Prioritize: Show an understanding of how to prioritize research questions and activities based on impact and feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines a typical interview and portfolio review process for a User Researcher role in a consultancy. The emphasis is on practical application, communication, and demonstrating impact, which are critical for client-facing roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Tools for conducting online surveys, usability testing, and remote interviews (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics, UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

• Collaboration Tools: Platforms for team communication and project management (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Confluence).

• Design & Prototyping Tools (for reviewing/interpreting): Familiarity with tools used by designers to understand prototypes and mockups (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Analytics Platforms: Experience with web analytics tools to understand user behavior patterns (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Tools for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and quantitative data (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).

• Visualization Tools: Software for creating charts and graphs to present data effectively (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for a User Researcher, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) or customer feedback platforms are used to gather insights can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with how research findings feed into product roadmaps and development backlogs managed through project management tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are common for User Researchers in digital agencies and consultancies, particularly those working on public sector projects. The emphasis is on tools that facilitate research execution, data analysis, and communication of findings.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value is placing the user at the heart of all design and development decisions, ensuring services are usable, accessible, and meet real needs.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, cross-functional cooperation, and open communication to achieve shared project goals.

• Impact & Quality: A drive to deliver high-quality, impactful digital services that make a tangible difference in people's lives, particularly within the public sector.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: A culture that encourages creative thinking, finding innovative solutions to complex challenges, and continuous learning.

• Integrity & Transparency: Commitment to ethical research practices and honest communication with clients and stakeholders.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: User Researchers are expected to work seamlessly with UX Designers, Product Managers, Business Analysts, Developers, and Project Managers, ensuring user insights are integrated at every stage of the product lifecycle.

• Feedback Culture: An environment that encourages constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to continuously improve research processes and design outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share learnings, best practices, and insights across projects and within the Experience Design community at Kainos.

• Client Partnership: Building trust and strong working relationships with clients, acting as expert advisors on user research and its value.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from Kainos's stated company culture ("people-first culture," "problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators," "creating exemplary digital services") and the nature of UX research in a consulting environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Constraints: Navigating the complexities of public sector projects, which may involve legacy systems, budget limitations, strict procurement processes, and diverse stakeholder requirements, while still advocating for user needs.

• Accessing and Recruiting Participants: For public sector research, recruiting a representative sample of users can sometimes be challenging due to diverse demographics, accessibility needs, or data privacy concerns.

• Data Synthesis and Communication: Translating complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights that resonate with a diverse range of stakeholders, including non-technical individuals.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the return on investment for user research activities to clients, especially in environments where the value might not be immediately apparent or easily quantifiable.

• Rapid Iteration and Delivery: Working within Agile frameworks requires researchers to be adaptable and deliver insights quickly to keep pace with development cycles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to gain expertise in specialized research methods such as accessibility testing, longitudinal studies, or advanced quantitative analysis.

• Service Design and UX Strategy: Developing a broader understanding of service design principles and contributing to high-level UX strategy.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced researchers and design leaders who can provide guidance and career advice.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Support for attending relevant conferences (e.g., UXPA, CHI) and undertaking professional development courses or certifications.

• Client Engagement & Presentation Skills: Honing skills in client management, stakeholder communication, and presenting research findings to executive audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are specific to the User Researcher role, particularly within the public sector and consultancy context. Growth opportunities are typical for mid-career professionals in UX/Design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach understanding the difference between a user's stated requirement and their underlying need?" (Focus on empathy, observational research, and probing techniques).

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for user needs against strong stakeholder opinions or project constraints. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method answer demonstrating persuasion, data-backed arguments, and negotiation skills).

• "Walk us through a research project where your insights led to a significant improvement in a digital service. What was your process, and how did you measure impact?" (Focus on methodology, insight generation, actionable recommendations, and measurable results).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about working with public sector digital services at Kainos?" (Research Kainos's public sector work and articulate your passion for improving citizen experiences).

• "How do you see user research contributing to Kainos's mission to create real impact?" (Connect your role to the company's values and objectives).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly outline: The Problem/Context, Your Role & Objectives, Methodology, Process/Execution, Key Insights & Findings, Design Recommendations, and Impact/Outcome.

• Visuals Enhance Understanding: Use anonymized screenshots, diagrams, or summaries of findings to illustrate your points. Avoid showing sensitive client data.

• Focus on "So What?": For each insight, explain its significance and the actionable recommendation derived from it.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific choices of methodology, how you handled challenges, and what you learned.

• Connect to Kainos: Where possible, subtly link your experiences and approaches to the types of challenges Kainos addresses in the public sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are tailored to assess core UX research competencies, problem-solving skills, collaboration abilities, and alignment with Kainos's focus on public sector impact. Portfolio presentation advice emphasizes clarity, impact, and strategic communication.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Researcher position:

• Click the "Apply Now" button on the Kainos careers portal.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-4 of your strongest user research case studies. Ensure they clearly demonstrate your research process, insights, recommendations, and impact, particularly highlighting any public sector or large-scale digital service experience.

• Tailor Your CV: Update your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Qualitative Research," "Quantitative Research," "User-Centered Design," "Service Design," "Agile," and specific research tools you've used. Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Research Kainos: Familiarize yourself with Kainos's work, especially their digital services for the public sector. Understand their values and approach to user-centered design.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating the value you bring. Be prepared to discuss your methodology and decision-making process.

⚠️ 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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