UX Researcher and Strategist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher and Strategist

Company: Graphite Digital

Location: Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research & Strategy

Date Posted: December 8, 2025

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This hybrid role combines hands-on user research with strategic thinking to guide digital experience strategy within the health and pharma sectors.

• It requires a self-sufficient individual capable of leading end-to-end UX research studies with patients and Healthcare Professionals (HCPs).

• The core focus is synthesizing user needs, business objectives, and clinical realities to inform product and design decisions.

• Success in this role means translating complex insights into clear, actionable directions for product and design teams, fostering a data-driven culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level position, indicating a need for candidates who can operate with a significant degree of autonomy, manage projects independently, and contribute strategically beyond just executing research tasks. The emphasis on generating 75% of billable revenue suggests a strong client-facing aspect and a need for efficient project management and delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• User Research Leadership: Plan, execute, and own end-to-end UX research projects for healthcare and pharmaceutical clients, from initial planning and estimation through to synthesis, reporting, and presentation.

• Methodology Expertise: Conduct a range of qualitative and quantitative research, including usability testing, in-depth interviews, surveys, card sorting, tree testing, and diary studies, recommending appropriate methodologies and their rationale.

• Insight Synthesis & Translation: Analyze user behaviors, needs, and pain points to derive clear, evidence-based insights that directly inform design and product strategy for client accounts.

• Strategic Guidance: Translate research findings into actionable product recommendations with measurable outcomes, identifying user needs, knowledge gaps, and strategic implications from client documentation.

• Deliverable Creation: Develop impactful UX deliverables such as heuristic evaluations, personas, user journey maps, and comprehensive strategic reports to communicate findings and strategic direction.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with designers, business strategists, and project managers to share insights, co-create solutions, and ensure seamless project delivery, adhering to research operations processes and ethical guidelines.

• Client Engagement & Education: Communicate research findings clearly to both internal teams and client stakeholders, challenging assumptions and promoting a continuous test-and-learn approach to foster a data-driven culture.

• Domain Expertise Development: Cultivate and apply expertise in the health and pharma digital landscape, user behavior, and best practices to inform internal thinking and contribute to the department's insights repository.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on both tactical research execution and strategic application. The expectation to "own projects" and "work autonomously" suggests a need for strong project management and self-direction. The emphasis on "challenging assumptions" and "distinguishing validated insights from hypotheses" points to a critical thinking requirement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is typically beneficial for understanding user behaviors and research methodologies.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of demonstrable experience in UX research and strategy, preferably within an agency or consultancy environment.

• Essential experience conducting research specifically with patients, Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), or other relevant healthcare audiences.

Required Skills:

• Healthcare & Pharma Domain Expertise: Essential experience and a genuine interest in the health and pharma sectors.

• UX Research Methodologies: Demonstrable experience with a wide array of moderated and unmoderated UX research methods (e.g., usability testing, interviews, surveys, card sorting, tree testing, diary studies) and the ability to select and justify appropriate methods.

• UX Strategy Development: Proven ability to analyze client materials, distill insights, identify gaps and opportunities, and translate these into actionable product recommendations and strategic direction.

• Deliverable Creation: Experience creating key UX deliverables such as personas, journey maps, heuristic evaluations, and strategic reports.

• Research Operations Management: Capability to manage core research operations tasks, including participant screening, consent processes, GDPR compliance, and logistical coordination.

• Analytical & Synthesis Skills: Strong ability to analyze complex data, synthesize findings into clear, structured insights, and articulate their strategic implications.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to present research insights and their value clearly to diverse stakeholders (internal teams and clients).

• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: An inquisitive mindset with strong questioning and problem-solving skills to dig beneath the surface of user behavior, challenge assumptions, and distinguish validated insights.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Proven ability to take ownership of project delivery and work autonomously with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills:

• Broader pharmaceutical, regulatory, or clinical pathway knowledge.

• Experience with Design Thinking principles and facilitating UX workshops.

• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "essential" nature of healthcare and pharma experience, along with specific research with patients/HCPs, strongly indicates that candidates without this background will likely not be considered. The "mid-level" designation implies a need for independence and project ownership beyond junior roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Project Examples: Showcase at least 2-3 comprehensive UX research projects that demonstrate your ability to manage studies from initiation to final reporting and strategic recommendations.

• Methodology Application: Clearly articulate the research methodologies used in each project, providing a strong rationale for their selection and how they addressed specific research questions.

• Insight-to-Action: Present clear examples of how your research insights were translated into actionable product or design recommendations, ideally with evidence of their impact or implementation.

• Strategic Contribution: Highlight instances where your research informed or shaped broader UX strategy, business objectives, or clinical realities for a client.

• Deliverable Samples: Include examples of key deliverables such as personas, user journey maps, heuristic evaluations, or strategic reports.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning & Operations: Demonstrate understanding of planning research studies, including defining objectives, scope, participant recruitment strategies, ethical considerations (e.g., GDPR, consent), and logistical management.

• Synthesis & Reporting: Showcase your process for analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, synthesizing findings into coherent insights, and presenting them effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Collaboration Workflows: Illustrate how you collaborate with designers, product managers, and other stakeholders throughout the research and strategy process, ensuring insights are integrated into development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on both research and strategy, a portfolio should clearly delineate projects where the candidate drove strategic direction based on research, not just executed studies. Demonstrating the impact of research on business or product outcomes will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not specified, for a mid-level UX Researcher and Strategist with 2-5 years of experience in the Brighton, UK area, a competitive salary range would typically fall between £45,000 - £65,000 per annum. This estimate considers the specialist nature of UX research, the agency environment, the hybrid work model, and the cost of living in the South East of England.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Private health insurance with high standards of cover and a comprehensive private dental plan.

• Professional Development: Dedicated personal development time and an annual training budget to support continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Work-Life Balance & Social: 25 days of holiday (increasing with tenure), regular social meet-ups and events, and opportunities for community engagement.

• Employee Support: Free employee assistance support for personal challenges (legal, financial, medical) and a cycle-to-work scheme.

• Financial Security: Pension scheme with employer contributions.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely around 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement allowing for a balance between office-based collaboration in Brighton and remote work. Ad-hoc travel to London or Brighton will be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general UK market data for similar roles and locations. Specific salary will depend on the candidate's exact experience, skills, and negotiation. The benefits package is robust, reflecting a company that invests in employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Health and Pharma Digital Experience Agency. Graphite Digital specializes in creating digital solutions tailored to the needs of audiences within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, focusing on strategy, user research, and design.

Company Size: Based on typical agency structures and the mention of a "growing team," Graphite Digital likely falls within the small to medium-sized agency bracket (e.g., 50-150 employees). This size often fosters a collaborative, close-knit environment where individuals can have a significant impact.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's established presence suggests it has a history of delivering digital solutions in its niche.

Team Structure:

• UX Department: The UX Researcher and Strategist will report to the Head of UX, indicating a structured UX function within the agency.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes close partnerships with designers, business strategists, and project managers, suggesting a highly collaborative, matrixed team structure common in agencies.

• Client-Facing Teams: The role will involve working directly with clients on various accounts, requiring seamless integration with client project teams.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Approach: The agency's core pillars (strategy, user research, design) and focus on audience needs underscore a strong commitment to user-centered design (UCD) principles.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A key aspect of the role is translating insights into evidence-based decisions and promoting a "continuous test-and-learn approach."

• Agile Practices: The requirement for experience in an Agile environment suggests that project workflows are iterative, adaptive, and focused on delivering value incrementally.

• Continuous Improvement: The company culture values "continuously improving and developing our people and processes," indicating a proactive approach to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

Company Website: https://graphitedigital.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's specialization in Health and Pharma is a critical differentiator, meaning candidates must demonstrate an understanding and passion for this sector's unique challenges and user groups (patients, HCPs). The agency model implies a fast-paced environment with diverse client projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level role, positioned as a hybrid UX strategy and research function. It requires individuals who can operate with autonomy, manage their own workload, and contribute strategically, bridging the gap between research findings and business outcomes. It's a step up from a pure junior researcher, demanding more strategic thinking and client-facing confidence.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher and Strategist will report to the Head of UX. This structure provides senior oversight and mentorship while allowing for independent project execution. Collaboration will extend across various project teams and client stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The role's direct impact is on shaping digital experiences for healthcare and pharmaceutical clients, ultimately influencing patient outcomes, HCP efficiency, and client business objectives. The requirement to generate 75% billable revenue highlights the direct commercial impact of the role on the department's success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Expertise: Deepen expertise within the health and pharma digital landscape, becoming a go-to authority on user behavior and best practices in this niche.

• Strategic Leadership: Progress into more senior strategy roles, leading larger accounts, developing strategic frameworks, and mentoring junior researchers.

• Skill Development: Enhance skills in areas like advanced research methodologies, strategic planning, workshop facilitation, and potentially AI applications in research. The company offers dedicated training budgets and internal knowledge-sharing sessions.

• Cross-Disciplinary Growth: Gain broader exposure to design, business strategy, and project management through close collaboration, potentially leading to hybrid roles or management opportunities within the agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "mid-level" designation implies a candidate who is beyond entry-level tasks and can lead projects, but may not yet be at a senior or principal level where they are solely responsible for defining departmental strategy. The growth path seems to lean towards deepening specialization within the niche or moving into broader strategic leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates a hybrid model, with a physical headquarters in Brighton. This suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The Brighton office likely serves as a hub for team meetings, client workshops, and social events.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Brighton, East Sussex (BN1 4AW). Ad-hoc travel to London and potentially other client sites within the UK will be required.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Brighton office is expected to facilitate collaborative working, knowledge sharing, and team cohesion through regular social meet-ups and events.

• Hybrid Flexibility: The hybrid arrangement allows for personalized work schedules, balancing focused remote work with in-office interaction for strategic sessions and team building.

• Resource Access: While specific tools aren't detailed here, an agency environment typically provides access to necessary UX research software, collaboration platforms, and design tools.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, likely aligning with standard UK business hours (approx. 40 hours per week). While remote work offers flexibility, the hybrid nature and client demands may require some structure and availability during core working periods, with flexibility built around project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with required travel implies candidates must be comfortable commuting to Brighton regularly and traveling to London as needed. This is not a fully remote role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and cover letter, with a specific focus on healthcare/pharma experience and research capabilities.

• First Interview: Likely with the Head of UX or a senior member of the UX team. This stage will assess your core UX research and strategy skills, understanding of the health/pharma sector, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your experience with specific research methodologies and strategic thinking.

• Portfolio Review / Presentation: A key stage where you'll present case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your ability to plan and execute research, synthesize insights, and translate them into strategic recommendations. Expect to discuss your process, challenges, and impact.

• Second Interview / Team Fit: Potentially with other team members or a hiring manager. This may involve behavioral questions, problem-solving scenarios, and further assessment of your collaboration style and alignment with Graphite Digital's values.

• Final Offer: Subject to reference checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX research and strategy capabilities, with a clear emphasis on health/pharma if possible.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics or specific outcomes to demonstrate the impact of your research and strategic recommendations on client goals or user experience.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies with a clear narrative: the problem, your approach (methodology rationale), your process, key insights, strategic recommendations, and outcomes.

• Highlight Autonomy & Collaboration: Show instances where you led projects independently and how you effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Address Clinical Realities: Be prepared to discuss how you integrated business objectives and clinical realities into your strategic recommendations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Justification: Be ready to explain why you chose specific research methods for past projects and how they addressed business/user needs.

• Insight Articulation: Practice synthesizing complex data into clear, concise, and actionable insights.

• Strategic Vision: Prepare to discuss how you would approach developing a UX strategy for a hypothetical health/pharma digital product, integrating user needs, business goals, and clinical context.

• Client Communication: Think about how you would present sensitive or challenging research findings to clients and how you would manage differing opinions or expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely to be a significant part of the interview process, given the role's emphasis on strategic application of research. Candidates should prepare to not only show what they did but why and how it led to impactful outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Experience with tools for usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), survey creation (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics), and potentially remote moderation tools.

• Collaboration Software: Proficiency with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for internal communication and project coordination.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with Agile project management tools such as Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for tracking tasks and timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to analyze qualitative data (e.g., using thematic analysis techniques, potentially aided by tools like Dovetail or NVivo) and quantitative data (e.g., using Excel, Google Sheets, or basic statistical software).

• Presentation Software: Mastery of tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for creating compelling research reports and presentations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) could be beneficial for understanding client business contexts, though not a primary requirement for this role.

• Understanding of how UX insights can inform digital product development and potentially automation strategies within client solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific tool requirements are not listed, but the responsibilities imply a need for proficiency in standard UX research and analysis tools. The company likely uses a mix of industry-standard software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs (patients and HCPs) in all digital solutions.

• Data-Driven Impact: A passion for evidence-based decision-making, using research to drive measurable outcomes and validate hypotheses.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Valuing open communication, knowledge sharing, and teamwork across disciplines to achieve collective goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive mindset towards refining processes, developing skills, and staying ahead of industry trends.

• Empathy & Sensitivity: Particularly crucial when working with healthcare audiences, demonstrating care and respect for user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close working relationships with designers, business strategists, and project managers, requiring effective communication and shared understanding of project goals.

• Client Partnership: A collaborative approach to client engagements, working together to define problems, conduct research, and develop strategic solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment that encourages sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across teams (e.g., "Graphite Learns" sessions) to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "caring" people and making a "measurable difference" suggests a mission-driven culture that combines professional excellence with a genuine desire to improve health and well-being through digital experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Healthcare Landscape: Understanding and adapting to the unique regulatory, clinical, and ethical considerations within the health and pharma sectors.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Synthesizing diverse inputs from patients, HCPs, business objectives, and clinical realities into cohesive strategies.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating and proving the value of UX research and strategy to clients, especially in a sector where outcomes can be long-term.

• Client Education: Guiding clients who may not be fully familiar with UX principles or data-driven decision-making processes.

• Hybrid Work Management: Effectively balancing remote and in-office work, ensuring consistent productivity and team engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to group training with external experts focused on health and pharma digital trends and UX best practices.

• Internal Knowledge Exchange: Participation in "Graphite Learns" sessions and utilizing the "Coassemble" platform for ongoing agency-wide training and skill development.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior team members, including the Head of UX, and potentially mentor junior colleagues as experience grows.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience across a variety of health and pharma projects, broadening understanding of different therapeutic areas and digital health challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to the specialized field and agency model. The growth opportunities are well-supported by the company's investment in training and internal knowledge sharing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business objectives and clinical realities. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"

• "Walk me through a complex UX research project you led from start to finish. What were the key challenges, your methodology, and the strategic impact of your findings?"

• "How do you ensure your research insights are actionable and lead to tangible improvements in product design or user experience?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about Graphite Digital and our focus on the health and pharma sector?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with designers and product managers? Can you give an example of a successful cross-functional partnership?"

• "How do you stay updated on UX research trends and best practices, particularly within the healthcare industry?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, the strategic goals, the research questions, your chosen methodology, key insights, actionable recommendations, and measurable outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, diagrams, personas, journey maps) to illustrate your process and findings.

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation as a story – the journey of discovery and how it led to strategic solutions.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, data analysis process, and how you handled challenges or unexpected findings.

• Connect to Graphite: If possible, subtly link your experience and approach to Graphite Digital's values and specialization in health and pharma.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their specific experience within the healthcare/pharma domain and demonstrate how they translate research into strategic, business-aligned recommendations. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher and Strategist position:

• Submit your application through the Graphite Digital online application system via the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Cover Letter: Clearly articulate your passion for the health and pharma sector, highlight your relevant experience with patients/HCPs, and explain why you're a strong fit for a hybrid UX research and strategy role.

• Optimize Your CV: Ensure your CV prominently features keywords related to UX research methodologies, strategy development, healthcare experience, and key skills mentioned in the job description. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that showcases end-to-end UX research projects, focusing on strategic insights and actionable recommendations. Be ready to present 2-3 case studies during the interview process.

• Research Graphite Digital: Familiarize yourself with their work, client types, and company culture. Understand their specialization and how your skills can contribute to their mission.

⚠️ 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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