Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: Elekta

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Human Factors

Date Posted: 2026-04-29

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute comprehensive user research and usability testing for Elekta's regulated medical hardware and software products.

• Define and implement usability strategies that align with regulatory submission requirements and program objectives.

• Conduct a variety of UX research methodologies including contextual studies, interviews, surveys, task analyses, and heuristic evaluations.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as Product Management, Engineering, Industrial Design, UX Strategy & Design, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure user-centered product development.

• Act as a subject matter expert in usability engineering, contributing to product release teams and ensuring adherence to relevant standards and guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for ensuring Elekta's medical devices meet stringent regulatory requirements for usability and safety. The emphasis on regulated medical devices and compliance with standards like IEC 62366 and ISO 14971 signifies a specialized and high-impact UX research function within the healthcare technology sector. The hybrid work arrangement with a mandated 4 days in the office highlights the importance of in-person collaboration and hands-on work within a physical product development environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and documentation of user research studies, including contextual inquiries, interviews, surveys, task and use error analyses, user reviews, heuristic evaluations, and formal usability testing.

• Develop and execute a clear usability strategy that supports program goals and ensures compliance with global medical device regulations.

• Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs to ensure that the usability strategy and documentation align with the requirements for regulatory submissions and approvals.

• Manage the full lifecycle of UX research projects, from defining scope and timing to ensuring timely delivery of insights and deliverables within product release schedules.

• Serve as the primary usability engineering subject matter expert within product release teams, actively participating in meetings, reviewing documentation, and providing critical input.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including delivery leads, system engineers, product managers, clinical experts, and other UX/Design team members.

• Proactively identify potential risks in research activities and product usability, escalating issues as needed and adapting plans to changing priorities and challenging situations.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within UX research and usability processes, seeking opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

• Champion the business value of UX research and user-centered design principles in all interactions with internal stakeholders.

• Manage external agencies for usability testing, including participant recruitment, RFP creation, proposal review, and vendor selection.

• Participate actively in Agile ceremonies, including PI Planning, clearly communicating research plans, dependencies, and identified risks to the broader product team.

• Review the work of other UX professionals, providing constructive feedback and coaching to junior team members to foster their professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on leading research, defining strategy, and acting as a subject matter expert indicates a senior-level role requiring significant autonomy and strategic thinking. The inclusion of managing external agencies and participating in Agile/SAFe ceremonies points to a need for strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills, common in operations-focused product development environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in Human Factors Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Experimental Psychology, User-Centred Design, or a closely related field. Equivalent practical experience and training will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 4 years of progressive experience as an individual contributor in human factors, usability engineering, or UX research, with a significant portion focused on regulated medical devices.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in diverse UX research methodologies, including contextual studies, in-depth interviews, surveys, task and use error analyses, user reviews, heuristic evaluations, and formal usability testing.

• Demonstrated ability to select and apply the most appropriate research methods based on project objectives, constraints, and user needs.

• Solid understanding of medical device regulations and compliance frameworks.

• In-depth knowledge of usability engineering and risk management standards and guidelines, specifically IEC 62366, FDA Human Factors (HF) guidelines, and ISO 14971.

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, analysis, and presentation.

• Experience with common digital collaboration and workshop tools such as Miro, FigJam, or LucidChart.

• Strong understanding of Agile principles and product development practices (Scrum, Kanban).

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and PI-planning practices.

• Familiarity with working with detailed clinical knowledge and understanding complex healthcare workflows.

• Experience managing subcontracted agencies for research participant recruitment and study execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Master's degree and 4+ years of specific experience in regulated medical devices firmly places this role in the senior to lead category within UX research. The explicit mention of regulatory standards (IEC 62366, ISO 14971, FDA HF) is a critical differentiator, suggesting that candidates with this specialized knowledge will be highly sought after. The inclusion of Agile/SAFe as preferred skills indicates a move towards more integrated product development lifecycles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of end-to-end UX research projects, showcasing the full research lifecycle from planning and recruitment to analysis and reporting.

• Case studies detailing the application of specific research methodologies (e.g., contextual inquiry, usability testing) to solve complex user problems within product development.

• Evidence of how research insights directly influenced product design decisions and led to measurable improvements in user experience or product performance.

• Documentation showcasing experience with regulated medical device usability, including contributions to usability reports for regulatory submissions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase ability to document research processes, including methods, participant criteria, and analysis techniques, in a clear and reproducible manner.

• Provide examples of how research findings were translated into actionable design recommendations and validated through subsequent testing.

• Demonstrate experience in contributing to or developing usability engineering files and risk management documentation as part of a regulated product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, particularly in a regulated industry, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to go beyond just showcasing studies and must demonstrate the impact of that research on product development, regulatory compliance, and user outcomes. The emphasis on process documentation for regulated environments is a key differentiator for this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated salary range for a Senior UX Researcher in Crawley, United Kingdom, is typically between £60,000 and £85,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level UX research roles in the UK, considering the specialized nature of medical device usability and the cost of living in the Crawley area. Factors such as specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation will influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Up to 25 paid vacation days per year (plus bank holidays), providing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

• Holiday Purchase Scheme, offering flexibility to buy additional days off.

• Private Medical Insurance, ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage.

• Attractive Employer Pension Contribution Package, supporting long-term financial security.

• Cycle to Work Scheme, promoting sustainable commuting and employee well-being.

• Life Assurance, providing financial protection for beneficiaries.

• Onsite subsidized restaurant, offering convenient and budget-friendly dining options.

• Love Electric (Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme), an attractive benefit for eco-conscious employees.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with an expectation of 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement requires 4 days per week in the Crawley Hub office, with one day offering remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general UK market data for senior UX roles and adjusted for the specific location (Crawley) and industry (Medical Devices, which often commands a premium for specialized skills). The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting Elekta's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, with specific mention of health, financial, and lifestyle perks. The hybrid model is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Elekta operates within the Healthcare Technology sector, specifically focusing on solutions for cancer treatment. This industry is characterized by innovation, stringent regulatory oversight, and a profound mission to improve patient outcomes. The focus on medical devices means a culture that prioritizes safety, quality, and rigorous validation.

Company Size: Elekta is a global company with a significant employee base, likely in the thousands. This size suggests a structured organization with established processes, but also opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and career development across various departments and geographical locations. For operations professionals, this means working within defined systems while having access to broad resources.

Founded: Elekta has a history dating back to 1972, indicating a company with deep expertise and a long-standing presence in the medical technology market. This longevity implies a stable and experienced organization, likely with well-defined operational frameworks and a commitment to long-term product development and customer support.

Team Structure:

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

• The Senior UX Researcher reports to the Manager, UX Research, indicating a clear reporting line within a specialized research function.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The team is expected to leverage data from user research to derive actionable insights that inform product decisions. This involves rigorous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: UX research activities are integrated into product development lifecycles, likely following Agile methodologies. The role requires planning research workflows to align with release timelines and business objectives.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not explicitly stated for research itself, the company's use of Agile suggests a focus on efficient processes. The role also involves managing external agencies, which requires efficient vendor management.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Elekta's mission-driven nature in healthcare, especially cancer treatment, is key. The company's size and history suggest a robust, albeit potentially bureaucratic, operational environment. The team structure highlights a specialized UX function embedded within a broader product development ecosystem, requiring strong collaboration with engineering and regulatory teams – a common dynamic for operations professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior UX Researcher role is positioned at a mid-to-senior individual contributor level. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead complex research initiatives. The role is responsible for defining strategy, mentoring junior team members, and acting as a subject matter expert, indicating a significant level of responsibility and influence within the product development process.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Manager, UX Research. This structure suggests a clear hierarchy within the UX research function, allowing for mentorship, guidance, and alignment on research priorities. The manager likely oversees multiple researchers and research projects, ensuring that the team's work contributes effectively to Elekta's product development goals.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Researcher's work directly impacts product success by ensuring that Elekta's hardware and software products are not only innovative but also safe, effective, and user-friendly. This is particularly critical in the medical device industry, where usability directly affects patient safety and regulatory approval. The research findings will influence critical design decisions, product roadmaps, and ultimately, Elekta's ability to provide life-saving cancer care solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in human factors engineering for regulated medical devices, becoming a recognized authority in this niche area.

• Leadership Development: Potential to advance into a Lead UX Researcher role, managing larger research programs, or transitioning into a management track within UX Research or Product Development.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Gain exposure to various product lines and collaborate with different engineering and product teams, potentially leading to opportunities in product management or UX strategy.

• Skill Expansion: Develop skills in areas like Agile/SAFe, vendor management, and advanced research methodologies through hands-on experience and company-provided learning resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a trajectory beyond this role, likely towards principal-level individual contribution or management. The impact is significant due to the life-critical nature of medical devices. Growth opportunities emphasize deepening specialized knowledge, moving into leadership, or broadening scope within the product development lifecycle, all common paths for operations-adjacent roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an office-based role with a hybrid work arrangement, requiring 4 days per week at the Crawley Hub. This indicates a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and access to physical resources within the office environment.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is the Crawley Hub in the United Kingdom. This location likely offers modern facilities designed to support collaborative work, with access to meeting rooms, research labs (potentially), and shared workspaces. Specific details about accessibility or amenities would be available upon inquiry.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model with 4 days in the office is designed to foster strong team dynamics and facilitate spontaneous collaboration, essential for complex product development.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to standard office technology, including Microsoft Office suite, and specialized UX research tools like Miro, FigJam, and LucidChart. Access to any internal research platforms or lab equipment would be part of the role's setup.

• Team Interaction: The structured office presence facilitates regular interaction with fellow UX researchers, designers, product managers, and engineers, promoting knowledge sharing and efficient problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with standard working hours likely aligning with business needs (approximately 40 hours per week). While the specific daily hours may offer some flexibility, the 4-day in-office requirement anchors the work schedule to specific days for team collaboration and operational continuity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is clearly defined with a strong emphasis on office presence (4 days). This suggests that Elekta values in-person interaction for collaboration and knowledge transfer, which is common in organizations dealing with complex, regulated products where direct communication is often more efficient. The Crawley Hub is presented as a central point for this collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your application and resume, focusing on your experience with UX research, human factors, and medical device regulations.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Manager, UX Research, to assess your experience, technical skills, understanding of research methodologies, and fit with team dynamics. Be prepared to discuss your approach to leading research projects.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio. Expect in-depth questions about your research process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. This is also where questions about regulatory standards (IEC 62366, ISO 14971) will be probed.

• Cross-functional Interview: An interview with stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, or Regulatory Affairs to assess your collaboration skills, ability to translate research into actionable insights for different disciplines, and understanding of product development lifecycles.

• Final Interview / Offer: Potentially a final conversation with a senior leader or HR to discuss overall fit, compensation, and terms of employment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your expertise in leading UX research, your experience with regulated medical devices, and your ability to drive impact. Highlight projects where regulatory compliance was a key factor.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research methods used, key findings, the design/product changes implemented based on your insights, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., improved usability scores, successful regulatory submissions, reduced use errors).

• Emphasize Regulatory Rigor: Clearly articulate your understanding and application of standards like IEC 62366 and ISO 14971. Detail how your research processes and documentation supported regulatory compliance.

• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams, including engineers, product managers, and regulatory affairs specialists, to integrate research findings into the product development lifecycle.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss the nuances of your methodology, your rationale for choosing specific methods, how you handled challenging participants or unexpected findings, and how you communicated complex information to diverse audiences.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Application: You might be asked to design a usability testing plan for a hypothetical Elekta product or critique an existing research approach, focusing on compliance and effectiveness.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare to discuss how you would approach a specific usability challenge in a medical device context, considering both user needs and regulatory constraints.

• Regulatory Interpretation: Be ready to discuss how you interpret and apply regulatory guidelines (e.g., FDA HF guidelines) in practical research scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess not only research skills but also deep knowledge of medical device regulations and cross-functional collaboration. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate tangible impact and regulatory expertise. Any "challenge" is likely to be a scenario-based exercise focusing on applying regulatory knowledge to research design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: While specific tools aren't listed, expect proficiency with standard platforms for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability tests.

• Digital Collaboration: Miro, FigJam, LucidChart for workshop facilitation, journey mapping, and collaborative ideation.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word for detailed documentation (e.g., usability reports, research protocols), Excel for data analysis, and PowerPoint for presentations and stakeholder updates.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Qualitative Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency with tools for analyzing interview transcripts, usability test recordings, and open-ended survey responses (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail, or similar).

• Quantitative Data Analysis Tools: Familiarity with statistical analysis methods and potentially tools like SPSS, R, or advanced Excel functions if quantitative user studies are conducted.

• Reporting & Visualization: Ability to create clear, concise, and compelling reports and presentations that effectively communicate research findings and their implications.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX research tool, understanding how UX insights feed into product development processes that may use CRM or project management software (e.g., Jira, Confluence) is beneficial. Awareness of how user feedback loops into product management and engineering workflows is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Miro, FigJam, and LucidChart points to a modern collaborative UX environment. The emphasis on Microsoft Office is standard, but the need for qualitative data analysis tools is crucial for this role. Understanding how UX research integrates into broader product development tools like Jira is also important for operations professionals.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user in all product development decisions, ensuring products are intuitive, effective, and safe.

• Quality & Rigor: A dedication to high standards in research methodology, data analysis, and documentation, especially critical given the regulated nature of medical devices.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork, valuing input from diverse disciplines (engineering, product, regulatory) to achieve optimal outcomes.

• Continuous Improvement: An ongoing drive to refine research processes, adopt new methodologies, and enhance the efficiency and impact of UX research activities.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical research practices and ensuring that user data is handled with the utmost confidentiality and respect.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working as a trusted partner with Product Management and Engineering, embedding research insights directly into the product development lifecycle.

• Influence & Advocacy: Effectively communicating research findings to influence design and strategic decisions, acting as a strong advocate for the user's needs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in team discussions, sharing learnings from research, and contributing to a culture of continuous learning and skill development within the UX&D team.

• Feedback Integration: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback on research plans, methodologies, and findings to ensure the highest quality of work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Elekta's mission implies a culture focused on purpose and impact. For a Senior UX Researcher, this translates to a value system that prioritizes user safety, rigorous scientific methods, and collaborative problem-solving within a regulated environment. The emphasis on integrity and continuous improvement is standard but amplified by the healthcare context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Regulatory Complexity: Navigating and strictly adhering to evolving international medical device regulations (e.g., IEC 62366, FDA guidelines) while conducting research and documenting findings.

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: Synthesizing diverse stakeholder requirements and technical limitations with user needs to arrive at optimal, compliant solutions.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively managing expectations and communication across multiple departments (Product, Engineering, Regulatory, Marketing) with differing priorities.

• Remote/Hybrid Research Logistics: Coordinating research activities, especially usability testing with clinical users, in a hybrid work environment and across potentially diverse geographical locations.

• Pace of Innovation vs. Rigor: Keeping pace with rapid technological advancements while maintaining the rigorous research standards required for regulated medical devices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Specialization: Becoming a recognized expert in human factors engineering for oncology treatment solutions, a highly sought-after niche.

• Advanced Regulatory Knowledge: Gaining profound expertise in global medical device usability regulations and risk management processes.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior researchers, lead research programs, and potentially transition into management or principal-level individual contributor roles.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Deepening understanding of product development, engineering challenges, and regulatory affairs processes through close collaboration.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend relevant industry conferences, workshops, and training sessions focused on UX in healthcare and medical devices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the intersection of user experience, complex technology, and stringent regulatory requirements. Growth is strongly tied to deepening expertise in this specialized domain and developing leadership capabilities within a mission-driven organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for defining a usability strategy for a new medical device, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements like IEC 62366." (Focus on strategic planning, risk assessment, and regulatory integration.)

• "How do you balance the need for rigorous, compliant research with the demands of fast-paced Agile development cycles?" (Highlight your understanding of Agile processes and how to integrate research efficiently.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Elekta's mission to improve cancer care through technology?" (Connect your personal values and career aspirations to the company's purpose.)

• "How would you contribute to a culture of user-centricity within a product development team that includes engineers and regulatory specialists?" (Discuss your collaboration style and how you advocate for the user.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study: Problem/Opportunity -> Your Role & Responsibilities -> Methodology & Process (emphasize regulatory adherence) -> Key Findings & Insights -> Design Recommendations/Impact -> Outcomes & Learnings.

• Quantify Where Possible: Use metrics related to usability (e.g., success rates, error rates, task completion times), regulatory compliance, or user satisfaction.

• Highlight Regulatory Contribution: Clearly articulate your specific contributions to usability engineering files, risk management documentation, and regulatory submissions.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with engineers, product managers, and regulatory affairs to translate insights into action and ensure buy-in.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, participant selection, data analysis, and how you handled any challenges or unexpected results.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should strongly emphasize regulatory knowledge and practical application of UX research in a medical device context. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to demonstrate this expertise, so candidates should prepare detailed case studies with a focus on compliance and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application and résumé in English through the "Apply" button on the Elekta careers portal.

• Tailor your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights experience with user research, human factors engineering, and specifically, working with regulated medical devices and relevant standards (IEC 62366, ISO 14971). Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 of your strongest UX research projects, focusing on those demonstrating impact in regulated environments. Be ready to present these in detail, emphasizing your role, methodology, findings, and outcomes.

• Research Elekta: Familiarize yourself with Elekta's products, their mission in cancer care, and recent company news. Understand their commitment to innovation and patient outcomes.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for questions related to UX research methodologies, medical device regulations, Agile development, and cross-functional collaboration, using your portfolio as examples.

⚠️ 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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