User Researcher Census

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher Census

Company: Scottish Government

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Research / Service Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-24

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the design and delivery of user-centred, evidence-based services for the Census programme through rigorous user research.

• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including operations, statistics, policy, technology, and communications, to ensure holistic service development.

• Engage with other census-taking offices across the United Kingdom to share insights and best practices.

• Advocate for user needs, focusing on inclusivity and accessibility, to design services that cater to every household in Scotland.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of user research practices within the Scottish Government and the broader public sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical to the Census Programme, a significant, time-limited project (until 2032). The "B2" designation suggests an internal civil service grading, typically indicating a mid-level role with a degree of autonomy and responsibility. The emphasis on collaboration across diverse departments and UK-wide census offices highlights the strategic importance and broad impact of this user researcher position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct user research activities for small research projects, with appropriate supervision.

• Analyze and synthesize research data to identify themes, patterns, and actionable insights.

• Document and present research findings clearly and concisely to multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, ensuring they are understandable and actionable.

• Collaborate with team members to develop a shared understanding of user needs and service requirements.

• Contribute to user research ethics documentation, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.

• Champion the needs of diverse user groups, particularly those facing barriers or unable to use digital services, to ensure equitable and accessible service design.

• Work with colleagues to explain the importance of inclusive and accessible service design for all citizens.

• Participate in the iterative improvement of research methodologies and tools to align with agile workflow requirements.

• Engage with and contribute to the Scottish Government's user research community of practice.

• Manage stakeholder relationships by communicating clearly, tailoring information, and building consensus around user needs and research outcomes.

• Adapt research designs to work within project constraints and risks, while advocating for user needs.

• Appraise, design, and implement effective research methods and tools suited to project objectives.

• Contribute to the development of user research strategies and processes, balancing business objectives with user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to research within an agile framework, requiring the ability to manage research projects independently while also collaborating effectively. The focus on inclusivity and accessibility is paramount given the nature of a national census.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A relevant degree is not a strict requirement. However, a strong understanding of how services function to meet people's needs is essential.

Experience: Experience in a role focused on understanding user needs and service delivery is valued. Experience as a dedicated "user researcher" is not mandatory.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in planning and conducting user research activities.

• Strong analytical and synthesis skills to derive actionable insights from data.

• Ability to communicate research findings effectively to diverse audiences (written and verbal).

• Understanding of user-centred design principles and practices.

• Knowledge of inclusive and accessible design principles.

• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with various departments.

• Familiarity with agile methodologies and iterative research practices.

• Capability to manage participation of users and stakeholders in research.

• Understanding of ethical research standards and documentation. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in public sector service design or government projects.

• Familiarity with specific user research methods (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys, ethnography).

• Experience with assisted digital approaches.

• Ability to contribute to user research strategy development.

• Experience in stakeholder relationship management and consensus building.

• Knowledge of the Scottish Census programme or similar large-scale government initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on practical understanding over formal qualifications for the User Researcher role is a common trend in government digital and user experience roles. The "B2" level implies a need for demonstrated competence and initiative rather than extensive seniority.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Examples of user research projects demonstrating planning, execution, analysis, and reporting.

• Case studies showcasing how research insights influenced service design or policy decisions.

• Evidence of work with diverse user groups and contributions