User Researcher (Defence)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher (Defence)

Company: Kainos

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

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Defence Technology Operations

Date Posted: August 13, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute comprehensive user research initiatives within the UK Defence sector, translating complex user needs into actionable insights for service design and product development.

• Champion user-centered design principles, design thinking, and service design methodologies across client engagements and internal teams, fostering a user-centric culture.

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of senior researchers, focusing on performance management, career progression, and building a high-performing User Experience (UX) capability.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX designers, developers, and product managers, to ensure research findings directly inform the creation of impactful digital services.

• Drive research strategy and planning, selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods to meet project objectives and client requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role emphasizes leadership and strategic influence within the defence sector. The "Defence Industry experience" requirement, coupled with "Active SC clearance," indicates a focus on sensitive government projects requiring a high level of trust and domain expertise. The role blends hands-on research with team management and client-facing consulting, positioning it as a senior individual contributor or team lead within Kainos's Experience Design capability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and conduct user research activities, ensuring the selection and application of appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.

• Translate research findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights that directly inform service experience design and product strategy.

• Act as a subject matter expert and advocate for user research, design thinking, and service design principles within client organizations and Kainos.

• Design and facilitate workshops and co-creation sessions with stakeholders across the project lifecycle to gather insights and validate design decisions.

• Manage, coach, and develop senior members of the research team, focusing on performance, skill enhancement, and career development.

• Represent user research effectively at all levels of client organizations and within Kainos, articulating research value and impact.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with client teams, understanding their needs and collaborating to develop tailored research plans and strategies.

• Contribute to the growth of Kainos's Experience Design capability by sharing best practices, mentoring colleagues, and supporting business development efforts.

• Ensure research activities align with commercial objectives and deliver measurable value to clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic research leadership, hands-on execution, and people management. The emphasis on "advocating for needs-based design" and "coaching others" suggests a mentorship component is integral to the role. The requirement to "represent user research across the organisation" points to a significant stakeholder management and communication responsibility.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, or a related field is typically expected for a User Researcher role of this seniority.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in user research, with a significant focus on leading research initiatives and managing research teams.

Required Skills:

• Expert knowledge and application of a wide range of qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, ethnography, usability testing, diary studies) and quantitative research methods (e.g., surveys, analytics analysis, A/B testing).

• Proven ability to lead, plan, and conduct research activities, ensuring the right methods are applied to achieve project goals.

• Deep understanding of information architecture, interaction design, and visual design principles.

• UK Defence Industry experience, demonstrating familiarity with the sector's unique challenges, user groups, and operational environments.

• Active SC (Security Check) clearance is mandatory for this role.

• Demonstrated ability in managing, coaching, and developing senior team members and fostering a wider community of practice.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex research findings and strategies effectively to diverse audiences at all levels.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build rapport, influence decisions, and manage expectations.

• Excellent commercial awareness, understanding the business context and impact of research. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a full-service digital agency environment, understanding client-facing consulting dynamics.

• Demonstrable knowledge of user-centred design (UCD) practices and their implementation.

• Experience working with Agile delivery methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and integrating research into iterative development cycles.

• Experience designing and leading workshops across a project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for "UK Defence Industry experience" and "Active SC clearance" are critical filters. The "expert knowledge" of research methods implies a deep theoretical and practical understanding beyond basic application. The emphasis on "managing, coaching and developing senior members" points to a leadership track.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of user research projects, ideally including examples from the defence or public sector.

• Case studies demonstrating the end-to-end research process, from planning and methodology selection to analysis and insight delivery.

• Evidence of how research insights have directly influenced design decisions, product strategy, and led to measurable improvements in user experience or business outcomes.

• Examples of research outputs such as personas, journey maps, usability reports, and research syntheses.

• Demonstrations of workshop facilitation and collaborative design activities. Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to planning and documenting research projects, including ethical considerations and data management.

• Ability to articulate how research processes are integrated into Agile or other development methodologies.

• Examples of how research findings are communicated and embedded within client organizations to drive change and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Consultant" aspect of the role and the defence sector focus, the portfolio should emphasize strategic thinking, the ability to navigate complex organizational structures, and demonstrable impact on critical systems. The requirement for SC clearance suggests a need for rigorous data handling and security protocols in research practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for experienced User Researchers with defence sector experience and SC clearance in the UK, and considering Kainos's typical consultant pay scales, the estimated salary range for this role in Birmingham is likely between £55,000 - £75,000 per annum. This range accounts for the specialized skills, security clearance, and leadership responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and bonus structure.

• Comprehensive private healthcare plan.

• Generous pension scheme.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.

• Paid leave for volunteering activities.

• Life assurance.

• Employee assistance program.

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

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Kainos generally offers a degree of flexibility around start and end times, subject to project and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in the UK, factoring in the specific requirements of defence industry experience and SC clearance, which typically command a premium. Kainos is known for offering a strong benefits package to attract and retain talent in competitive markets.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Services and Software. Kainos operates across various sectors, including digital services for government and healthcare, and Workday implementation. For this role, the focus is on their "Defence Industry" vertical, implying a commitment to serving government and national security clients.

Company Size: Large (over 1,000 employees). This indicates a stable, well-established organization with structured processes and ample resources for professional development and project diversity.

Founded: 1989. Kainos has a long history, suggesting a stable and experienced company culture with a proven track record.

Team Structure:

• The User Researcher will be part of Kainos's growing Experience Design capability, which is described as "supportive, collaborative, talented, and hugely passionate about user-centred design."

• This team likely comprises UX designers, service designers, UX writers, and other research specialists.

• The role involves line management of a small number of senior researchers, suggesting a lean management structure within the capability.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, working with project managers, developers, and client-side teams. Methodology:

• Kainos emphasizes "problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators" and creating "real impact" through technology.

• The Experience Design team specifically focuses on "exemplary digital services" and "user-centred design," explicitly stating they are "not about marketing and dark patterns."

• Agile delivery methodologies are likely integrated into their project lifecycles.

• A strong emphasis on "design thinking" and "service design" indicates a structured, user-focused approach to problem-solving.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Kainos's stated mission and values suggest an organization that prioritizes genuine impact and user needs over superficial design. The description of the Experience Design capability as "supportive, collaborative, talented" indicates a positive internal culture for UX professionals. The "Defence Industry" focus means a commitment to national security and government transformation projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior-level User Researcher, likely equivalent to a Consultant or Senior Consultant within Kainos's structure. It involves not only expert-level research execution but also team leadership, client advisory, and strategic input into research programs.

Reporting Structure: The User Researcher will likely report to a Head of Experience Design, a Practice Lead, or a senior consulting manager within the Defence sector or the broader Experience Design capability. They will directly manage a small team of senior researchers.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the success of digital transformation projects within the UK Defence sector. By ensuring services are designed around user needs, the User Researcher contributes to improved operational effectiveness, user adoption, and the overall success of critical government systems. This impact is amplified through team leadership and client advisory.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Opportunity to grow into a Team Lead or Practice Lead role, managing larger teams and broader research portfolios within the Defence sector or other Kainos verticals.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise within specific areas of defence technology or user research methodologies.

• Consulting Acumen: Develop advanced client management, business development, and strategic advisory skills.

• Learning & Development: Access to Kainos's training programs, external certifications, and opportunities to attend industry conferences related to UX, defence, and digital transformation.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working on a diverse range of challenging and impactful projects across different government departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Consultant" title and responsibilities suggest a clear path for career advancement within Kainos's consulting framework, moving towards more strategic, client-facing, and management roles. The emphasis on coaching and developing others also points to leadership development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Kainos operates with a hybrid model, with employees typically based in their offices. This specific role is designated as "On-site," meaning the User Researcher will be expected to work from a Kainos office location in Birmingham (and potentially Belfast), with the possibility of client site visits.

Office Location(s): Birmingham, United Kingdom; Belfast, United Kingdom. Candidates are expected to be able to work from these locations.

Workspace Context:

• Kainos offices are designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and productivity. Expect modern office spaces with facilities for team meetings, individual work, and client presentations.

• Access to standard office technology, including reliable internet, communication tools, and potentially specialized research software.

• The environment will be professional and client-focused, especially when working on defence projects.

• Opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of talented professionals within Kainos and with client teams.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, generally aligning with standard business hours (e.g., 9 am to 5 pm), with a 40-hour work week. Flexibility may be available depending on project demands and client requirements, but the core expectation is on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation is critical. While Kainos may offer flexibility in some roles, this position appears to require consistent physical presence at one of their UK offices, likely due to the nature of defence projects and the need for secure environments and direct team collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess relevant experience, particularly in defence, SC clearance, and research methodologies.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation focusing on your experience, motivation for the role, and alignment with Kainos's culture. Discussion of your approach to user research and team management.

• Technical Interview/Workshop: This is likely where your research expertise will be tested. You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, discuss your methodology for a hypothetical defence research problem, or participate in a practical exercise. Expect questions on your approach to qualitative and quantitative research, stakeholder management, and coaching.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or client representative, focusing on strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and overall fit for the role and the defence sector.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your defence industry experience, leadership capabilities, and impact. If defence-specific examples are limited, highlight projects that demonstrate transferable skills in complex, regulated, or high-stakes environments.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the methodology used, the insights generated, the design/strategic recommendations, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals sparingly but effectively.

• Highlight Leadership: For projects where you managed others or influenced strategy, explicitly call out your leadership contributions, coaching activities, and stakeholder management efforts.

• Demonstrate Defence Acumen: If possible, tailor your presentation to acknowledge the unique aspects of defence research (e.g., security, user constraints, operational environments).

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handled challenges, how you communicated findings, and how you coached your team.

Challenge Preparation:

• Defence Context: Research current trends and challenges in digital transformation within the UK Defence sector. Understand common user groups and their operational contexts.

• Methodology Deep Dive: Be ready to articulate the pros and cons of various research methods and justify your choices for specific scenarios.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare for hypothetical problem-solving questions related to designing research for complex defence systems or user groups. Focus on your structured approach and ability to adapt.

• Coaching & Management: Prepare examples of how you have coached junior researchers, managed performance, and fostered team growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely heavily scrutinize the defence industry experience and SC clearance. The portfolio review is a critical component, and candidates should be prepared to articulate not just what they did, but why they did it and what impact it had, especially in a leadership and client advisory context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Proficient use of tools for remote usability testing, surveys, and data collection (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Tools like Miro, Mural, or similar for remote workshops, journey mapping, and collaborative synthesis.

• Design & Prototyping Tools (Familiarity): Understanding of tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure, as research findings often feed into these.

Analytics & Reporting:

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

• Reporting & Presentation Software: Advanced proficiency in creating compelling reports and presentations using tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, and potentially BI tools for data visualization.

CRM & Automation (Indirect Relevance):

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user research insights can influence product roadmaps and sales/service delivery processes is beneficial. Familiarity with Agile project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence) is highly advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is focused on research, familiarity with the broader digital product development toolset (design, development, project management) is expected. The emphasis on both qualitative and quantitative methods implies proficiency in a range of analytical and reporting tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep-seated belief in understanding and prioritizing user needs above all else, driving the creation of impactful and effective services.

• Impact & Purpose: A commitment to making a tangible, positive difference through technology, particularly within critical sectors like defence.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A supportive environment where sharing knowledge, challenging ideas constructively, and working together towards common goals is paramount.

• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to delivering high-quality research and design outputs, maintaining rigorous standards and continuous improvement.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding high ethical standards, particularly important given the sensitive nature of defence projects.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close working relationships with designers, developers, product owners, and client stakeholders to ensure research is integrated throughout the project lifecycle.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture where senior members actively mentor and coach junior colleagues, and knowledge is shared openly across the team and the wider organisation.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment that encourages open, honest, and constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement in both individual performance and team output.

• Client Partnership: Working as a trusted advisor to clients, fostering strong partnerships built on transparency and mutual respect.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kainos's emphasis on "problem solvers," "innovators," and "real impact" translates into a culture that values proactive contribution and tangible results. The explicit mention of not using "dark patterns" reinforces a commitment to ethical and user-focused design practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Defence Sector Complexities: Understanding and adapting research methodologies to the unique constraints, security requirements, and user groups within the UK Defence sector.

• Stakeholder Management: Balancing the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders, including technical teams, senior leadership, and end-users, often with conflicting priorities.

• Driving Change: Effectively translating research insights into actionable change within established organisational structures, particularly within large government bodies.

• Team Development: Successfully coaching and developing senior researchers, ensuring consistent quality and fostering a strong team dynamic.

• Staying Current: Keeping abreast of evolving research methodologies, technologies, and the rapidly changing landscape of defence technology and digital services.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research methodologies and tools.

• Defence Sector Expertise: Deepening knowledge and understanding of defence operations, user needs, and technological advancements.

• Leadership Development: Formal training and on-the-job experience in people management, coaching, and strategic leadership.

• Industry Engagement: Attending relevant conferences (e.g., UXPA, defence technology events), workshops, and pursuing certifications to enhance professional expertise.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to collaborate with and learn from experts in service design, interaction design, Workday solutions, and other areas of Kainos's business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the specific context of the role – a senior research position within a consulting firm working on defence projects. The growth opportunities are designed to address these challenges and provide a clear path for professional advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct user research in a highly regulated or sensitive environment. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on defence context, SC clearance implications, and methodology adaptation).

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and lead to tangible improvements in service design or product strategy?" (Prepare with a strong case study demonstrating impact and stakeholder influence).

• "Walk us through your process for managing, coaching, and developing senior members of a research team." (Prepare specific examples of mentorship, performance management, and skill development).

• "How would you approach designing a research plan for a new digital service for [specific defence user group - e.g., military personnel, intelligence analysts]?" (Focus on methodology selection, stakeholder engagement, and ethical considerations). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Kainos, and specifically within our Defence sector?" (Research Kainos's mission, values, and recent defence projects. Connect your personal values and career goals).

• "How do you embody the principles of user-centred design, and how would you advocate for them within a client organization?" (Demonstrate your passion and practical approach to championing users).

• "Describe a situation where you had to manage conflicting stakeholder expectations. How did you navigate it?" (Showcase your communication, negotiation, and influencing skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best highlight your defence experience, leadership, and research impact.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research methods used, key insights, design/strategic recommendations, and the measurable outcomes.

• Quantify Where Possible: Use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research (e.g., increased task completion rates, reduced error rates, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Leadership: Explicitly detail your contributions to team management, coaching, and stakeholder engagement.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate deep dives into your methodology, decision-making process, and how you handled challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only research expertise but also leadership potential, client-facing skills, and suitability for working within the defence sector. Candidates should prepare thoroughly by researching Kainos, understanding the defence landscape, and practicing their presentation and storytelling skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Researcher (Defence) position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight specific experience in user research, defence industry projects, SC clearance, and any team leadership or coaching roles. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful case studies that best demonstrate your skills, experience, and leadership capabilities, with a focus on defence or similar complex environments. Ensure it's easy to access and navigate.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear communication, demonstrating impact, and articulating your leadership contributions.

• Research Kainos & Defence Sector: Understand Kainos's work in the defence sector and familiarize yourself with current trends and challenges in defence digital transformation.

• Prepare for Behavioural Questions: Reflect on past experiences related to leadership, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and user advocacy.

⚠️ 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.