UX Consultant and Lab Supervisor (The Interaction Lab) (REDEPLOYEE APPLICANTS ONLY)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Consultant and Lab Supervisor (The Interaction Lab)

Company: City St George's, University of London

Location: London, United Kingdom (EC1V 0HB)

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: User Experience & Research Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the operational management and strategic promotion of a specialized Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research facility, The Interaction Lab.

• It involves the direct application of User Experience (UX) principles for both academic research support and external commercial consultancy projects.

• The position requires active client engagement, encompassing initial inquiries, project planning, execution, and post-project analysis, with a strong emphasis on client relationship management.

• Responsibilities include coordinating and mentoring junior staff or student consultants, ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the lab environment.

• The role demands a proactive approach to business development, including online and in-person promotion of lab services and networking to secure new consultancy opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly states this role is for "REDEPLOYEE APPLICANTS ONLY." This is a critical constraint that must be highlighted. The "Part-Time" employment type is also a key detail for candidates. The provided salary range appears to be for a specific, potentially part-time, portion of a full-time role or a specific banding within the university, requiring further clarification. Based on typical university structures and the mid-level experience, a full-time equivalent would likely be higher.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lab Operations & Management: Oversee the day-to-day functioning of The Interaction Lab, ensuring all equipment, software, and facilities are maintained, calibrated, and operational for user testing, accessibility testing, and design workshops.

• Client Engagement & Consultancy: Act as the primary point of contact for internal academic researchers and external commercial clients, responding to inquiries, scoping project requirements, and developing proposals for UX consultancy projects.

• Project Execution & Delivery: Plan, design, and conduct user experience research, including usability testing, heuristic evaluations, user interviews, and accessibility audits, across various platforms and industries.

• Team Coordination & Mentorship: Coordinate the work of Student Consultants, providing guidance, task delegation, and performance feedback to ensure project success and professional development for the students.

• Business Development & Promotion: Develop and implement strategies to promote The Interaction Lab's services, including managing online presence, organizing networking events (e.g., the annual HCID Conference), and actively seeking new consultancy opportunities.

• Technology Maintenance & Support: Maintain and troubleshoot specialized hardware and software within the lab, providing technical support to lab users and ensuring a seamless research environment.

• Academic Research Support: Collaborate with academics within the Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCID) to support their research activities, providing expertise and lab resources.

• Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and refine lab processes, research methodologies, and client service delivery to enhance efficiency and client satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities heavily lean into operational management of a specialized facility and client-facing consultancy work, bridging academic research support with commercial service delivery. The emphasis on "promoting The Interaction Lab" and "running networking events" points to a significant business development and community engagement component for this operations role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is strongly implied by the nature of the role and the academic context. Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) research and design.

• Proven experience in managing research facilities, projects, or operational teams.

• Demonstrated experience in client-facing roles, managing relationships and delivering consultancy services. Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Research Methodologies: Proficient in planning, conducting, and analyzing various UX research methods, including usability testing, heuristic evaluations, user interviews, persona development, and journey mapping.

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Principles: Strong understanding of HCI theories, principles, and best practices, particularly as applied in academic and commercial settings.

• Lab Facility Management: Experience in maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing specialized research environments, including hardware and software.

• Client Management & Consultancy: Ability to engage with academic and commercial clients, understand their needs, propose solutions, and manage consultancy projects from inception to completion.

• Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, timelines, and resources effectively.

• Networking & Business Development: Proactive approach to promoting services, building relationships, and identifying new business opportunities.

• Technology Troubleshooting: Aptitude for identifying and resolving technical issues with hardware, software, and research equipment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with accessibility testing standards and methodologies.

• Familiarity with design workshop facilitation techniques.

• Experience in promoting research facilities and organizing academic/industry events.

• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their UX implications.

• Experience in mentoring or supervising junior staff or students.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Person Specification" heavily emphasizes practical experience and proactive, entrepreneurial qualities, suggesting that formal education might be secondary to demonstrated skill and initiative. The emphasis on "inquisitive spirit with a passion for understanding and exploring new technologies" points to a need for continuous learning and adaptability.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UX Research Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects. Each case study should clearly outline the problem statement, research objectives, methodologies employed (e.g., usability testing, interviews, surveys), participant recruitment strategies, key findings, actionable recommendations, and the impact of those recommendations.

• Process Documentation Examples: Include examples of how research plans, discussion guides, stimuli, or debrief reports are structured and utilized. This demonstrates an understanding of the operational processes involved in research execution.

• Client Project Deliverables: If possible, include anonymized examples of client-facing deliverables such as research reports, design recommendations, or workshop summaries, highlighting your ability to translate research into actionable business insights.

• Promotional Material/Event Management Examples: Briefly describe experience or showcase examples of promoting services or organizing events, demonstrating your ability to contribute to the lab's business development efforts.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of structured approaches to planning and executing user research projects, including documentation of research protocols, consent forms, and data collection templates.

• Examples of how findings are synthesized and communicated, demonstrating a clear process for generating actionable insights from raw data.

• Documentation of how lab facilities are managed, including booking systems, equipment maintenance logs, or user onboarding procedures.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the dual nature of the role (consultant and supervisor), the portfolio should highlight both hands-on UX research capabilities and operational/managerial competencies. Demonstrating the ability to manage processes and projects, not just conduct research, will be crucial. The emphasis on "running consultancy projects" means showcasing a clear, repeatable process for client engagement and delivery is vital.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The provided AI salary range is £43,482 - £44,746 GBP per year.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range appears to be for a full-time equivalent position and should be confirmed for the part-time nature of this role. Given the London location, mid-level experience (5-10 years), and the specific responsibilities involving consultancy and lab management, this range is at the lower end for London-based UX professionals in commercial settings but might be competitive within a university academic/research support structure. For a part-time role, this would translate to approximately £20.90 - £21.53 per hour (assuming a 40-hour week equivalent). It is essential for candidates to clarify the exact hours and how the salary is prorated. Typical university pay scales (e.g., Grade 6 or 7) often have defined bands, and this range likely falls within one of those.

Benefits:

• Pension Scheme: Access to a comprehensive pension scheme, common in UK higher education institutions, providing long-term financial security.

• Staff Training and Development: A sector-leading package of staff training and development opportunities, supporting continuous professional growth in UX, HCI, and management skills.

• Generous Annual Leave: While not explicitly stated, university positions typically offer attractive annual leave allowances, often exceeding standard private sector offerings.

• Health and Wellbeing Programs: Access to university-provided health and wellbeing support services.

• Potential for Hybrid Working: The role is advertised as Hybrid, offering flexibility to balance on-site and remote work.

Working Hours:

• The role is advertised as Part-Time, with an estimated 40 hours per week for a full-time equivalent. The actual hours for this part-time position need to be clarified during the application process.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: The "40 hours" is likely the standard full-time equivalent for the university's pay band. Candidates must confirm the specific number of hours per week for this part-time role and how the salary is adjusted accordingly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary needs careful verification regarding its full-time equivalent versus the actual part-time hours. The benefits package, particularly the pension and training, is a significant draw for roles within academic institutions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (specifically focused on Business, Practice, and Professions)

Company Size: Large (City, University of London and St George's, University of London combined)

Founded: The combined university is a recent entity, bringing together established institutions. This suggests a culture that blends established academic traditions with a forward-looking, integrated approach.

Team Structure:

• The Interaction Lab operates within the Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCID).

• The Lab team likely consists of researchers, academics, and potentially other technical or administrative support staff.

• The role involves coordinating "Student Consultants," indicating a mentorship and team leadership aspect within a hierarchical academic structure.

• Collaboration is expected with academics across various disciplines within the combined university. Methodology:

• The university emphasizes research that is "engaged, at the frontier of practice and has a positive impact on the world around us."

• Operations within the lab likely follow structured research methodologies aligned with academic standards (e.g., ethical review processes, rigorous data analysis) while also adapting to the needs of commercial clients.

• A focus on innovation and adapting to emerging technologies is evident from the lab's purpose-built nature and the desired candidate profile.

Company Website: https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: The combined entity of City, University of London and St George's, University of London creates a large, multi-disciplinary institution. The culture likely values academic rigor, research impact, and student success, while also fostering a practical, business-oriented approach for consultancy work. The "University of business, practice and the professions" slogan highlights a pragmatic and applied focus.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Specialist/Manager

This role sits at a crucial juncture, requiring both deep UX operational expertise and the ability to manage a facility and a small team. It's more than a pure practitioner role; it involves oversight and business development.

Reporting Structure:

• The UX Consultant and Lab Supervisor will likely report to a Head of Department, Centre Director, or Senior Academic within the HCID Centre or a related faculty.

• They will also manage and mentor Student Consultants, establishing a clear line of supervision. Operations Impact:

• The role directly impacts the university's research output by facilitating cutting-edge HCI studies.

• It contributes to the university's reputation and revenue through successful commercial consultancy projects.

• Effective lab management ensures resources are optimized, supporting multiple research and client initiatives simultaneously.

• The role plays a part in nurturing future talent within the UX/HCI field through the supervision of students. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of HCI research, such as accessibility, emerging technologies, or particular industry verticals for consultancy.

• Leadership Advancement: Progress to Senior UX Consultant, Research Manager, or Director of Operations for research facilities.

• Academic Engagement: Contribute to academic publications, develop new research proposals, or potentially pursue further academic qualifications.

• Business Development: Take on greater responsibility for client acquisition, strategic partnerships, and the commercial growth of The Interaction Lab.

• Training & Development: Utilize the university's extensive training resources to acquire new skills in management, project leadership, or emerging UX technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique blend of academic and commercial experience, which can be a strong differentiator for career progression. The opportunity to influence both research direction and business development provides a broad skill set for future roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (combination of on-site lab work and potential remote work for administrative tasks)

Office Location(s): The Interaction Lab is located at St John Street, London, EC1V 0HB. This is a central London location, accessible via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• The Interaction Lab: A purpose-built 75m2 facility designed for user testing, accessibility testing, and design workshops. It is adaptable for novel technologies, suggesting a modern and well-equipped workspace.

• Collaborative Environment: The role involves working closely with academics, researchers, and student consultants, fostering a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere typical of a university research setting.

• Technology Access: Direct access to and responsibility for maintaining a range of UX research tools, hardware, and software.

Work Schedule:

• Part-time role with specific hours to be confirmed.

• The hybrid nature allows for some flexibility, balancing the need for on-site presence in the lab with potential remote work for administrative tasks, client communication, or report writing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature is a significant benefit, but the core duties in the lab will necessitate regular on-site presence. The central London location is a strong positive for accessibility and professional networking.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Email CV and cover letter to RecruitmentCoordinators@citystgeorges.ac.uk, explicitly demonstrating how essential criteria from the person specification are met.

• Screening: Applications will be reviewed to ensure candidates are eligible redeployees and meet the essential criteria.

• Interview: Likely a formal interview to assess experience, skills, and cultural fit.

• Presentation: A key component will be a presentation, the details of which will be confirmed at the interview stage. This will likely focus on a UX project, lab management strategy, or business development approach.

• Further Stages: Additional details will be confirmed as the process progresses.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor to Redeployment: Since this is for redeployees, emphasize how your existing skills and experience within the university can be directly applied and transferred to this role, showcasing adaptability and institutional knowledge.

• Quantify Impact: For consultancy projects, clearly articulate the business impact or ROI achieved for clients. For research support, highlight the contribution to academic outcomes (e.g., publications, grant applications).

• Showcase Operational Acumen: Beyond UX research, demonstrate your ability to manage facilities, coordinate teams, and handle administrative tasks efficiently. Include examples of process improvements or cost savings if applicable.

• Presentation Clarity: Prepare a concise and compelling presentation that clearly articulates your understanding of the role, the lab's potential, and your strategic approach to its management and development. Practice your delivery to ensure it is confident and engaging.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios, such as:

  • A challenging commercial client with unrealistic expectations.
  • Technical issues arising during a critical user test.
  • Managing conflicting priorities between academic research needs and consultancy projects.
  • Strategies for promoting the lab and securing new business.
  • How you would mentor and guide student consultants.

• Think about how you would leverage your experience within City, University of London (if applicable) to hit the ground running.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria" in the cover letter is crucial. The presentation component is likely where candidates will showcase their practical skills and strategic thinking, making portfolio preparation vital. The "redeployee" status is a primary filter, so candidates must address this directly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Software: Tools for usability testing, session recording, heat mapping, and survey creation (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Hotjar, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP for creating prototypes and design artifacts used in testing.

• HCI/Research Specific Software: Potentially specialized software for eye-tracking, biometric data collection, or advanced qualitative analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in tools for analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, such as Excel, SPSS, R, or Python libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy) for statistical analysis.

• Reporting & Visualization: Tools for creating clear and impactful reports and dashboards (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Tableau, Power BI).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Experience with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) may be beneficial for managing client inquiries and consultancy project pipelines.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira, Microsoft Project) for planning and tracking lab activities and consultancy projects.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Google Workspace for communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the description of the lab's purpose ("user testing, accessibility testing, design workshops") and the required skills (UX research, HCI, troubleshooting) imply a need for a broad toolkit. The university context might also mean familiarity with institutional IT systems and data security protocols.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Research: A commitment to rigorous, high-quality UX research that contributes meaningfully to academic knowledge and client success.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies and methodologies to stay at the forefront of HCI and UX practice.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships with academic colleagues, external clients, and student teams to achieve shared goals.

• Impact & Application: Focusing on research and consultancy outcomes that have a tangible, positive impact on users, businesses, and society.

• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding high ethical standards in research conduct, data handling, and client interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional: Working effectively across academic departments and with diverse commercial clients, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Mentorship-Oriented: A willingness to guide, support, and develop junior team members, particularly student consultants.

• Proactive & Engaged: Encouraging active participation in promoting the lab, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a vibrant research community.

• Data-Driven: Basing decisions and recommendations on evidence and thorough analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The university's ethos of "business, practice and the professions" suggests a culture that values practical application and real-world impact alongside academic excellence. The "engaged" research approach implies a proactive and collaborative spirit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Academic & Commercial Demands: Effectively managing diverse client needs, project timelines, and reporting requirements from both academic research and commercial consultancy projects.

• Resource Management: Optimizing the use of lab facilities and equipment, potentially with limited budgets, to serve a wide range of users.

• Business Development: Consistently attracting new commercial clients and promoting the lab's services in a competitive market.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Staying current with rapidly evolving UX technologies, research tools, and HCI trends.

• Managing Student Consultants: Providing effective mentorship and supervision to students who may have varying levels of experience and commitment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/HCI Training: Access to internal and external courses to deepen expertise in specialized UX areas or emerging technologies.

• Professional Networking: Opportunities to connect with industry leaders and academics through conferences and lab events.

• Management & Leadership Skills: Development programs focused on team management, project leadership, and business development.

• Contribution to Research: Potential to co-author academic papers or contribute to grant proposals, fostering an academic career path if desired.

• Exposure to Diverse Industries: Gaining experience working with a wide array of commercial clients, broadening industry knowledge and consultancy skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity for professional growth by combining operational management with client-facing consultancy and academic support. The challenges are directly linked to the learning opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX research project you managed from inception to completion, detailing your process, challenges, and the impact of your findings." (Focus on methodology, problem-solving, and outcome quantification.)

• "How would you approach promoting The Interaction Lab to potential commercial clients? What strategies would you employ to secure new consultancy projects?" (Assess business development acumen and marketing approach.)

• "Imagine a critical piece of user testing equipment malfunctions during a high-stakes client project. How would you handle this situation?" (Evaluate crisis management, technical troubleshooting, and client communication under pressure.)

• "How do you stay current with the latest trends and technologies in UX and HCI?" (Gauge commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working within an academic institution like City, University of London, specifically in a role that bridges research and commercial consultancy?" (Understand motivations and alignment with university values.)

• "How would you approach mentoring and supervising student consultants to ensure they deliver high-quality work and develop their skills?" (Assess leadership and team development capabilities.)

• "Given our focus on 'business, practice, and the professions,' how would you ensure our lab's services are relevant and valuable to both academic researchers and commercial clients?" (Evaluate strategic thinking and understanding of the dual mandate.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your presentation logically, starting with an overview of your experience and a clear articulation of your understanding of the role and The Interaction Lab.

• Showcase Key Projects: Dedicate significant time to 1-2 of your most relevant UX research or consultancy case studies. Use visuals to illustrate your process and findings.

• Highlight Operational Skills: Include slides that specifically address your experience in lab management, process development, or team coordination.

• Demonstrate Client Engagement: If possible, use anonymized examples or describe your approach to client communication, expectation management, and delivering value.

• Address Redeployment: Explicitly state how your current or past experience within the university (if applicable) positions you for success in this role, emphasizing transferable skills and institutional knowledge.

• Enthusiasm for the Lab: Convey genuine excitement about the potential of The Interaction Lab and your vision for its future.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate both their technical UX expertise and their operational/managerial capabilities. The "redeployee" status suggests an emphasis on institutional knowledge and a smooth transition, so highlighting any prior experience within the university system will be advantageous.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application by emailing your CV and cover letter to RecruitmentCoordinators@citystgeorges.ac.uk.

• 📝 Concrete preparation step 1: In your cover letter, explicitly address the "REDEPLOYEE APPLICANTS ONLY" requirement and clearly demonstrate how you meet each essential criterion outlined in the person specification. This is the primary filter.

• 📝 Concrete preparation step 2: Optimize your CV to highlight experience in UX research, HCI, lab management, client consultancy, and any relevant leadership or mentorship roles. Use keywords from the job description.

• 📝 Concrete preparation step 3: Prepare a concise and compelling presentation that showcases your most relevant UX research case studies, operational management experience, and your vision for The Interaction Lab. Practice your delivery thoroughly.

• 📝 Concrete preparation step 4: Thoroughly research City, University of London, its mission, its Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCID), and the broader context of UX research within higher education. Understand their commitment to "business, practice and the professions."

⚠️ 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, especially regarding the "redeployee" status, part-time hours, and salary specifics.