UX Researcher - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Company: Sainsbury's

Location: 33 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6HA, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time, Contract

Category: User Experience Research / Product Research

Date Posted: January 10, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on driving user-centricity within a large, established retail and consumer group, impacting digital and in-store experiences.

• The UX Researcher will be responsible for leading end-to-end research initiatives, from planning and execution to synthesis and presentation of actionable insights.

• The position requires strong collaboration with agile, cross-functional teams, including product, design, and engineering, to inform product roadmaps and design strategies.

• This is a critical 12-month fixed-term contract role, offering an opportunity to contribute to significant user experience improvements across multiple brands within the Sainsbury's Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly a fixed-term contract for 12 months, which is a key detail for candidates to consider regarding career planning and benefits. The company is Sainsbury's, a major UK retailer, indicating a large, complex organizational structure and a significant user base across diverse brands (Argos, Habitat, Tu, Nectar). The focus on "integrated and consistent experiences" suggests a need for a holistic approach to UX research.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute end-to-end qualitative and quantitative research projects to understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points.

• Design research methodologies and plans tailored to specific project goals, ensuring alignment with product development lifecycles.

• Conduct various research methods, including user interviews, usability testing, surveys, diary studies, and contextual inquiries.

• Synthesize complex research data from multiple sources into clear, concise, and actionable insights and recommendations.

• Effectively communicate research findings and strategic recommendations to diverse stakeholders, including product managers, designers, engineers, and senior leadership, through compelling presentations and reports.

• Collaborate closely with agile product teams to integrate research insights into product roadmaps and design iterations, ensuring a user-centered approach.

• Facilitate workshops and co-creation sessions with cross-functional teams to foster a shared understanding of user needs and drive innovative solutions.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of UX research best practices and processes within the team.

• Stay abreast of emerging research trends, tools, and methodologies to continuously improve research impact and efficiency.

• Champion the voice of the user throughout the product development process, advocating for user needs and ensuring inclusive design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-cycle research role, requiring not just execution but also strategic planning and stakeholder management. The mention of "digital and in-store channels" suggests the need for research skills applicable to both online and physical retail environments. The emphasis on "actionable insights" and "influencing product and design decisions" underscores the strategic impact expected from this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-5 years of proven experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative user research across the entire product development lifecycle.

• Demonstrated experience in planning, executing, and delivering impactful research projects.

Required Skills:

• Qualitative Research: Proficient in designing and conducting user interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiries, and other qualitative methods.

• Quantitative Research: Experience with surveys, data analysis, and interpreting user behavior metrics (e.g., via analytics tools).

• Data Synthesis & Insight Generation: Ability to synthesize findings from multiple research methods and sources into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to present research findings effectively to diverse audiences, including senior stakeholders.

• Workshop Facilitation: Experience in planning and facilitating workshops, brainstorming sessions, and co-creation activities.

• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development processes and experience of integrating research within sprint cycles.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with product managers, designers, engineers, and other business stakeholders.

• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a user-centric mindset.

• Research Tools: Familiarity with research and analytics tools such as Maze, Attest, Miro, or Google Analytics, or a demonstrated willingness and ability to learn new tools quickly.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience researching for large-scale retail or e-commerce platforms.

• Familiarity with advanced statistical analysis or data visualization tools.

• Experience with generative AI tools for research assistance.

• A portfolio showcasing a range of research projects and their impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The essential criteria directly map to the required skills. The "willingness to learn" for specific tools is a positive indicator for candidates who might not have direct experience with Maze, Attest, or Miro but possess strong foundational research skills. The explicit mention of a portfolio is crucial for candidates to prepare.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects is highly recommended.

• Showcase projects that highlight your ability to define research questions, select appropriate methodologies, execute studies, synthesize findings, and present actionable insights.

• Include examples of how your research has directly influenced product decisions, design strategies, or improved user experiences.

• Quantify the impact of your research whenever possible (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores).

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal research process, including how they approach:

  • Defining research objectives and scope.

  • Selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.

  • Planning and recruiting participants.

  • Conducting research sessions and data collection.

  • Analyzing and synthesizing data from various sources.

  • Communicating findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

  • Integrating research insights into product development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a strict requirement, a portfolio is strongly implied by the nature of a UX Researcher role and the emphasis on demonstrating impact. Candidates should prepare to showcase their work showcasing their end-to-end research capabilities and its influence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the "2-5 years" experience level, the London location, and the fixed-term contract nature, a competitive salary within the range of £45,000 to £65,000 per annum is estimated.

Benefits:

• As a fixed-term contract employee, benefits may differ from permanent roles but typically include:
  • Competitive contract rate.
  • Opportunity to work with a leading UK retailer and contribute to significant user experience initiatives.
  • Exposure to a wide range of projects across multiple brands (Sainsbury's, Argos, Habitat, Tu, Nectar).
  • Potential for professional development and learning new research tools and methodologies.
  • Access to Sainsbury's employee discount schemes (subject to contract terms).

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

• While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility offered by teams in terms of working hours, subject to project needs and team agreement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is not provided. The estimate is based on market research for similar roles in London, UK, considering the specified experience level and the fixed-term nature of the contract. Benefits for contract roles can vary, so candidates should clarify these during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Supermarkets, General Merchandise, Financial Services, Clothing, Home Goods)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Sainsbury's operates as a major UK retailer with tens of thousands of employees globally).

Founded: 1869 (Sainsbury's has a long-standing history, indicating a stable and established company with evolving digital capabilities).

Team Structure:

• The Experience Design team operates within a broader Product & Technology organization.

• This UX Researcher will be part of a dedicated team of researchers and designers focused on creating seamless customer experiences.

• The team works in close collaboration with product managers, engineers, data scientists, and business stakeholders within agile squads.

Methodology:

• The team embraces an agile methodology, embedding research within product development sprints.

• A user-centric approach is fundamental, with a continuous feedback loop between research, design, and development.

• Data-driven decision-making is encouraged, leveraging both qualitative insights and quantitative data.

• Continuous improvement is a core value, with an emphasis on learning from both successes and failures.

Company Website: https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: Sainsbury's is a well-established and large retail group. This means the UX Researcher will operate within a structured environment but with significant opportunities for impact due to the scale of customer interactions. The mention of multiple brands (Argos, Habitat, Tu, Nectar) suggests a complex ecosystem where consistency and integration of user experience are key strategic goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-level UX Researcher. This role is suited for individuals with 2-5 years of experience who can independently lead research projects and contribute strategically, rather than just executing tasks.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will likely report to a Lead UX Researcher, UX Manager, or Head of Experience Design, within a larger Product or Digital division. They will work closely with Product Managers and Designers within specific agile product teams.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on improving customer satisfaction, driving engagement, and ultimately contributing to Sainsbury's commercial success by ensuring products and services meet user needs effectively. Insights generated will inform strategic product roadmaps and design decisions, influencing the user experience across millions of customers.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or emerging areas like AI-driven research.

• Cross-Brand Exposure: Gain experience across a diverse portfolio of brands, understanding different user needs and market dynamics.

• Strategic Influence: Develop skills in influencing senior stakeholders and shaping product strategy through impactful research.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to the evolution of research practices within a large, established organization.

• Potential for Extension/Permanent Role: While a fixed-term contract, successful performance could lead to opportunities for contract extension or conversion to a permanent position, depending on business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a mid-level contributor, capable of independent project leadership. The fixed-term nature offers a focused opportunity for impact, with potential for longer-term engagement. Growth is framed around deepening UX research expertise and gaining exposure to a broad retail portfolio.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a physical presence is required at the specified London address. This suggests a collaborative office environment.

Office Location(s): 33 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6HA. This is a central London location, accessible via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as "agile," implying dynamic, fast-paced teams that collaborate closely.

• Expect to work in open-plan or shared office spaces designed to foster collaboration among product teams.

• Access to standard office amenities and potentially dedicated spaces for conducting user research sessions.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected.

• While primarily on-site, the agile nature of the teams might offer some flexibility in start/end times, subject to team agreements and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement is clear. The context of "agile, cross-functional teams" suggests a dynamic, collaborative office setting typical of modern tech and product development environments within large corporations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates should be prepared to present their portfolio, showcasing 2-3 key research projects. This will likely be a dedicated session where you walk through your process, findings, and impact.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: This stage will involve deeper dives into your research experience, methodologies, stakeholder management skills, and problem-solving abilities. Expect behavioral questions and scenario-based questions.

• Practical Exercise/Case Study: You might be given a short research challenge or asked to outline a research plan for a hypothetical scenario relevant to Sainsbury's business.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior leader to discuss strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure is Key: For each project, clearly outline: The Business/Product Problem, Your Role & Responsibilities, Research Objectives, Methodology, Participants, Key Findings, Actionable Insights, and Impact/Outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, key quotes, and data points to illustrate your findings and their significance.

• Quantify Impact: Highlight any measurable improvements or business value your research contributed to.

• Tailor to Sainsbury's: If possible, select projects that demonstrate experience relevant to retail, e-commerce, or omni-channel experiences.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, and how you handled difficult stakeholders or unexpected research outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Sainsbury's brands and general user experience challenges in the retail sector.

• Practice outlining a research plan quickly: Define objectives, target users, methodology, and key questions.

• Be ready to articulate your thought process clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess both research craft and strategic thinking. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring careful preparation to demonstrate end-to-end research capabilities and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Maze, Attest (or similar platforms for surveys, usability testing, and feedback collection).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro (or similar tools for workshop facilitation, affinity mapping, journey mapping).

• Analytics & Data: Google Analytics (or similar web analytics tools for understanding user behavior and performance metrics).

• Design Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD may be beneficial for understanding design outputs and collaborating with designers.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience interpreting data from web analytics platforms to inform qualitative research questions or validate findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not core to the UX Researcher role, understanding how user data is managed within CRMs or customer data platforms can provide valuable context for research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job explicitly mentions Maze, Attest, Miro, and Google Analytics. Candidates should be comfortable with at least one tool in each category or demonstrate a strong aptitude for learning them. Understanding how to integrate research findings with analytics data is a key expectation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the customer in all decisions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve common goals.

• Curiosity & Learning: A drive to understand "why" and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

• Impact & Pragmatism: Focusing on delivering actionable insights that drive real business value, even within constraints.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Using both qualitative feedback and quantitative data to guide strategy and product development.

Collaboration Style:

• The team fosters an inclusive and open environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

• Collaboration is key, with researchers working closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts.

• Expect regular syncs, stand-ups, and collaborative working sessions to ensure alignment and shared understanding.

• Feedback is encouraged as a mechanism for growth and process refinement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes customer focus, collaboration, and a pragmatic, data-informed approach to driving impact. This aligns with the agile and cross-functional nature of the teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Needs with Agile Pace: Integrating comprehensive research into fast-paced agile sprints requires efficient planning and execution.

• Synthesizing Insights Across Diverse Brands: Understanding and articulating the nuances of user needs across Sainsbury's different brands (groceries, home, fashion, electronics) can be complex.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively communicating research insights to gain buy-in and drive action, especially when challenging existing assumptions.

• Contract Duration: Working within a 12-month fixed-term contract requires delivering significant impact within a defined timeframe.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Retail UX: Gaining deep experience in the unique challenges and opportunities of user experience in the retail sector.

• Tool Proficiency: Becoming adept at using industry-standard research and analytics tools.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhancing skills in collaborating with diverse disciplines and understanding their perspectives.

• Strategic Impact: Developing a stronger ability to translate research into strategic business recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a UX Researcher in a large, fast-paced organization, especially within a contract role. The growth opportunities focus on gaining specialized retail UX experience and enhancing strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used both qualitative and quantitative methods to solve a complex user problem. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on synthesis and methodology choice)

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and understood by non-researchers?" (Focus on communication and stakeholder management)

• "Walk us through a research project from start to finish that you are particularly proud of. What was the impact?" (Portfolio presentation focus)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Sainsbury's, and specifically within our Experience Design team?" (Demonstrate company research and alignment with values)

• "How do you handle disagreements or differing opinions with product managers or designers regarding research findings?" (Assess collaboration and conflict resolution)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select impactful projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research process, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive impact.

• Tell a story: Structure your presentation as a narrative – problem, approach, findings, solution, outcome.

• Be concise: Focus on the most critical aspects of each project.

• Be ready for deep dives: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, design choices, and how you handled challenges.

• Quantify impact: Use metrics and concrete examples to demonstrate the value of your research.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating the research process clearly, showcasing impact, and demonstrating an understanding of the retail context and agile environments. Be ready to present portfolio pieces effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud link.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight your experience in qualitative and quantitative research, stakeholder engagement, agile environments, and relevant tools (Maze, Attest, Miro, Google Analytics). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong UX research case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end process and impact. Ensure it's easily shareable (e.g., PDF, dedicated website).

• Research Sainsbury's: Familiarize yourself with Sainsbury's brands, their digital presence, and general UX challenges in the retail sector. Understand their customer propositions.

• Practice your narrative: Be ready to articulate your experience, research philosophy, and why you are a good fit for this role and Sainsbury's culture during interviews.

⚠️ 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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