User Researcher
Location: Worthing - Hybrid (2 days per week onsite)
Rate: £375 per day
Contract: Initial 6 months
IR35: Inside IR35
The Role
We are seeking an experienced User Researcher to support the development and continuous improvement of digital services within HMRC.
You will be responsible for planning and delivering user research activities, generating valuable insights and translating findings into actionable recommendations that help shape and improve digital products and services.
Working closely with Service Managers, Product Managers, Designers, Business Analysts and Developers, you will ensure that user needs are at the heart of the design and development process.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced researcher who enjoys working in an agile environment, influencing product direction and championing user-centred design.
Key Responsibilities
Plan, design and conduct user research to understand user needs and inform service development.
Deliver a range of research activities, including user interviews, concept testing, prototype testing, usability testing and guerrilla research.
Lead the end-to-end usability testing process, from participant recruitment and test planning through to moderation, analysis and reporting.
Develop research strategies alongside Service and Product Managers to generate meaningful insights and support decision-making.
Translate research findings into actionable recommendations and user stories that influence product development and service improvements.
Work collaboratively with designers, business analysts and software developers throughout the product lifecycle.
Design, script and analyse quantitative surveys, alongside qualitative research activities.
Manage research projects covering proposition development, visual identity and customer experience mapping.
Present findings and communicate user needs effectively to stakeholders, including senior civil servants.
Share knowledge, tools and best practices across the wider HMRC and government user research community.
Mentor and support junior user researchers, promoting best practice and continuous improvement.
Key Skills & Experience
Proven experience delivering user research and usability testing for web-based digital services.
Strong knowledge of different qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
Experience developing research strategies and selecting appropriate research approaches.
Confident planning, facilitating and analysing usability testing sessions and research workshops.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn research findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
Extensive knowledge of human factors, ethnography and user-centred design principles.
Experience developing audience models, user personas and mapping complex customer journeys.
Experience researching web content, digital tools and transactional services.
Comfortable working with data, from collection and analysis through to presentation of findings.
Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and advocate for user needs.
Experience mentoring or supporting other user researchers.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships in fast-paced environments.
Experience working in an Agile environment alongside multidisciplinary teams, including designers, business analysts and developers.
Understanding of requirements gathering, business systems analysis, front-end processes and software development lifecycles.
Knowledge of data modelling techniques.
Desirable:
A degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Usability, Cognitive Psychology, Market Research or a related discipline.
Damia Group Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept our Data Protection Policy which can be found on our website.
Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the job.
Should the role require the successful candidate to undergo and be eligible for UK Security Vetting. Clearance sponsorship will be provided where required. Due to the nature of the work, candidates should meet the relevant residency requirements. If applicable, Reserved Post nationality restrictions will be confirmed by the client. Damia is committed to inclusive recruitment and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
Damia Group is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy and in accordance to Conduct Regulations 2003
