User Researcher

Location
:
Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, or Scotland (Hybrid – 2–3 days onsite)

We are seeking an experienced User Researcher to join the User Experience Design team supporting a key government transformation programme within DWP. This is an exciting opportunity to work on high-impact public services that directly support citizens across the UK.

Candidates with previous government experience are essential. Experience working with vulnerable citizens is highly desirable.

• Lead and conduct in-depth user interviews, usability testing, and field research.
• Analyse user behaviours, needs, and pain points to inform service improvements.
• Create personas, journey maps, and research artefacts to guide design decisions.
• Collaborate with designers, product managers, and delivery teams to shape user-centred solutions.
• Provide expert input into customer experience and usability best practices.
• Support evidence-based decision-making across multiple teams.
• Iterate research approaches based on findings, feedback, and service needs.
• Stay current with industry trends and government digital service standards.
• Strong experience in User Research within government or public sector environments.
• Proven expertise in usability testing, customer experience design, and user-centred methodologies.
• Ability to manage stakeholders and influence team decisions.
• Experience working on complex digital transformation programmes.
• Confident engaging with diverse user groups, including vulnerable service users (desirable).

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, large-scale public service improvements within a critical UK government department. You will play a key role in shaping digital services that impact millions of users nationwide.

If you are an experienced User Researcher with government experience looking for a short-term, high-impact contract, we would love to hear from you.