User Researcher GDS

In this role you will lead research for your team, shaping strategy and informing design across government digital services. You’ll integrate AI-enabled approaches to scale insights while maintaining ethical, human-centered research. You will collaborate with product managers, designers, developers, and researchers to plan high-impact studies and translate findings into evidence-based design decisions. This position offers the chance to influence service delivery across multiple UK offices and advance research practice in a multidisciplinary, agile environment.

• Hybrid working
• Training budget
• Flexible benefits package
• External certifications (AWS, Microsoft)
• Supportive professional community

• Lead the team’s user research strategy and select appropriate methods
• Plan and run qualitative studies (interviews, observations, diary studies, usability tests)
• Incorporate quantitative methods (surveys, analytics) for holistic insights
• Collaborate with clients, product managers, designers, developers, and researchers to plan high-impact research
• Drive analysis and synthesis to inform design decisions
• Contextualize AI-generated insights and ensure ethical use of AI tools
• Support and mentor team members throughout the research lifecycle
• Engage in multidisciplinary agile teams and utilize prototypes to test hypotheses
• Facilitate stakeholder discussions and present findings clearly

• Proven GDS experience with knowledge of the GDS Service Standard and design principles
• Hands-on leadership of user research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
• Experience across the service lifecycle from discovery to delivery
• Experience leading research in multidisciplinary agile teams and using prototypes
• Strong storytelling, stakeholder management and facilitation skills
• Desirable: experience using AI-powered research tools
• SC clearance eligibility and UK residency requirements
• Ability to work in a hybrid model with UK-wide offices

• Storytelling
• Stakeholder management
• Facilitation
• Qualitative Research
• Quantitative Research
• Mixed Methods