Contract Senior User Researcher

The Design Project; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading firm in digital solutions is seeking a Contract Senior User Researcher to lead user research projects. This fully remote role demands expertise in user-centred design, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate insights effectively. Candidates should have significant experience in public sector UCD, especially within health, and be comfortable working autonomously within multidisciplinary teams. The position offers the opportunity to impact crucial public sector projects while working flexibly from any location in the UK.

Benefits

Competitive Day Rate

Flexible Working

Project Variety

Potential for Extension

Access to Resources

Qualifications

• Strong academic background in HCI, Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology.
• Significant experience in planning and leading user research projects.
• Experience in ethically conducting inclusive research.

Responsibilities

• Lead user research projects for diverse clients.
• Analyze and synthesize research findings for actionable insights.
• Effectively communicate research findings to various stakeholders.

Skills

User Research

Qualitative Analysis & Synthesis

Facilitation

Inclusive Research Practices

Written Communication

Collaboration

Project Management

Public Sector UCD Experience

GDS or Similar Frameworks

Accessibility Guidelines

Education

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) or related field

Tools

UserTesting.com

Google Workspace

Miro

NVivo

Job description

Job Title: Contract Senior User ResearcherCompany: NEC Software Solutions (NECSWS)Location: Remote, United KingdomJob Type: Contract (Full-time)Category: User Experience (UX) Research, Digital Design & StrategyDate Posted: 2026-01-12Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (AI estimate: 5-10 years)Remote Status: Fully Remote

• Lead and deliver end-to-end user research projects for diverse clients, often on complex digital transformation initiatives.
• Champion User-Centred Design (UCD) principles and practices, particularly for clients new to these methodologies.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, including Service Designers and Digital roles, to ensure insightful project outcomes.
• Contribute to the refinement of research practices and the advancement of inclusive and sustainable design within the NEC Digital Studio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is specified as 'Contract Senior User Researcher' with project durations of 8 weeks and 3 months, indicating a need for experienced professionals capable of quickly integrating and delivering results. The emphasis on public sector and health clients suggests a requirement for understanding these specific environments and their unique user needs and regulatory considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• User Research Planning & Execution: Independently plan, design, and conduct comprehensive user research activities across various project phases (discovery, design, development, iteration) aligned with GDS or similar service standards.
• Methodology Expertise: Apply a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including user interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiries, surveys, and diary studies, adapting approaches to project needs and client contexts.
• Data Synthesis & Insight Generation: Analyze and synthesize research findings to create actionable insights, such as representative user journeys, user stories, user needs, and personas, effectively communicating complex information.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Facilitate research activities and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams (Service Designers, Product Managers, Developers, etc.) to integrate user insights into design decisions and project strategy.
• Inclusive & Ethical Research: Conduct research ethically, ensuring the safety and well-being of participants, and actively identify and accommodate user accessibility needs, making necessary adjustments to research methods.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Effectively communicate research findings and recommendations to a variety of stakeholders (clients, internal teams) through engaging written reports, presentations, and workshops.
• Championing UCD & Practice Development: Advocate for UCD principles, educate clients new to the approach, and contribute to defining and improving research practices within NEC Digital Studio.
• Project & Budget Management: Proactively manage own time, research budgets, and project scope to ensure timely and efficient delivery on both client and internal projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a seasoned researcher who can operate autonomously, manage client relationships, and proactively drive research initiatives. The mention of "defining and refining practice" suggests opportunities for contributing to the organization's methodology and standards, appealing to individuals who enjoy shaping processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design Research, or a related field is typically expected. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience:

• Demonstrated significant experience in planning, facilitating, and leading user research projects.
• Proven track record of working within multidisciplinary teams on complex projects.
• Experience in advocating for and championing User-Centred Design (UCD) approaches.
• Experience in managing own time and budget for research projects.

Required Skills:

• User Research: Expertise in designing and conducting a wide range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods.
• Qualitative Analysis & Synthesis: Ability to analyze complex data, identify key themes, and synthesize findings into clear, actionable insights (e.g., user journeys, user stories, user needs).
• Facilitation: Skilled in facilitating various sessions, including user interviews, usability testing, co-analysis, and co-synthesis workshops, effectively guiding participants.
• Inclusive Research Practices: Experience in conducting ethical and accessible research, understanding and accommodating diverse user needs and accessibility requirements.
• Written Communication: Ability to articulate research findings and recommendations clearly, engagingly, and meaningfully for diverse audiences.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, integrating user research into broader project contexts.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and budgets autonomously.
• Public Sector UCD Experience: Direct experience as a Senior User Researcher on Public Sector User-Centred Design (UCD) projects.
• GDS or Similar Frameworks: Experience working to Government Digital Service (GDS) standards, or comparable government design frameworks.
• Accessibility Guidelines: Thorough understanding and practical application of accessibility guidelines in research and design.

Preferred Skills:

• Service Design Thinking: Interest in or experience with Service Design principles and outcomes.
• Stakeholder Management: Experience in managing and influencing client relationships and internal stakeholders.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development environments and adapting research within these cycles.
• Data Visualization: Ability to present research findings using effective visualization techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Essential" qualifications are critical and directly map to key responsibilities. The emphasis on Public Sector, GDS, and Accessibility standards suggests that candidates with experience in these specific areas will be highly competitive.

• Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing 3-5 robust case studies demonstrating end-to-end user research project delivery, from planning and execution to synthesis and impact.
• Methodology Showcase: Clear articulation of the research methodologies employed in each case study, justifying the choice of methods based on project goals and constraints.
• Insight & Impact: Evidence of how research insights directly influenced design decisions, product development, or strategic outcomes, ideally with quantifiable results or demonstrable improvements.
• Process Documentation: Examples of research plans, participant recruitment strategies, interview guides, usability test scripts, and synthesis outputs.
• Accessibility Integration: Demonstrations of how accessibility considerations were integrated into research design and execution.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plans: Ability to create comprehensive research plans outlining objectives, scope, methodology, participant criteria, and timelines.
• Ethical Protocols: Documentation demonstrating adherence to ethical research principles and participant consent procedures.
• Synthesis Frameworks: Clear documentation of how qualitative and quantitative data were synthesized to derive actionable insights.
• Deliverable Templates: Examples of well-structured and engaging research reports, presentations, and workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior User Researcher role, especially in the public sector, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to demonstrate not just the execution of research but the strategic thinking, problem-solving, and tangible impact of the research on project success and user experience. The emphasis on "GDS service standards" implies a need for a portfolio that reflects these principles of user-centricity, iteration, and evidence-based decision-making.

Salary Range: Given the contract nature, remote location in the UK, and senior level, a competitive daily or hourly rate is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Researchers in the UK, rates can range from £450 to £700+ per day, depending on specific project complexity, client type (public sector often has different rate structures), and the candidate's exact experience and negotiation.

Benefits: As a contract role, standard employee benefits may not apply directly. However, typical contractual arrangements often include:

• Competitive Day Rate: Reflecting senior-level expertise and project demands.
• Flexible Working: Fully remote arrangement offers significant flexibility.
• Project Variety: Opportunity to work on diverse and impactful public sector projects.
• Potential for Extension: Depending on project success and client needs.
• Access to NECSWS Resources: Potential access to internal tools, communities of practice, and knowledge sharing.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are typically expected, around 37.5-40 hours per week, with flexibility often built into remote work arrangements. Specific project demands may occasionally require adjustments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Since this is a contract role, the compensation is likely to be structured as a daily rate rather than a fixed annual salary. Researching typical contract rates for Senior UX Researchers in the UK, particularly those with public sector experience, would be advisable. The AI estimate of 40 hours per week is a standard assumption for full-time employment.

Industry: NEC Software Solutions (NECSWS) operates within the Technology sector, specifically providing software and digital solutions to Government & Public Sector clients, Healthcare, and other essential services. Their work directly impacts public services like emergency response, healthcare delivery, and social support.Company Size: NECSWS is part of the global NEC Corporation, indicating a large corporate structure with significant resources, while also operating with a degree of autonomy within its specific markets. The company employs over 3,000 individuals.Founded: NEC Corporation was founded in 1899, signifying a long history of technological innovation and stability. NEC Software Solutions is a more recent entity focused on specific market applications.

Team Structure:

• Multidisciplinary Teams: User Researchers will work within project-specific, multidisciplinary teams, likely including Service Designers, UX/UI Designers, Product Managers, Business Analysts, and Developers.
• Digital Studio: The role mentions the "NEC Digital Studio," which likely serves as a hub for design and research expertise, fostering a community of practice.
• Reporting: Senior User Researchers will likely report to a Research Lead, Design Lead, or Project Manager, with direct engagement with client stakeholders.

Methodology:

• User-Centred Design (UCD): A core methodology, with a strong emphasis on understanding user needs and translating them into effective digital solutions.
• Agile Development: Given the mention of "agile phases of a project," it's highly probable that research activities are integrated within agile workflows.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on research findings and insights underscores a commitment to evidence-based design and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on public services is a significant cultural indicator. This suggests a mission-driven environment where impact and social good are key motivators, alongside technical excellence. Understanding the GDS framework is paramount, as it embodies many of these public sector digital design principles.

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a 'Senior' User Researcher, indicating a mid-to-senior career stage. It requires a high degree of autonomy, project leadership, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced team members. The focus is on delivering complex research initiatives and contributing to strategic design discussions.

Reporting Structure: As a contract Senior User Researcher, you would likely report to a Project Manager or a Lead within the NEC Digital Studio. You would collaborate closely with Service Designers and other members of a multidisciplinary project team. Direct interaction with client stakeholders is also a key aspect.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to improving the usability, accessibility, and effectiveness of public services. By ensuring that digital solutions are designed around user needs, the researcher contributes to better outcomes for citizens, increased efficiency for public bodies, and the successful adoption of new technologies. The work is critical in bridging the gap between user needs and technological solutions.

• Project Leadership: Opportunity to lead research on high-profile public sector projects, enhancing portfolio and experience.
• Methodology Refinement: Contribution to defining and improving research practices within NECSWS, offering a chance to shape the discipline.
• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise in Public Sector UCD, particularly within health and government, which are high-demand areas.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to Service Design and other digital roles, fostering a broader understanding of the digital product lifecycle.
• Client Relationship Building: Develop strong relationships with clients, potentially leading to further contract opportunities or influencing long-term strategic direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, "growth" is often measured by the breadth and impact of projects delivered, rather than traditional internal promotion paths. The opportunity lies in building a strong portfolio and gaining specialized experience in a critical sector.

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from any location within the United Kingdom. The company emphasizes an inclusive and accommodating experience for all candidates.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, NEC Software Solutions has a presence in various UK locations, suggesting potential for occasional in-person collaboration or team meetings if required, though the primary mode of work is remote.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration Tools: Reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., video conferencing, shared documents, project management software) for team communication and project work.
• Independent Work Environment: The ability to self-manage and maintain productivity in a remote setting is key.
• Community of Practice: The mention of the "NEC Digital Studio" implies opportunities for virtual engagement with a community of design and research professionals within NECSWS for knowledge sharing and support.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 37.5-40 hours per week. While remote work offers flexibility, adherence to project timelines and potential client meeting schedules will be necessary. Some flexibility in daily working hours may be possible, provided project deliverables are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature will appeal to many, but candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and digital collaboration tools. The emphasis on inclusivity suggests a supportive remote working culture.

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of CV and portfolio, potentially followed by a brief call with a recruiter to assess initial fit and understanding of contract roles.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A more in-depth discussion focusing on experience, methodology, and approach to user research. This stage will likely explore specific case studies from the portfolio.
• Practical Exercise/Case Study Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a portfolio case study or complete a short, practical exercise related to research planning or synthesis, demonstrating their skills in action.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or a client representative to confirm suitability and cultural fit.
• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that highlight public sector, GDS, and accessibility experience.
• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the problem/challenge, your role and responsibilities, the research methods used, key findings, the insights derived, and the impact on the project or users.
• Quantify Where Possible: If you have data or metrics demonstrating the positive impact of your research (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support queries, increased user satisfaction), include them.
• Showcase Process: Include examples of your research plans, synthesis artifacts, and how you communicated findings.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Address Accessibility: Explicitly detail how you incorporated accessibility considerations into your research.
• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to talk through your portfolio in detail, explaining your rationale and decision-making at each step.
• GDS Standards: Familiarize yourself with the GDS Service Manual, particularly sections on user research, accessibility, and service design.
• Public Sector Context: Understand the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for public services (e.g., diverse user groups, complex policy constraints, ethical considerations).
• Accessibility: Refresh your knowledge of WCAG guidelines and how to test for and address accessibility issues in research.
• Problem-Solving: Prepare for questions that require you to think on your feet, such as how you would approach a research problem with limited time or budget.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on GDS and public sector experience means interviewers will likely probe deeply into how candidates have applied these frameworks. A well-prepared portfolio that directly addresses these requirements will be a significant advantage.

Primary Tools:

• User Interviewing & Usability Testing Platforms: Tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet for remote sessions. Potentially specialized tools for moderated or unmoderated testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).
• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro, Mural, FigJam for collaborative synthesis, journey mapping, and workshop facilitation.
• Documentation & Analysis: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), possibly specialized qualitative analysis software (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo).
• Prototyping Tools (for testing): Familiarity with understanding and testing prototypes created in Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure, etc.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Survey Tools: SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Typeform for data collection.
• Basic Data Analysis: Proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for organizing and analyzing quantitative data from surveys or testing metrics.

CRM & Automation: While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user research feeds into product backlogs and development pipelines is important. Familiarity with project management tools like Jira or Asana for tracking research tasks and findings integration is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for UX research. The key is demonstrating proficiency in using them effectively to conduct research, synthesize findings, and communicate insights, particularly in a remote and collaborative setting.

Operations Values:

• Care Passionately: Demonstrating empathy for users and a commitment to improving public services.
• Fluent in People: Deep understanding of human behavior, motivations, and needs, translating this into research practice.
• Believe in Your Craft: Professionalism and confidence in user research methodologies and their value.
• Push Convention: Willingness to explore new approaches and challenge existing norms to achieve better outcomes.
• Be Open to Change: Adaptability to evolving project needs, client requirements, and research methodologies.
• Value Each Other: Collaborative spirit, respect for team members, and a commitment to inclusive practices.
• Integrated Teamwork: Working closely and proactively with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring research is a continuous thread throughout the project lifecycle.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing insights and learnings with colleagues, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.
• Constructive Feedback: Open to giving and receiving feedback to enhance research quality and team effectiveness.
• Client Partnership: Building collaborative relationships with clients to ensure research is aligned with their objectives and actionable.

📝 Enhancement Note: NECSWS's stated values are crucial. Candidates should reflect on how their personal approach to research and collaboration aligns with these principles, especially "Care Passionately" and "Fluent in People," given the public service focus.

• Client Education: Working with clients new to UCD requires patient explanation, advocacy, and demonstration of value.
• Diverse User Groups: Researching for public services often involves engaging with highly diverse user groups, requiring specialized recruitment and inclusive methodologies.
• Ethical Considerations: Navigating complex ethical landscapes, particularly in sensitive areas like health or social care, demanding rigorous ethical protocols.
• Time & Budget Constraints: Delivering high-quality research within fixed contract durations and project budgets requires efficient planning and execution.
• Remote Research Dynamics: Maintaining effective collaboration and participant engagement in a fully remote setting.
• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research techniques or explore new ones.
• Public Sector Specialization: Gaining deep domain knowledge and a strong track record in government and health sectors.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Learning from Service Designers and other disciplines to broaden understanding of the end-to-end digital service lifecycle.
• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior researchers or be mentored by senior leads within the Digital Studio.
• Impactful Projects: Contributing to projects with significant societal impact, offering professional fulfillment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Acknowledging potential challenges and framing them as opportunities for growth and skill development is a strong approach for candidates. The chance to specialize in public sector UCD is a significant draw.

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex public sector project where you led user research. What were the main challenges, how did you address them, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on GDS, accessibility, stakeholder management).
• "How would you approach planning and conducting user research for a new digital service for [specific public sector domain, e.g., citizen welfare] if the client had never used UCD before?" (Demonstrate advocacy, phased approach, value proposition).
• "Walk us through a specific research synthesis process you used. How did you ensure your findings were actionable and communicated effectively to a multidisciplinary team?" (Showcase analytical and communication skills).
• "Describe a time you had to adapt your research plan due to unforeseen circumstances or constraints. What did you do, and what did you learn?" (Assess adaptability and problem-solving).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you see your approach to user research aligning with NECSWS's values, particularly 'Care Passionately' and 'Fluent in People'?" (Connect personal values to company ethos).
• "What are your thoughts on the GDS service standards and how have you applied them in your work?" (Assess understanding and practical application).
• "How do you ensure inclusivity and accessibility are central to your research process?" (Probe for specific practices and awareness).
• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative: the problem, your journey (research process), the insights discovered, and the resolution (impact on the project/users).
• Visuals are Key: Use slides to showcase key artifacts (e.g., journey maps, personas, wireframes influenced by research), but don't overload them. Keep text concise.
• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your methodological choices. Why did you choose interviews over surveys? Why this participant group?
• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially if working in a team. Use "I" for your actions and "we" for team efforts.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your research.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges, and how you'd handle specific scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the public sector context, GDS standards, and the practical application of inclusive research. Candidates should be ready to articulate the "so what?" of their research findings.

To apply for this contract position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the application via the provided link on SmartRecruiters.
• Tailor Your CV: Highlight your experience in user research, particularly within the public sector, health domains, and with GDS or similar frameworks. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases relevant case studies (public sector, GDS, accessibility), and clearly articulates your process, insights, and impact. Make sure it's easily accessible (e.g., a link to a personal website or a well-organized PDF).
• Research NECSWS: Understand their mission, the types of projects they undertake in the public sector, and their stated company values.
• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your experience, research philosophy, and how you can contribute to NECSWS's mission during interviews. Practice presenting a key portfolio case study concisely.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have significant experience in user research, particularly in public sector UCD projects, ideally within health. Familiarity with GDS or similar design frameworks and accessibility guidelines is essential.