Senior User Researcher
Employer: Health Research Authority
Location: The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle based staff can be office based. For our bases in Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol, hybrid working arrangements may be possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.
Temporary: Fixed term: 2 years (end date 30 June 2028)
Working hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £49,387 - £56,515 Per Annum
Closing date: 07/07/2026 23:59
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The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.
Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.
Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior User Researcher to manage a user research team while delivering high-quality research across a range of digital projects. The role requires the ability to effectively manage day-to-day research activities while maintaining a clear strategic focus aligned with wider organisational goals and objectives. You will be educated to degree level or equivalent and bring extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. You will have a strong understanding of Government Digital Service (GDS) user research standards and demonstrable experience of applying user experience research and insight within a service based organisation. A proven track record of working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to deliver user research projects in an Agile environment is essential, alongside excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills.
Main duties of the job
Leading and conducting pro-active user experience research projects including the creation of user research deliverables to provide in- depth, actionable insight, so that issues and opportunities are clearly identified and properly reported.
Planning, designing and conducting interviews, workshops and usability testing sessions to support the design and development of digital services. Leading the user research process from developing the research methodology and user recruitment scripts through to analysis and user research outputs.
Conducting in-house user research with users to test concept developments and prototypes using a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, such as contextual interviews, pop-up interviews, surveys and usability testing, to ensure that user needs are fully understood in the service design.
Taking an innovative approach to ensure that all customer groups are represented in the user research - testing and using a variety of channels to achieve this. Using hands-on and creative techniques to recruit participants as needed on the project.
Working collaboratively with the project team, designers and developers to turn user data into actionable product/service requirements that feeds into prototype development, and influences product direction.
Effectively delivering user research projects within deadlines and maintaining a focus on results despite unforeseen challenges and setbacks.
Working for our organisation
At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.
Working at the HRA, we support flexible working, recognising that home based or hybrid arrangements provides us with the most productive environment to work well. Where possible, we’ll offer a working pattern that suits you.
The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle based staff can be office based. For our bases in Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol, hybrid working arrangements may be possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents for full details about this role.
When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the criteria outlined for this position.
We recognise that generative AI tools can be helpful in supporting applicants during the recruitment process, particularly for tasks such as proofreading, structuring, or refining written responses. However, we encourage candidates to use AI responsibly and sparingly. Applications should reflect your authentic voice, personal experiences, and genuine qualifications. Over reliance on AI-generated content can result in generic or inaccurate submissions that fail to meet the criteria or convey your individuality. Misrepresentation of skills, knowledge, or experience, including through AI-generated content, may lead to the rejection of your application, withdrawal of your offer, or your dismissal if you do start with us. If you choose to use AI, please ensure it enhances rather than replaces your own input, and be transparent about its use where appropriate. False and insincere examples go against our values of integrity and transparency.
Important information
We are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be considered.
Applications that do not clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria outlined in the person specification are met will not be shortlisted.
Only the information provided in the application form will be considered. CVs will not be reviewed.
We do not accept applications via recruitment agencies or other third parties.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.
Our fixed term roles are also open to applicants who wish to apply on a secondment basis. Applicants who fit this category are advised to speak with their line manager before applying and visit their organisations Secondments Policy.
Organisational structure and directorate overview
The HRA is made up of five directorates: Approvals, Chief Executive, Digital, Policy and Partnerships and Resources.
This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRA’s portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The directorate owns, develops, and delivers the HRA’s digital strategy in line with government digital and functional standards.
The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Educated to degree level (or relevant qualifications) in a relevant field, or significant relevant working experience of the subject matter
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential criteria
GDS trained or with extensive experience across a wide variety of research methodologies to carry out research to identify user needs following GDS standards
Providing advice and guidance across projects on both user research methodologies and GDS standards related to research and deliverables
Understand and communicate to others the benefits and applicability of UI design, user testing tools, methods and standards to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Demonstrable knowledge and experience in user centred design practices
Good attention to detail and able to work to a high level of accuracy
Desirable criteria
Familiar with collaborative tools such as JIRA and Trello
Experience
Essential criteria
Identifying user needs and ensure they are captured and implemented
Track record of conducting pro-active user experience research projects through all stages from research methodology planning through to analysis and outputs
Proven experience of a wide range of research methodologies such as professional and customer contextual interviews, workshops, pop-up, guerrilla research and usability testing
Accessibility considerations and testing with users with additional needs to shape inclusive design
Presenting user research findings to senior managers and external organisations, being challenged on results and research outcomes
Managing user data in a secure way, in line with organisational policy
Desirable criteria
Working within multidisciplinary agile teams, and experience of creating epics and user stories
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria
Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
Experienced in delivering user research outputs from both qualitative and quantitative research and able to constructively critique methodological and analytical choices taken within the organisation
Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
Training and mentoring junior user researchers and the wider team on user research best practice (e.g. methodology, ethics, recruitment, outputs) and agile methodology
Management, development and supervision of a small team of user researchers
A self-starter, highly self-motivated and disciplined, able to work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines
Other
Essential criteria
Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential criteria
Creative and proactive enough to challenge the status quo with a natural curiosity and inquisitive nature
A high level of confidence and ability to engage with and influence others including senior managers
Excellent communications skills Interview
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria
Ability to draw together and present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence and data
Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
Flexibility, perseverance and maintaining a focus on results despite unforeseen challenges and setbacks
In return for your commitment, we offer excellent opportunities for personal development and a healthy work-life balance. The HRA is committed to promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality. We welcome and encourage applications, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity and gender expression, disability, race, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, sex or sexual orientation or any other personal circumstances. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can be made upon request, for candidates with a disability. The HRA welcomes applicants who are interested in flexible working including job share, part time work, secondments or home-based working. Please discuss any preferred flexibility at your interview.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.
The HRA does not hold a sponsor licence in respect of skilled worker visas and so is unable to employ candidates requiring sponsorship.
In order to be considered for this position you must address the criteria outlined in the person specification in your supporting statement. You will be considered based on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered. All contact is made via our Trac recruitment system. Please check your account regularly.
After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
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