Job Description
SC Cleared User Researcher - Central Government (Contract)Duration: ASAP start for an initial 6 monthsRate: £550 per day (Inside IR35)Location: Remote working with occasional onsite attendanceClearance: UKSV SC (active)
We are seeking a Mid-Senior level SC Cleared User Researcher to support a UK Central Government department on a complex digital delivery programme. This Inside IR35 role requires an experienced researcher who can independently plan and deliver high-quality research while influencing product and service decisions.
The Role
You will lead and deliver user research across one or more services, ensuring user needs and insights are at the heart of decision-making. You will work closely with designers, product managers, policy teams, and engineers to shape services that meet real user needs and government standards.
Key responsibilities include:
* Planning and delivering qualitative and quantitative user research across discovery, Alpha, beta, and live
* Selecting and applying appropriate research methods, including interviews, usability testing, surveys, and field research
* Synthesising research findings into clear, actionable insights
* Communicating evidence effectively to multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders
* Advocating for user needs throughout the delivery life cycle
* Supporting design and product decisions through continuous research and testing
* Ensuring research meets GDS standards and ethical guidelines
* Contributing to service assessments and assurance activities
About You
Essential experience:
* Active UKSV SC clearance
* Proven experience operating as a User Researcher at mid-senior level
* Experience delivering user research within UK Central Government or similarly regulated environments
* Strong knowledge of GDS research standards and the Service Manual
* Experience working within agile, multidisciplinary teams
* Confidence engaging and influencing senior stakeholders
* Comfortable working remotely with occasional onsite attendance
Nice to Have:
* Experience mentoring junior researchers
* Familiarity with accessibility research and inclusive research practices
* Experience working closely with policy, operational, or frontline teams
* Exposure to complex or high-risk service environments
Reasonable Adjustments:
Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.
If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.