Senior User Researcher – Transport Scotland
Join to apply for the Senior User Researcher role at The Scottish Government
Pay Range
The pay range is provided by The Scottish Government. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience. Talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base Pay
Transport Scotland is the national transport agency, delivering a safe, efficient, cost‑effective and sustainable transport system for the people of Scotland. The Smart and Integrated Ticketing (SIT) and Payment programme delivers integrated smart ticketing and payment, as well as travel data and information activities across all public transport in Scotland. The role is key within the SIT team, supporting policy development and delivery related to smart and integrated ticketing and payment, bus open data, a national integrated ticketing system and future concessionary scheme improvements.
Role Description
A Senior User Researcher is an experienced researcher who leads research activity on complex services, influences and mentors others. Responsibilities include planning and carrying out user research activities across complex services, embedding good practice within teams, creating user research documentation such as ethics documentation, aligning research activities with wider service plans, sharing insights across teams, supervising and developing other researchers, and contributing to the Scottish Government user research community of practice.
Responsibilities – Analysis and Synthesis
* Execute and manage analysis of complex research data.
* Help teams apply a range of methods to analyse data and synthesize findings.
* Engage colleagues, including sceptical ones, in analysis and synthesis work.
* Advise on technique choice and application, critique findings to ensure best practice.
* Present and document clear findings that can be reused across the organisation.
Responsibilities – Inclusive Research
* Help teams understand the diversity of users of government services.
* Champion inclusion of diverse users in research activity to shape service design, especially those facing barriers.
* Develop research that supports delivery of an equitable service.
* Advocate inclusive practices and help teams design accessible and equitable services for all users.
* Understand the importance of assisted digital and champion needs of people unable to use digital services.
Responsibilities – User Research Methods
* Demonstrate experience in a wide range of user research methods and help teams adopt them.
* Plan and manage research for services with challenging user needs and complex journeys.
* Advise on method choice and application to assure best practice.
* Identify and manage participation of teams, stakeholders and users.
* Trial new methods or approaches to develop the methodological toolkit.
Responsibilities – Agile Research Practices
* Advocate for agile working.
* Adapt research design and conduct to respond to product complexity.
* Understand strategic decisions to design appropriate research.
* Influence priorities and agile processes within the team.
* Work in agile teams to manage and visualise outcomes, prioritise work, define research scope, and deliver MVP or change.
Responsibilities – Design and Strategy
* Design user research activity with defined scope and purpose aligned to project goals.
* Grow knowledge of good practice standards for user research.
* Implement legal and ethical standards and create relevant documentation.
* Improve practice through reflection and feedback.
* Contribute to user research strategies and processes, balancing business objectives and user needs.
* Engage with and contribute to the Scottish Government user research community of practice.
Responsibilities – Stakeholder Relationship Management
* Influence stakeholders and communicate clearly and regularly to demonstrate research value.
* Tailor communication to stakeholders' needs and help build relationships while meeting user needs.
* Improve stakeholder relationships using evidence to explain decisions and reach consensus.
Responsibilities – User-Centred Practice and Advocacy
* Evaluate and select approaches for building the team’s user understanding.
* Advocate for user‑centred design practices with sceptical colleagues and stakeholders.
* Help inexperienced teams adopt a range of user‑centred practices.
* Identify important risks and opportunities for service development.
* Align research plans to address team priorities.
* Evaluate tools and approaches to achieve research goals, including management of third‑party contracts.
Success Profile
Success profiles include skills, experience, and behaviours assessed. Key experience includes leading analysis and synthesis methods, leading ethical and inclusive user research, ensuring alignment to project goals, and leading teams in inclusive user research delivery.
Technical / Professional Skills
Role aligned to Senior User Researcher within the DDaT User Researcher job family. Detailed skill assessment through technical assessment with a candidate pack outlining specific skills.
Behaviours
* Communicating and Influencing – level 3.
* Changing & Improving – level 3.
* Making Effective Decisions – level 3.
* Working Together – level 3.
How to Apply
Apply online providing a CV and a supporting statement (no more than 750 words) evidencing how you meet the four experience criteria in the success profile. AI tools may be used to support your application, but all statements must be truthful and directly from your experience. Plagiarism will lead to withdrawal. After invitation, interviews and DDaT technical assessment scheduled for w/c 8th December 2025. Application deadline: 24th November 2025 (23:59).
About Transport Scotland
Transport Scotland is the national transport agency delivering a safe, efficient, cost‑effective and sustainable transport system. It is accountable to Parliament and has a budget of over £4 billion per year. The agency is a vital part of the Scottish Government’s focus on economic growth, and it offers rewarding careers across a wide range of professions.
Working Pattern
Standard hours are 35 hours per week. Flexible and hybrid working options are available. The role requires office presence twice per week.
DDaT Pay Supplement
This post includes a £5,000.00 annual DDaT pay supplement after a 3‑month competency qualifying period, back‑dated to your start date. Supplements are reviewed regularly.
Security Checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). BPSS comprises identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion, recruiting a diverse workforce that reflects the population. We support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further Information
For more information about the organisation, staff benefits and the application process, read the Candidate Guide or visit the Digital Jobs website. Contact Juliet Bell at juliet.bell@transport.gov.scot.
Apply Before
Apply before 24th November 2025 (23:59).
#J-18808-Ljbffr