Senior User Researcher - 57,028-64,672 p.a. + benefits

We are currently looking for a Senior User Researcher to join our Digital and Service Design Function within the Digital and Technology group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

This role attracts a Market Pay Supplement of up to 20,371 per annum, in recognition of the specialist skills required and current market rates. The supplement is reviewed annually and is non-pensionable.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Digital and Technology Group (DTG) lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable our scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world-class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the general public. Its centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives, both to transform the Agencys legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions. The Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU.

User-Centred Design helps MHRA deliver accessible, inclusive and effective digital services that meet user needs. The function brings together user research, service design, interaction design and content design to support multidisciplinary teams across the service lifecycle.

Whats the role?

This is an exciting opportunity for a User Researcher to help shape a new user-centred design practice at the MHRA. Working across multidisciplinary teams and high-profile services, the post holder will plan, design and deliver research that builds a deep understanding of users, their needs and behaviours. They will help establish research standards and approaches that support evidence-led, accessible and user-centred service design across the agency.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading and conducting user research for complex and high-profile projects, programmes and/or portfolios of work, helping teams adopt a wide range of user research methods
• Planning, designing and preparing a range of user research activities to support the design, development and continuous improvement of agency services.
• Carry out a wide range of user research activities from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides and moderating research sessions.
• Helping teams understand the diversity of users of government services, know how to include all kinds of users in appropriate research activities and advocate for inclusive practices and help teams design and deliver accessible services that work for all users.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant experience in planning and conducting user research across the service lifecycle
• Applying a range of qualitative and evaluative research methods
• Analysing and synthesising evidence into actionable insights
• Communicating findings clearly to varied stakeholders
• Championing inclusive, accessible, standards-led service design

Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Seeing the Big Picture (I)
• Communicating and Influencing (I)
• Delivering at Pace (I)

Experience Criteria:

• Significant experience designing and conducting user research across the various stages of service development (discovery, alpha, beta, live) (A, I, P)
• Significant experience utilizing a range of user research techniques including ethnographic, participatory, and evaluative techniques (I, P)
• Experience developing user research plans including selecting and identifying the appropriate techniques and methods to use based on the project brief (A, I, P)
• Experience analyzing research findings, synthesizing and pulling out actionable insights and user needs that can be used to inform user stories and requirements (A, I, P)
• Experience communicating findings form user research in a compelling way for different stakeholders and audiences (I, P)

Technical Criteria:

• Degree level or equivalent professional experience (5+ years working as a user researcher or related field) (A, I)
• Previous experience working as a user researcher within teams designing and delivering digital products and services (A, I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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