User Researcher
| Posting date: | 16 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £39,767 to £45,472 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 30 June 2026 |
| Location: | Dundee, Glasgow |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Scottish Government |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 4078 |
Summary
Salary - £39,767 to £45,472
Location - Dundee or Glasgow
Hours - 35 hours per week
Closing Date - 30th June 2026 at 23:55
Reference - 4078
Employment Type - Fixed Term Appointment
Overview:
Join Social Security Scotland as a User Researcher and play a key role in shaping services that truly work for people. You’ll plan and deliver research to understand the needs, experiences, and challenges of those who rely on our services, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to turn insights into practical improvements. Your work will help ensure services are simple, inclusive, and accessible for everyone. You’ll take ownership of smaller research projects, contribute to ethical research practices, and champion the voice of the user throughout the design process. This is a great opportunity for a confident, collaborative researcher who can work independently, knows when to seek support, and is keen to learn and grow within a supportive community.
This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 23 months, with the possibility of extension or permanency depending on business needs.
User Researchers conduct research to support the design of policies and services that meet user needs and achieve policy intent. They plan, design, and deliver research activities to build a shared understanding of users and how services are used, working both independently and within multidisciplinary teams. They advocate for inclusive, accessible, and user-centred design, contribute to ethical research practices, and ensure insights inform decision-making. They also engage with the wider research community and seek guidance where needed to maintain high-quality outcomes.
Main Duties:
• Plan and carry out user research to understand what people need and how services can work better for them.
• Choose the right research methods and tools for each project, with support where needed.
• Review and analyse research findings to identify key themes and insights, involving others in the team where helpful.
• Share findings clearly through presentations and reports so others can understand and act on them.
• Make sure research includes a wide range of people, especially those who may face barriers or are less represented.
• Champion services that are easy to use, accessible, and fair for everyone, including people who need extra support to use digital services.
• Use research insights to help design services that meet people’s needs and deliver positive outcomes.
• Work flexibly and adapt research as projects change, using an iterative (test-and-learn) approach.
• Collaborate with different professionals across teams to plan and deliver research.
• Adjust research plans to work within time, budget, and other constraints.
• Set clear goals and scope for research activities so they align with project and organisational priorities.
• Contribute to wider user research approaches, balancing user needs with business goals.
• Keep improving your skills by learning from feedback, reflecting on your work, and following good practice.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and communicate in a way that meets their needs.
• Support collaboration and decision-making by using evidence to explain recommendations.
• Represent the voice of the user by sharing insights about their needs and behaviours.
• Stay aware of technology, including assistive tools, to support inclusive and effective research.
Further Information:
Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.
Location - Dundee or Glasgow
Hours - 35 hours per week
Closing Date - 30th June 2026 at 23:55
Reference - 4078
Employment Type - Fixed Term Appointment
Overview:
Join Social Security Scotland as a User Researcher and play a key role in shaping services that truly work for people. You’ll plan and deliver research to understand the needs, experiences, and challenges of those who rely on our services, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to turn insights into practical improvements. Your work will help ensure services are simple, inclusive, and accessible for everyone. You’ll take ownership of smaller research projects, contribute to ethical research practices, and champion the voice of the user throughout the design process. This is a great opportunity for a confident, collaborative researcher who can work independently, knows when to seek support, and is keen to learn and grow within a supportive community.
This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 23 months, with the possibility of extension or permanency depending on business needs.
User Researchers conduct research to support the design of policies and services that meet user needs and achieve policy intent. They plan, design, and deliver research activities to build a shared understanding of users and how services are used, working both independently and within multidisciplinary teams. They advocate for inclusive, accessible, and user-centred design, contribute to ethical research practices, and ensure insights inform decision-making. They also engage with the wider research community and seek guidance where needed to maintain high-quality outcomes.
Main Duties:
• Plan and carry out user research to understand what people need and how services can work better for them.
• Choose the right research methods and tools for each project, with support where needed.
• Review and analyse research findings to identify key themes and insights, involving others in the team where helpful.
• Share findings clearly through presentations and reports so others can understand and act on them.
• Make sure research includes a wide range of people, especially those who may face barriers or are less represented.
• Champion services that are easy to use, accessible, and fair for everyone, including people who need extra support to use digital services.
• Use research insights to help design services that meet people’s needs and deliver positive outcomes.
• Work flexibly and adapt research as projects change, using an iterative (test-and-learn) approach.
• Collaborate with different professionals across teams to plan and deliver research.
• Adjust research plans to work within time, budget, and other constraints.
• Set clear goals and scope for research activities so they align with project and organisational priorities.
• Contribute to wider user research approaches, balancing user needs with business goals.
• Keep improving your skills by learning from feedback, reflecting on your work, and following good practice.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and communicate in a way that meets their needs.
• Support collaboration and decision-making by using evidence to explain recommendations.
• Represent the voice of the user by sharing insights about their needs and behaviours.
• Stay aware of technology, including assistive tools, to support inclusive and effective research.
Further Information:
Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.