Senior User Researcher

As a Senior User Researcher at Netcompany, your primary responsibilities will include conducting comprehensive user research, supervising junior researchers to ensure best practices, and aligning user research with broader service strategies. You'll advocate for inclusive research practices, analyze findings, and present insights tailored to different audiences. Your role is pivotal in embedding user-centered practices in agile workflows and contributing to decision-making processes across teams.

To qualify for the Senior User Researcher position at Netcompany, candidates should have at least four years of user research experience, preferably aligned with GDS design principles or equivalent standards in the UK Public sector. Additionally, you must possess the right to work in the UK and be eligible for security clearance. Familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative research methods is essential for success in this role.

Netcompany offers an array of benefits for Senior User Researchers, including a hybrid working model, 25 days of holiday, private medical healthcare via Vitality, and pension contributions. There's also a focus on professional development, with support for obtaining certifications, as well as retail discounts and access to Employee Resource Groups that promote diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

At Netcompany, the commitment to professional development is strong. We support our Senior User Researchers with opportunities for learning and growth, including financial assistance for professional certifications and various resources to enhance skills. Employees are encouraged to participate in training programs that align with their career trajectories, fostering continuous personal and professional advancement.

Netcompany prides itself on fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture where creativity and innovation thrive. As a Senior User Researcher, you’ll enjoy a work environment characterized by low bureaucracy and high flexibility, allowing you to contribute your best work. The company celebrates diversity and prioritizes employee well-being, ensuring a supportive atmosphere where every voice is valued.

When answering this question, highlight your experience in selecting appropriate research methods tailored to specific projects. Discuss your approach to engaging users and collecting data, emphasizing your ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Be sure to illustrate how you adapt these methods based on user diversity and project scope.

Prepare to share a specific example where your insights shaped product decisions. Discuss the research approach you took, key findings, and how you presented your results. Emphasize the impact your work had on the final product, reflecting on both user satisfaction and business outcomes.

Focus on your understanding of user diversity. Talk about the methods you employ to ensure diverse user representation and how you advocate for accessible designs. Share ways you’ve collaborated with colleagues to enhance inclusivity throughout the research and design process.

Discuss your experience in linking user research to broader business goals. Highlight how you prioritize research questions that address strategic challenges and contribute to effective decision-making. Provide examples of successfully aligning findings with project goals to demonstrate this alignment.

Share your familiarity with various research and analysis tools, explaining how you choose them based on project needs. For example, you may mention survey tools, usability testing software, or analysis platforms. Emphasize your readiness to adapt to new technologies as required by the team.

It's important to adapt your communication style according to your audience. Explain how you tailor presentations for technical versus non-technical stakeholders, using data visualizations and storytelling techniques to engage listeners effectively. Mention any tools or methods you utilize to assist in these presentations.

Discuss your familiarity with agile practices, focusing on how you embed user research within iterative processes. Provide examples of how you’ve collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure user feedback is integrated rapidly into development cycles, enhancing product quality and responsiveness.

Speak to specific qualitative analysis methods you employ, such as thematic analysis or affinity mapping. Highlight your ability to draw actionable insights from unstructured data and how these insights inform design decisions. Providing an example can strengthen your response.

Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning by mentioning relevant resources like industry publications, online courses, or professional organizations. Share how you apply this knowledge to your work, ensuring your approaches stay contemporary and effective.

Emphasize the importance of feedback in refining your research methods. Discuss how you incorporate feedback from users, colleagues, and stakeholders into your practice, showcasing your flexibility and commitment to continuous improvement.