Senior User Researcher at Department for Work & Pensions, UK Office/Remote, 6 Months, £Contract Rate

About The Role

We're looking for a Senior User Researcher to lead research on a major data platform migration programme within DWP.

This role sits at the heart of a transformation moving from legacy systems to a modern platform (SAS Viya), ensuring the new environment is shaped around the needs of its users.

You'll work closely with internal users (primarily analysts and data professionals) to understand how they use data day to day, what challenges they face and how the new system should be designed to support both current and future needs.

This is a hands on, senior role where you'll own the research strategy end to end, working closely with stakeholders to drive user-centred decision making and influence outcomes across a complex, technical programme.

As a Senior User Researcher your main responsibilities will be to:

• Lead end to end user research across a complex data platform migration
• Define and deliver research strategies aligned to programme goals
• Engage with internal users (analysts, data teams) to understand workflows, needs and pain points
• Conduct a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g. interviews, usability testing, surveys)
• Translate research insights into clear recommendations and actionable requirements
• Influence product, design, and technical teams to ensure user-centred outcomes
• Support the migration by identifying current vs future user needs
• Recruit and engage internal stakeholders and users for research activities
• Champion a user-centred approach across teams, particularly in technical environments
• Mentor junior researchers and support the wider user research community

Essential:

• Proven experience as a Senior User Researcher, owning research across complex projects
• Experience working on technical or data-driven environments (e.g. analytics platforms, internal tools, enterprise systems)
• Strong understanding of how users interact with data and analytical systems
• Demonstrable ability to turn research insights into requirements and influence delivery decisions
• Experience engaging and recruiting internal users and stakeholders for research
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively
• Experience selecting and applying the right research methods for complex problems

Desirable:

• Experience working on platform migrations or transformation programmes
• Exposure to data platforms or analytics tools (e.g. SAS, BI tools, data environments)
• Public sector / government digital experience

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DWP guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

DWP guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.