User Researcher

GDS User Researcher – Discovery (Outside IR35)

Location: Remote-first (occasional collaboration days if required)

Duration: 3 months (initial contract)

Rate: Competitive (Outside IR35)

Start: ASAP

We're looking for an experienced GDS User Researcher to join a Central Government Discovery programme.

You'll be embedded within a multidisciplinary team, leading research activities that uncover user needs and provide the evidence required to shape future digital services. This is an opportunity to influence service direction from the very start of the Discovery phase, ensuring solutions are grounded in genuine user insight and aligned with GDS standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver user research throughout the Discovery phase.
• Design and facilitate interviews, workshops and usability testing.
• Analyse and synthesise research findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Communicate user needs to multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.
• Work closely with Service Designers, Product Managers, Business Analysts and Delivery Managers.
• Champion user-centred design and ensure research aligns with GDS Service Standards.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a User Researcher on GDS Discovery projects.
• Previous experience delivering within Central Government .
• Strong qualitative research and insight synthesis skills.
• Experience engaging a wide range of stakeholders and communicating findings effectively.
• Comfortable working in agile, multidisciplinary teams.

If you're an experienced GDS User Researcher looking for your next Outside IR35 contract, we'd love to hear from you.