User Researcher

Job Description

About UsSPARCK is the design and innovation heart of technology consultancy BJSS. This unique relationship means we can design and deliver innovative products and services for people and the planet, in a human-centred way.We operate from 26 locations across the UK, Europe, Australia, and the United States. We bring together teams of creative experts with diverse backgrounds and experiences, who enjoy working and learning in our collaborative and open culture and are committedto world-class delivery.We look for people with a passion for making an impact by bringing their own unique experiences and ideas. So if you are someone who thrives on collaborating, solving problems, and getting stuff done, we’d love to hear from you.We want to continue to grow our team with people just like you!About the RoleWe are looking for a User Researcher to join the SPARCK Research­­ Practice.The Research Practice is a collective of talented researchers, who bring together a diverse skill set from a range of areas including psychology, social science, anthropology, design, technology, and media. We’re passionate about studying human behaviour,and using that knowledge to build compelling, user-focused experiences.As a User Researcher, you’ll be:

• Designing and leading research activities and client engagements; workshops with our clients and presenting deliverables to senior stakeholders
• Producing high-quality User Experience outputs such as user journeys, wireframes, test plans, research briefs, insight reports and personas/ archetypes
• Pragmatic design recommendations, balancing user needs, business requirements and technical constraints
• Engaging in usability testing to continuously iterate ideas and designs Championing the importance of research and human centred design on client projects and leading on other researchers on dynamic, fast-paced projects
• Working collaboratively with agile teams alongside service designers, product designers, business analysts, developers and testers
• Contributing to the growth of the research practice within SPARCK and BJSS

About You

• Proven experience of hands-on experience in a user research role either in-house, consultancy, design agency, start-up or venture capital
• You’ll be confident and experienced in leading, designing and planning a range of research activities to support the development of products and services, including usability testing, user interviews, card sorting and tree testing
• You’ll be highly experienced in designing and leading workshops with our clients and presenting deliverables to senior stakeholders
• You’ll be very comfortable making pragmatic design recommendations, balancing user needs, business requirements and technical constraints
• Strong experience working in agile teams, co-working with clients and contributing to the UX community
• GDS experience is preferable, but not essential
• You believe in the long-term application of Human Centred Design and Digital technology, holding informed opinions on emerging trends like AI, VR and Augmented Reality

The role can be based in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds or Nottinghamand we operate a hybrid working model.Some of the Perks

• Flexible benefits allowance - you choose how to spend your allowance (additional pension contributions, healthcare, dental and more)
• Industry leading health and wellbeing plan - we partner with several wellbeing support functions to cater to each individuals need, including 24/7 GP services, mental health support, and other
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working - Our roles are not fully remote as we take pride in the tight knit communities we have created at our local offices. But we offer plenty of flexibility and you can split your time between the office, client site and WFH
• Discounts - we have preferred rates from dozens of retail, lifestyle, and utility brands
• An industry-leading referral scheme with no limits on the number of referrals
• Flexible holiday buy/sell option
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Training opportunities and incentives - we support professional certifications across engineering and non-engineering roles, including unlimited access to O’Reilly
• Giving back - the ability to get involved nationally and regionally with partnerships to get people from diverse backgrounds into tech
• You will become part of a squad with people from different areas within the business who will help you grow at BJSS
• We have a busy social calendar that you can choose to join- quarterly town halls/squad nights out/weekends away with families included/office get togethers
• GymFlex gym membership programme

We want to ensure that everyone can perform to their best during the interview process. Please let us know, at any stage, if you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, and we will do our best to accommodate.