Senior User Researcher (Ref: 23155)
Added 12 Oct · still live
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
£58,511 – £65,329 / year
Salary
Above P75 for SOC 2434
£41,700
Going rate
Offer clears by 1.4×
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2434 is an eligible occupation, but we are only 53% sure that is the right code. Ministry of Justice UK is a licensed sponsor, so if the code fits, the role should qualify. Check the occupation eligibility rules against what the job actually involves.
We pick the code from the advert's text, so it is our best guess, not the employer's. Each code it could be has its own likelihood:
- Likely 2434 (Business and related research professionals) · 53% match
- Likely 2115 (Social and humanities scientists) · 14% match
- Likely 2133 (IT business analysts, architects and systems designers) · 10% match
Your salary route
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2434 Business and related research professionals Most likely code | £33,400 Clears | £33,400 Clears | £37,500 Clears | £41,700 Clears |
2115 Social and humanities scientists Also possible | £33,400 Clears | £33,400 Clears | £37,500 Clears | £40,400 Clears |
2133 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers Also possible | £38,400 Clears | £43,900 Clears | £49,400 Clears | £54,900 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, Scotland, South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber
Job Summary
This position is based Nationally
Job Description
Senior User Researcher
Location: National*
Closing Date: 25th October
Interviews: W/C 9th November
Grade: 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary**: London: £63,343 - 70,725
National: £58,511 - £65,329
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Contract Type: Permanent
Number of vacancies: 3
The Role
We’re recruiting for Senior User Researchers here at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative teams.
This role aligns against Senior User Researcher from the Government Digital and Data Framework
User Researchers help our teams develop a deep understanding of our people - citizens, businesses or government colleagues - who use our services. Their findings allow our teams to design and build better services more quickly and at lower cost and risk. And to continuously improve services, based on data and evidence.
As a senior user researcher at JDDS you’ll be an experienced practitioner who can plan and lead user research activities within a multidisciplinary team and uncover insights of the staff and end users of our complex but fascinating Justice system.
You’ll be joining a highly supportive community of researchers who meet regularly to share their knowledge and project experience within a safe learning environment. You may work with other user researchers (junior and mid-level) to assure and improve their research practice.
Background
We design, build and support user-centred digital and technology services for the justice system: services that make a real difference to our staff, members of the public and their families who use them. Millions of people interact with our services, and Digital & Technology play an important role in improving access to justice and making that experience much easier and less distressing.
We are using digital, data, technology, and AI to build capability, work smarter, and more efficiently. We want to create a digitally enabled end-to-end justice system which can adapt and respond to changing needs. We were the first digital team in a government department, and the first to deliver an exemplar service, with experts in web development, design, delivery and product management and user research, alongside around 50 organisations, including the courts service and Government Digital Service (GDS)
You’ll receive a range of excellent benefits when you join our department, including:
Job Summary
This position is based Nationally
Job Description
Senior User Researcher
Location: National*
Closing Date: 25th October
Interviews: W/C 9th November
Grade: 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary**: London: £63,343 - 70,725
National: £58,511 - £65,329
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Contract Type: Permanent
Number of vacancies: 3
- We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
The Role
We’re recruiting for Senior User Researchers here at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative teams.
This role aligns against Senior User Researcher from the Government Digital and Data Framework
User Researchers help our teams develop a deep understanding of our people - citizens, businesses or government colleagues - who use our services. Their findings allow our teams to design and build better services more quickly and at lower cost and risk. And to continuously improve services, based on data and evidence.
As a senior user researcher at JDDS you’ll be an experienced practitioner who can plan and lead user research activities within a multidisciplinary team and uncover insights of the staff and end users of our complex but fascinating Justice system.
You’ll be joining a highly supportive community of researchers who meet regularly to share their knowledge and project experience within a safe learning environment. You may work with other user researchers (junior and mid-level) to assure and improve their research practice.
Background
We design, build and support user-centred digital and technology services for the justice system: services that make a real difference to our staff, members of the public and their families who use them. Millions of people interact with our services, and Digital & Technology play an important role in improving access to justice and making that experience much easier and less distressing.
We are using digital, data, technology, and AI to build capability, work smarter, and more efficiently. We want to create a digitally enabled end-to-end justice system which can adapt and respond to changing needs. We were the first digital team in a government department, and the first to deliver an exemplar service, with experts in web development, design, delivery and product management and user research, alongside around 50 organisations, including the courts service and Government Digital Service (GDS)
You’ll receive a range of excellent benefits when you join our department, including:
- A generous employer pension contribution of 28.97% through the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
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Key Responsibilities
Researchers On Our Teams Are:
- Great at using quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Comfortable with metrics and able to synthesise data quickly
- Great storytellers and communicators
- Very good at collaborating in a dynamic, data-driven, creative environment with diverse stakeholders
- Scope, plan, conduct, analyse and communicate research
- Lead colleagues to analyse and synthesise research data
- Communicate research findings across the organisation.
- Work closely with product managers, designers, data scientists, and developers/ engineers to turn user research findings into actions that lead to valuable services
- Mentor, support and line manage mid-level and junior User Researchers
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Person Specification
Essential
- Research. You can demonstrate experience in a wide range of user research methods, and can help teams to adopt them. You can plan user research for services with challenging user needs and complex user journeys. You can advise colleagues on the choice and application of research methods to assure best practice.
- User-centred and Agile practices. You can understand and demonstrate experience in a range of user-centred practices. You can help inexperienced teams adopt user-centred practices and embed them into their Agile workflow. You can advocate for user research, and engage potentially sceptical colleagues and stakeholders.
- Analysis and synthesis. You can understand and help teams to apply a range of methods to analyse research data and synthesise findings. You can work collaboratively with colleagues in carrying out analysis and synthesis. You can advise on the choice and application of techniques, and can critique colleagues’ findings to assure best practice. You can share insights with a range of colleagues and stakeholders to help elevate the user's voice.
- Inclusive research. You can help teams understand the diversity of users of government services. You can effectively include all kinds of users in appropriate research activities. You can advocate inclusive practices and help teams design and deliver accessible services that work for all users. You recognise the ethical implications when planning and carrying out research for both the researcher and participant.
- Stakeholder relationship management. You can influence stakeholders and manage relationships effectively. You can build long-term strategic relationships and communicate clearly and regularly with stakeholders.
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We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.
Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
Salary Information**
Base salary for this role is from London: £63,343 - 70,725 and National: £58,511 - £65,329
- New entrants to the Civil Service joining the MoJ are expected to start at the minimum of the pay band.
- Existing Civil Servants moving on a level transfer will retain their current base salary or move to the minimum of the pay band for the role, whichever is higher.
- Existing Civil Servants who are promoted will either move to the bottom of the new grade’s pay band or receive a 10% uplift, whichever provides the greater increase.
Location: National*
Closing Date: 25th October
Interviews: W/C 9th November
Grade: 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary**: London: £63,343 - 70,725
National: £58,511 - £65,329
Working pattern
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: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Contract Type: Permanent
Number of vacancies: 3
The Role
We’re recruiting for Senior User Researchers here at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative teams.
This role aligns against Senior User Researcher from the Government Digital and Data Framework
User Researchers help our teams develop a deep understanding of our people - citizens, businesses or government colleagues - who use our services. Their findings allow our teams to design and build better services more quickly and at lower cost and risk. And to continuously improve services, based on data and evidence.
As a senior user researcher at JDDS you’ll be an experienced practitioner who can plan and lead user research activities within a multidisciplinary team and uncover insights of the staff and end users of our complex but fascinating Justice system.
You’ll be joining a highly supportive community of researchers who meet regularly to share their knowledge and project experience within a safe learning environment. You may work with other user researchers (junior and mid-level) to assure and improve their research practice.
Background
We design, build and support user-centred digital and technology services for the justice system: services that make a real difference to our staff, members of the public and their families who use them. Millions of people interact with our services, and Digital & Technology play an important role in improving access to justice and making that experience much easier and less distressing.
We are using digital, data, technology, and AI to build capability, work smarter, and more efficiently. We want to create a digitally enabled end-to-end justice system which can adapt and respond to changing needs. We were the first digital team in a government department, and the first to deliver an exemplar service, with experts in web development, design, delivery and product management and user research, alongside around 50 organisations, including the courts service and Government Digital Service (GDS)
You’ll receive a range of excellent benefits when you join our department, including:
Contract Type: Permanent
Number of vacancies: 3
- We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
The Role
We’re recruiting for Senior User Researchers here at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative teams.
This role aligns against Senior User Researcher from the Government Digital and Data Framework
User Researchers help our teams develop a deep understanding of our people - citizens, businesses or government colleagues - who use our services. Their findings allow our teams to design and build better services more quickly and at lower cost and risk. And to continuously improve services, based on data and evidence.
As a senior user researcher at JDDS you’ll be an experienced practitioner who can plan and lead user research activities within a multidisciplinary team and uncover insights of the staff and end users of our complex but fascinating Justice system.
You’ll be joining a highly supportive community of researchers who meet regularly to share their knowledge and project experience within a safe learning environment. You may work with other user researchers (junior and mid-level) to assure and improve their research practice.
Background
We design, build and support user-centred digital and technology services for the justice system: services that make a real difference to our staff, members of the public and their families who use them. Millions of people interact with our services, and Digital & Technology play an important role in improving access to justice and making that experience much easier and less distressing.
We are using digital, data, technology, and AI to build capability, work smarter, and more efficiently. We want to create a digitally enabled end-to-end justice system which can adapt and respond to changing needs. We were the first digital team in a government department, and the first to deliver an exemplar service, with experts in web development, design, delivery and product management and user research, alongside around 50 organisations, including the courts service and Government Digital Service (GDS)
You’ll receive a range of excellent benefits when you join our department, including:
- A generous employer pension contribution of 28.97% through the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
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Key Responsibilities
Essential
- Research. You can demonstrate experience in a wide range of user research methods, and can help teams to adopt them. You can plan user research for services with challenging user needs and complex user journeys. You can advise colleagues on the choice and application of research methods to assure best practice.
- User-centred and Agile practices. You can understand and demonstrate experience in a range of user-centred practices. You can help inexperienced teams adopt user-centred practices and embed them into their Agile workflow. You can advocate for user research, and engage potentially sceptical colleagues and stakeholders.
- Analysis and synthesis. You can understand and help teams to apply a range of methods to analyse research data and synthesise findings. You can work collaboratively with colleagues in carrying out analysis and synthesis. You can advise on the choice and application of techniques, and can critique colleagues’ findings to assure best practice. You can share insights with a range of colleagues and stakeholders to help elevate the user's voice.
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We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.
Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
Salary Information**
Base salary for this role is from London: £63,343 - 70,725 and National: £58,511 - £65,329
- New entrants to the Civil Service joining the MoJ are expected to start at the minimum of the pay band.
- Existing Civil Servants moving on a level transfer will retain their current base salary or move to the minimum of the pay band for the role, whichever is higher.
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Please Refer To Job Description
Alongside your salary of £58,511, Ministry of Justice contributes £16,950 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Access to learning and development
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Annual Leave
- Public Holidays
- Season Ticket Advance
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
How to Apply
In Justice Digital, Data and Science, we recruit using a combination of the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability and Success Profiles Frameworks. We shall assess a combination of your Experience and Behaviours during the assessment process.
Stage 1 - Application And Sift:
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To apply for this position, you must submit the following as part of your application.
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on 'Research. You can demonstrate experience in a wide range of user research methods, and can help teams to adopt them. You can plan user research for services with challenging user needs and complex user journeys. You can advise colleagues on the choice and application of research methods to assure best practice' will be conducted before the sift.
Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply - Application Guidance
Stage 2 - Interviews:
- A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). Your CV will be assessed against the essential criteria outlined within the Person Specification of this advert.
- A Personal Statement (no more than 750 words) which should outline your experience and skills, giving clear examples of work undertaken. It should specifically address the following 3 criteria listed below, using a separate paragraph for each.
- Research. You can demonstrate experience in a wide range of user research methods, and can help teams to adopt them. You can plan user research for services with challenging user needs and complex user journeys. You can advise colleagues on the choice and application of research methods to assure best practice.
- User-centred and Agile practices. You can understand and demonstrate experience in a range of user-centred practices. You can help inexperienced teams adopt user-centred practices and embed them into their Agile workflow. You can advocate for user research, and engage potentially sceptical colleagues and stakeholders.
- Research management, leadership and assurance. You can evaluate the quality of research against accepted professional standards for user research, explain what good practice involves and give constructive feedback to other user researchers to ensure their work meets good practice standards
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on 'Research. You can demonstrate experience in a wide range of user research methods, and can help teams to adopt them. You can plan user research for services with challenging user needs and complex user journeys. You can advise colleagues on the choice and application of research methods to assure best practice' will be conducted before the sift.
Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply - Application Guidance
Stage 2 - Interviews:
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Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a panel interview held via Microsoft Teams. At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements - Experience and the following Behaviours:
Appointments are made strictly in merit order. In the event that two or more candidates receive identical interview scores, the 'Research. You can demonstrate experience in a wide range of user research methods, and can help teams to adopt them. You can plan user research for services with challenging user needs and complex user journeys. You can advise colleagues on the choice and application of research methods to assure best practice' will be applied as the primary lead criterion to determine the final merit order.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- Leadership
- Working together
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and influencing
Appointments are made strictly in merit order. In the event that two or more candidates receive identical interview scores, the 'Research. You can demonstrate experience in a wide range of user research methods, and can help teams to adopt them. You can plan user research for services with challenging user needs and complex user journeys. You can advise colleagues on the choice and application of research methods to assure best practice' will be applied as the primary lead criterion to determine the final merit order.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
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- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
- Email : [email protected]
- Telephone : 0345 241 5359
- Email : [email protected]
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL ([email protected]) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/
https://www.jobtrain.co.uk/justicedigital/Job/JobDetail?jobid=1239
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Ministry of Justice UK, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Business and related research professionals (SOC 2434) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~105k in sampleSOC 2434
- Offer £58,511–65,329
- Middle half £34,892–49,400
- Median £41,392
- Going rate £41,700
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–35,000
Even the bottom of this range, £58,511, beats the market's 75th percentile. Ministry of Justice UK pays in the top quarter for this occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Ministry of Justice UKAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Ministry of Justice UK holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2434 going rate of £41,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.