Lead User Researcher

Apply before 11:55pm on Sunday 28th June 2026

At the IPO, as a Lead User Researcher, you will be a key member of the user research team, working at the forefront of our digital Transformation program. You will work to deliver radical changes to our services that meet the needs of our customers and our colleagues.

You will have strong experience of practical user research and an understanding of different methodologies. You will be able to plan, lead and execute user research activities in your allocated project and be able to lead, support and collaborate across projects and professions when needed.

You will be joining a well-established, inclusive and close-knit team of professionals who are passionate about improving the experiences of our users.

You can expect a warm welcome, and to be supported in all aspects of personal and professional development.

You’ll be encouraged to spend time developing your skills and supported to gain or maintain professional qualifications and accreditations.

This role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our Newport Office.

The requirement for attendance at an office location can vary by role so we would encourage candidates to discuss working arrangements with the recruiting manager to agree a reasonable balance between working from home and the office.

At this level, you will be expected to:

• Plan and deliver user research to support your allocated project
• Support and champion user-centred practices in teams to ensure that teams take a user-centred approach to service design and delivery
• Work with others to align user research activities with wider plans to inform a service proposition
• Mentor, coach and train B1 (junior)/B2 (mid-weight)/B3 (Senior) User Researchers (line management is not currently required, but may feature as the team grows)
• Lead user research planning – define research objectives, methodology, sampling approach and give recommendations, ensuring that the needs of all users are considered in design and delivery.
• Lead the application of user research methods in practise and provide support and advice to colleagues on choice of methods where required to increase your user research toolkit.
• Lead the development and promotion of research strategies to understand user needs for a service, and continually test and improve the service
• Confidently present findings that inform wider decisions to key internal and external stakeholders and support at departmental service assessments
• Actively contribute to the user research community across government

Person specification

• Experience in delivering user research in an AGILE project environment
• Strong understanding of user-centred practices
• Strong understanding of the GDS Service Manual

Alongside your salary of £47,766, Intellectual Property Office contributes £13,837 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities
• 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments (1 day per year) over 5 years of reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave
• Family friendly policies that support modern working families and individuals with caring responsibilities
• A variety of support functions; Staff Counselling Service, Peer to Peer Support Group
• Eligibility for special and office-wide bonus payments
• The opportunity to form part of our many inclusive network groups, find out more by looking at Intellectual Property Office (IPO) (diversityjobsgroup.com)
• A range of wellbeing initiatives; Onsite Gym (Newport office), Eye Care Scheme, Volunteering Programme, Cycling facilities
• Free car parking is available on site at our Newport office
• On-site shop, restaurant and coffee shop at our Newport office