Reporting to the Head of Design, as a User Researcher within the Transformation Team, you will be responsible for planning, designing, and carrying out research activities to help the university more deeply understand its users and how they interact with our services, processes, and people.

You will be experienced in researching user experience, with a strong understanding of best practise and comfortable in taking a lead on research activities for in-flight programmes of change. These programmes are designed to transform our staff and student experience, and you will help teams understand the diversity of users and advocate for service improvements.

In this role, you will support all stages of a project, from diagnostics to design, working together with the project delivery team to design services that meet the needs of users.

Essential:

A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
A2 Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of user research methodologies and techniques.

A3 Strong knowledge of delivering user research activities within complex projects.

A4 Knowledge of operating within Project Management methodologies.

A5 Strong understanding and application of project software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Mural, and/or Miro.

A6 Understanding and application of prototyping software (e.g., Figma, Sketch).

B1 Knowledge of design thinking/service design methodologies and techniques.

B2 Knowledge of change management methodologies.

Essential:

C1 Highly effective communication and influencing skills, both verbal and written, to interact effectively with a range of colleagues and student user groups.

C2 Excellent design problem-solving skills that translate research insight into actionable design solutions.

C3 Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise work effectively.

C4 Ability to work independently to design and deliver research activities and solution design.
C5 Strong analytical abilities to collate and assess data and apply effective evidence-based approaches to decision-making.

C6 Comprehensive ability to prepare and deliver engaging presentations and to visualise concepts and designs that help the audience understand complex information.

C7 Successful track record of facilitation skills and practical application of user research in individual and group settings.

C8 Proven ability to apply the appropriate research techniques, which includes generative research, quantitative research, workshops, surveys, focus groups, prototyping, and usability testing. With a strong awareness of their strengths and weaknesses.

C9 Ability to build credibility and work collaboratively to manage a range of diverse stakeholders and establish effective working relationships.

Essential:

E1 Demonstrable experience as a User Researcher gained whilst working in organisations undergoing transformational change or providing research on substantial projects.

E2 Proven experience of developing research strategies and objectives to create insights that inform service design and improvements.

E3 Experience of analysing research data into clear findings that inform decisions, working collaboratively, involving colleagues in analysis and able to provide data that challenges assumptions.

E4 Demonstrable experience of designing solutions to address research insights.

E5 Experience of working in an open, iterative, and collaborative way in a multidisciplinary design team.

E6 Experience of bringing services and experiences to life through user journeys, scenarios and service blueprints and using this information to identify user behaviour and needs.

E7 Demonstrable experience of embedding a user-focussed culture within projects and services.

F1 Experience of Higher Education sector.

F2 Experience of training others in user research techniques.

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 – £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 3 years.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.