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User researcher
User researchers collect, analyse and test data to design websites, software and applications based on user needs.
Average salary (a year)
£24000
Starter
£40000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings
occasionally
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; applying directly; a graduate training scheme
University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in
psychology, human computer interaction (HCI), digital marketing, product design, graphic design
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Volunteering
You can volunteer at user research sessions to get some experience. This will be useful, especially if you do not have a degree.
You can also get involved in the online user experience (UX) community and find a mentor to help you.
Direct Application
You can apply directly to user research or digital design companies, or go through a specialist agency.
To apply, you'll need experience in
user-centred design practices, running user research sessions in person and online, different user research methods, presenting user research findings in different formats
Other Routes
You could apply for a place on a user research or marketing company's graduate training scheme if you have a degree, for example in digital marketing or product design.
More Information
Career Tips
It will be useful if you have experience of working in agile project development.
You can find further information on what a user researcher does at the Government Digital Service.
It will also help if you have a portfolio to show examples of your work to employers.
Further Information
You can find out more about working as a user researcher from the User Experience Professionals', Association and techskills.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Knowledge of english language
    Maths knowledge
    Analytical thinking skills
    The ability to use your initiative
    The ability to work well with others
    To be flexible and open to change
    Excellent verbal communication skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
On a daily basis you could
plan and design user research testing sessions, recruit users for testing sessions and carry out research, get an understanding of users' needs, motivations and any problems with a service or product, use research results to identify new product and design ideas, work as part of a large product development team, help colleagues understand user behaviours, present user insights to project stakeholders at all levels
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a client's business or from home.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience you could move into a management role and supervise a team of user researchers. You could also work on larger, more complicated projects as a head of user experience or research.
You could become a business analyst, or product or service designer.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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