User Researcher

Main duties and responsibilities

De Montfort University (DMU) is an ambitious, globally-minded institution with a strong focus on delivering quality teaching and learning and a campus-wide focus on providing a sector-leading student experience. As a culturally rich university with a deep commitment to the public good, the DMU community strives to maintain a stimulating and inclusive environment where staff and students are able to thrive. The University prides itself as being a vibrant, multicultural hub of learning, creativity and innovation.

Faculty/ Directorate:

Digital & Technology Services (D&T) provides technical support for business operations, teaching and learning facilities for staff and students across De Montfort University. D&T works alongside Faculties and Directories ensuring DMU has the right teaching and business technologies to continue to be a University at the leading edge. Some of the services D&T provides are:

• Providing the technological infrastructure for the University
• Developing and delivering IT projects aligned to University investment and strategic goals
• Service Desk telephone and application support for both staff and students

Role:

As a User Research Specialist, you will shape the University’s technology services by designing and conducting research that captures the needs of our diverse community, including international, hybrid, remote, and mature students. You will collaborate with stakeholders to develop research strategies, source participants, and translate insights into actionable recommendations that inform service design and continuous improvement. Acting as an ambassador for user-centred design, you will facilitate research activities, apply best practices in usability and accessibility, and work closely with product teams to prioritise user needs. In doing so, you will uphold DMU’s values of collaboration, creativity, compassion, and community-mindedness, while supporting equality, environmental sustainability, and health and safety across the University.

Ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level or possess equivalent professional experience, with demonstrable expertise in user-centred design applied to digital products and services. They will have experience of delivering end-to-end user research within agile, multidisciplinary teams, using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods to inform evidence-based decision-making and service improvement, and will demonstrate strong analytical capability in synthesising research findings and communicating clear, accessible insights to diverse stakeholders. The postholder will evidence a commitment to customer-focused service delivery, continuous improvement, and inclusive practice within a diverse University community. Experience within the higher education sector and knowledge of ethical research principles, including relevant legal and regulatory considerations, are desirable. In alignment with DMU’s values, the successful candidate will work collaboratively, act with integrity and accountability, contribute to a respectful and inclusive environment, and demonstrate creativity and innovation, including the capacity to challenge established practices where appropriate.

To view the job description and person specification, please click here 

For more information about this role, please contact Paige Liquorish paige.liquorish@dmu.ac.uk

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