Design Researcher
13 days ago
Manchester
Design Researcher \n\n6 months\n\nLocation: Newport/ Cardiff/ Bristol/ Manchester - Hybrid\n\nWorking Pattern: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least two days per week or 40% of our time in the office. If you are based in South Wales or SW England, your base will be our office in Newport. Occasional travel to Newport will be needed if you are based in Manchester.\n\nAbout the role\n\nWe are looking for an experienced Design Researcher contractor to join our multi disciplinary design team. You will be responsible for leading and delivering research that shapes product and service decisions across the end to end development lifecycle. This role is suited to someone who can hit the ground running, operate with a high degree of autonomy, and confidently influence stakeholders through high quality research and insight.\n\nWhat you'll be doing\n\nWork closely with designers, product managers and engineers to identify and prioritise customer problems and define the right research questions\nPlan, manage and deliver research activities (from generative to evaluative), including creating clear research plans and roadmaps aligned to delivery priorities\nConduct qualitative research using a range of methods\nTranslate research findings into clear, actionable insights that create a shared understanding of user needs and opportunities\nCombine qualitative and quantitative inputs where appropriate to strengthen insight and decision making\nTriangulate research findings with other data sources to tell compelling customer stories\nCommunicate research outcomes clearly and concisely to a range of stakeholders, including senior colleagues\nCollaborate with other researchers and contribute to a strong research practice while on assignment \n\nWhat we're looking for\n\nStrong experience working as a design / user researcher within multi disciplinary design or product team\nProven ability to work closely with design and product partners to shape direction through research\nDeep qualitative research expertise across a range of methods\nExperience delivering both strategic and tactical research studies\nAbility to synthesise complex findings into clear, impactful insights\nConfidence engaging, influencing and challenging stakeholders using evidence based insight \n\nAdditional information\n\nThis is a contractor role and does not include people management responsibilities\nContractors are expected to be adaptable, self sufficient, and proactive\nYou will be supported by a Design Research Lead and work as part of a wider research community \n\nTO APPLY - PLEASE APPLY WITH AN UP-TO-DATE CV\n\nCandidates will ideally show evidence of the above in their CV in order to be considered.\n\nPlease be advised if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you accordingly.\n\n*Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive.\n\nWe use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention