User researcher

User researchers collect, analyse and test data to design websites, software and applications based on user needs.


Typical Salary

£34,000 – £68,000

per year

Working Hours

37–42

hours per week

Career Area

Web design professionals

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

As a user researcher you would:

  • plan and design user research testing sessions
  • recruit users for testing, run sessions and gather feedback
  • get an understanding of users' needs, motivations and any problems with a service or product
  • identify new product and design ideas from research results
  • work as part of a larger product development team
  • help colleagues understand user behaviours
  • present user insights to project stakeholders at all levels

Skills needed

  • 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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme

Career progression

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.