Policy Lab User Researcher

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Home Office Policy and Innovation Lab ('CoLab') is a creative team of designers and researchers, that work closely with policy and operations teams from across the department to bring user-centred and explorative approaches to policy making.

We're looking for a User Researcher to help us deliver impactful and meaningful policies in the Science, Technology Analysis & Research (STAR) directorate. The STAR Group sits at the heart of the Home Office and ensures the best evidence and analysis is used to address the strategic issues facing the department.

In particular, our work focuses on maintaining public safety and national security, including policing, fire services, counter-terrorism, and crime and drugs policy. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future and support our mission to deliver exceptional public services that work for everyone.

CoLab works in policy spaces that require a deeper understanding of service users. These might be projects like exploring how we can improve helpline support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse or understanding how policing might best use AI tools in England and Wales.
As a User Researcher in our team, you'll work alongside Senior User Researchers on challenging problems that require an understanding of complex services and systems, as well as the wider context they sit within. You'll love working with people and be adept at gathering and using evidence to inform design decisions and measure service outcomes. You'll be willing to take on the challenge of working in a fast-paced environment as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and always look to deliver excellence.

You'll work closely with service designers and policy professionals, with access to a range of other specialist skillsets when required. You may also occasionally work on short projects delivering digital products and services with our delivery teams. Domestic travel may occasionally be required to conduct research.

Working pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 30 hours per week due to business requirements.

Our skills align with the cross gov DDaT Capability Framework - GOV.UK - UK https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/user-researcher

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