UX Researcher (FTC 6 months + )

Job Description

hedgehog lab is a global technology consultancy and we are on a growth trajectory. We are looking for a UX Researcher who can help us deliver great products & digital solutions to our customers across the globe.

While we have always been about premium digital experiences, to deliver the ambitious product roadmaps of our current customers (who consist of some of the biggest FTSE 100 & Fortune 500 companies) we need to take our skills & the team to the next level to deliver a world-class service. We would love for you to come on that journey and help us do some award-winning work.

Preferred locations: Newcastle or York

Occasional travel to client sites when required

Fixed-term contract 6 months + (with the possibility of extension and/or joining permanently)

Salary: £40k (pro rata)

Why hedgehog lab?

• Ranked by Clutch for mobile app development
• We work with clients of all sizes, from startups to FTSE 100 companies across a range of sectors. If you want to build your portfolio, this is the place to do it. Check out some of our past client work here.
• A transparent and open company culture based on trust, where politics is shunned and everyone works as a team.
• Our People are our greatest asset, and we are so proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work, as rated by 91% of our business.
• We’re a fully Flexified Employer, certified by Flexa. We know a one size fits all approach doesn’t work for everyone, we work with our employees to establish a model that benefits both parties.
• We received the Advanced Award in the North of Tyne Combined Authority Good Work Pledge
• Check out our Glassdoor reviews!

The Opportunity

• As a user researcher at hedgehog lab you’ll work with a multi-disciplinary team of designers, product managers, and engineers to help design and build user-centred experiences.
• You’ll be responsible for working closely with clients to plan research studies, expertly managing stakeholder expectations, and crafting projects for maximum impact.
• You will take the lead in running qualitative and quantitative user research studies across the development lifecycle: including conducting discovery research to deeply understand user problems and needs, as well as evaluative research to test designs with users.
• You’ll be the voice of the user, continuously ensuring they are at the centre of our product development activities – so we always know what we’re building, who we’re building for, and why.
• You’ll be a confident communicator, able to present research insights and recommendations to internal teams and clients.
• As a member of the UX team, you will be a champion of user-centred design principles, advocating best practices with clients, and driving continuous improvement of our UCD practice.

About You

• You have a minimum of 2 years of research experience. This may be in UX research or adjacent/similar roles, such as market research, service design, or in academia. What we value most is how you understand problems and the approach you take to solving real-world research challenges.
• You have demonstrable experience designing, planning, and conducting qualitative and quantitative user research studies in different environments.
• You have experience leading research projects with diverse stakeholders, and effectively managing competing priorities and expectations.
• You are naturally collaborative, able to work closely with internal teams and clients alike – understanding their unique challenges, identifying design opportunities, and crafting projects that create real impact.
• You are experienced in determining the best approach to the research challenge at hand, and selecting the most suitable methods and approach within constraints.
• You have experience advocating for best-practice research approaches and communicating the rationale for choices made in study design.
• You have a strong understanding of the UX process and user-centred design principles.
• You know how to ensure research is approached ethically and inclusively at all times, with an awareness of GDPR guidelines and accessibility principles.

Interview Structure

Intro Call (30 mins, Google Meet) – Holly, Talent Acquisition Advisor
First Stage Interview (30 mins, Google Meet) – with Alex, Lead UXR, or Ray, CDO
Second Stage Interview (60-75 mins, In-Person: York or Newcastle) Including whiteboard task – with the Lead UXR and another member of the UX/Product team.

What We Offer

• 36 days paid holidays, including bank holidays. Work-life balance is very important to refresh and ensure you are fully rested
• Flexible working environment. We understand that not one approach fits everyone. Whether they are working from the office or home we fully support our team.
• An enhanced maternity policy. Our maternity policy offers enhanced maternity pay above the statutory amount
• A transparent and open company culture where politics is shunned and everyone works as a team.
• We encourage continuous learning and development. Each team member has an Annual Learning & Development budget and 4 days which renew every year to help them grow
• Annual Wellbeing budget (inclusive of 2 paid wellbeing days). This is for everyone to spend on anything they might enjoy that helps them relax and switch off.
• Mental health support with free therapy sessions via Spill. Mental health is extremely important to us. Our partner Spill is a Slack-integrated therapy app available to all our staff at no extra cost
• Bippit Financial wellbeing service. It’s important that people have the insight and education to overcome their financial concerns and we offer access to a financial well-being solution to help (UK only)
• Bupa Health Plan. This cash plan covers UK employees claiming an amount of cash back for things like optical, dental and other therapies
• Annual Summer and Christmas parties. We also like to celebrate important cultural milestones here at the lab
• All our staff are entitled to the Cycle-to-Work scheme to save money & spread the cost on a new bike and accessories.
• Company-supplied Apple Mac. All equipment is set up and provided before onboarding new team members

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

At hedgehog lab, our team is our greatest asset.

We believe that having diversity within our team is integral to doing our best work and creating the most innovative products for our customers. We will continue to foster an inclusive culture at the lab where everyone can be their authentic selves and thrive.

We encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply to our roles and we don’t discriminate based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, genetics, disability or age.

If you require any adjustments to submit an application for a vacancy, or if you require any reasonable adjustment should you be invited to interview then please let us know what they are here. If you have any questions, please contact Holly Orange, Talent Acquisition Adviser, at holly.orange@hedgehoglab.com or talent@hedgehoglab.com

We are a family friendly employer with a culture based on trust, autonomy and flexibility.

We are always learning and our policies and processes are ever evolving to make sure that they’re in line with this statement.