Senior User Researcher - Agentic AI / Quantitative Research - Outside IR35

Senior User Researcher - Agentic AI / Quantitative Research Outside IR35: £475 - £525 5 month initial contract, likely to extend ASAP Start Once a week / once every 2 weeks to London We are seeking an experienced Senior User Researcher to support a government department on a high-profile programme of work. The role will involve leading user research for the design and delivery of advanced AI/LLM-powered products and services, ensuring that accessibility, privacy, and safeguarding requirements are embedded into solutions at scale.You must either hold or be eligible for SC for this position.Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, and execution of user research activities for AI/LLM-powered services.
• Apply mixed-methods research (qualitative and quantitative) to capture user needs, behaviours, and expectations in complex, high-transaction environments.
• Evaluate and provide recommendations for training data collection, categorisation, and labelling from a user-centred perspective.
• Test and assess AI/LLM model outputs against user requirements, accessibility standards, and regulatory frameworks.
• Collaborate with AI engineers, designers, and product teams to translate research findings into actionable design and development decisions.
• Prototype and test new human-AI interaction patterns, ensuring transparency, oversight, and trust.
• Champion inclusive research practices, ensuring accessibility, safeguarding, and privacy are prioritised.
• Lead stakeholder workshops, service assessments, and cross-government user research communities of practice.

Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience as a User Researcher, with a track record of leading research on digital services or emerging technologies.
• Proven hands-on experience conducting research on AI/LLM products or data-driven services.
• Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including statistical analysis.
• Ability to evaluate AI/LLM model performance and outputs from a user-centred and compliance perspective.
• Skilled in presenting complex findings to technical and non-technical audiences, building consensus and influencing decisions.
• Experience working in government, regulated environments, or large-scale digital transformation programmes (desirable).
• Strong understanding of accessibility, privacy, and safeguarding requirements in digital service delivery.