Associate user researcher

Band 4 · User researcher · 281 job evaluation points

UK GDaD PCF level: Associate user researcher

Most often performed at Civil Service grade AO or EO.

As a trainee in an entry-level role, working with more experienced user researchers, you will need to have an understanding of the role and show potential, although you will need guidance and training to produce good work and develop your skills.

Contains public sector information from the UK Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (https://understand-digital-data-roles-skills.service.gov.uk/), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.

Responsibilities

Learn user research methods through training and by working alongside experienced researchers.
Take notes, help run sessions, and help recruit participants, following consent and safeguarding procedures.
Store research data securely and in line with information governance rules.
Help analyse research data and share findings with the team.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Agile research practicesUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: describe agile working and the roles in a multidisciplinary digital team
Analysis and synthesisUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: show an awareness of the need for careful analysis of research data to produce clear findings
Inclusive researchUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: demonstrate some awareness of the diversity of users of government services and the need to make government services usable and accessible for everyone
Research management, leadership and assuranceUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the importance of working to a user research plan and of following standards for user research
Stakeholder relationship managementUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: describe who your stakeholders are and the importance of managing relationships with them explain what your stakeholders find important and why
User research methodsUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain some basic user research methods
User-centred practice and advocacyUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: describe how government services and technology affect how people behave explain how user-centred practices are used to build services that adapt to changing user behaviour and needs
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: describe the main parts of the health and care system and the services the organisation supports explain why patient safety and confidentiality matter in your work
Ethical research with patients and care staffThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain why research with patients and care staff needs informed consent, safeguarding, and care with personal data follow the team's consent, safeguarding, and data handling procedures in research sessions
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: follow the organisation's rules for handling personal and health information recognise and report a data breach or near miss
Equality, diversity, and inclusionThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: treat colleagues, patients, and the public with dignity and respect follow equality and inclusion policies

Typical qualifications and experience

Working towards a qualification or apprenticeship in a relevant field, or equivalent experience.

Band 4 outline

Knowledge: Detailed knowledge of the work area, typically from a foundation degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.
Autonomy: Works within guidelines; resolves most day-to-day problems; manager available for advice.
Scope: Own work and a defined service or process.
Leadership: May supervise a small team or coordinate others' work.
Accountability: Delivery of a defined service or process.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	3	Gives routine information needing tact or persuasion, or complex or sensitive information, or straightforward training to groups.	21
Knowledge, training, and experience	4	A range of procedures, mostly non-routine, needing intermediate theory (for example a foundation degree or equivalent experience).	88
Analytical and judgemental skills	3	Judgements on a range of facts or situations needing analysis or comparison of options.	27
Planning and organisational skills	2	Plans straightforward tasks or activities, some ongoing.	15
Physical skills	3	Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.	27
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	2	Implements policies for own area and proposes changes to its practices.	12
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	1	Takes personal care of equipment and resources used in own work.	5
Responsibility for people	1	Shows own work routines to new or less experienced colleagues.	5
Responsibility for information resources	3	Takes formal minutes, regularly writes reports or queries, or maintains information systems as a significant duty.	16
Responsibility for research and development	2	Regularly does research, development, trials, or equipment and system testing as part of the job.	12
Freedom to act	2	Follows standard procedures and precedent; someone is usually available to ask; work may be checked.	12
Physical effort	2	Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position, or occasional light to moderate effort.	7
Mental effort	3	Frequent concentration on unpredictable work, or occasional prolonged concentration.	12
Emotional effort	2	Occasional exposure, or frequent indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	11
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 4: 271 to 325)			281

Emotional effort is level 2 at every user researcher level, because research with patients and carers often involves hearing about illness, loss, or poor care. Research is scored from level 2 here, rising to level 3 once research is the main duty.