Are you looking to hire an Interim UX / User Experience Researcher or transition into the role yourself? These temporary but crucial positions ensure continuity in product design and development, driving innovation and seizing market opportunities. Whether you’re a client seeking talent or a professional exploring this sector, this guide covers key skills, responsibilities and contract considerations.
They normally report into a UX Manager or UX Lead and they may work alongside a UX Designer depending on the size of the team and its organisational structure.
Interim User Experience Researcher / UX Researcher
If you are looking for an Interim User Experience Researcher role or would like to find out how to become an Interim UX researcher, what skills you need and what day rates are on offer, you will find a complete guide below.
If you’re an employer looking to recruit an Interim UX researcher position, please see our product design and UX recruitment services, our interim recruitment services page or the full overview of our services to employers. If you need to hire and would like our services, contact us today.
What is an Interim User Experience Researcher?
This role plays a crucial role in the development of products, services and digital interfaces. They are responsible for understanding the needs, desires, and behaviour of users and use that information to design user-friendly and effective products.
This role involves several key responsibilities, including conducting user research, analysing data, and communicating insights to cross-functional teams. They responsible for conducting user research through various qualitative and quantitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, and usability testing. They analyse the data collected from these methods to gain insights into user behaviour, preferences, and pain points. These insights are used to inform the design and development of products and services.
They are also responsible for communicating their findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Designers, and Developers. They use various tools and techniques, such as personas, journey maps, and usability reports, to communicate their insights effectively. This helps ensure that the entire team is aligned around user needs and that the product exceeds the expectations of the target consumer.
Find out more detail in our blog ‘What is a UX Researcher?’
What type of companies need this role?
Any company that develops digital products can benefit from having this role on their team. This includes technology companies, software companies, e-Commerce businesses, social media platforms, mobile app developers and more. Any company that aims to provide a positive user experience for their customers needs to have a UX employee on their team. An Interim UX Researcher is normally brought in by companies who need to bridge the gap during a period of leadership transformation.
Interim User Experience Researcher day rate
In today’s market, a typical Interim UX / User Experience Researcher’s day rate would be in the region of £400 – £500.
UX Interview questions
View our guide to User Experience interview questions, with 47 example questions that employers normally ask at interview.
Interim UX / User Experience Researcher job description
Job title: Interim User Experience Director
Location: Remote or on-site
Duration: 3-12 months
We are looking for an Interim User Experience Researcher responsible for the development of our website including A/B testing, customer messaging, user insight testing, preference testing, click testing, copy testing and more. The key aim of this role is to ensure all customer experiences are optimised for delivery and meet the business KPIs.
The main responsibilities include:
- Design and implement additional research methods and deliver actionable insight reports
- Use and analyse heatmaps, traffic flow data and session recordings
- Use analytical findings to be the voice of the customer for your team, ensuring products are designed to meet customer expectations and solve problems
- Create a UX research roadmap for continuous improvement across the product
- Oversee all UX tools
- Help to develop junior members of the UX research team
- Deliver high quality reports and presentations around findings and improvements
- Conduct workshops with internal stakeholders to align business needs
To be successful in this role, you will:
- Possess significant experience across UX tools and techniques with at least 3 years experience
- Be the voice of the customer and be able to feedback on customer experiences
- Have experience across sketching, prototyping and user testing
- Be able to work effectively with the product design team and manage stakeholders at every level
- Have technical knowledge to explain what needs doing and why
- Understand qualitative research methods
- Have a good understanding of commercials and how delivering best in class product design will help to contribute to the overall business KPIs
- Be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, delivering on multiple projects at the same time
Job role explained
What are the main day-to-day tasks for this role
The day-to-day tasks can vary depending on the stage of the product development process and the specific project they are working on. However, some common tasks that this role would include:
- Conducting user research studies: This involves planning and executing studies such as usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and focus groups to gather data on user needs, behaviours, and preferences.
- Analysing research data: This involves organising and analysing the data collected from research studies to identify trends and patterns, and to draw insights and conclusions that can inform design decisions.
- Collaborating with design and development teams: This involves working closely with designers and developers to ensure that user needs and feedback are incorporated into the product design and development process.
- Creating research reports: This involves writing and presenting research reports that summarise research findings and provide recommendations for design improvements.
- Staying up-to-date with industry trends: This involves keeping abreast of emerging trends and best practices in UX research and design, and continually improving skills and knowledge.
Types of research conducted
There are several types of research methods that someone in this role might use, including:
Usability testing
This involves observing users as they interact with a product to identify usability issues and gather feedback on the user experience.
User interviews
This involves conducting one-on-one interviews with users to gather insights into their needs, goals, and behaviours.
Surveys
This involves collecting data from a large group of users to identify trends and patterns in user behaviour and preferences.
Focus groups
This involves bringing together a small group of users to discuss their experiences with a product and gather feedback on specific features or design elements.
A/B testing
This involves testing two different versions of a product or feature to identify which one is more effective in achieving user goals.
Popular research methods used
Card sorting
This involves asking users to group content or features into categories to help inform the organisation and navigation of the product.
Tree testing
This involves testing the organisation and structure of a product’s navigation to identify any usability issues.
Contextual inquiry
This involves observing users in their natural environment to gather insights into their needs and behaviours.
What tools can be used in this role?
There are several tools that are popular within employees in this Interim UX role to conduct research and analyse data. Some popular tools include:
- User research software: There are several software tools available to help with user research, including UserZoom, UsabilityHub and Optimal Workshop
- Data analysis software: Tools such as Excel, R, and SPSS can be used to organise and analyse research data.
What makes a stand-out candidate?
A highly desirable candidate for this role possesses a diverse set of skills, qualities, and experiences that contribute to their effectiveness in understanding and enhancing the user experience.
Research and methodology
Candidates should be adept at applying various qualitative and quantitative research techniques, such as contextual inquiries, diary studies, A/B testing, eye tracking, and data analytics. They should also possess expertise in experimental design, sampling techniques, and statistical analysis.
Empathy and user mindset
Excellent observational and listening skills to uncover user insights, pain points, and motivations. Additionally, candidates should be skilled in conducting ethnographic research and utilising empathy-building techniques to deeply understand user experiences.
Data and visualisation
Candidates should be proficient in collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data, using tools such as Excel, SPSS, or Python for statistical analysis. They should be able to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets and effectively visualise the findings using charts, graphs, and infographics.
UX/UI design knowledge
Familiarity with design tools like Sketch or Figma enables them to collaborate effectively with designers, provide actionable recommendations, and understand the practical implications of research findings on the overall design.
How do you secure this role?
There are several paths depending on one’s background and experience. Some common paths include:
Education
A degree in psychology, sociology, human-computer interaction, or a related field can be helpful for gaining the knowledge and skills needed.
Internships
Interning with a company or organisation that focuses on this discipline can provide valuable hands-on experience and help to build a network of contacts in the field.
Entry-level positions
Some people start in entry-level positions such as research assistant or usability tester and work their way up to more senior roles.
Portfolio
Building a portfolio of research work can be helpful for demonstrating skills and knowledge to potential employers.
What training and experience will help with gaining this role?
To gain the knowledge and skills needed, there are several training courses available within the UK. Here are some examples of courses that can be helpful for gaining this UX role:
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- User Experience Design (UX): This course, offered by City, University of London, provides an overview of UX design principles and techniques, including user research, prototyping, and testing.
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- MSc in Human-Computer Interaction with Ergonomics: This master’s program, offered by University College London (UCL), provides in-depth training in research and design, as well as ergonomics and human factors.
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- Introduction to User Experience (UX) Design: This course, offered by the University of Edinburgh, provides an introduction to UX design principles and techniques, including user research, usability testing, and design thinking.
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- User Experience Research and Design: This course, offered by the University of Oxford, provides an overview of research and design, including user-centred design, persona development, and user testing.
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- UX Research Methods: This course, offered by the University of Brighton, provides in-depth training in a range of research methods and techniques, including ethnography, card sorting, and survey design.
These courses provide a range of technical skills and knowledge needed including research methods, data analysis, communication.
What other roles exist within User Experience?
There are several other roles within the broader field of user experience, including
UX Designer: UX Designers are responsible for creating the visual and interactive design of digital products. They work closely with Researchers to ensure that the design meets the needs of the users and incorporates insights from user research.
Information Architect: Information architects are responsible for organising and structuring the content of digital products to ensure that it is easy for users to find and navigate. They work closely with UX Designers to create the information hierarchy of a product.
Interaction Designer: Interaction designers are responsible for creating the interactive elements of digital products, such as buttons, menus, and other UI elements. They work closely with UX Designers to ensure that the interactive design is intuitive and user-friendly.
Visual Designer: Visual Designers are responsible for creating the visual design of digital products, including colour schemes, typography, and branding. They work closely with UX Designers to ensure that the visual design is consistent with the overall user experience.
UX Writer: UX writers are responsible for creating the written content of digital products, such as product descriptions, error messages, and help text. They work closely with UX Designers and researchers to ensure that the language used in the product is clear, concise, and user-friendly.
Front-end Developer: Front-end developers are responsible for implementing the visual and interactive design of digital products using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They work closely with UX Designers to ensure that the design is implemented accurately and meets the needs of the users.
Product Manager: Product Managers are responsible for overseeing the entire product development process, from ideation to launch. They work closely with Researchers, Designers, and Developers to ensure that the product meets the needs of the users and is successful in the market
What is the Difference Between an Interim and Fractional User Experience Researcher?
While both roles are temporary and bring senior-level design expertise, there are key differences:
- Interim User Experience Researcher: Works full-time and is deeply embedded in the company, researching and analysing the user experience for a defined period. They drive initiatives, align design with business goals and ensure seamless collaboration across teams.
- Fractional User Experience Researcher: Provides part-time support, often working with multiple companies simultaneously. They focus on high-level strategic research rather than day-to-day execution or management.
The right choice depends on your company’s needs. If your business requires hands-on, dedicated design leadership to manage teams, implement processes, and execute a design vision, an interim role is the better fit. For broader, advisory-level input without full-time commitment, a fractional role may be more suitable.
When to hire an Interim User Experience Researcher?
Here are some of the top scenarios where hiring an Interim UX / User Experience Researcher can be crucial:
Navigating a period of leadership transition, such as when a permanent User Experience Researcher is leaving or has already left.
Scaling up product efforts during times of rapid growth or major product launches.
Stabilising and aligning product teams in response to organisational restructuring or a strategic pivot.
Driving critical projects to meet market deadlines or seize strategic opportunities.
Managing complex product portfolios in times of high complexity, such as mergers or partnerships.
Interim User Experience Researcher FAQs
- What is an Interim UX Researcher day rate?
- In today's market in the UK, a day rate of £400 to £500 would be expected at an Interim User Experience Researcher level.
- What types of research do Interim User Experience Researchers typically conduct?
- Interim UX Researchers may undertake both qualitative research (e.g. user interviews, usability testing, field studies) and quantitative research (e.g. surveys, analytics reviews, A/B testing) They tailor the approach to match the organisation’s goals, timelines, and user needs.
- How long is a typical Interim UX Research contract?
- Typically between 1 to 4 months, though it depends on the project scope or reason for the hire. Some may stay longer if supporting large initiatives or helping stand up a new research practice.
- What does an Interim UX Researcher do?
- An Interim UX Researcher is brought in temporarily to plan, conduct, and synthesize user research to inform product and design decisions. They help teams understand user needs, pain points and behaviours - ensuring products are grounded in real user insight, even during a leadership gap or fast-moving project.
- When should a company hire an Interim UX Researcher?
- A company may bring in an interim researcher when: - The current researcher is on leave (e.g. parental leave) - There’s a gap before a full-time hire - A critical product phase requires rapid user insight - The company is standing up a UX function for the first time
- What skills are essential for an Interim UX Researcher?
- Top skills include qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, synthesis and storytelling, cross-functional collaboration, quick onboarding and adaptability. Interim researchers need to deliver actionable insights fast and often with limited onboarding time.
