Job Title: Senior UX Researcher
Type: Freelance Contract
Rate: Circa £60'000 pro rata (hourly rate | 10-month contract)
Location: West Midlands (Regular on-site — secure prototype access required)
Start Date: June 2026
Sector: Automotive (Electric Vehicle Engineering & Architecture)
The Role
A luxury premium automotive brand is seeking an experienced Senior UX Researcher to lead the delivery of user testing across their next-generation digital in-vehicle experiences. This is a senior hands-on lead practitioner role — you'll plan, run and analyse research while mentoring and guiding a small team of researchers day to day. It is not a people-management position but you will be the most senior research voice in the room.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead and coordinate UX testing across vehicles, simulators and digital prototypes
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Design, moderate and analyse in-person and remote usability studies
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Mentor junior researchers and support their day-to-day development
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Use Maze and other industry-standard tools to design and analyse studies
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Work with designers and product teams to define research needs and deliver clear recommendations
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Manage testing logistics and maintain high standards of research quality
Skills and Experience
Essential:
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Strong senior-level user research and moderated usability testing background
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Proficient with Maze, Qualtrics, UserTesting.com or Optimal Workshop
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Proven ability to lead research across a range of prototype fidelities
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Experience guiding or mentoring junior researchers
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Excellent communication and organisational skills
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Full UK driving licence and right to work in the UK
Desirable:
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Human-Machine Interface or automotive UX experience
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Eye-tracking or behavioural analytics experience
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Simulator or immersive testing environment experience
Why This Role?
A rare senior contract with real longevity and a guaranteed block of meaningful, high-impact work. Perfect for an experienced researcher seeking stability between permanent roles, a senior practitioner exploring contracting for the first time, or someone who wants to lead cutting-edge research at a truly world-class EV automotive brand.