Photon Logo

Photon

UX Researcher | Onsite

Posted Yesterday
In-Office or Remote
2 Locations
57K-201K Annually
Mid level
In-Office or Remote
2 Locations
57K-201K Annually
Mid level
Plan and conduct generative and exploratory qualitative research (interviews, ethnography, diary studies) to uncover user needs and cultural drivers. Synthesize insights into personas, journey maps, opportunity frameworks, and recommendations. Partner with creative, design, product, and strategy teams for concept validation, storytelling, and to inform creative direction. Maintain research ops, documentation, and advocate ethical, user-centered practices.
The summary above was generated by AI

The UX Researcher is responsible for uncovering deep user insights that inspire and inform creative direction, concept development, and innovation. This role focuses on exploratory and generative research to help teams discover new opportunities, validate early ideas, and shape meaningful, user-centered creative solutions.

The UX Researcher partners closely with creative, design, product, and strategy teams to ensure creative discovery is grounded in real user needs, behaviors, motivations, and cultural context.

Key Responsibilities Generative & Discovery Research

  • Plan and conduct exploratory research to identify user needs, motivations, and unmet opportunities.
  • Use qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews, ethnographic studies, diary studies, contextual inquiry, and field research.
  • Support creative discovery phases by uncovering insights that inspire new concepts, features, and creative territories.
  • Identify emotional, behavioral, and cultural drivers that influence user engagement.

Insight Development & Opportunity Identification

  • Analyze research findings to extract actionable insights, themes, and opportunity areas.
  • Translate user insights into creative inspiration, design principles, and strategic recommendations.
  • Develop personas, journey maps, opportunity frameworks, and insight reports.
  • Help teams reframe problems and discover innovative directions.

Collaboration with Creative & Cross-Functional Teams

  • Work closely with creative leads, designers, strategists, and product managers during ideation and concept development.
  • Participate in creative workshops, brainstorming sessions, and concept validation.
  • Ensure creative concepts align with user needs and expectations.

Concept Testing & Validation

  • Conduct early-stage concept testing using interviews, prototype testing, and feedback sessions.
  • Evaluate creative directions, messaging, and storytelling approaches.
  • Provide recommendations to refine and strengthen creative concepts.

Communication & Storytelling

  • Present research findings in clear, compelling, and creative ways.
  • Use storytelling, visuals, and frameworks to make insights actionable.
  • Create reports, presentations, and insight summaries for stakeholders.

Research Operations & Best Practices

  • Maintain research documentation and knowledge repositories.
  • Advocate for user-centered thinking across the organization.
  • Ensure ethical research practices and participant confidentiality.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Anthropology, Sociology, or related field.
  • 3–7+ years of experience in UX research, design research, or human-centered research.
  • Experience conducting generative and exploratory research.
  • Strong understanding of qualitative research methodologies.
  • Ability to translate research into actionable creative insights.
  • Excellent communication and storytelling skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting creative discovery, brand strategy, or innovation teams.
  • Experience working in agencies, product companies, or innovation labs.
  • Familiarity with design thinking and human-centered design frameworks.
  • Exposure to concept testing, usability testing, and prototype evaluation.
  • Experience working in fast-paced, cross-functional environments.

Key Skills & Competencies

  • Generative and exploratory research
  • Qualitative research methods
  • Insight synthesis and storytelling
  • Opportunity identification
  • Creative collaboration
  • Concept validation
  • Strategic thinking
  • Stakeholder communication

Compensation, Benefits and Duration

Minimum Compensation: USD 57,000
Maximum Compensation: USD 201,000
Compensation is based on actual experience and qualifications of the candidate. The above is a reasonable and a good faith estimate for the role.
Medical, vision, and dental benefits, 401k retirement plan, variable pay/incentives, paid time off, and paid holidays are available for full time employees.
This position is available for independent contractors
No applications will be considered if received more than 120 days after the date of this post

Photon San Francisco, California, USA Office

San Francisco, United States

Similar Jobs

Yesterday
In-Office or Remote
United States
48K-168K Annually
Senior level
48K-168K Annually
Senior level
Agency • Information Technology
Plan, design, and run qualitative and quantitative user research (usability tests, interviews, surveys, field/diary studies). Synthesize findings into actionable insights, collaborate with product, design, and data teams, and advocate for user-centered decisions across the product lifecycle.
Top Skills: AnalyticsDovetailLookbackMazeOptimal WorkshopQualtricsUsertesting
Yesterday
Remote
United States
44K-154K Annually
Senior level
44K-154K Annually
Senior level
Agency • Information Technology
Plan and run end-to-end qualitative and quantitative user research (interviews, usability tests, surveys, field studies). Synthesize insights, create deliverables (reports, personas, journey maps), support A/B and usability testing, collaborate with PMs, designers, and engineers, and contribute to long-term research strategy to improve digital product UX.
Top Skills: A/B TestingDovetailExcelFigmaHotjarMazeOptimal WorkshopSpssTableauUser InterviewsUser Testing
An Hour Ago
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
United States
Easy Apply
119K-180K Annually
Senior level
119K-180K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Computer Vision • Hardware • Internet of Things • Software
Lead sales strategy and execution for new product launches. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop long-term strategies, analyze market trends, and drive performance improvements while ensuring customer success.
Top Skills: Ai ToolsBigQueryChatgptDatabricksGongSQL

What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene

San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.

Key Facts About San Francisco Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
  • Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
  • Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account