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 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
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