Chercheur(e) principal(e) et concepteur(trice) UX (Senior UX Researcher & Designer)/UX Researcher & Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Chercheur(e) principal(e) et concepteur(trice) UX (Senior UX Researcher & Designer) / UX Researcher & Designer

Company: IQVIA

Location: Kirkland, Quebec, Canada

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research & Design / Product Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end user experience research and design initiatives for AI-enabled clinical technology solutions within IQVIA's Applied Data Science Center, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making.

• Drive evidence-based, user-centered design practices for intuitive, trusted, and scalable product experiences, contributing to the evolution of the IQVIA Agentic Operating Model.

• Translate complex clinical, operational, and AI-assisted workflows into meaningful digital experiences that improve user adoption and efficiency, leveraging modern AI-enabled productivity tools.

• Collaborate effectively within small, agile Tiny Teams, participating in rapid experimentation, iterative delivery, measurement, and continuous learning cycles to optimize user workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within IQVIA's Applied Data Science Center, indicating a strong emphasis on AI and advanced analytics integrated into clinical technology. The mention of "Tiny Teams" and the "IQVIA Agentic Operating Model" suggests a modern, agile, and potentially experimental approach to product development, requiring adaptability and a proactive mindset from the candidate. The focus is on translating complex operational and clinical processes into user-friendly digital solutions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead UX research and design activities throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial discovery and problem framing through to ideation, prototyping, validation, delivery, and continuous improvement.

• Plan and execute a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (interviews, contextual inquiry, usability testing, surveys, workflow analysis) to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, workflows, pain points, and decision-making contexts within clinical and operational settings.

• Synthesize complex research findings into actionable insights, clear product recommendations, precise design direction, and detailed requirements that effectively support overarching business, technical, and user objectives.

• Design and rigorously evaluate user experiences for innovative AI-enabled products, including Large Language Model (LLM)-based applications, agentic systems, intelligent automation workflows, and human-in-the-loop decision-support solutions.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive suite of UX artifacts, such as personas, user journey maps, service blueprints, workflow models, wireframes, interactive prototypes, usability reports, and detailed design specifications.

• Foster strong, collaborative partnerships with cross-functional teams including product managers, software engineers, data scientists, clinicians, and business stakeholders to align priorities and ensure user-centered decision-making processes.

• Contribute actively and effectively within small, agile "Tiny Teams," embracing rapid experimentation, iterative delivery cycles, robust measurement, and a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Provide strong leadership and guidance in ambiguous and complex environments by facilitating productive discussions, driving clarity of purpose, and influencing product direction through compelling, data-driven insights and research findings.

• Mentor and develop UX professionals and cross-functional team members, actively promoting and embedding best practices in user research, design thinking, usability principles, validation techniques, and collaborative workflows.

• Champion and advocate for critical principles of accessibility, usability, ethical AI considerations, and human-centered design throughout every phase of the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level individual contributor role with significant leadership and mentorship expectations. The emphasis on "end-to-end" ownership and "leading" initiatives suggests a need for strong project management and strategic thinking. The mention of AI, LLMs, and agentic systems points to a need for experience with cutting-edge technology and a forward-thinking approach to UX.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Design, Cognitive Science, Human Factors, or a closely related discipline.

Experience: Over 10 years of dedicated experience in UX research, product design, usability evaluation, and user-centered design for complex, enterprise-level digital products.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to independently lead and manage end-to-end UX initiatives, spanning from initial discovery and research phases through to implementation and ongoing optimization.

• Strong expertise in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including but not limited to: user interviews, contextual inquiry, usability testing (formative and summative), surveys, workflow analysis, and comprehensive research synthesis.

• Demonstrated proficiency in core design disciplines: interaction design, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping (low to high fidelity), visual communication, and the application of design systems.

• Experience effectively partnering and collaborating with diverse, multidisciplinary teams across product management, software engineering, data science, clinical operations, and various business functions.

• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, workshop facilitation, and strategic storytelling capabilities, with a proven track record of influencing critical decisions through evidence-based recommendations.

• Proficiency with modern UX and AI-enabled productivity tools, such as Figma, FigJam, Microsoft Copilot, Cursor, and other AI-assisted research synthesis platforms.

• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving acumen, and a deep passion for understanding complex user behaviors and driving tangible improvements in product outcomes. Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically in designing, researching, or evaluating AI-enabled products, LLM-powered workflows, agentic systems, intelligent automation solutions, or complex decision-support applications.

• Prior experience within the healthcare, life sciences, clinical research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sectors, or other highly regulated industry environments.

• Familiarity with agentic operating models, rapid experimentation frameworks, systems thinking principles, and AI-assisted product development practices.

• Experience designing enterprise software solutions, advanced analytics platforms, sophisticated data visualization products, or critical operational workflow applications.

• Experience in mentoring junior UX practitioners and actively contributing to the development of research, design, and validation capabilities within cross-functional teams.

• Advanced training, professional certification, or specialization in UX research, human factors, product design, AI product development, service design, or a related advanced discipline.

• Experience thriving in fast-paced, dynamic startup-like environments or within small, highly collaborative cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "10+ years of experience" and the emphasis on leading "end-to-end" initiatives, coupled with the mention of AI-enabled products and agentic systems, points to a senior-level role demanding significant autonomy, strategic vision, and practical experience with cutting-edge technologies and complex operational environments. The preferred qualifications heavily lean towards specialized experience in AI and regulated industries, signaling a desire for candidates with domain-specific knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record of leading and executing end-to-end UX research and design projects for complex digital products.

• Demonstrations of strategic problem framing, research planning, synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data, and translation of insights into actionable design solutions.

• Case studies illustrating the design and validation of AI-enabled features, LLM-based applications, or agentic systems, highlighting user impact and adoption.

• Examples of creating and utilizing key UX artifacts such as personas, journey maps, service blueprints, workflow models, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Evidence of effective collaboration with product management, engineering, data science, and clinical teams, showcasing how UX considerations influenced product strategy and development. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of documented research plans, synthesis reports, and usability testing protocols that demonstrate a rigorous and systematic approach to UX research.

• Include examples of design documentation, such as detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and design specifications, that clearly communicate interaction logic and visual design intent.

• Present case studies that detail the iterative design process, including how feedback from validation and testing was incorporated to refine the user experience.

• Demonstrate experience in documenting and communicating complex workflows, both current state and proposed future state, for clinical, operational, or AI-assisted processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the seniority and the focus on AI-enabled solutions, the portfolio should not only showcase design output but also the strategic thinking, research rigor, and collaborative processes behind it. Emphasis on demonstrating impact and the ability to navigate complex, regulated environments is crucial. The inclusion of AI-specific UX challenges (LLMs, agentic systems) will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The potential base pay range for this role, annualized, is $93,700.00 - $124,900.00 CAD.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health benefits package.

• Wellness programs designed to support employee well-being.

• Potential for incentive plans, bonuses, or other forms of compensation, depending on the specific position and company performance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for Kirkland, Quebec, Canada. This range is based on the provided AI estimations and is considered competitive for a Senior UX Researcher & Designer role with 10+ years of experience in a major Canadian metropolitan area. The benefits listed are standard for a large, established company like IQVIA, with a focus on health and wellness.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Life Sciences & Healthcare Technology. IQVIA operates at the intersection of advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research, serving a critical global need for optimizing medical treatments and patient outcomes. The company's work directly impacts healthcare innovation and delivery.

Company Size: IQVIA is a large, global enterprise. This means opportunities for diverse projects, cross-functional collaboration on a grand scale, and access to extensive resources, but may also imply more structured processes and a need to navigate larger organizational complexities.

Founded: IQVIA was formed through the merger of Quintiles and IMS Health in 2016, bringing together decades of experience in clinical research and healthcare data analytics. This rich history underpins its current position as a leader in data-driven healthcare solutions.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Applied Data Science Center, suggesting a highly specialized, multidisciplinary team environment focused on AI and advanced analytics.

• The position is described as a senior individual contributor role, working within "Tiny Teams" operating under the "IQVIA Agentic Operating Model." This indicates a lean, agile, and potentially experimental team structure, emphasizing autonomy and rapid iteration.

• Collaboration is expected across product management, engineering, data science, clinical research, and business operations, highlighting a matrixed and cross-functional operational framework. Methodology:

• The team utilizes AI and data science at the forefront of clinical research and healthcare solutions, indicating a data-driven and technically sophisticated approach.

• The mention of the "IQVIA Agentic Operating Model," a derivation of the Delta-Echo/FDE process, points to a structured yet agile methodology for product development and operational execution, likely involving rapid experimentation and continuous learning.

• The core work involves designing and optimizing digital experiences that transform complex clinical, operational, and AI-assisted workflows, emphasizing efficiency, user adoption, and improved decision-making.

Company Website: https://jobs.iqvia.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture at IQVIA, especially within the Applied Data Science Center, is likely to be a blend of large-scale corporate structure and agile, innovative team dynamics. The focus on AI and the unique operating model suggest an environment that values cutting-edge problem-solving and data-driven insights. Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced, collaborative setting that requires navigating ambiguity and driving change.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Individual Contributor role within UX Research & Design, with significant scope for leadership and mentorship. It operates at the strategic level, influencing product direction and team practices. The role is critical for translating complex AI and clinical workflows into user-centric digital solutions, impacting operational efficiency and decision-making across the healthcare ecosystem.

Reporting Structure: While the exact reporting line isn't specified, senior individual contributors often report to a Director or VP of UX, Product Management, or Data Science, depending on the team's organizational alignment within the Applied Data Science Center. The role will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists within "Tiny Teams."

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher & Designer will directly impact the success of AI-enabled clinical technology solutions by ensuring they are intuitive, efficient, and adopted by users. This translates to improved patient outcomes, accelerated clinical trial processes, enhanced operational efficiency for healthcare providers and researchers, and ultimately, better decision-making powered by AI insights.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX for AI, LLMs, agentic systems, and human-in-the-loop design within regulated healthcare environments.

• Leadership: Transition into a lead UX role for a product line, manage a UX team, or take on broader strategic responsibilities within the Applied Data Science Center or other IQVIA divisions.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Leverage deep understanding of clinical and operational workflows to move into senior product management, program management, or strategic operations roles.

• Continuous Learning: Access to IQVIA's resources, industry conferences, and potential for certifications in AI ethics, human factors, or advanced UX methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers substantial growth potential, moving beyond traditional UX into specialized areas like AI-driven product development and contributing to innovative operating models. The emphasis on mentorship and leadership suggests a path towards formal management or lead technical expert roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, implying a traditional office-based work environment. The specific office setup in Kirkland, Quebec, would likely include collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and individual workstations designed to support team interaction and focused work.

Office Location(s): Kirkland, Quebec, Canada. This location is part of the Montreal metropolitan area, offering access to a vibrant tech and life sciences community, and good transportation links.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely foster collaboration within "Tiny Teams" and across the broader Applied Data Science Center, encouraging direct interaction with product managers, engineers, and data scientists.

• Access to modern UX and AI-enabled productivity tools (Figma, FigJam, Microsoft Copilot, Cursor, etc.) will be standard, supporting efficient design and research workflows.

• Opportunities for informal and formal knowledge sharing sessions, workshops, and cross-functional meetings will be integral to the daily work environment.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, typical for a full-time, on-site position. While the role requires independent work and managing ambiguity, adherence to core working hours will be necessary for team collaboration and project delivery within agile cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role, the emphasis is on in-person collaboration and leveraging the physical office environment for team synergy. The Kirkland location provides a professional setting within a significant Canadian economic hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, leadership capabilities, and understanding of UX for AI-enabled products.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing specific case studies of end-to-end UX initiatives, particularly those involving complex problems, AI, or regulated environments. This will likely include a technical discussion on methodologies and problem-solving approaches.

• Cross-functional Team Interviews: Interviews with key collaborators such as Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists to assess collaboration style, communication, and ability to work within "Tiny Teams" and the "Agentic Operating Model."

• Final Interview/Executive Review: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader to confirm strategic alignment and suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate end-to-end UX leadership, AI/LLM experience, complex problem-solving, and impact in regulated or enterprise environments.

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the research and design process followed, key challenges faced, your specific contributions, the solutions developed, and measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight AI/Agentic Experience: Explicitly showcase projects involving AI, LLMs, agentic systems, or decision support tools. Detail how you approached the unique UX challenges of these technologies.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Emphasize how you partnered with product, engineering, and data science teams. Use examples of influencing decisions and achieving alignment.

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, increased adoption, enhanced user satisfaction).

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to discuss your design rationale, research decisions, and how you navigated ambiguity and complexity in detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Deep Dive: Be prepared to walk through a portfolio case study in detail, answering in-depth questions about your process and decisions.

• Hypothetical Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would approach a new UX challenge within an AI-driven clinical workflow, or how you would handle conflicting stakeholder requirements.

• AI Ethics & Usability: Prepare to discuss your understanding of ethical AI principles and how you ensure usability and safety in AI-powered products.

• Agile & Tiny Teams: Think about how you operate within agile frameworks and small, fast-paced teams, emphasizing adaptability and rapid iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes not just design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership, collaboration, and specific experience with AI and regulated industries. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring candidates to present compelling evidence of their capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: For interface design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to create detailed mockups and interactive prototypes.

• FigJam: For collaborative ideation, whiteboarding, brainstorming, and workflow mapping within teams.

• Microsoft Copilot: Likely used for AI-assisted tasks in document creation, coding assistance, and potentially research synthesis.

• Cursor: A modern code editor with AI integration, suggesting potential collaboration with engineering on AI models or understanding of AI development workflows.

• AI-assisted research synthesis platforms: Broadly refers to tools that help process and analyze qualitative and quantitative research data, potentially including AI-powered transcription, sentiment analysis, or thematic coding.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While specific tools aren't listed, expect to work with product analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to track user behavior and feature adoption.

• Proficiency in interpreting data from clinical trials or operational dashboards will be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with enterprise CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) may be relevant for understanding user data and operational workflows, though not explicitly required for this UX role.

• Understanding of automation concepts within clinical and operational processes will be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, FigJam, Microsoft Copilot, and Cursor highlights a modern tech stack that integrates AI directly into the design and development workflow. Candidates should be comfortable with these tools and have an understanding of how AI can augment productivity and design processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered Design: A core principle ensuring that all solutions are built with a deep understanding of user needs, behaviors, and contexts.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Emphasizing the use of research findings, analytics, and evidence to inform design choices and product strategy.

• AI Fluency & Responsible AI Mindset: A commitment to understanding and ethically applying AI, ensuring fairness, transparency, and safety in AI-enabled products.

• Collaboration & Influence: Fostering strong partnerships across disciplines to achieve shared goals and drive user-centered outcomes.

• Continuous Learning & Innovation: Encouraging exploration of new technologies, methodologies, and a proactive approach to problem-solving in a rapidly evolving field.

• Execution & Results Orientation: A focus on delivering high-quality, impactful solutions that meet business objectives and improve user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Working within "Tiny Teams" and adhering to agile principles means frequent collaboration, rapid feedback loops, and iterative development.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close partnerships with product management, engineering, and data science are essential, requiring clear communication and mutual respect for each discipline's expertise.

• Facilitative Leadership: The role involves leading discussions, workshops, and decision-making processes, often by facilitating consensus among diverse stakeholders.

• Open Communication: Expect a culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture values a blend of innovation, rigorous execution, and ethical considerations, particularly concerning AI. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment that prioritizes user impact and data-informed decision-making.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: The role requires operating effectively in complex and often ambiguous environments, common in cutting-edge AI development and regulated industries. Candidates must be comfortable defining problems and solutions where clear paths may not exist.

• Designing for AI Complexity: Creating intuitive and trustworthy user experiences for AI-enabled products, especially LLM-based applications and agentic systems, presents unique challenges related to explainability, control, and user trust.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent user-centered design principles are upheld and integrated across diverse teams (product, engineering, data science, clinical) with potentially different priorities.

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Operating within the healthcare and life sciences sectors means adhering to strict regulatory requirements while still driving innovation in UX and AI.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized AI UX Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in UX for AI, including ethical AI, human-AI interaction, LLMs, and agentic systems.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining in-depth knowledge of clinical research, healthcare operations, and the life sciences industry through direct project involvement.

• Advanced Methodologies: Learning and applying advanced UX research and design techniques, potentially including those specific to the "IQVIA Agentic Operating Model."

• Mentorship & Leadership Development: Formal and informal mentorship opportunities, along with potential to develop leadership skills by guiding junior professionals and influencing team practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex, forward-looking challenges in AI and healthcare UX. Overcoming these challenges will build highly sought-after expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led an end-to-end UX initiative from discovery to implementation. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure user-centered outcomes?" (Focus on process, leadership, and impact)

• "How would you approach designing a user experience for an AI-powered clinical decision-support tool? What are the critical considerations for trust, usability, and ethical AI?" (Assess understanding of AI UX and ethical principles)

• "Imagine you need to translate a complex clinical workflow into a more efficient digital experience. Walk us through your process, from understanding the current state to proposing a solution." (Evaluate problem-framing, research, and design thinking) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about IQVIA's Applied Data Science Center and the role of AI in healthcare?" (Demonstrate research and understanding of the company's strategic direction)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to a 'Tiny Team' operating within an 'Agentic Operating Model'?" (Assess adaptability, collaboration, and understanding of modern operational frameworks)

• "How do you ensure your UX recommendations influence product and engineering decisions, especially when dealing with complex technical constraints or business priorities?" (Focus on influence, communication, and stakeholder management) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, craft a narrative that highlights the problem, your strategic approach, the user-centric process, your specific contributions, and the tangible impact of your work.

• Visualize Your Process: Use diagrams, screenshots, prototypes, and key artifacts to visually represent your research findings, design iterations, and final solutions.

• Focus on AI/LLM/Agentic Work: Prioritize projects that showcase your experience with AI-enabled products, detailing the unique UX challenges and how you addressed them.

• Quantify Impact: Clearly articulate the measurable outcomes of your projects, using data to support the success of your UX interventions.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your research methodologies, design decisions, and how you handled trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing leadership, strategic thinking, deep UX expertise (especially in AI), and the ability to collaborate effectively within agile, cross-functional teams. Demonstrating a clear understanding of IQVIA's specific context (AI, healthcare, agentic models) will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on IQVIA's Workday portal.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences directly related to UX Research, Product Design, AI-enabled products, LLMs, agentic systems, clinical workflows, and enterprise software. Quantify achievements with metrics wherever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 strong projects that demonstrate end-to-end UX leadership, AI/LLM experience, and impact in complex or regulated environments. Structure your presentations to tell a clear story of problem, process, contribution, and outcome.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, including your research methodologies, design rationale, and how you collaborated with cross-functional teams. Practice articulating your thought process for hypothetical UX challenges.

• Research IQVIA: Understand IQVIA's mission, its Applied Data Science Center, and the significance of AI in healthcare. Familiarize yourself with the concepts of "Tiny Teams" and the "IQVIA Agentic Operating Model" to demonstrate cultural and operational alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.