Design Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Researcher

Company: Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited

Location: Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Innovation & Design / Design Research & Insights

Date Posted: 2026-07-28

Experience Level: 3-6 Years (Mid-Level)

Remote Status: On-Premise

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end qualitative research initiatives within ambiguous healthcare domains to uncover latent human needs and translate them into strategic design directions.

• Synthesize complex field observations and clinical workflows into actionable insights, personas, and comprehensive care-journey maps.

• Facilitate rapid feedback loops and conduct usability evaluations on early-stage concepts, physical prototypes, and digital health tools.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with UX/UI designers, product managers, brand strategists, and business leaders to translate research findings into tangible product and service innovations.

• Develop compelling visual storytelling through artifacts and presentations to foster empathy and drive strategic alignment among non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Studio 5B, Dr. Reddy's innovation and design hub, emphasizing a focus on "beyond-the-pill" healthcare solutions. The emphasis on ambiguous domains and translating insights into strategic directions suggests a high degree of autonomy and impact for the Design Researcher.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute comprehensive qualitative and generative research studies, including in-depth interviews, ethnography, contextual inquiry, journey mapping, and co-creation sessions with diverse healthcare stakeholders (patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists).

• Masterfully synthesize complex qualitative data from fieldwork, observations, and clinical workflows into clear, actionable insights, well-defined personas, detailed care-journey maps, and strategic opportunity frameworks.

• Design and lead rapid feedback loops and usability evaluations for early-stage product concepts, physical packaging prototypes, and digital health solutions to iterate and refine user experience.

• Actively partner with cross-functional teams, including UX/UI designers, product managers, brand strategists, and business leaders, to ensure research insights effectively inform and shape product and service innovations.

• Create compelling visual narratives and artifacts from research findings to effectively communicate complex insights, build empathy, and drive strategic alignment across both design and non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-cycle research role, from initial exploration and synthesis to concept validation and stakeholder communication. The mention of "ambiguous healthcare domains" suggests a need for strong problem-framing skills and the ability to navigate uncertainty.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design (B.Des in Industrial, Interaction, or Strategic Design), OR

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology (B.A. / B.Sc. in Cognitive, Behavioral, or Applied Psychology), OR

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in related behavioral, social science, or life science disciplines. Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience conducting qualitative user design research.

• Experience level range is noted as 3-6 years, indicating a mid-level to senior mid-level position within the operations function. Required Skills:

• Mastery of qualitative research methodologies, including fieldwork techniques, contextual inquiry, thematic analysis, and synthesis frameworks.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate unstructured and ambiguous research environments.

• Strong proficiency in synthesizing complex qualitative data into actionable insights.

• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, with a proven ability to convey findings effectively.

• Experience in human-centered design principles and practices.

• Familiarity with behavioral science concepts and their application in research. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience working within a Market Research Agency with a strong emphasis on qualitative techniques and consumer/patient behavior analysis.

• Background working directly within the Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, or MedTech industry.

• Proven portfolio showcasing direct work on healthcare, wellness, or healthtech projects (e.g., chronic disease management, therapy adherence, clinical workflows, caregiver support).

• Experience with strategic design thinking and its application in problem-solving.

• Skills in persona development and care-journey mapping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred qualifications strongly emphasize industry-specific experience and a portfolio demonstrating relevant healthcare project work, suggesting that candidates with this background will be highly competitive. The "3-6 years" experience range points towards a role that requires both foundational research skills and some level of independent project leadership.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end design research projects, with a clear emphasis on qualitative methodologies.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating the process of identifying latent needs and translating them into strategic design directions within the healthcare or related sectors.

• Evidence of synthesis capabilities, including examples of personas, care-journey maps, and opportunity frameworks derived from research.

• Demonstrations of concept validation and usability evaluation techniques applied to prototypes or early-stage concepts.

• Strong visual communication artifacts that effectively translate research findings into compelling narratives for diverse stakeholders. Process Documentation:

• Documentation of research planning and execution processes, detailing study design, participant recruitment, and data collection methods.

• Clear articulation of synthesis methodologies used to derive insights from qualitative data.

• Examples of how research findings were integrated into product development cycles and influenced design decisions.

• Case studies illustrating the process of co-creation and feedback loops with cross-functional teams and end-users.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, as it will be the primary means to assess the candidate's ability to lead research, synthesize complex information, and communicate findings effectively to drive innovation within Dr. Reddy's Studio 5B. The emphasis on "strategic design directions" implies that the portfolio should not just show research, but also its impact on strategy.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: ₹1,000,000 - ₹1,800,000 per annum (INR)

• Methodology: This estimate is based on research for a Design Researcher role with 3-6 years of experience in Hyderabad, India, considering the pharmaceutical/life sciences industry. Factors include the cost of living in Hyderabad, industry benchmarks for specialized research roles, and the requirements for independent project leadership. This range is indicative and may vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees and dependents.

• Paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Retirement savings plans or provident fund contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training programs, workshops, and conference attendance.

• Access to Studio 5B's innovation ecosystem, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and incentives. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, likely around 40 hours per week.

• Given the "On-Premise" work arrangement and the nature of field research, flexibility may be required to accommodate participant schedules and project deadlines, potentially involving occasional work outside standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on market data for Hyderabad, India, for a mid-level Design Researcher in the life sciences sector. Benefits are typical for a large multinational pharmaceutical company like Dr. Reddy's. The "On-Premise" nature suggests a structured work week with potential for fieldwork requiring schedule adjustments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical & Healthcare. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories is a leading multinational pharmaceutical company focused on accelerating access to affordable and innovative medicines globally. The company emphasizes deep science, progressive people practices, and robust corporate governance.

Company Size: 24,000+ employees globally. This indicates a large, established organization with significant resources and a structured environment, offering stability and diverse career paths.

Founded: 1984. With nearly four decades of history, Dr. Reddy's has a strong foundation and a proven track record in the pharmaceutical industry, adapting to evolving market dynamics.

Team Structure:

• The Design Researcher will be part of "Studio 5B," the innovation and design hub of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories.

• Studio 5B operates as a multi-disciplinary team, applying human-centered design, behavioral science, and strategic design thinking.

• The team structure likely involves close collaboration with UX/UI designers, product managers, brand strategists, and business leaders across various units of Dr. Reddy's. Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design: Core to Studio 5B's approach, ensuring solutions are empathetic and meet user needs.

• Behavioral Science & Strategic Design Thinking: Applied to tackle complex healthcare challenges and build innovative "beyond-the-pill" solutions.

• Data-Driven Insights: Research findings are synthesized into actionable insights to inform strategic design directions and product development.

• Iterative Development: Emphasis on rapid feedback loops and concept validation to refine prototypes and digital health tools.

Company Website: https://www.drreddys.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Studio 5B functions as an internal innovation lab, suggesting a culture that encourages experimentation, cross-functional collaboration, and a strong focus on user empathy. The company's global presence and commitment to innovation provide a dynamic environment for a Design Researcher.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-level to Senior Mid-level Design Researcher. This role requires independent leadership of research projects, synthesis of complex data, and significant influence on strategic design directions within the innovation hub. The 3-6 years of experience suggest a candidate who can operate autonomously but may still benefit from senior mentorship.

Reporting Structure:

• The Design Researcher will report to a lead within Studio 5B, likely a Head of Design Research, Director of Innovation, or a Senior Design Lead.

• The role involves close collaboration with various internal stakeholders across different business units. Operations Impact:

• The Design Researcher's impact is crucial for identifying unmet needs in patient care journeys, medical packaging, and digital health platforms.

• Insights generated will directly influence the development of "beyond-the-pill" healthcare solutions, aiming to simplify complex challenges and create meaningful experiences for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

• This role significantly contributes to Dr. Reddy's strategic goals of building future-ready, sustainable healthcare solutions and reaching a broader patient base. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific therapeutic areas or patient populations within healthcare.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior Design Researcher or Lead Design Researcher roles, managing larger projects and mentoring junior team members.

• Strategic Influence: Move into roles with greater strategic input, such as Design Strategy or Innovation Management, shaping the future direction of healthcare solutions.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management, UX Strategy, or Program Management roles leveraging research and design thinking skills.

• Continuous Learning: Access to industry conferences, workshops, and internal training programs to stay abreast of the latest research methodologies and healthcare trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path within Studio 5B offers opportunities to deepen specialization in healthcare design research or move into broader innovation and strategy roles, leveraging the unique blend of research, design, and business acumen required.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-Premise, within the Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Hyderabad campus. This indicates a traditional office setting designed for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The specific office location will be within Dr. Reddy's facilities in Hyderabad, likely offering standard corporate amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Studio 5B is designed as an innovation hub, fostering a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere where ideas are shared freely.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard design and research software, potentially including specialized tools for data analysis, visualization, and prototyping. The environment will support fieldwork and in-office collaboration activities.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for interaction with a multi-disciplinary team of designers, researchers, product managers, and business leaders, encouraging knowledge exchange and cross-pollination of ideas.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week.

• While the role is on-premise, fieldwork (ethnography, interviews) may require flexibility to align with participant availability, potentially including evenings or weekends. The "preferred type of working: On-Premise" suggests a strong emphasis on in-person team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-premise requirement highlights the company's value for in-person collaboration, crucial for the iterative and ideation-heavy nature of innovation and design work within Studio 5B.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess qualifications and relevant experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on research experience, methodology, problem-solving skills, and alignment with Studio 5B's mission.

• Design/Research Team Interview: Deeper dive into specific research projects, synthesis capabilities, and collaborative approach. May involve presenting a case study from the portfolio.

• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Interview: Evaluation of ability to communicate research insights and drive alignment with non-design partners (e.g., product managers, business leaders).

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate end-to-end research process and impact.

• Focus on Healthcare: Prioritize projects within the healthcare, wellness, or healthtech sectors, clearly articulating the problem, your approach, insights, and outcomes.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly explain your research