Qualitative UX Researcher (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Qualitative UX Researcher (Contract)

Company: Suno

Location: New York City, Los Angeles, Boston

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: UX Research

Date Posted: 2025-06-09T00:00:00

Experience Level: 2+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end qualitative user research studies, including user interviews, usability testing, and diary studies, across web and mobile platforms.
• Work closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to integrate user insights into the product development lifecycle, ensuring a user-centered design approach.
• Accelerate product development by supporting weekly research cycles, enabling rapid iteration and validation of concepts and features.
• Translate complex qualitative data into clear, actionable insights that inform product strategy, design decisions, and roadmap priorities.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and synthesize qualitative research studies, such as user interviews, usability tests, and diary studies, across diverse product initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Design, and Engineering teams to define research objectives, identify learning goals, and ensure research findings are effectively integrated into the product roadmap.
• Conduct weekly research cycles to support rapid experimentation and iteration, providing timely user feedback to validate concepts and improve existing features.
• Develop and deploy complementary quantitative surveys to validate qualitative findings and support hypothesis testing with lightweight data.
• Create and deliver compelling research reports, presentations, and workshops to communicate user insights and influence key stakeholders across the organization.
• Champion the user perspective throughout the product development process, advocating for user needs and behaviors across all touchpoints, from onboarding to advanced features.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of UX research best practices and scalable processes to support the growing demand for user insights within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related design or social science field.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of industry experience specifically in UX research, with a demonstrated track record of applying qualitative research methods in fast-paced product development environments. A portfolio showcasing research process, methodologies, and impact on design decisions is highly recommended.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in qualitative UX research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, remote testing, and diary studies.
• Proven ability to design and conduct end-to-end research studies, from developing research plans and recruiting participants to data analysis and synthesis.
• Strong understanding of survey design principles and basic statistical analysis for complementary quantitative data collection.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present research findings and compellingly tell user stories to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, UX designers, and software engineers.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-velocity environment, demonstrating proactive problem-solving skills and adaptability to shifting priorities and tight deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting UX research within the music, creative tools, or Gen-Z digital culture domains.
• Familiarity with researching user interactions with AI and generative technologies within product experiences.
• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in HCI, Psychology, or a related field.
• Personal experience using the Suno platform to create or interact with music.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include case studies that clearly demonstrate your end-to-end qualitative research process, from initial problem definition and research questions to methodology selection, execution, and synthesis of findings.
• Showcase how your research insights directly influenced product or design decisions, highlighting the impact of your work on the user experience and business outcomes.
• Present diverse examples of qualitative methods used (e.g., interview scripts, usability test plans, diary study frameworks) and how you adapted methodologies to different project needs.
• Clearly articulate your role and responsibilities within collaborative projects, demonstrating your ability to work effectively with design, product, and engineering teams.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to planning and executing research, including participant recruitment strategies and ethical considerations.
• Explain your methods for analyzing qualitative data, such as thematic analysis, affinity mapping, or journey mapping.
• Illustrate how you synthesized complex findings into clear, actionable insights and communicated them to stakeholders.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $45 - $90 per hour. This range is based on the provided information and is typical for a contract Qualitative UX Researcher role in the specified US locations (New York City, Los Angeles, Boston) with 2+ years of experience. The exact rate will depend on experience, skills, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Healthcare coverage for the employee and dependents (details on plan specifics not provided).
• 401k retirement plan with company match (details on match percentage not provided).
• Generous commuter benefits to assist with transportation costs.
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, allowing for work-life balance.

Working Hours: Full-time contract position, typically implying 40 hours per week, standard business hours. Flexibility may be discussed based on project needs and team collaboration requirements.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Technology, Information and Internet, specifically focusing on AI-powered music generation and creative tools.

Company Size: Approximately 11-50 employees (based on LinkedIn data), indicating a fast-growing startup environment where individuals have significant impact.

Founded: 2022, suggesting a young, innovative company focused on rapid development and market disruption in the music and AI space.

Team Structure:

• The researcher will be embedded within fast-moving product teams, working directly with product managers, designers, and engineers.
• Collaboration is a key aspect, with the researcher bringing the "voice of the user" into every stage of the product lifecycle.
• The team culture celebrates music and experimentation, likely fostering a creative and dynamic work environment.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on rapid iteration and weekly research cycles suggests an agile or lean development methodology.
• Research is integral to the product development process, informing concept validation and feature improvement.
• The company likely values experimentation and data-driven decision-making, with qualitative research providing deep user understanding.

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

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is positioned for a Qualitative UX Researcher with 2+ years of experience, likely falling into a Mid-Level or potentially Senior level depending on the depth of experience and ability to lead end-to-end research independently within a fast-paced environment. The contract nature suggests a project-specific need, but strong performance could potentially lead to full-time opportunities.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the researcher will likely report to a Head of Research, Design Lead, or Product Lead, given the embedded nature within product teams. Direct collaboration with Product, Design, and Engineering is central to the role.

Design Impact: Design (including UX research) has a significant impact on product development and strategy at Suno. The role directly involves bringing user insights into every stage of the product lifecycle, influencing feature development, user experience design, and overall product direction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in qualitative research methodologies within a specialized domain (AI/music/creative tools).
• Gain significant experience working in a high-velocity startup environment, learning to conduct research efficiently and effectively for rapid iteration cycles.
• Potential to contribute to establishing and evolving research best practices and scalable processes within a growing organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site at one of the specified office locations (New York City, Los Angeles, or Boston). This suggests a collaborative office environment.

Office Location(s): New York City, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Boston (Cambridge), MA.

Design Workspace Context:

• An on-site environment likely facilitates close collaboration with product, design, and engineering teams through in-person meetings, whiteboarding sessions, and informal interactions.
• Access to dedicated research spaces or labs might be available for conducting usability tests and interviews.
• Being in the office allows for full immersion in the company culture, including music and sound experimentation.

Work Schedule: Full-time, in-person. Specific daily hours may have some flexibility, but the expectation is to be present in the office during core working hours to facilitate team collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening call to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• In-depth interview focusing on your experience with qualitative research methodologies, ability to work in fast-paced environments, and collaboration skills. Be prepared to discuss specific research projects in detail, highlighting your process and impact.
• Portfolio review or presentation where you walk through select case studies, explaining your research design, execution, analysis, and how your findings informed decisions.
• Potential research challenge or take-home exercise to assess your practical research skills and ability to synthesize findings.
• Interviews with cross-functional team members (Product, Design, Engineering) to assess collaboration fit and how you integrate research into the product lifecycle.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select case studies that demonstrate your expertise in qualitative methods relevant to digital products, particularly if you have experience in music, creative tools, or AI.
• Clearly articulate the research questions, methodologies used, participant demographics, key findings, and the actionable insights derived from your research.
• Showcase the impact of your research on the product or user experience, using specific examples and metrics where possible.
• Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced in your research and how you overcame them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Review common qualitative research tasks and be prepared to outline a research plan for a given scenario.
• Practice synthesizing findings from hypothetical data and presenting them clearly and concisely.
• Be ready to discuss how you would collaborate with design and product teams to address a research question or validate a concept.

ATS Keywords: Qualitative UX Research, User Interviews, Usability Testing, Diary Studies, Remote Research, User Research, Research Design, Research Execution, Data Synthesis, Actionable Insights, Survey Design, Statistical Analysis, Collaboration, Cross-functional Teams, Product Development, Design Thinking, User-Centered Design, Agile, Rapid Iteration, User Advocacy, Research Best Practices, HCI, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Music Tech, AI, Generative AI, Creative Tools, Mobile UX, Web UX, Product Lifecycle, Stakeholder Communication, Presentation Skills, Storytelling, Flexibility, Proactivity, Ambiguity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• While design tools like Figma or Sketch are primarily used by designers, a UX Researcher needs familiarity with them to understand design mockups and prototypes for usability testing.
• Proficiency in tools specifically designed for conducting and analyzing qualitative research is essential (e.g., user interview platforms, transcription services, qualitative data analysis software).

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for communication and team coordination.
• Project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking research activities and integrating with product development sprints.
• Documentation tools like Confluence or Notion for organizing research plans, notes, and findings.

Research & Testing:

• Platforms for conducting remote usability testing and user interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Zoom).
• Survey tools for quantitative data collection (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Qualtrics).
• Tools for qualitative data analysis and synthesis (e.g., Dovetail, EnjoyHQ, or even spreadsheets and whiteboard tools like Miro or FigJam).

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• A core value is bringing the "voice of the user" into all stages of the product lifecycle, emphasizing a user-centered approach to design and development.
• The company culture celebrates music and experimenting with sound, suggesting a creative and passionate environment where understanding the user's relationship with music is key.
• Likely values rapid iteration and experimentation, requiring researchers comfortable with quick cycles and potentially less formal documentation compared to more traditional environments.
• Values collaboration and cross-functional teamwork, with researchers working closely with product, design, and engineering.

Collaboration Style:

• Close collaboration within embedded product teams, involving daily interactions and shared goals.
• Emphasis on clear and compelling communication of research findings to inspire action and shape decisions.
• Likely involves regular team meetings, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions where research insights are discussed and applied.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Operating in a fast-paced, high-velocity environment requires the ability to quickly scope, execute, and synthesize research while maintaining rigor and delivering actionable insights.
• Researching user interactions with AI and generative technologies presents unique challenges in understanding user expectations, trust, and creative workflows.
• Rapidly evolving product initiatives and shifting priorities necessitate flexibility and the ability to adapt research plans quickly.
• Effectively advocating for the user voice across diverse teams and ensuring research findings translate into tangible product improvements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Significant opportunity to hone skills in rapid, impactful qualitative research within a cutting-edge AI/music technology domain.
• Experience working closely with a small, agile team provides exposure to the full product development lifecycle.
• Potential to contribute to defining and scaling research processes within a growing company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through a challenging qualitative research project from start to finish, focusing on your rationale for choosing specific methodologies, how you ensured rigor, and the impact of your findings.
• Discuss how you prioritize research questions and adapt your approach in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Explain your process for synthesizing qualitative data and translating it into actionable insights that resonate with product, design, and engineering teams.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research Suno's product, target audience, and recent developments. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the AI music generation space and potential user needs.
• Reflect on how your research experience aligns with a fast-paced, collaborative, and music-centric culture.
• Prepare questions about the team structure, how research is integrated into their sprints, and their approach to user feedback.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on 1-2 compelling case studies that showcase your best qualitative research work and highlight your ability to drive impact.
• Structure your presentation to clearly articulate the problem, your research questions, methodologies, key findings, and the resulting product or design changes.
• Practice telling a compelling story about the user and how your research illuminated their needs and behaviors.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your specific experience with qualitative UX research, fast-paced environments, and collaboration with product and design teams. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare your portfolio to showcase relevant case studies that demonstrate your research process, methodologies, and the impact of your work on product development. Focus on clarity and storytelling.
• Research Suno, their product, and the AI music generation market to demonstrate your interest and understanding during the interview process.