Senior User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher

Company: Cafeyn

Location: Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product & User Experience Research

Date Posted: March 2, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead high-impact user research initiatives for the Cafeyn and Readly platforms, serving over 2 million users across 15 geographies, to drive strategic growth and enhance user value.

• Define and own the global research strategy, setting standards and processes for research execution, and building an operational backbone for user knowledge management.

• Conduct end-to-end mixed-method research (qualitative and quantitative) to validate hypotheses, understand non-user barriers, and identify evolving user habits and market opportunities.

• Translate complex research findings into actionable recommendations, partnering with Product Managers and Designers to implement data-driven product iterations and advocate for a user-centric approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior User Researcher with a strong emphasis on Research Operations and strategic impact. The primary focus is on driving growth through a deep understanding of both current and potential users, and establishing scalable research processes. The "Operations" aspect relates to building the infrastructure and processes for efficient and effective user research across product teams.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End User Research: Design, plan, and execute qualitative and quantitative research studies, including in-depth interviews, surveys, usability testing, and data analysis, to inform product strategy and design decisions for B2C and B2B2C platforms.

• Market & Non-User Intelligence: Lead comprehensive research into non-users and underserved demographics to identify barriers to entry, understand adoption challenges, and uncover opportunities for new user acquisition and engagement.

• Strategic Insight Generation: Synthesize findings from diverse research methods and data sources (user interviews, surveys, usage analytics) into clear, actionable insights that directly shape the product roadmap and business strategy.

• Research Operations & Strategy: Define, implement, and manage the global research strategy, standards, and processes, creating a structured and searchable research repository to ensure knowledge is accessible and reusable across product teams.

• Tooling & Playbook Development: Own and optimize the research ecosystem, including sourcing participants, unmoderated testing platforms, survey tools, and review platforms, developing templates and playbooks to empower product teams in their research endeavors.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence: Act as the primary advocate for the "voice of the user," influencing product and design decisions by presenting compelling evidence and fostering a user-centric culture across the organization, including training and coaching product teams on research best practices.

• Market & Competitor Analysis: Conduct continuous discovery on the broader digital reading market, analyzing competitor UX/value propositions and identifying untapped opportunities to maintain product relevance and competitive advantage.

• Business Opportunity Assessment: Collaborate with the Business Discovery team to evaluate potential new business opportunities and market expansions based on user needs and market trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a dual focus: direct, high-impact user research and the strategic development of research operations and infrastructure. This senior role is expected to not only conduct research but also build the framework that enables the entire organization to leverage user insights effectively, aligning with the "operations" aspect of scaling knowledge and processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Market Research, or a related field is highly beneficial, demonstrating a foundational understanding of research methodologies.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in User Research, with a significant portion ideally within high-growth B2C or B2B2C environments managing platforms with millions of users. Proven experience in leading transversal research initiatives and building research systems is crucial.

Required Skills:

• Mixed-Method Research Expertise: Proficient in designing and executing both qualitative (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnographic studies) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, data analysis, A/B testing interpretation) research.

• Research Strategy & Operations: Demonstrated ability to define, implement, and manage a comprehensive research strategy, including knowledge management systems, tooling, and process playbooks.

• Data Synthesis & Insight Generation: Exceptional ability to translate complex data from various sources into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

• Stakeholder Influence & Communication: Proven track record of effectively influencing stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership, without direct authority, and communicating research findings compellingly.

• User-Centric Advocacy: Deep commitment to championing the user's perspective and embedding a user-centric mindset throughout product development and business strategy.

• Self-Starter & Initiative: Ability to define and drive one's own roadmap, prioritize high-impact projects, and manage initiatives end-to-end with minimal supervision.

• B2C/B2B2C Experience: Familiarity with the nuances of user research in direct-to-consumer and business-to-business-to-consumer markets, particularly in digital content or subscription services.

• Language Proficiency: Fluent in both French and English, enabling effective communication and research execution with international teams and user bases.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific user research platforms and tools (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Lookback, Dovetail).

• Familiarity with product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics).

• Experience in the digital media, publishing, or subscription service industries.

• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and how to integrate research within them.

• Experience in conducting research for younger demographics or emerging user segments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "building systems" and "defining the operational backbone" strongly suggests the need for candidates who have experience in not just conducting research but also architecting the processes and infrastructure around it, moving beyond individual project execution to strategic enablement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Impactful Research: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end research projects, highlighting the problem, methodology, your specific contributions, key insights, and the tangible impact on product decisions, user experience, or business metrics (e.g., conversion rates, user retention, engagement).

• Research Strategy & Operations Examples: Include examples of research strategies you've developed, research process documentation (playbooks, templates), or contributions to research repositories that demonstrate your ability to build and scale research operations.

• Mixed-Method Proficiency: Evidence of successfully integrating qualitative and quantitative findings to provide a holistic understanding of user behavior and needs.

• Stakeholder Influence & Communication: Examples of how you've presented research findings to influence product roadmaps, design directions, or business strategies, including materials used (e.g., presentations, reports).

• Problem-Solving & Synthesis: Showcase instances where you’ve tackled complex research challenges, synthesized ambiguous data, and delivered clear, actionable recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in mapping out research workflows, from planning and recruitment to analysis and reporting, with a focus on efficiency and scalability.

• Implementation & Automation: Provide examples of how you've implemented research tools, processes, or templates that have streamlined research operations or enabled wider team participation in research.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Showcase how you've defined success metrics for research initiatives and analyzed the impact of research-informed changes on product performance or user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on Research Operations and building the "research engine," the portfolio should not only highlight research execution but also strategic planning, process development, and the creation of scalable research infrastructure. Demonstrating the ability to build systems and empower others is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on market research for Senior User Researcher roles in Paris, France, with 6+ years of experience, fluency in French and English, and a focus on Research Operations within a high-growth B2C/B2B2C tech company, the estimated annual gross salary range is between €65,000 and €90,000. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in Paris, the seniority of the role, and the specific blend of research and operational responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Meal Vouchers: Provided via a Swile card to cover daily food expenses.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive Sidecare health insurance coverage.

• Mobility Package: Reimbursement for public transport subscription costs.

• Sports & Wellness: Partnership with Wellpass, offering access to a wide range of fitness classes and wellness activities.

• Mental Health Support: Access to the Teale mental health platform for professional psychological support and well-being monitoring.

• Hybrid Work Policy: Flexibility to work remotely two days per week, balancing in-office collaboration with personal work preferences.

• Unlimited Cafeyn Access: A VIP code providing unlimited access to all content on the Cafeyn platform.

• Team Events: Regular office meet-ups (four per year) to foster team cohesion, celebrate company milestones, and connect with international colleagues.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical industry benchmarks for a Senior User Researcher in Paris. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and negotiation. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a strong focus on employee well-being, work-life balance, and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Reading Service / Content Aggregation / Media Technology. Cafeyn operates in a dynamic market, transforming how users access newspapers and magazines digitally. This involves adapting to evolving consumption habits, technological advancements, and competitive landscapes.

Company Size: Cafeyn is a growing company with a significant global presence (over 2 million users worldwide), indicating a scale that requires structured processes and efficient operations. The product team consists of 6 people, suggesting a collaborative and potentially agile environment within a larger organization.

Founded: Founded in 2006, Cafeyn has a history of adaptation and growth in the digital publishing space, evolving from its origins with Milibris to become a leading digital reading service. This longevity suggests a stable yet innovative company culture.

Team Structure:

• The Senior User Researcher reports directly to the Director of Product, indicating a senior position with direct influence on product strategy.

• The role is part of a Product team of 6 individuals, implying close collaboration with Product Managers and Designers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role is central to driving a user-centric and evidence-based approach to product development, emphasizing the translation of data into actionable insights.

• Strategic Research Planning: Emphasis on defining research strategy, building operational backbones, and creating scalable processes, indicating a mature approach to product development operations.

• Agile Integration: While not explicitly stated, the context of a growing tech company and product team suggests research will likely be integrated into agile development cycles, requiring flexibility and adaptability.

Company Website: https://careers.cafeyn.co

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value data-driven decision-making, user advocacy, and strategic development. The emphasis on building "operational backbones" and "research engines" suggests a company that is maturing its product development processes and investing in robust research infrastructure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior User Researcher, placing it at a mid-to-senior level within the product development and research function. It signifies a level of expertise where individuals are expected to not only execute research but also to strategize, lead initiatives, and mentor others. The role's focus on building research operations and influencing strategy elevates it beyond a purely execution-focused position.

Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher reports directly to the Director of Product. This direct reporting line ensures visibility and influence at a strategic product leadership level. It suggests that the insights and operational frameworks developed by this role will be directly considered by key decision-makers shaping the product direction.

Operations Impact: The Senior User Researcher is positioned as the "strategic pulse of our growth ambition." The impact is directly tied to:

• User Value Enhancement: Driving research that identifies opportunities to increase the value proposition for existing users.

• Audience Expansion: Understanding barriers for non-users and younger demographics to attract and engage new customer segments.

• Product Roadmap Influence: Shaping the product roadmap with deep-dive insights and validated hypotheses.

• Scalable Knowledge Foundation: Building the operational infrastructure for user knowledge, enabling all product teams to be more effective and user-centric.

• Competitive Advantage: Continuously informing product strategy based on market intelligence and competitor analysis.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Research Operations: The opportunity to define and own the research strategy and operational framework for a significant user base, potentially leading to a Head of Research Operations or similar strategic role.

• Strategic Product Influence: Deep involvement in shaping the product roadmap and growth strategy for major platforms, offering significant strategic development.

• Mentorship & Team Development: The role involves training and coaching product teams, providing opportunities to develop leadership and mentoring skills.

• Industry Expertise Expansion: Gaining deep insights into the digital reading and content aggregation market, along with experience in B2C and B2B2C models across multiple geographies.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Working closely with Product Management, Design, Business Discovery, and potentially Marketing, fostering a broad understanding of business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth ambition" and "strategic blueprint" language indicates this role is pivotal in future-proofing the company's user engagement and acquisition strategies. The emphasis on building the "operational backbone" suggests a significant opportunity for the candidate to shape how research functions within the company, offering a career path beyond individual research contributions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Cafeyn operates with a hybrid policy, meaning the work environment is a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The office in Paris (26 Rue Laffitte, 75009) likely serves as a hub for team meetings, strategic sessions, and fostering company culture.

Office Location(s): The primary office location mentioned is Paris, France. The company also has international offices, as indicated by the mention of "gathering with our international offices" during team meet-ups. This suggests a geographically diverse workforce and the need for strong remote collaboration tools and practices.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid policy and emphasis on team meet-ups suggest a culture that values both focused individual work and collaborative sessions. The product team structure (6 people reporting to Director of Product) implies a close-knit working group.

• Operations Tools & Technology: The role requires proficiency in a range of research tools (user testing, surveys, data analysis) and likely leverages collaboration platforms (Slack, project management tools) and internal knowledge bases. The company provides access to its own digital reading platform (Cafeyn).

• Team Interaction Opportunities: Regular team meet-ups, peer interviews, and potential collaboration with international colleagues provide ample opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking, and cross-functional interaction.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are around 40 hours per week. The hybrid policy offers flexibility, allowing employees to work remotely for two days per week, which can aid in managing personal productivity and work-life balance. This flexibility is beneficial for operations professionals who may need focused time for data analysis or process documentation, alongside collaborative in-office sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, offering a balance that is increasingly sought after. For an operations-focused research role, this blend can be ideal for deep work (remote) and collaborative strategy sessions (in-office).

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. HR Interview (30 mins): An initial screening with a Talent Acquisition Manager to assess general fit, motivation, and alignment with company culture and basic requirements.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth discussion with Kevin, the Product Director, focusing on strategic thinking, research leadership, operational approach, and alignment with the role's objectives.

3. Case Study Presentation: A practical assessment where the candidate presents a case study to Kevin (Product Director) and Bram (Product Manager). This is a critical stage to evaluate research methodology, synthesis skills, strategic thinking, and presentation abilities.

4. Peer Interview: Interaction with members of the Product team to gauge cultural fit, collaboration style, and how the candidate would integrate into the existing team dynamics.

5. Final Interview: A concluding conversation with Minh, the Chief Strategy Officer, likely focusing on the candidate's strategic vision, potential impact on company growth, and alignment with broader business objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact & Strategy: For this role, prioritize case studies that demonstrate not just research execution but also the strategic impact on product roadmaps and business growth. Highlight how your research influenced key decisions.

• Showcase Research Operations: Include examples of how you've built or improved research processes, developed playbooks, established knowledge management systems, or managed research tooling. This is crucial for demonstrating your ability to build the "research engine."

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, quantify the impact of your research. Use metrics related to user acquisition, retention, engagement, conversion rates, or cost savings to demonstrate ROI.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically. For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your approach (methodology), your specific contributions, key insights, and the resulting actions and outcomes.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experiences relevant to B2C/B2B2C digital platforms, subscription services, and international markets. Highlight your French and English language capabilities.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Practice: Prepare a compelling case study that showcases your ability to handle ambiguity, define a research problem, employ appropriate methodologies, synthesize complex information, and present actionable recommendations. Practice presenting this within a time limit.

• Research Operations Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach building a research repository, establishing research standards for a growing team, or selecting and implementing research tools.

• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to discuss your vision for user research at Cafeyn, how you would identify growth opportunities, and how you would influence product strategy at a senior level.

• Stakeholder Management: Think about how you would communicate with different stakeholders (product, design, engineering, leadership) and tailor your communication style to their needs and perspectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess a candidate's strategic thinking, operational capabilities, and ability to influence. The case study is a key component, so candidates should prepare a portfolio that directly addresses the role's emphasis on building research infrastructure and driving growth.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Proficiency in tools for remote usability testing, unmoderated testing, participant recruitment, and session recording (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, UserZoom).

• Survey & Data Collection Tools: Expertise in survey platforms for quantitative data collection and analysis (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Typeform).

• Qualitative Data Analysis Tools: Experience with tools that facilitate the organization, coding, and synthesis of qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, Miro for affinity mapping).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding Tools: Familiarity with tools for collaborative brainstorming, journey mapping, and affinity diagramming (e.g., Miro, Mural).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Platforms: Experience interpreting data from tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to complement qualitative insights and track user behavior.

• Reporting & Dashboarding Tools: Ability to leverage or work with tools that visualize data and research findings (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio) for stakeholder presentations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not the primary focus, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools could be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey and data ecosystem.

• Integration Tools: Understanding how research data might integrate with other systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong command of the user research toolkit, with an added emphasis on building and managing the research ecosystem. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with specific tools and their strategic approach to selecting and implementing research technology.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Centricity: A deep-seated belief in putting the user at the heart of all product and business decisions, consistently advocating for their needs and perspectives.

• Data-Driven Rigor: Commitment to using evidence (both qualitative and quantitative) to inform strategy, validate hypotheses, and measure impact, avoiding assumptions.

• Efficiency & Scalability: A drive to build robust, scalable processes and systems that enable the organization to conduct research effectively and efficiently, empowering teams beyond the core research function.

• Collaboration & Influence: Valuing cross-functional partnerships, open communication, and the ability to influence stakeholders through clear, compelling insights and strategic recommendations.

• Continuous Learning & Adaptation: An embrace of ongoing learning, staying abreast of evolving user behaviors, market trends, and research methodologies in the fast-paced digital media landscape.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Marketing, and Business Development to ensure research findings are relevant and actionable across departments.

• Knowledge Sharing Culture: A proactive approach to sharing insights, best practices, and research findings through presentations, documentation, and training sessions, fostering a collective understanding of the user.

• Feedback Exchange: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on research approaches, methodologies, and findings to continuously improve the quality and impact of research efforts.

• Strategic Partnership: Working as a strategic partner to product leadership, providing critical insights that guide long-term vision and short-term execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely emphasizes a blend of innovation, data-informed decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving. The "operations" aspect suggests a value placed on structure, efficiency, and building sustainable practices within the product development lifecycle.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Depth with Scalability: The challenge of conducting deep, impactful user research while simultaneously building the operational infrastructure to support research at scale across multiple product teams and geographies.

• Influencing Without Authority: Effectively advocating for user needs and research-driven decisions with diverse stakeholders who may have competing priorities or different levels of understanding of research methodologies.

• Understanding Diverse User Segments: Researching and understanding the distinct needs and barriers of various user groups, including non-users, younger demographics, and users across 15 different geographies, each with unique cultural contexts.

• Integrating Research into Agile Workflows: Ensuring research insights are delivered and acted upon in a timely manner within fast-paced, agile development cycles.

• Defining and Measuring Research ROI: Establishing clear metrics to demonstrate the value and impact of research initiatives to the business, linking research efforts to tangible outcomes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Research Leadership: Opportunity to shape and lead the research function's strategic direction and operational framework, moving into more senior leadership roles.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of product strategy, business development, and marketing within the digital content industry.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Developing skills in training, mentoring, and upskilling product teams in user research best practices.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend industry conferences, present findings, and contribute to the broader user research community.

• Language & Cultural Fluency: Deepening proficiency in both French and English through daily professional application and interaction with international teams and users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between hands-on research and strategic operations. Overcoming the challenges will require strong leadership, strategic planning, and excellent communication skills, all of which contribute to significant professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to build a research operations system from the ground up. What were the key components, challenges, and outcomes?" (Focus on your experience with research infrastructure, knowledge management, and process standardization.)

• "How would you approach understanding the barriers for non-users of a digital subscription service like Cafeyn? What methods would you prioritize?" (Demonstrate your strategic thinking for growth and your ability to design research for new audience acquisition.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Cafeyn's mission and our position in the digital reading market?" (Research Cafeyn's recent news, product offerings, and market strategy. Connect your passion for user research to their goals.)

• "How would you foster a more user-centric culture within a product team that might be more engineering- or business-focused?" (Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced stakeholders and evangelized user insights in previous roles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your case study presentation with a clear beginning (problem/opportunity), middle (your approach and findings), and end (recommendations and impact).

• Focus on "You": Clearly articulate your specific contributions, thought process, and decision-making at each stage of the research.

• Visual Aids: Use clean, professional slides that highlight key data points, user quotes, and visualizations. Avoid text-heavy slides.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your research (e.g., increased conversion, improved user satisfaction, reduced churn).

• Address Research Ops: If applicable, weave in how your work contributed to or could contribute to scalable research processes, knowledge sharing, or tooling.

• Practice Timing: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it fits within the allotted time, allowing for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes strategic thinking, operational capability, and presentation skills. Candidates should prepare to discuss not only their research execution but also their strategic vision for building and scaling research operations within a growth-focused tech company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Cafeyn careers site.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate a portfolio that prominently features 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end research process, strategic impact on product roadmaps, and any experience in building research operations or systems. Quantify outcomes wherever possible.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 6+ years of user research experience, specific methodologies used, experience in B2C/B2B2C environments, and your ability to influence stakeholders. Emphasize your French and English language fluency and any experience with scaling research processes.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly prepare for each stage of the interview process by reviewing common user research strategy questions, practicing your case study presentation, and researching Cafeyn's products, market, and company values.

• Company Research: Deeply understand Cafeyn’s mission, its product offerings (Cafeyn, Readly, Milibris, Kidjo, Mangas.io), target markets, and recent company news. Prepare to articulate how your skills and experience align with their growth ambitions and user-centric approach.

⚠️ 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.

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