Senior User Researcher
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Senior User Researcher
Company: Market Partner
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: User Research / Product Insights
Date Posted: 2026-03-27
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Role Summary
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This Senior User Researcher role focuses on driving product strategy and UX direction within a leading audio streaming subscription service, emphasizing the mobile experience.
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The position requires a strong command of both generative and evaluative user research methodologies to uncover critical user insights for high-stakes product bets.
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Collaboration is key, requiring close partnership with Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering teams to ensure human-centered product development.
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The role involves significant stakeholder management, translating complex research findings into actionable recommendations through compelling storytelling and workshops.
📝 Enhancement Note: The job description indicates a "consultant assignment" and "fixed-term basis" of 12 months with potential extension. This suggests a need for candidates who can quickly integrate, deliver impact, and operate with a high degree of autonomy. The focus on "high priority company bets" and "consequential product work" highlights the strategic importance of this role.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Define, plan, and execute a comprehensive range of user research studies, from generative discovery to evaluative testing, specifically within the mobile experience.
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Translate raw research data into clear, actionable insights that directly inform and shape product strategy and user experience (UX) design decisions for critical company initiatives.
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Foster strong cross-functional relationships with Product Managers, UX Designers, Data Scientists, and Engineers to champion user-centricity throughout the product development lifecycle.
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Effectively communicate research findings and their implications to senior stakeholders, utilizing compelling storytelling, engaging workshops, and facilitating dynamic discussions to drive consensus and action.
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Synthesize insights across multiple research projects to identify overarching user needs, trends, and opportunities, contributing to a holistic understanding of the user base.
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Actively contribute to the growth and development of the broader User Research (UR) team, sharing best practices and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "high-stakes bets" and "fast-moving team" suggests that the researcher will be expected to manage multiple, potentially urgent, research projects simultaneously. The responsibility to "synthesise across projects" indicates a need for strategic thinking beyond individual studies.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
Experience:
- Extensive industry experience as a User Researcher, with a proven track record of delivering impactful research that influences product strategy and UX.
Required Skills:
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Expert proficiency in a wide array of user research methods, including but not limited to ethnography, contextual inquiry, usability testing, and concept testing.
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Strong ability to blend qualitative research findings with quantitative or behavioral data to provide a comprehensive understanding of user needs and behaviors.
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Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to articulate complex research insights clearly and persuasively to senior-level stakeholders.
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Demonstrated experience in cross-functional collaboration, effectively partnering with Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering teams.
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Adept at navigating ambiguity, structuring unstructured problems, and developing actionable learning plans.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience adapting quickly to evolving research capabilities, particularly advancements in AI-driven User Research.
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Deep understanding of mobile user experiences and the unique research challenges they present.
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Systems thinking approach to UX, enabling the influence of scalable and cohesive user experiences.
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Experience within the audio streaming or digital media industry.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "extensive industry experience" and the "Senior" title imply a need for at least 5-10 years of dedicated user research experience, with a strong portfolio showcasing complex problem-solving and strategic impact. The mention of AI UR capabilities suggests a forward-thinking approach to research methodologies.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct user research projects, demonstrating a clear progression from defining research questions to delivering actionable insights.
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Each project should highlight the specific research methodologies employed (e.g., generative, evaluative, mixed-methods) and the rationale behind their selection.
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Clearly articulate the problem statement, research objectives, participant recruitment strategy, and data analysis approach for each case study.
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Quantify the impact of your research findings, where possible, by demonstrating how insights influenced product decisions, improved user metrics (e.g., engagement, satisfaction, conversion), or mitigated risks.
Process Documentation:
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Demonstrate experience in defining and documenting research processes, including detailed research plans, participant screeners, interview guides, and debrief templates.
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Showcase how you've contributed to or improved existing research workflows to enhance efficiency, rigor, or scalability.
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Provide examples of how research findings were integrated into product development workflows, such as sprint planning, roadmap prioritization, or feature iteration cycles.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the emphasis on impacting "high-priority company bets," the portfolio should strongly emphasize strategic thinking, problem framing, and the ability to deliver insights that drive significant product direction and business outcomes. A focus on mobile experience research within the portfolio would be highly advantageous.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
Benefits:
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Consultancy contract with a leading global audio streaming service, offering exposure to high-impact projects and a dynamic work environment.
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12-month assignment with a strong potential for extension up to 18 months, providing stability and opportunity for deeper engagement.
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Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with world-class product and design teams.
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Competitive consultancy fee reflecting the senior level and specialized expertise required.
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be expected given the project-based nature of the consultancy and the need to collaborate with international teams across different time zones.
📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a consultant assignment, benefits typically differ from permanent roles. The salary range is an estimation for a consultant fee, reflecting market rates for senior-level UX research consultants in Stockholm. Specific benefits and working hour expectations should be confirmed directly with Market Partner.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Audio Streaming Subscription Service (Technology/Media)
Company Size: The client company (an unnamed popular audio streaming service) is a large, global technology company with tens of thousands of employees. Market Partner, as the staffing agency, is likely a medium to large-sized consultancy.
Founded: The client company was founded in 2008, indicating a mature company that has undergone significant growth and transformation in the digital media landscape.
Team Structure:
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The Senior User Researcher will join the CoreX team, which focuses on high-priority company bets.
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This team is highly cross-functional, comprising Product Managers, UX Designers, Data Scientists, and Engineers.
Methodology:
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The company emphasizes a data-driven and human-centered approach to product development, integrating user research insights with behavioral data.
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Workflows are designed to be agile and fast-moving, requiring researchers to adapt quickly and deliver insights that support rapid iteration and strategic decision-making.
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Collaboration is paramount, with a focus on cross-functional alignment and shared ownership of product outcomes.
Company Website: https://marketpartner.teamtailor.com (for Market Partner); The client company's website (leading audio streaming service) is implied and well-known.
📝 Enhancement Note: The client company is a well-established leader in the audio streaming space, suggesting a culture of innovation, data-centricity, and a strong focus on user experience to maintain market dominance. The "consultant assignment" structure implies the need for individuals who can integrate seamlessly into an existing, high-performing team.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: Senior User Researcher (Consultant)
This role represents a senior-level individual contributor position within the user research discipline. It demands a blend of deep research craft, strategic thinking, and the ability to operate independently. The consultant status means the primary focus is on delivering project-specific outcomes and expertise, rather than long-term organizational integration.
Reporting Structure:
- The Senior User Researcher will likely report to a Research Lead or Manager within the client organization's user research or product organization, or potentially to a project manager at Market Partner.
Operations Impact:
- The core impact of this role is to ensure that product development is grounded in a deep understanding of user needs, behaviors, and pain points.
Growth Opportunities:
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For the duration of the assignment, significant growth opportunities lie in gaining experience with high-impact projects at a leading global tech company and within the dynamic audio streaming industry.
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Exposure to advanced research challenges and the opportunity to refine skills in stakeholder management and strategic insight communication.
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Potential for an extended assignment (up to 18 months) offers deeper immersion and a more sustained impact.
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For consultants, growth often comes through diverse project experiences and building a strong professional network.
📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the "Senior" designation and the focus on "consequential product work" indicate that the candidate will be expected to operate at a high strategic level, influencing key product decisions. Growth will be measured by the impact delivered and the complexity of the challenges tackled during the assignment.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Likely a modern, collaborative office environment within a large tech company, designed to foster innovation and cross-functional teamwork. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.
Office Location(s): The primary location is Stockholm, Sweden, at Drottninggatan 33. Given the global nature of the client company, there may be opportunities for interaction with international teams.
Workspace Context:
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The workspace will be collaborative, with opportunities to interact closely with Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering colleagues.
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Access to standard office technology and potentially specialized research tools will be provided.
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Expect a fast-paced environment where quick iteration and agile methodologies are the norm.
Work Schedule:
- The role is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While core hours will likely exist for team collaboration, some flexibility may be required to accommodate global team interactions or urgent research needs. The consultant nature might allow for some negotiation on specific scheduling, but overall commitment to project timelines is essential.
📝 Enhancement Note: As a hybrid role in a major tech hub like Stockholm, the work environment is expected to be dynamic and professionally stimulating. The emphasis on "fast-moving teams" and "high-stakes bets" suggests a work pace that requires efficiency and adaptability.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A recruiter from Market Partner will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and fit for a consultancy role.
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Hiring Manager/Team Interview: An interview with the hiring manager or key team members from the client's CoreX team. This will focus on research craft, methodological expertise, problem-solving skills, and experience with similar projects.
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Portfolio Review & Case Study Presentation: A dedicated session to present and discuss your user research portfolio. Expect to detail your process, methodologies, insights, and the impact of your work.
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Cross-functional Stakeholder Interview: An interview with representatives from Product, Design, or Engineering to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate into a cross-functional team.
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Final Interview/Offer: Potentially a final discussion with a senior leader or HR representative to finalize terms and discuss the consultancy agreement.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your approach, the methods used, key findings, and the impact. Use a consistent structure for all case studies.
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Highlight Strategic Impact: Focus on how your research directly influenced product strategy, design decisions, or business outcomes. Quantify impact whenever possible.
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Showcase Methodological Breadth and Depth: Demonstrate your mastery of various research methods and your ability to select the most appropriate ones for different research questions.
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Emphasize Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure research insights were understood and acted upon.
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Prepare for Ambiguity: Be ready to discuss how you approach research in ambiguous situations and how you define learning plans for complex, unstructured problems.
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Tailor to Mobile: Given the role's focus, highlight any relevant experience with mobile user research.
Challenge Preparation:
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Be prepared for scenario-based questions where you might be asked to outline a research plan for a hypothetical product problem.
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Practice articulating your thought process for breaking down complex challenges into manageable research steps.
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Rehearse presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly, anticipating questions about your decision-making process and the impact of your work.
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Research the client company and the audio streaming industry to demonstrate your understanding of their market and user base.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "hitting the ground running," "autonomy," and "senior stakeholders" suggests that the interview process will rigorously assess not just research skills but also strategic thinking, communication prowess, and the ability to quickly build credibility and deliver tangible results in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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User Research Platforms: Proficiency with tools for participant recruitment, scheduling, and potentially remote moderation (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Dovetail).
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Survey & Questionnaire Tools: Experience with platforms for creating and distributing surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms).
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Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools: Familiarity with qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail) and general productivity tools for synthesizing findings.
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Collaboration & Documentation: Strong command of tools like Jira, Confluence, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), or similar for documentation, planning, and team communication.
Analytics & Reporting:
- While not a primary data analyst role, understanding how to interpret and integrate data from analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Google Analytics) with qualitative findings is beneficial.
CRM & Automation:
- Not directly applicable to this user research role, but an understanding of how user insights feed into CRM strategies or product automation features might be a plus.
📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong toolkit for conducting and synthesizing qualitative research. While specific tools might vary, the emphasis is on the researcher's ability to effectively manage the end-to-end research process and communicate findings, rather than deep technical expertise in analytics or CRM platforms.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product decisions.
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Data-Driven Insights: Valuing evidence-based decision-making, where research findings are critical inputs.
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Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
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Impact & Ownership: Taking responsibility for delivering research that drives meaningful product and business outcomes.
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Adaptability & Agility: Embracing change and responding effectively to fast-paced environments and evolving research capabilities.
Collaboration Style:
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Highly collaborative, working in close partnership with Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering. This involves active participation in team meetings, workshops, and feedback sessions.
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Open communication and a willingness to engage in constructive debate to ensure the best user experience is achieved.
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A proactive approach to sharing insights and ensuring that research findings are understood and integrated into the product lifecycle.
📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes innovation, speed, and a strong focus on user satisfaction as key drivers of success in the competitive audio streaming market. Consultants are expected to align with these values and contribute positively to the team's collaborative dynamic.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Navigating Ambiguity: Tackling complex, ill-defined problems and structuring research plans from scratch.
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Fast-Paced Environment: Delivering high-quality research insights under tight deadlines within a dynamic team.
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Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consensus and buy-in from diverse stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.
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AI Integration: Adapting to and potentially leveraging evolving AI capabilities in user research methodologies.
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Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Maintaining effective communication and collaboration in a hybrid work setting.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Research Techniques: Gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge research methods and tools.
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Strategic Product Influence: Direct involvement in shaping the direction of a major global product.
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Stakeholder Management: Honing skills in presenting to and influencing senior leadership.
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Industry Exposure: Deep dive into the dynamics of the audio streaming and digital media industry.
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Consultancy Experience: Building a robust portfolio and professional network through a high-profile assignment.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a senior role in a fast-growing tech company. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly for a consultant seeking to expand their portfolio with high-impact work and gain experience in a leading industry player.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a time you had to define a research plan for a highly ambiguous problem. How did you approach it, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on problem framing, iterative planning, and impact).
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"How do you prioritize research requests when multiple teams have urgent needs?" (Highlight prioritization frameworks, stakeholder negotiation, and managing expectations).
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you about the audio streaming industry and this particular company?" (Research the company's mission, recent news, and user base).
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"How do you approach collaborating with Product, Design, and Engineering teams? Can you give an example of a successful cross-functional collaboration?" (Focus on communication, empathy, and shared goals).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best represent your senior-level capabilities, strategic thinking, and ability to drive outcomes, ideally including mobile experience research.
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Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative with a clear beginning (problem), middle (your process and insights), and end (impact/recommendations).
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Quantify Success: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research (e.g., "reduced usability issues by X%", "identified opportunities leading to Y% increase in feature adoption").
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Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodological choices, data analysis, and how you handled challenges or unexpected findings.
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Highlight Adaptability: Be ready to discuss how you adapt your approach based on project constraints, team dynamics, and evolving research technologies.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the consultant nature and senior level, interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can demonstrate immediate value, strategic thinking, and a proven ability to influence product development through robust research. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase these capabilities.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this operations position:
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Submit your application through the Market Partner application link provided.
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Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key user research projects that best showcase your senior-level expertise, strategic impact, and experience with mobile user research. Ensure each project clearly articulates the problem, your methodology, key insights, and quantifiable outcomes.
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Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description such as "Senior User Researcher," "generative," "evaluative," "product strategy," "UX direction," "cross-functional collaboration," and specific research methods. Emphasize achievements and quantifiable results.
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Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and engagingly, focusing on your strategic decision-making process and the impact of your research on product and business goals.
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Research the Client: Gain a deep understanding of the audio streaming industry, the client company's market position, and their likely user base. Familiarize yourself with their product and any recent company news.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding compensation, benefits, and specific project scope, should be verified directly with Market Partner before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates must be expert researchers with extensive industry experience, holding a degree or equivalent in fields like Human-Computer Interaction or Cognitive Psychology. They need to be comfortable adapting to shifting workflows, skilled across various research methods, and capable of quickly building context and trust in a fast-moving environment.