Senior User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher

Company: Market Partner (for Spotify client)

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Research / Product Research

Date Posted: April 7, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a crucial contract position providing specialized user research capacity for a leading audio streaming service client, focusing on platform-related initiatives.

• The Senior User Researcher will be instrumental in driving data-informed decision-making across critical internal platforms and tools like Backstage.

• Key responsibilities include leading end-to-end research cycles, from generative discovery to evaluative testing, to reduce decision risk in complex technical domains.

• The role requires close collaboration with Product Managers, Data Scientists, Designers, and external agencies to ensure human insights are integrated into product strategy and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a contract position through Market Partner, serving a major client in the audio streaming industry. The focus is on internal platform research, supporting teams like User Platform, User Fraud, IT, Security, and PACE. The hybrid work arrangement implies a need for both on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end research projects, encompassing both generative (discovery) and evaluative (testing) methodologies to inform product strategy and direction.

• Lead the planning, execution, and analysis of complex research studies independently, adapting to shifting business priorities and high-stakes decision-making environments.

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Platform IDR Studio, Product Managers, and other stakeholders, ensuring research findings are actionable and influential.

• Manage and coordinate with external specialist agencies for participant recruitment, ensuring research rigor, particularly for niche user groups and complex technical fields.

• Advocate for user needs and insights across cross-functional teams, educating stakeholders on the value of human-centered design and research best practices to inform critical decisions.

• Collaborate effectively within a cross-functional "triad" structure, working closely with Data Scientists and Designers to synthesize diverse data points and drive cohesive product development.

• Build deep contextual understanding of technical or specialized domains quickly to ensure research relevance and impact within the client's platform ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a need for a self-sufficient researcher capable of managing complex projects autonomously, especially given the "burst capacity" nature of the contract. The emphasis on "high-priority initiatives" and "cost of being wrong is high" indicates a need for researchers who can deliver impactful insights under pressure and in business-critical areas.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific formal education requirements are not detailed, a strong academic background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design Research, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior User Researcher.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of dedicated experience in user research, with a proven track record of leading and executing complex research projects independently.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in designing and conducting a wide range of qualitative and quantitative user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing, diary studies, card sorting, ethnographic research).

• Proven ability to lead both generative research (e.g., ethnographic studies, in-depth interviews, contextual inquiry) to uncover unmet needs and opportunities.

• Demonstrated experience with evaluative research (e.g., usability testing, A/B testing support, heuristic evaluations) to assess product performance and identify areas for improvement.

• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to define research objectives, scope, and timelines aligned with business goals.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence product direction and advocate for user needs effectively.

• Experience working within cross-functional product development teams, particularly in a "triad" model with Product Managers and Designers.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience managing and coordinating with external research agencies for participant recruitment and specialized research needs.

• Familiarity with internal platform tools and development environments, such as Backstage.

• Experience in fast-moving, business-critical environments where decision-making carries significant risk.

• Knowledge of data analysis and the ability to synthesize qualitative research findings with quantitative data for richer insights.

• Experience in the audio streaming or technology industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level of 5-10 years suggests a need for a candidate who can operate with minimal supervision and has likely encountered and solved complex research challenges in previous roles. The "fast learner" and "technical domain understanding" requirements are critical for success in this role supporting internal platform teams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of end-to-end research projects, demonstrating expertise in both generative and evaluative research.

• Case studies detailing research challenges, methodologies employed, key findings, and the tangible impact of research insights on product decisions and user experience improvements.

• Examples of how research has been used to reduce decision risk in complex or business-critical domains.

• Evidence of strategic planning and execution of research cycles, including how objectives were defined and met.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of research plans, discussion guides, and stimuli used in past projects.

• Include documentation of how research findings were synthesized and presented to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Provide evidence of how research processes were adapted to specific project needs and constraints.

• Examples of how research rigor was maintained, especially when managing external agencies or working in specialized technical fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a contract role focused on delivering "burst capacity" for high-priority initiatives, the portfolio needs to clearly and quickly demonstrate the candidate's ability to deliver impactful research outcomes efficiently. The emphasis on "reducing decision risk" and "business-critical environments" means case studies should highlight problem-solving and strategic impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position through Market Partner, the compensation will likely be structured as an hourly rate or a fixed project fee, negotiated between Market Partner and the candidate. Based on industry standards for Senior User Researchers with 5-10 years of experience in Stockholm, Sweden, a typical contract rate could range from 600 SEK to 1000 SEK per hour, depending on experience, specific skills, and the client's budget. For a full-time role (40 hours/week), this translates to an approximate monthly gross income of 96,000 SEK to 160,000 SEK.

Benefits: As a contractor through Market Partner, benefits will be provided by Market Partner. These typically include:

• Competitive contract rates.

• Potential for contract extension.

• Access to Market Partner's network and future opportunities.

• Standard contractor overhead support (e.g., invoicing, payment processing).

• Note: Specific benefits like health insurance, vacation pay, or pension contributions for contractors can vary and should be clarified with Market Partner.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically aligning with standard business hours in Stockholm, Sweden (CET). This is approximately 40 hours per week. The exact daily schedule may offer some flexibility, common in contract roles, but will require significant availability for collaboration with globally distributed teams and adherence to project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general contract researcher rates in Stockholm and typical full-time working hours. It's crucial for candidates to understand that this is a contractor role, and benefits will be managed by the agency (Market Partner), not directly by the client (Spotify).

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The client operates in the rapidly evolving digital music streaming industry, a highly competitive and technology-driven sector. This means a culture that values innovation, data-driven insights, rapid iteration, and a strong focus on user experience.

Company Size: The client is a global leader in audio streaming, implying a large, complex, and well-resourced organization with established processes and a significant user base. This size offers opportunities for impact but also requires navigating a large corporate structure.

Founded: The client was founded in 2008, positioning them as an established player that has significantly disrupted and transformed the music industry. This history suggests a culture that has evolved from a startup mentality to a mature, global enterprise.

Team Structure:

• The Platform Research team is a specialized unit focused on understanding users of internal tools and platforms, such as Backstage.

• The Senior User Researcher will work within the Platform IDR Studio, a cross-functional unit that likely includes Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Designers.

• Collaboration is expected across several "studios" within the SAFE Alliance: User Platform, User Fraud, IT, Security, and PACE (Procurement, Analytics, and Cost Engineering), indicating a broad network of stakeholders.

Methodology:

• The team emphasizes data-informed decision-making, meaning research findings are integrated with quantitative data analysis to provide comprehensive insights.

• Research methodologies will be rigorous, encompassing both generative discovery and evaluative testing to support product development across various internal domains.

• A collaborative "triad" approach (Data, Design, Product) is central to the team's operational methodology, ensuring a holistic view of product challenges.

• The role requires managing external agencies, suggesting an approach that leverages specialized expertise when needed to ensure research quality and efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.spotify.com/ (Client) ; https://marketpartner.com/ (Agency)

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of working for a major streaming service as a contractor means adapting to a large corporate environment while delivering specialized research expertise. The "SAFE Alliance" and specific studios highlight the business-critical nature of the work, particularly concerning internal platforms and operational efficiency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior User Researcher, indicating a mid-to-senior level of experience. It requires independent execution of complex research, strategic partnership, and the ability to influence decisions in high-stakes environments. The focus is on delivering immediate "burst capacity" rather than long-term career development within the client organization, though successful contractors may be considered for future engagements.

Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher will report to a lead within the Platform Research team or the Platform IDR Studio. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Designers within the "triad" structure.

Operations Impact: The core impact of this role is to significantly reduce decision risk for high-priority initiatives within the client's platform mission. By providing deep user understanding, the researcher directly influences product direction, feature development, and the overall effectiveness of internal tools and platforms, ultimately contributing to operational efficiency and developer productivity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or technical domains relevant to platform development and internal tools.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience working with a globally recognized leader in the tech and entertainment industry, enhancing professional credibility.

• Cross-functional Experience: Develop a deeper understanding of product management, data science, and design processes within a large-scale technology organization.

• Networking: Build professional connections within the client organization and with Market Partner, potentially leading to future contract opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contract role, traditional internal career progression paths are less applicable. Growth is primarily defined by the acquisition of new skills, industry experience, and the ability to secure future high-impact contract roles through Market Partner or independently.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid, meaning a blend of on-site work at the Stockholm office and remote work. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Drottninggatan 33, Stockholm, 111 51, Sweden. This central Stockholm location is likely accessible via public transportation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional "triads" suggest a workspace that facilitates regular interaction with product managers, designers, and data scientists, both in person and virtually.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to the client's internal research tools, collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Jira, Confluence), and potentially specialized software for data analysis and reporting will be provided or expected.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for informal and formal discussions with team members, project stakeholders, and potentially other researchers within the broader organization.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with potential for some flexibility. The hybrid nature requires balancing on-site presence for collaborative activities with remote work for focused research tasks. Adherence to project timelines and stakeholder availability will be key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role in Stockholm means candidates should be prepared for a mix of in-office collaboration days and remote work. The specific days and expectations for on-site presence should be clarified with Market Partner.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by Market Partner to assess your qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Typically with a representative from the client's Platform Research team or hiring manager to discuss your research approach, experience, and fit for the specific client needs. This stage will likely involve detailed discussions about your past projects.

• Case Study/Presentation: You may be asked to present a specific case study from your portfolio or work through a hypothetical research problem, demonstrating your strategic thinking, methodological expertise, and ability to communicate insights.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interview: An interview with key stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Designers) to assess your collaborative skills and ability to integrate into their existing workflows.

• Final Decision: Offer extended by Market Partner.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact: Focus on case studies that clearly demonstrate the business impact of your research, emphasizing how your insights led to tangible improvements or risk reduction.

• Showcase Methodology: Clearly articulate the research questions, methodologies chosen, and why they were appropriate for the problem at hand.

• Detail the Process: Walk through your end-to-end process, from defining research objectives and recruiting participants to analyzing data and delivering actionable recommendations.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects involving internal platforms, technical domains, or complex business environments if possible. Highlight your ability to work in "triads" and manage external agencies.

• Concise and Visual: Present your portfolio in a clear, concise, and visually appealing manner. Use visuals to illustrate findings and processes where appropriate.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research the client (Spotify) and their focus on internal platforms and tools like Backstage.

• Prepare for "Why": Be ready to explain the "why" behind your methodological choices and how you ensure user insights are integrated into decision-making.

• Practice Communication: Rehearse explaining complex research findings and their implications in a way that is accessible to non-researchers.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle common research challenges, such as limited timelines, difficult stakeholders, or recruiting niche participants.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "cost of being wrong is high" and "business-critical environments" means interviewers will be looking for a researcher who is not only skilled but also possesses strong judgment, strategic thinking, and the ability to deliver reliable insights under pressure.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Experience with various user research platforms and tools for conducting online surveys, usability testing, and remote interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools commonly used in hybrid and remote environments, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace.

• Project Management: Familiarity with project management software like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research timelines and tasks.

• Prototyping/Design Tools (Familiarity): While not a designer, understanding and interacting with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD can be beneficial for reviewing prototypes and design concepts.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Synthesis Tools: Experience in tools or methods for synthesizing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and integrating it with quantitative data.

• Presentation Software: Advanced proficiency in tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for creating compelling research reports and presentations.

• Basic Data Analysis (Optional but helpful): Familiarity with tools like Excel or Google Sheets for basic data analysis and visualization.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (Basic Understanding): While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed within a CRM context can be helpful for internal platform research.

• Integration Tools (Awareness): Awareness of how different systems might integrate, especially in a platform context, can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technologies listed are typical for user research roles, especially in large tech companies. The specific client environment might have proprietary tools, but the focus will be on the researcher's ability to adapt and leverage existing platforms effectively. Familiarity with tools like Backstage is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A core value of integrating user insights with quantitative data to inform strategic choices.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experiences in all product development efforts.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Valuing strong working relationships within cross-functional teams ("triads") and with external partners.

• Agility and Adaptability: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing priorities, and deliver quickly.

• Rigor and Quality: Maintaining high standards in research execution and analysis to ensure trustworthy insights.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A collaborative approach that bridges the gap between research, product management, design, and data science to ensure a unified understanding of user needs.

• Proactive Communication: Open and transparent communication with stakeholders, providing regular updates and proactively sharing insights.

• Feedback Exchange: An environment that encourages constructive feedback on research plans, findings, and presentations to continuously improve outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, learnings, and research findings across teams to foster collective growth and understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes efficiency, data, and collaboration, reflecting the demands of a leading tech company. As a contractor, demonstrating alignment with these values is key to successful integration and impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Stakes Environment: The "cost of being wrong is high" nature of the work requires researchers to be exceptionally thorough, strategic, and confident in their findings. Mitigation involves rigorous methodology and clear communication of uncertainty.

• Complex Technical Domains: Quickly building a deep understanding of specialized technical areas like User Platform, User Fraud, IT, and Security requires strong learning agility and effective information gathering.

• Contract Duration & Urgency: The need for "burst capacity" means projects may be time-bound and require rapid deployment and delivery of insights. Managing time effectively and prioritizing tasks are crucial.

• Navigating a Large Organization: As a contractor, integrating into a large, established client organization and understanding its processes and communication channels can be a challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunity to apply and refine advanced research techniques in a real-world, high-impact setting.

• Industry-Specific Insights: Gain deep knowledge of the audio streaming industry and the unique challenges of platform development within a global tech giant.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Observe and learn from product managers, data scientists, and designers, broadening your understanding of the product development lifecycle.

• Contracting Experience: Develop skills in managing client relationships and delivering value as an external consultant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to senior-level, high-impact contract roles in large tech organizations. Focusing on adaptability, continuous learning, and strong communication will be key to navigating these.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research in a complex technical domain. How did you quickly gain the necessary understanding?" (Focus on learning agility, stakeholder interviews, and documentation).

• "How would you approach a research project for a new internal tool aimed at improving developer productivity, where the success metrics are not yet clearly defined?" (Focus on generative research, defining KPIs, and stakeholder alignment).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Spotify's approach to internal tools and developer experience?" (Research Spotify's developer portal, engineering blogs, and any public statements on their internal tech).

• "How do you approach collaboration within a cross-functional 'triad' of Product, Design, and Data?" (Emphasize shared goals, clear communication, and mutual respect for expertise).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem/Opportunity, Research Questions, Methodology, Participants, Process, Key Findings, Recommendations, and Impact/Outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research (e.g., "reduced user errors by X%", "identified features leading to Y% adoption increase").

• Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative, highlighting the challenges faced and how you overcame them.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific methodological choices, data analysis, and how you handled unexpected findings.

• Showcase Adaptability: Highlight instances where you adapted your approach based on project constraints or evolving needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, methodological expertise, strong communication, and the ability to deliver impact in a demanding environment. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Market Partner application link provided.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your experience in user research, particularly any experience with platform research, internal tools, or complex technical domains. Use keywords from the job description such as "generative research," "evaluative research," "data-informed decision making," and "stakeholder management."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities and challenges outlined in the job description. Prioritize projects that show impact, strategic thinking, and your process for delivering insights under pressure.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your chosen portfolio case studies. Be ready to articulate your process, findings, and the impact of your work concisely and engagingly.

• Research the Client: Familiarize yourself with Spotify's products and their known focus on engineering culture and internal tooling. Understand the significance of platforms like Backstage in large tech organizations.

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