Senior User Researcher II - Connected Stores

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher II - Connected Stores

Company: Instacart

Location: United States - Remote

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: 2026-03-05

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead high-impact user research initiatives focused on modernizing in-store retailer operations and understanding international grocery shopping behaviors.

• Drive strategic product and workflow improvements for Instacart's Connected Stores vision, encompassing smart shopping carts and emerging in-store technologies.

• Translate complex qualitative and quantitative research findings into actionable business opportunities and product strategies for senior stakeholders.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including Product, Design, Engineering, Product Operations, and Customer Success, to ensure research insights inform rapid decision-making and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior User Researcher II, indicating a need for a candidate with substantial experience in leading end-to-end research projects, influencing product strategy, and managing complex stakeholder relationships. The focus on "Connected Stores" and "international research" suggests a blend of hardware/software interaction research and global market understanding.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead mixed-methods research to understand grocery journeys, in-store cart usage, and the impact of new technologies on retailer operations and associate workflows in priority international markets.

• Define and execute research plans for evaluating and supporting post-launch product iterations, utilizing a range of methodologies including usability tests, surveys, concept testing, and opportunity sizing.

• Conduct in-store research on smart cart and Connected Stores prototypes, coordinating with retailers and vendors to ensure safe, ethical, and repeatable field studies that enable rapid product iteration.

• Develop robust sampling strategies and define success metrics for research studies, ensuring participant recruitment is representative across diverse countries and languages.

• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into clear, decision-ready narratives, effectively influencing senior stakeholders across product, design, engineering, and go-to-market functions.

• Manage external research partners and vendors in Europe, establishing and upholding standards for quality, timelines, and budget while navigating cross-cultural and time zone differences.

• Scale research impact by developing playbooks, templates, and repositories, and by mentoring partners on lightweight, self-serve research methods where appropriate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strategic research leadership, hands-on execution across various methodologies, and strong vendor management capabilities, particularly within international markets. The emphasis on "translating findings into clear business opportunities" and "influencing senior stakeholders" points to a role with significant strategic impact on product direction.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of UX research role.

Experience: 6+ years of hands-on UX research experience as an individual contributor in a product development environment.

Required Skills:

• Proven mixed-methods expertise across qualitative and quantitative approaches (e.g., interviews, ethnography, diary studies, usability testing, surveys, behavioral analytics) with strong methodological rigor and sampling strategy.

• Strong judgment balancing methodological choice and time management to drive confident findings and actionable insights.

• Demonstrated experience conducting research in Europe, including leading fieldwork or managing EU-based vendors; comfortable collaborating across EU time zones.

• Track record translating research into product strategy and execution for complex, multi-stakeholder products (e.g., enterprise, platform, or marketplace environments).

• Ability to independently scope, execute, and analyze studies end-to-end using industry-standard tools (e.g., survey programming and remote testing platforms; proficiency with spreadsheets and analytics dashboards; familiarity with SQL or similar is a plus).

• Exceptional storytelling and stakeholder management skills; experience presenting to senior cross-functional audiences and driving alignment on decisions.

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% for fieldwork, including in-store research.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with enterprise/B2B software, retailer tools, or ads/marketing platforms.

• History of partnering with data science, market research, and voice-of-customer teams to build integrated, triangulated insights.

• Background researching connected retail, in-store hardware, or IoT devices; familiarity with safety, privacy, and operational considerations in physical environments.

• Familiarity with EU privacy and research regulations.

• Experience scoping and managing multi-country vendor engagements, including budget and quality oversight.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of deep research methodology expertise, practical experience in international markets (specifically Europe), and strong communication/influence skills. The preference for B2B, hardware, or IoT experience aligns with the "Connected Stores" focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate end-to-end ownership of research projects, from defining research questions to delivering actionable insights that influenced product strategy and execution.

• Showcase examples of mixed-methods research, clearly articulating the rationale for choosing specific qualitative and quantitative approaches for different research objectives.

• Include case studies detailing how research findings were translated into tangible product improvements or business opportunities for complex, multi-stakeholder products.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating robust research plans, including clear objectives, methodologies, sampling strategies, and success metrics.

• Examples of synthesizing both qualitative and quantitative data into compelling, decision-ready narratives for diverse audiences.

• Demonstrate experience in managing research timelines, budgets, and external partners or vendors, with a focus on quality and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare a portfolio that clearly articulates their research process, methodology, and impact. Specific emphasis should be placed on how research drives product strategy and execution, particularly in complex or international contexts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• CA, NY, CT, NJ: $198,000 - $209,000 USD per year

• WA: $190,000 - $200,500 USD per year

• OR, DE, ME, MA, MD, NH, RI, VT, DC, PA, VA, CO, TX, IL, HI: $182,000 - $192,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Highly market-competitive compensation packages.

• Eligibility for new hire equity grants and annual refresh grants.

• Comprehensive benefits offerings (details available on Instacart's careers page).

• Flexible work arrangements ("Flex First" policy) allowing employees to choose their work location.

• Opportunities for in-person community building through regular events.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility in work location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are specific to the candidate's permanent work location within the US. The compensation structure includes base pay, equity grants, and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting a senior-level role at a publicly traded company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Online Grocery Delivery, E-commerce, Technology, Retail Technology. Instacart operates within a dynamic and rapidly evolving market, transforming how consumers access groceries and how retailers manage their operations.

Company Size: Large (Instacart is a significant player in the grocery tech space, indicating a substantial number of employees, likely in the thousands). This size suggests structured processes but also opportunities for impact within specialized teams.

Founded: 2012. Founded in 2012, Instacart has a history of innovation and growth, evolving from a simple delivery service to a comprehensive platform for grocery commerce.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team is part of the broader Product and Technology organization, likely comprising multiple researchers specializing in different product areas or customer segments.

• Researchers report into a Research Lead or Director, with direct collaboration lines to Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and other insights functions (Data Science, Market Research, Voice of Customer).

Methodology:

• Instacart emphasizes data-driven decision-making, integrating qualitative insights with quantitative signals (behavioral analytics, market data).

• The company's "Flex First" approach suggests a culture that values autonomy and flexibility while fostering connection through intentional in-person events.

• A focus on rapid iteration and translating research into execution indicates a fast-paced, agile environment.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Instacart's culture is characterized by innovation, a focus on customer and shopper needs, and a flexible work environment. The company's growth and market position suggest a professional and results-oriented atmosphere.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior User Researcher II signifies an advanced individual contributor role. This level typically involves leading complex research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and significantly influencing product strategy. The scope includes high-impact projects like Connected Stores and international expansion.

Reporting Structure: This role will report to a UX Research Lead or Director. They will work closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, acting as a key insights partner within product development teams. Collaboration extends to Product Operations, Customer Success, Data Science, and Market Research.

Operations Impact: The insights generated by this role directly inform the development of new product features, especially within the Connected Stores initiative and international market strategies. This impact shapes the user experience for millions of customers and shoppers, optimizing retailer operations and driving Instacart's competitive advantage in the evolving grocery landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in connected retail technologies, in-store hardware, or international market research.

• Leadership: Progress to a Lead Researcher role, managing a small team or a specific product domain, or transition into a Product Management or Strategy role leveraging research expertise.

• Skill Development: Gain experience in managing multi-country vendor engagements, advanced data synthesis techniques, and influencing executive-level stakeholders. Opportunities for professional development through conferences, training, and internal knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a critical role for career advancement within UX Research, offering opportunities to lead significant projects and influence company strategy. The blend of hardware and international research provides unique growth avenues.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Instacart operates under a "Flex First" model, meaning the primary work environment is remote. While there may be offices, the expectation is that employees have the flexibility to work from home or other suitable locations. The company also facilitates community building through regular in-person events.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote within the United States, Instacart has offices in various locations. The specific office presence is less critical for a remote role, but the company's commitment to providing a connected experience suggests resources are available for remote employees.

Workspace Context:

• Remote work environment requiring self-discipline and strong communication skills.

• Access to standard collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace) for seamless remote interaction.

• Opportunities to engage with colleagues during virtual meetings and company-organized in-person events to foster team cohesion and collaboration.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility in how and where work is performed, aligning with the "Flex First" policy. This allows for better integration of work and personal life, crucial for continuous research efforts and data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Flex First" policy is a key aspect of the work environment, emphasizing autonomy and flexibility. Candidates should be comfortable working independently and adept at virtual collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: A recruiter will review your application and may conduct a brief screening call to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to discuss your experience, research philosophy, and fit for the role and team.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A session where you present your research portfolio, showcasing key projects and methodologies. This will likely involve deep dives into your research process, decision-making, and impact.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key partners such as Product Managers, Designers, or Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to translate research into product decisions.

• Final Round/Executive Interview: Potentially an interview with a senior leader to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall company alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 impactful projects that best demonstrate your mixed-methods expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to drive product outcomes.

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and methodology, key findings, the insights derived, and the impact on the product or business. Use visuals to illustrate your process and results.

• Highlight International/Hardware Experience: If applicable, emphasize projects involving international research, working with vendors, or researching hardware/in-store technologies.

• Showcase Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you collaborated with cross-functional teams and managed stakeholder expectations.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research recommendations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a hypothetical research challenge or a deep dive into a past project that tests your problem-solving skills, methodological rigor, and ability to think on your feet.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach research in complex, ambiguous, or fast-paced environments, particularly concerning the Connected Stores initiative or international markets.

• Practice articulating your research strategy and findings concisely and persuasively for varied audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only research skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to drive impact in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. A well-prepared portfolio is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Survey Programming & Remote Testing Platforms: Proficiency with tools like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, UserTesting.com, Lookback, or similar platforms for designing, distributing, and analyzing surveys and remote usability tests.

• Spreadsheets & Analytics Dashboards: Strong skills in data manipulation and analysis using tools like Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker, Data Studio) for synthesizing quantitative data.

• Collaboration Tools: Expertise in using platforms like Slack, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Jira, Confluence for day-to-day communication, documentation, and project management.

• SQL (Familiarity): While not explicitly required, familiarity with SQL or similar database query languages is a plus for direct data exploration and behavioral analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with Instacart's internal analytics platforms (likely custom-built or leveraging standard BI tools) for understanding user behavior and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user research integrates with customer data and operational workflows is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong command of standard UX research tools and analytical software. The ability to work with data and potentially query databases is a valuable asset, indicating a leaning towards mixed-methods research where quantitative data is heavily leveraged.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the needs of customers, shoppers, and retailers to drive product improvements.

• Bias for Action & Speed: A culture that encourages rapid experimentation, iteration, and decision-making informed by research, even in ambiguous situations.

• Data-Driven: Valuing both qualitative and quantitative data to inform strategy and measure impact, ensuring research is grounded in evidence.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (Product, Design, Engineering, GTM) to ensure research insights are integrated into product development and business strategy.

• Flexibility & Adaptability: Embracing a "Flex First" approach and adapting to evolving market needs and research challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative and cross-functional, working closely with Product Managers and Designers to define research questions and integrate findings into roadmaps.

• Partnership with Data Science, Market Research, and Voice of Customer teams to build a holistic understanding of user needs and market dynamics.

• Effective communication and influence with senior stakeholders to align on research priorities and drive strategic decisions.

• A team culture that values sharing knowledge, best practices, and fostering a supportive research community.

📝 Enhancement Note: Instacart's culture values impact, speed, and collaboration. Researchers are expected to be proactive, data-informed, and adept at influencing across the organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in fast-paced, evolving areas like Connected Stores and international markets often involves high levels of ambiguity, requiring researchers to define research questions and methodologies independently.

• Balancing Methodologies: Effectively integrating qualitative and quantitative methods to provide comprehensive insights, especially when dealing with both software and hardware components.

• Cross-Cultural Research: Conducting research across different countries and cultures, understanding nuances in behavior, privacy regulations, and operational differences.

• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in and alignment from various teams (Product, Engineering, Retail Partners, GTM) on research findings and recommendations.

• Fieldwork Logistics: Managing complex in-store research, coordinating with retailers, and ensuring safety and ethical considerations, especially in international settings.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Expertise: Deepen knowledge in areas like retail technology, IoT, hardware research, or international market dynamics.

• Strategic Influence: Develop skills in shaping product strategy and influencing executive-level decision-making.

• Vendor Management: Gain experience in managing international research vendors, including budget oversight, quality control, and cross-cultural communication.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior researchers and contribute to building research best practices within Instacart.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend relevant industry conferences or participate in advanced training programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex, high-impact challenges in a dynamic industry. The international and hardware research components provide unique skill-building avenues.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex product or workflow you've researched. What was your approach, and what were the key challenges in translating your findings into actionable product strategy?" (Focus on mixed-methods, stakeholder management, and impact).

• "How would you approach understanding the user journey for a smart shopping cart in a European market, considering cultural differences and privacy regulations?" (Prepare to discuss methodologies, sampling, and cross-cultural considerations).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Instacart's mission and the Connected Stores initiative?" (Research Instacart's vision, the grocery industry's future, and the role of technology in stores).

• "How do you see your research contributing to Instacart's 'Flex First' culture?" (Discuss how you maintain productivity and collaboration in a remote, flexible environment).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your research contribution, the user insights, and the tangible outcomes (e.g., product changes, increased efficiency, improved customer satisfaction).

• Showcase Methodology: Be prepared to defend your methodological choices and discuss trade-offs made due to time, resources, or project constraints.

• Data Synthesis: Demonstrate how you integrated qualitative and quantitative data to build a compelling narrative and drive confident recommendations.

• Collaboration Narrative: Explain how you partnered with product, design, and engineering teams throughout the research process and how you ensured insights were understood and acted upon.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their research process in detail, emphasizing strategic thinking, methodological rigor, cross-functional collaboration, and measurable impact, particularly in the context of international markets and emerging technologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher II position:

• Submit your application through the Instacart careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience with mixed-methods research, international studies (especially in Europe), and any experience with hardware, in-store technologies, or B2B/enterprise products. Prepare 3-4 detailed case studies showcasing your end-to-end research process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 6+ years of relevant UX research experience, explicitly mentioning key skills like mixed-methods, usability testing, surveys, stakeholder management, and international fieldwork. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, strategic thinking, and collaboration style. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method for behavioral questions, and develop compelling narratives for your portfolio presentations. Research Instacart's mission, values, and the Connected Stores initiative.

• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of Instacart's business model, its position in the grocery and retail tech market, and its "Flex First" work policy. Familiarize yourself with the challenges and opportunities in the grocery industry and how technology is transforming the in-store experience.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions tailored for operations professionals. All details, especially regarding specific processes, tools, and team dynamics, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the interview process.