Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher Company: 9D Technologies & Imagination AI Location: Pakistan (On-site) Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Operations Date Posted: 2025-11-03 Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Mid to Senior Level) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the establishment and evolution of UX research practices within a dynamic technology and AI-driven company.
• Drive a user-centric and insight-driven culture by translating complex data into compelling narratives that inform product strategy and development.
• Lead end-to-end research initiatives, from scoping and execution to synthesis and actionable recommendation delivery across the entire product lifecycle.
• Empower and upskill cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, in adopting robust research methodologies and product discovery techniques.
• Foster a collaborative environment where user empathy and continuous learning are paramount, directly influencing product direction and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Senior UX Researcher," its emphasis on establishing practices, upskilling teams, and influencing strategy positions it at a critical juncture for someone looking to build out a research function. This role is less about individual contribution in a mature team and more about foundational development, making it ideal for a seasoned researcher eager to shape processes and culture. The "Product Operations" aspect is inferred from the responsibility of establishing scalable processes, tools, and frameworks that directly support product development efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design, execution, and synthesis of mixed-methods UX research studies, including but not limited to usability testing, in-depth interviews, surveys, diary studies, and concept testing, across the full product lifecycle from ideation to iteration.
• Develop and document comprehensive UX research standards, frameworks, scalable processes, and best-practice playbooks to ensure consistency and quality in research output.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement research platforms and systems that enhance efficiency, collaboration, and the overall research practice maturity within the organization.
• Coach, mentor, and train designers, product managers, and other cross-functional stakeholders on effective research methods, user-centered design principles, and product discovery approaches.
• Partner closely with Product, Design, and Engineering leadership to translate business objectives and product goals into prioritized research roadmaps, ensuring alignment and strategic impact.
• Present research findings and insights articulately and persuasively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, converting data into compelling stories that drive product strategy and decision-making.
• Champion a user-centric mindset throughout the organization by advocating for customer empathy, facilitating knowledge sharing, and establishing robust feedback loops to continuously improve product development processes.
• Drive collaboration and alignment across product squads and cross-functional teams, fostering a shared understanding of user needs and research outcomes to enhance research quality and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on research and strategic enablement, typical of a senior role tasked with building out a function. The emphasis on "scalable research processes, templates, and playbooks" and "evaluating and recommending research platforms & systems" strongly suggests a Product Operations component, focusing on the operational efficiency and infrastructure of research.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3+ years of hands-on UX research experience in a fast-paced product development environment, ideally within mobile applications or gaming.
• Demonstrated success in independently planning, executing, and synthesizing mixed-methods research studies.
• Proven ability to translate complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations that influence product strategy and design decisions.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Methodologies: Deep expertise in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), user interviews, surveys, contextual inquiries, diary studies, persona development, and journey mapping.
• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Strong analytical skills to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data, identify patterns, extract meaningful insights, and translate them into compelling narratives.
• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to present research findings effectively to diverse audiences, including executive stakeholders, and influence product direction.
• Agile & Product Development: Experience working within agile development teams (squads/tribes) and understanding of product discovery and development lifecycles.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build strong relationships with Product, Design, Engineering, and Marketing teams, understand their needs, and effectively collaborate to drive user-centered outcomes.
• Coaching & Mentorship: Demonstrated passion and ability to coach and upskill team members in research practices and product discovery techniques.
• Research Operations: Experience in establishing research processes, standards, and frameworks to scale research efforts effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-powered tools for research analysis or participant recruitment.
• Familiarity with mobile application and/or game development UX challenges.
• Experience in a startup environment or building a research function from the ground up.
• Proficiency in a variety of research recruitment and management platforms.
• Knowledge of design thinking principles and their application within product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3+ years" requirement, coupled with the responsibility of establishing practices and upskilling teams, indicates a role that requires a solid foundation in research craft but also strategic thinking and leadership potential. The "5-10 years" AI-derived experience level reflects this expectation of maturity and ability to operate independently and strategically.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A curated selection of 3-5 detailed case studies showcasing end-to-end UX research projects. Each case study should clearly articulate:
  • The business/product problem or opportunity.
  • The research objectives and methodologies employed.
  • The research process, including participant recruitment and data collection.
  • Key insights derived from the research.
  • Actionable recommendations and their impact on product decisions or business outcomes.
  • Your specific role and contributions to the project.
• Process Documentation Examples: Evidence of creating or contributing to research process documentation, such as research plan templates, usability testing protocols, or synthesis frameworks.
• Impact Metrics: Demonstration of how your research has influenced product direction, user experience improvements, or business metrics (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion times, improved user satisfaction scores).

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to have experience in defining and implementing structured research processes. This includes:
  • Designing clear research plans that align with product goals.
  • Developing standardized protocols for various research methods.
  • Establishing efficient workflows for participant recruitment and scheduling.
  • Creating consistent methods for data synthesis and insight generation.
  • Implementing feedback loops to ensure research learnings are actionable and integrated into product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on establishing research practices, the portfolio should not only showcase individual research projects but also demonstrate the candidate's ability to think about research as a scalable, repeatable process. This includes showing examples of documentation and clear articulation of how research drives measurable impact, aligning with Product Operations principles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Researchers in Pakistan with 5-10 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between PKR 2,000,000 to PKR 4,500,000 per annum. This range can vary based on specific experience, skill set, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive Pay: Salary commensurate with skills and experience.
• Family Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees and their families.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous allocation of paid leave to ensure work-life balance and employee well-being.
• Work-Life Balance: A supportive work environment that promotes healthy boundaries and flexibility.
• On-site Meals: Delicious and nutritious meals provided to employees, enhancing convenience and fostering a positive workplace.
• On-site Fitness Facilities: Access to convenient fitness amenities to support employee health and wellness.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are estimated at 40 hours per week, aligning with typical full-time employment in Pakistan. Flexibility may be offered, but adherence to core business hours for collaboration is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on research of Senior UX Researcher roles in Pakistan, considering the AI-derived experience level of 5-10 years. This range reflects both skilled individual contributors and those with potential for leadership in building out a function. The AI-identified benefits are listed directly from the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Mobile Applications, Game Publishing, Artificial Intelligence (AI). 9D Technologies & Imagination AI operates at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, creative content, and user engagement, aiming to deliver exceptional digital experiences. The company's focus on AI suggests a forward-thinking approach to innovation and product development. Company Size: The company is likely of a medium to large size, indicated by the need for a Senior UX Researcher to establish practices and upskill teams, implying a structured organizational approach and a significant product portfolio. Founded: While the founding date is not provided, the company's emphasis on "pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology" and utilizing AI suggests a relatively modern and growth-oriented organization, likely founded within the last decade to be at the forefront of AI integration.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role will likely report into Product or Design leadership, with a dotted line to cross-functional teams. The Senior UX Researcher will be instrumental in shaping the "UX Research Practice" which will operate as a shared service or embedded function within product squads.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, Engineers, and potentially Marketing teams, requiring strong communication and partnership skills.
• Reporting Hierarchy: The role is a Senior individual contributor position, likely reporting to a Head of Product, Director of Design, or a similar leadership role that oversees product strategy and user experience.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A core tenet will be embedding data and user insights into every stage of the product lifecycle.
• Agile & Iterative Development: The company operates within fast-paced, agile environments, requiring research to be integrated efficiently and iteratively.
• User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations to inform product design and strategy.
• AI Integration: Leveraging AI to enhance product experiences and potentially improve research efficiency.

Company Website: https://jobs.workable.com/company/552wBaXNpcT5sxRdJjAKWk/jobs-at-9d-technologies-%26-imagination-ai

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the job description's mention of mobile applications, game publishing, and AI. The size and founding date are inferred based on the scope of the Senior UX Researcher role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is classified as a Senior Individual Contributor, focused on establishing and scaling UX research operations. It requires a deep understanding of research methodologies, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence product direction and team capabilities. The role is positioned for someone who can operate independently and lead the development of research practices.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a Director of Product, Head of Design, or a similar senior leadership role. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, and Engineering leads within various product squads. The role is pivotal in bridging user insights with product strategy.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role will be in ensuring that product development is deeply informed by user needs and behaviors. This translates to:

• Improved Product-Market Fit: By understanding user needs, products are more likely to resonate with the target audience.
• Enhanced User Experience: Research directly leads to more intuitive, engaging, and satisfying user experiences in mobile apps and games.
• Reduced Development Risk: Validating concepts and designs early through research minimizes costly post-launch fixes and pivots.
• Data-Driven Culture: Establishing research practices fosters a culture of evidence-based decision-making across product teams.
• Increased User Engagement & Retention: By creating user-loved experiences, the company can drive higher engagement and long-term customer loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Founding Researcher Role: Opportunity to build the UX Research function from the ground up, defining its strategy, processes, and impact.
• Leadership Potential: Potential to grow into a Research Lead or Manager role as the team expands, overseeing other researchers and shaping the overall research vision.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or areas like AI-driven research, game UX, or mobile app UX.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop strong influencing and strategic partnership skills by working closely with senior leadership across Product, Design, and Engineering.
• Impact Visibility: Directly contribute to the success of innovative mobile applications and games, with visible impact on user engagement and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis is based on the "founding UX Researcher" aspect highlighted in the job description and the typical career progression for senior roles tasked with building out a function. The "Operations Impact" section details how UX Research contributes to broader business and product operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "TELECOMMUTE" but with a primary location in Pakistan, and the benefits include "on-site fitness facilities" and "delicious meals provided," strongly indicating that the "TELECOMMUTE" designation might be for broader talent acquisition while the expectation is for employees to work from a physical office location in Pakistan. This suggests a hybrid or primarily on-site work model.

Office Location(s): Pakistan. While specific city details are not provided, the presence of on-site benefits suggests a central office location where employees are expected to work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, with spaces for team meetings, workshops, and informal interactions, crucial for a role that involves upskilling and cross-functional partnership.
• Technology-Rich: Access to modern research tools, software, and hardware necessary for conducting effective UX research.
• Team Integration: Opportunities for direct interaction and knowledge sharing with design, product, and engineering teams, facilitating a cohesive product development process.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles. The company emphasizes "Work-Life Balance and a supportive environment," suggesting a commitment to reasonable working hours and employee well-being, though the demands of a fast-paced environment and building out a function may require occasional flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "TELECOMMUTE" status combined with on-site benefits creates a slight ambiguity. However, the presence of on-site amenities strongly implies an on-site or hybrid model where office presence is expected for daily collaboration and access to facilities. This is a common practice for companies that may offer remote flexibility but prioritize in-office synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's requirements and experience.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your UX research experience, methodologies, and approach to establishing research practices. Expect questions about your past projects and how you've handled similar challenges.
• Skills Assessment/Take-Home Challenge: This may involve a practical exercise to evaluate your research planning, synthesis, or presentation skills, possibly related to a hypothetical product scenario.
• Cross-functional Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to influence.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit, cultural alignment, and long-term vision for UX research within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best demonstrate your ability to lead end-to-end research, apply mixed methods, and drive tangible impact. Prioritize projects that align with mobile applications, gaming, or AI.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the insights, and the resulting actions and impact. Use visuals where appropriate to illustrate findings and processes.
• Highlight Process Innovation: Since you'll be building practices, showcase instances where you've defined, improved, or scaled research processes.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the business value of your research.
• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to talk through your portfolio in detail, explaining your rationale, challenges, and learnings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Company: Research 9D Technologies & Imagination AI's products, mission, and target audience. Consider the unique UX challenges in mobile gaming and AI-driven applications.
• Practice Methodology: Be ready to discuss your preferred research methodologies and why you choose them for specific problems.
• Articulate Strategy: Prepare to discuss how you would approach building a research practice from the ground up, including stakeholder buy-in, process definition, and team enablement.
• Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle common research challenges, such as tight deadlines, limited participant pools, or conflicting stakeholder opinions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are tailored for a Senior UX Researcher role focused on building out research operations, emphasizing strategic influence and process establishment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Experience with platforms for usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze), survey creation (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms), and participant recruitment (e.g., User Interviews, Respondent.io).
• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools like Figma, Miro, or Mural for collaborative research planning, synthesis, and workshop facilitation.
• Data Analysis Software: Familiarity with qualitative data analysis tools (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and quantitative analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).
• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research projects and timelines within agile workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Firebase for understanding user behavior post-launch and informing research questions.
• Business Intelligence Tools: Experience with dashboarding tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for visualizing research impact and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a primary focus, an understanding of how user data is managed within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can be beneficial for context.
• Automation Tools: Awareness of how automation can streamline research workflows, such as automated survey distribution or data processing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the typical tools and technologies a Senior UX Researcher would use, with an emphasis on those supporting research operations and data analysis, relevant for a role focused on building practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product decisions. Expect a culture that values empathy and user feedback.
• Data-Driven Insights: Decisions are informed by research and data, moving beyond intuition to evidence-based strategies.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and teamwork across departments are encouraged, with research findings shared broadly.
• Continuous Learning & Improvement: A culture that embraces experimentation, learning from both successes and failures, and actively seeks to improve processes and products.
• Innovation & Creativity: Encouragement to explore new ideas, push technological boundaries (especially with AI), and deliver engaging user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Working closely with Product, Design, and Engineering to integrate research seamlessly into the development lifecycle. This involves co-creation and shared ownership.
• Facilitative & Empowering: The Senior UX Researcher will act as a facilitator, guiding teams through research processes and empowering them with the skills and insights to make user-informed decisions.
• Feedback-Rich: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized for continuous improvement of both products and processes.
• Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing updates, insights, and recommendations to ensure alignment and timely decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are inferred from the job description's emphasis on user-centricity, AI integration, upskilling teams, and fostering a research-driven culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: Establishing robust UX research practices, processes, and a research culture within an organization that may be new to formal UX research.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Gaining buy-in and ensuring consistent application of research insights across diverse teams with potentially differing priorities.
• Scaling Research: Developing methods to scale research efforts effectively as the company and product portfolio grow, without compromising quality.
• Integrating AI: Exploring and implementing AI tools and techniques to enhance research efficiency and effectiveness in a rapidly evolving field.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting research timelines and methods to meet the demands of a dynamic product development cycle.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Foundational Role: The primary opportunity is to define and build a critical function within the company, gaining significant strategic and operational experience.
• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in emerging research methods, AI applications in UX, and cross-functional leadership.
• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of UX research, mobile gaming, and AI technologies through practical application and continuous learning.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Develop leadership and mentorship skills by guiding and upskilling colleagues.
• Career Progression: Potential to grow into a leadership role managing a UX research team and defining the company's user experience strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are derived from the "founding UX Researcher" aspect and the nature of working in a tech company focused on AI and mobile applications.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach establishing a UX research practice from the ground up in a company that is new to formal UX research?" (Focus on stakeholder buy-in, process definition, tool selection, and initial team enablement.)
• "Describe a time you had to influence product direction with research insights. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method answer showcasing your data-to-storytelling and influencing skills.)
• "How do you prioritize research requests when multiple teams have urgent needs?" (Demonstrate an understanding of strategic alignment, roadmapping, and managing stakeholder expectations.)
• "What are your thoughts on integrating AI into UX research workflows? Can you provide examples?" (Showcase awareness of current trends and practical applications.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with mobile applications and AI technologies?" (Connect your passion for UX to the company's domain.)
• "How would you foster a user-centric culture within a product team?" (Discuss methods for promoting empathy, sharing insights, and embedding user feedback.)
• "How do you collaborate with Product Managers and Designers to ensure research findings are actionable and implemented?" (Highlight your partnership approach and communication strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your research process, key insights, recommendations, and impact. Use a consistent structure for all examples.
• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your research directly influenced product decisions, improved user experience, or contributed to business goals. Quantify results whenever possible.
• Showcase Process: Be prepared to discuss your research planning, participant recruitment, data synthesis, and reporting processes. Highlight any instances where you've developed or improved these processes.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Be ready to defend your decisions.
• Tailor to the Role: Frame your experience and portfolio in the context of building a research function and upskilling teams, as this is a key aspect of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview preparation points are designed to help candidates anticipate questions and prepare their responses by focusing on the strategic and operational aspects of the Senior UX Researcher role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit Your Application: Utilize the provided application link on Workable.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a compelling UX Research portfolio that highlights 3-5 end-to-end case studies. Focus on demonstrating your ability to conduct mixed-methods research, synthesize insights, and drive product impact. Ensure it showcases your process development and storytelling capabilities.
• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to emphasize your experience in leading research initiatives, establishing research practices, coaching teams, and working within agile environments. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX Research," "mixed-methods," "product discovery," "stakeholder management," and "coaching."
• Prepare for Case Studies: Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and potentially tackle a practical challenge or scenario during the interview process, focusing on how you would approach research in a fast-paced, AI-driven environment.
• Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with 9D Technologies & Imagination AI's products, mission, and values. Understand the competitive landscape for mobile applications and AI, and consider how UX research can contribute to their specific goals.

⚠️ 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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