Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: eBay

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Design Operations

Date Posted: February 14, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end mixed methods user research initiatives to inform product improvements and shape exceptional customer experiences within eBay's Design Organization.

• Drive UX strategy by collaborating closely with Design, Product, Business, Marketing, and Engineering teams to translate human-centered insights into actionable product decisions.

• Utilize compelling storytelling to effectively communicate research findings and recommendations, ensuring alignment and facilitating adoption across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement and growth of eBay's User Experience Research practice by sharing knowledge and advocating for user-centric methodologies.

• Navigate complex and fast-changing environments by effectively managing and prioritizing research planning to deliver timely and impactful insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a large, established e-commerce organization, indicating a need for strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence strategic decisions within a complex matrixed environment. The emphasis on "Design Organization" suggests a close partnership with product design, implying a need for researchers who can deeply integrate with design processes and thinking.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive research plans utilizing a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies (e.g., user interviews, surveys, usability testing, diary studies, competitive analysis) throughout the entire product development lifecycle.

• Translate research findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights and recommendations, presented through compelling narratives and visualizations to drive product and business strategy.

• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Marketing, to identify research questions, define project scope, and ensure research directly addresses business objectives and user needs.

• Proactively identify opportunities for research to uncover unmet user needs, validate product concepts, and optimize existing user journeys, influencing roadmaps and feature prioritization.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of research best practices, tools, and standards within the eBay UX Research team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Advocate for the user by championing a deep understanding of customer behaviors, motivations, and pain points across the organization.

• Manage multiple research projects concurrently, balancing competing priorities and adapting research approaches to meet project timelines and evolving business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Monitor the impact of insights generated and actively contribute to the always-growing UX Research practice" implies a proactive role in not only conducting research but also in shaping the function itself. This suggests a need for candidates who can contribute to process improvements, mentor junior researchers (if applicable), and champion the value of research within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of practical experience conducting applied user research throughout the product development lifecycle, from conceptualization to launch.

• Demonstrated ability to deploy a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods effectively.

• Experience working within large organizations and collaborating across diverse cross-functional teams.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End Research Leadership: Proven ability to lead mixed-methods research projects from inception to completion, translating complex problems into research plans and actionable insights.

• Mixed-Methods Expertise: Proficiency in designing and executing both qualitative (e.g., interviews, ethnography, usability testing) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, analytics, A/B testing analysis) research.

• Storytelling & Communication: Exceptional ability to craft compelling narratives and present research findings in an engaging, persuasive manner to diverse audiences, influencing design and product decisions.

• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to connect research insights to business objectives, identify strategic opportunities, and advise on product direction and UX strategy.

• Problem Solving in Ambiguity: Ability to assess and navigate complex, ambiguous situations, working collaboratively to ensure research insights are clear, actionable, and adopted.

• UX Research Tools Proficiency: Expert use of industry-standard UX research tools for data collection, analysis, and synthesis.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with e-commerce platforms and understanding of online marketplaces.

• Familiarity with A/B testing and experimental design for product optimization.

• Experience in mentoring or guiding junior researchers.

• Global research experience, understanding of cross-cultural research nuances.

• Proficiency in data analysis software and statistical packages.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a postgraduate degree in a human behavior-related field, coupled with 5+ years of experience, indicates a need for a researcher with a strong theoretical foundation and practical application experience. The emphasis on "expert use of UX research tools" suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency with specific tools relevant to mixed-methods research.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Impact: Showcase 3-5 robust case studies demonstrating end-to-end research projects. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your research approach, key findings, and the tangible impact of your insights on product improvements, customer experience, or business outcomes.

• Methodological Diversity: Highlight examples of how you've successfully applied a range of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) to address different research questions and project goals.

• Problem Framing & Synthesis: Demonstrate your ability to frame complex problems, synthesize data from multiple sources, and derive clear, actionable insights.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Include examples of how you've collaborated effectively with design, product, engineering, and marketing teams, and how your research influenced their work.

• Storytelling & Communication: Showcase how you've communicated research findings through various formats (e.g., presentations, reports, workshops) to drive understanding and action.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning: Provide examples of detailed research plans, including objectives, methodologies, participant recruitment strategies, and timelines.

• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Illustrate your approach to synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data, identifying patterns, and drawing meaningful conclusions.

• Insight Communication: Demonstrate how you translate raw data into compelling narratives and actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the Senior level and the emphasis on influencing strategy, the portfolio should not just showcase completed projects but also demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities in ambiguous situations, and the ability to drive impact. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the specific challenges faced in their projects and how they overcame them.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: C$133,200 - C$177,800 annually.

Benefits:

• Target Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus.

• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): Equity participation in eBay's growth.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Including medical benefits, potentially vision and dental.

• Financial Support: Including RRSP eligibility and other financial planning benefits.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Parental Leave: Support for new parents.

• Employee Assistance Programs: For personal and professional well-being.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours. The hybrid model requires 2 days per week in the Toronto office, offering flexibility for the remaining workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for the base pay. The total compensation package, including target bonus and RSUs, will be significantly higher. The mention of RRSP eligibility indicates a Canadian-specific retirement savings plan. The hybrid requirement of 2 days in the office suggests a structured approach to in-person collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce and Online Marketplaces. eBay operates as a global leader, connecting millions of buyers and sellers across diverse categories. The industry is characterized by rapid technological advancement, intense competition, and a constant need for innovation to enhance user experience and trust.

Company Size: eBay is a large, publicly traded corporation with a global presence, employing thousands of individuals across various functions and geographies. This scale implies established processes, significant resources, and opportunities for impact across a broad user base.

Founded: 1995. With a long history, eBay has evolved significantly, demonstrating adaptability and a sustained commitment to its platform and users. This longevity suggests a stable yet dynamic environment where strategic decisions are paramount.

Team Structure:

• UX Research Team: Embedded within eBay's Design organization, this team comprises researchers who are critical to discovering, interpreting, and communicating user insights.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The Senior UX Researcher will work closely with Product Designers, Product Managers, Business Analysts, Marketing teams, and Engineering leads, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills.

• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, a Senior UX Researcher typically reports to a UX Research Manager or Director, or potentially a Head of Design/Product, within a hierarchical structure common in large tech companies.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design: The core philosophy emphasizes putting customers at the center of all product development and strategic decisions.

• Data-Driven Insights: Research findings are expected to be robust, evidence-based, and directly inform product strategy and improvements.

• Iterative Development: Research is integrated throughout the product lifecycle, supporting continuous improvement and agile methodologies.

• Storytelling & Influence: A key aspect of the methodology involves translating complex data into compelling narratives that drive understanding and action among stakeholders.

Company Website: https://jobs.ebayinc.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: eBay's emphasis on "human-centered insights and a deep understanding of people and cultures" highlights the strategic importance of UX research. The company's long history in e-commerce suggests a mature product development process where research plays a vital role in navigating market shifts and evolving customer expectations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Researcher. This level signifies a significant degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. The role requires leading complex research initiatives, influencing strategy, and contributing to the broader UX research practice. It's a position that expects leadership in research execution and strategic insight generation.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Research Lead or Manager within the Design organization. They will work closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineering teams, forming project-based cross-functional partnerships.

Operations Impact: The insights generated by this role are critical for shaping product direction, enhancing customer experiences, and ultimately driving customer acquisition, retention, and revenue growth for eBay. By ensuring products are user-centric and address customer needs effectively, the researcher directly contributes to eBay's business success and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Research: Opportunity to lead larger, more complex research programs, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to shaping the UX research strategy for specific product areas or the entire organization.

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in specific research areas (e.g., generative research, quantitative analysis, international research) or product domains (e.g., seller tools, buyer experience, payments).

• Advancement to Principal/Staff Researcher: Progression to more senior individual contributor roles focused on driving high-impact, strategic research initiatives and setting research direction.

• Management Track: Potential to move into management roles, leading a team of UX researchers.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to leverage UX research expertise in related fields like Product Management or Strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "always-growing UX Research practice" suggests that individuals who are proactive in advocating for research, developing new methods, and contributing to team maturity will find significant growth potential. The hybrid nature of the role also offers a blended approach to collaboration and work-life balance, which can be a factor in long-term career satisfaction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring 2 days per week in the eBay Toronto office. This suggests a professional office environment designed for collaboration, meetings, and focused work, alongside remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This location offers access to a diverse talent pool and a vibrant business ecosystem. Specific office address details would typically be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes meeting rooms, breakout areas, and potentially open-plan desks designed to facilitate interaction and teamwork with designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard office technology, high-speed internet, and potentially specialized research equipment or software depending on the on-site setup.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for in-person brainstorming, workshops, and spontaneous discussions that foster a strong sense of team cohesion and accelerate problem-solving.

• Hybrid Workflows: Experience in managing research and collaboration effectively across both in-office and remote settings is essential.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week, with the flexibility to choose which days to work remotely versus in the office, provided the 2-day in-office minimum is met. This structure allows for deep work on remote days and collaborative sessions on office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model (2 days in office) is a key aspect of the work environment, suggesting that candidates should be comfortable with a blend of in-person and remote collaboration. This setup aims to leverage the benefits of both: focused work and team connection.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter phone screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Conversation with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, research philosophy, and alignment with team needs.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely present a curated selection of their work, detailing case studies of research projects, methodologies, insights, and impact. This is a critical step to assess practical skills and strategic thinking.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key collaborators (e.g., Product Manager, Designer, Engineer) to evaluate collaboration style, communication, and ability to influence.

• Take-Home Assignment/Case Study: A potential step could involve a short research challenge or case study to assess problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Final Round/Offer: Discussion with senior leadership, potentially including a final Q&A, leading to an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Prioritize case studies where your research directly led to significant product improvements, strategic shifts, or positive business outcomes. Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in conversion," "reduced task completion time by 20%").

• Structure Your Narratives: For each case study, clearly outline: The Problem/Opportunity, Your Role & Objectives, Research Methodology, Key Findings, Actionable Insights & Recommendations, and the Impact/Outcome.

• Showcase Methodological Rigor: Be prepared to discuss why you chose specific research methods and how they were appropriate for the research questions and context.

• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with cross-functional partners, addressed their needs, and integrated their perspectives into your research process.

• Tailor Your Presentation: Understand the specific product area or domain you might be working on at eBay and tailor your presentation to showcase relevant experience.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, challenges encountered, and how you handled unexpected results.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand eBay's Business: Research eBay's mission, values, key product areas (e.g., buyer experience, seller tools, specific categories), and competitive landscape.

• Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Think about STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) examples for questions related to leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and handling ambiguity.

• Practice Articulating Insights: Work on concisely explaining complex research findings and their implications for business strategy and product development.

• Research UX Research Best Practices: Be ready to discuss current trends and advanced methodologies in UX research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "engaging storytelling techniques" and "advocate for user research" suggests that candidates will be evaluated not only on their technical research skills but also on their ability to champion user needs and influence stakeholders effectively within a large organization. The hybrid nature might also be explored during interviews, assessing comfort and effectiveness in this work model.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Tools for remote collaboration and synthesis (e.g., Miro, Mural, Figma).

• Data Analysis Software: Statistical software or platforms for analyzing quantitative data (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries, Excel).

• Qualitative Data Analysis Tools: Software for coding and analyzing qualitative data (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail, Atlas.ti).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to understand user behavior data and complement qualitative findings.

• BI Tools: Experience with business intelligence platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for synthesizing data and creating dashboards, though direct use might be less frequent for a researcher.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Understanding of platforms and methodologies for experimentation (e.g., Optimizely).

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary research tools, UX Researchers often interact with CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) for customer segmentation or understanding user lifecycles. Familiarity with how data flows from CRM to analytics platforms can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Expert use of UX research tools" in the requirements summary is a critical indicator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency with specific tools, their preferred toolset for different research methodologies, and how they leverage these tools to ensure efficiency and rigor in their research process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of eBay's diverse customer base (buyers and sellers).

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on robust research and analytics to inform strategy and product development.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively across diverse teams and functions to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Bold Ideas: Encouragement of new approaches and creative problem-solving to drive the future of e-commerce.

• Inclusivity & Authenticity: Valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging individuals to bring their unique selves to work.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Actively seeking to build strong working relationships with Product, Design, Engineering, and Marketing teams, understanding their objectives and integrating research into their workflows.

• Insight-Driven Advocacy: Proactively sharing user insights and championing user needs in cross-functional discussions and decision-making processes.

• Transparent Communication: Maintaining open and clear communication channels regarding research plans, findings, and recommendations.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: Participating in constructive feedback loops to continuously improve research processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: eBay's stated values of "authenticity thrives, bold ideas are welcome, and everyone can bring their unique selves to work" suggest a culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages open dialogue. This is particularly relevant for a UX Researcher who needs to bring nuanced insights about different user groups.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Organization: Influencing decisions and driving change within a complex, matrixed global organization with many stakeholders and competing priorities.

• Balancing Research Rigor with Speed: Delivering high-quality, actionable insights within fast-paced product development cycles.

• Driving Impact from Insights: Ensuring that research findings are not just delivered but are actively understood, adopted, and acted upon by product teams.

• Working with Ambiguity: Effectively defining research questions and plans when project goals or user needs are not clearly defined.

• Global Complexity: Potential challenges in conducting research across diverse global markets, considering cultural nuances and logistical complexities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research techniques or learn new methods.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Gaining a deeper understanding of product management, design strategy, or data analytics through close collaboration.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior researchers or leaders within the Design organization.

• Industry Exposure: Participating in conferences, webinars, and workshops to stay abreast of the latest trends in UX research and e-commerce.

• Strategic Impact: Contributing to high-stakes projects that have a significant impact on eBay's business and millions of users globally.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of "driving key features, products, and initiatives based on company priorities" highlights the need for a researcher who can strategically align their work with business goals and proactively identify opportunities where research can make the most significant contribution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision that was contrary to your research findings. How did you approach it?" (Assesses influence, communication, and stakeholder management.)

• "How do you prioritize research requests when facing multiple urgent needs from different teams?" (Evaluates prioritization skills, strategic thinking, and ability to manage workload.)

• "Walk us through a complex research project from start to finish. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Tests end-to-end research execution, problem-solving, and communication.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about eBay and its mission?" (Assesses genuine interest and alignment with company vision.)

• "How do you see UX research contributing to eBay's success in the competitive e-commerce landscape?" (Tests understanding of the role's strategic importance.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Evaluates adaptability and effectiveness in the given work model.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Examples: Choose 2-3 case studies that best showcase your skills, problem-solving abilities, and the impact of your work. Vary the methodologies and project types.

• Structure for Clarity: Use a consistent template for each case study (e.g., Situation, Task, Action, Result; or Problem, Approach, Findings, Impact).

• Focus on Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, decisions, and rationale.

• Highlight Insights & Recommendations: Emphasize the "so what?"—what were the key takeaways and what specific actions did you recommend?

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your research.

• Practice Your Storytelling: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth, engaging, and concise delivery. Be prepared for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this Senior role, interviewers will be looking for evidence of strategic thinking, leadership in research execution, and the ability to influence product direction. Candidates should prepare to discuss not just what they did, but why they did it and the impact it had. The hybrid work model will likely be a topic of discussion, assessing comfort and strategies for success in this environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

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

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight keywords and responsibilities directly matching the job description, such as "mixed methods research," "end-to-end research," "storytelling," "cross-functional collaboration," and specific methodologies used. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your ability to lead complex research projects, derive actionable insights, and drive impact. Ensure your portfolio clearly outlines your role, methodology, findings, and the outcomes of your work. Be ready to present this compellingly.

• Research eBay: Understand eBay's business model, target audiences (buyers and sellers), recent product developments, and company values. This will help you tailor your application and responses.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare STAR method examples for behavioral questions and be ready to discuss your research philosophy, strategic approach, and experience working in a hybrid environment.

⚠️ 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.