Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher
Company: Eli Lilly and Company
Location: US: USA Remote
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: User Experience Research / Product Development
Date Posted: 2025-10-20
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end UX research initiatives for the LillyDirect platform, driving product strategy and enhancing the patient and provider experience through rigorous, mixed-methods research.
• Translate complex user insights and behavioral data into actionable recommendations that directly influence product design, technical constraints, and business goals within a regulated healthcare environment.
• Advocate for the user's voice with credibility to executive leadership, regulators, and cross-functional teams, ensuring human-centered design principles are integral to digital healthcare solutions.
• Contribute to and uphold research operations standards to scale research quality, visibility, and impact across the organization, while mentoring junior researchers and peers.
• Apply a pragmatic, collaborative mindset to navigate ambiguity, applying the right level of research rigor to key decisions and balancing user needs with business realities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Researcher, indicating a need for independent leadership of research projects, strategic influence, and the ability to mentor others. The focus on "LillyDirect" suggests a specific digital platform initiative within Eli Lilly, likely involving patient-facing services or provider tools, requiring a deep understanding of complex systems and regulated environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute comprehensive, end-to-end research studies across the LillyDirect digital ecosystem, employing mixed methodologies from exploratory discovery to evaluative validation.
• Define and frame strategic research questions that uncover root causes of user challenges, moving beyond surface-level pain points to inform foundational product direction.
• Translate qualitative and quantitative data, along with behavioral insights, into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations that drive measurable improvements in patient and provider experiences.
• Collaborate strategically with product owners, designers, engineers, and other researchers to ensure product decisions are grounded in evidence, effectively balancing user insights with product and technical constraints.
• Influence product strategy and roadmap by articulating the voice of the user with clarity and credibility in high-stakes discussions with executives, regulatory bodies, and domain experts.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of robust research operations standards, aiming to scale research quality, efficiency, and visibility across the broader organization.
• Mentor junior UX researchers and cross-functional team members, modeling best practices in research craft, critical thinking, and ethical user advocacy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities emphasize end-to-end research ownership, strategic influence, and mentorship, typical of a senior-level researcher. The focus on "LillyDirect" and "regulated health contexts" highlights the need for experience in healthcare or similarly complex, compliance-driven industries.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• 5–10 years of hands-on experience conducting UX research across a variety of digital products and services.
• Proven track record of translating research findings into strategic decisions and demonstrable, measurable outcomes.
• Experience collaborating effectively within agile product development teams and operating within evolving design systems.
• Demonstrated ability to balance ideal research rigor with the practical realities of project timelines, risks, and business context.

Required Skills:

• Strong command of a broad UX research toolkit, including but not limited to: in-depth interviews, concept validation, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), survey design, diary studies, card sorting, and behavioral analytics interpretation.
• Fluency in mixed-methods reasoning: the ability to strategically select and apply qualitative and quantitative methods to validate patterns and deepen understanding.
• Exceptional communication skills, encompassing crisp writing, compelling presentation delivery, and the ability to tailor complex insights for diverse audiences (executives, engineers, designers).
• Proficiency in ethical research practices and user privacy, with a particular emphasis on navigating sensitive health data and regulated environments.
• Experience collaborating within agile product teams and contributing to or working within established design systems.
• A collaborative, pragmatic mindset that balances ideal research rigor with project constraints.

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience with common research and analysis tools such as dscout, UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Maze, Qualtrics, Miro, Figma, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience in complex or regulated industries, such as healthcare, finance, or pharmaceuticals.
• Ability to connect insights across multiple studies to inform long-term platform and experience strategy.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills in ambiguous situations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a blend of deep research craft, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. The emphasis on mixed methods and the specific tool examples indicate a need for a well-rounded researcher capable of both generative and evaluative work. Experience in regulated industries is a significant plus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio or a collection of detailed case studies is required for consideration.
• Demonstrate end-to-end research ownership, clearly outlining the research planning, participant recruitment strategies, execution methodologies, analysis techniques, and tangible impact of your work.
• Showcase how your research directly informed strategic decisions, led to measurable improvements, and contributed to the success of digital products or services.
• Highlight examples of research conducted within complex or regulated environments, if applicable.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the research process followed for each case study, including the rationale behind methodology choices.
• Detail how you synthesized findings from qualitative and quantitative data to form cohesive insights.
• Illustrate how recommendations were developed and communicated to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Provide evidence of how your research contributed to iterative design improvements and product evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio or case studies is critical for this role. Candidates must be prepared to showcase their end-to-end research process, demonstrate impact with data, and highlight their ability to navigate complex, regulated environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The anticipated wage for this position is $126,000 - $246,400 USD per year.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is based on the provided information and reflects a senior-level UX Researcher role in the United States. Actual compensation will be determined by a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location, as stated by the company.

Benefits:

• Company bonus eligibility (dependent on company and individual performance).
• Comprehensive benefit program for eligible employees, including:
  • Company-sponsored 401(k) plan.
  • Pension plan.
  • Vacation benefits.
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits.
  • Prescription drug benefits.
  • Flexible benefits, such as healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts.
  • Life insurance and death benefits.
  • Certain time off and leave of absence benefits.
  • Well-being benefits, including an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs/activities.

Working Hours:

• Full-time position, typically equivalent to 40 hours per week.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the remote nature and senior level may offer some flexibility, but adherence to project timelines and team collaboration needs will be paramount.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals. Eli Lilly and Company is a global leader focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing medicines. The company is leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative platforms to transform patient experiences and improve treatment outcomes. Company Size: Large Enterprise (Eli Lilly is a major global pharmaceutical company with a significant employee base). Founded: 1876.

Team Structure:

• The role is within "Design at Lilly," a team dedicated to applying research and design thinking to solve complex challenges and create high-quality digital solutions.
• This team collaborates across all functions of the organization, working closely with product owners, designers, and engineers.
• Researchers will likely work within cross-functional, agile product teams focused on specific initiatives like the LillyDirect platform.

Methodology:

• The team emphasizes a human-centered approach, combining user insight with design expertise to ensure digital solutions are intuitive, accessible, and impactful.
• A strong emphasis is placed on research rigor, strategic insight, and operational excellence to scale digital initiatives.
• The culture promotes collaboration, evidence-based decision-making, and a commitment to improving patient lives through innovative digital experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Eli Lilly's strong emphasis on "caring with discovery" and making life better for people worldwide sets a distinct mission-driven culture. For operations roles, this translates to a focus on patient outcomes, ethical considerations, and the impact of digital solutions on healthcare delivery. The scale of the company suggests established processes but also opportunities for significant influence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Researcher. This level implies significant autonomy, the ability to lead complex research projects independently, mentor junior team members, and exert strategic influence on product direction and research operations. Reporting Structure: The role reports into the "Design at Lilly" organization, likely within a UX Research or Product Design leadership structure. Collaboration will be extensive with product management, engineering, and other cross-functional stakeholders. Operations Impact: The Senior UX Researcher's work directly impacts the success of the LillyDirect platform by ensuring it meets patient and provider needs, driving user adoption, improving treatment adherence, and ultimately contributing to better health outcomes. Their insights are critical for shaping digital strategy and user experience in a highly regulated sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific therapeutic areas or digital health technologies relevant to patient and provider engagement.
• Leadership: Transition into a UX Research Lead or Manager role, overseeing a team of researchers and shaping the research strategy for larger initiatives.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Move into Product Management or Design Strategy roles, leveraging research expertise to drive product vision and execution.
• Operational Excellence: Take on responsibilities for advancing research operations, establishing best practices, and scaling research capabilities across Eli Lilly.
• Continuous Learning: Access to industry conferences, internal training programs, and opportunities to stay at the forefront of UX research methodologies and digital health innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The senior level indicates a path toward leadership and greater strategic impact. Growth will likely involve expanding research scope, mentoring capabilities, and potentially influencing research operations at a broader organizational level within Eli Lilly.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role operates entirely remotely, offering flexibility in location within the United States. Office Location(s): US: USA Remote. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Workspace Context:

• Remote work environment requires strong self-discipline, excellent time management, and proactive communication.
• Collaboration will primarily occur through digital tools (video conferencing, chat, collaborative design/research platforms).
• Access to necessary technology and a stable internet connection will be essential for successful participation in meetings, research sessions, and collaborative design work.
• The company culture supports a focus on results and impact, regardless of physical location.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time, typically 40 hours per week.
• While remote work offers flexibility, researchers must be available for synchronous collaboration with teams, participation in research sessions (which may require specific timing for users), and timely delivery of insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature offers significant flexibility, but success will depend on the candidate's ability to manage their work independently, maintain strong communication, and adapt to virtual collaboration tools and processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on resume and portfolio submission.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about experience, research philosophy, and fit for the role and team.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present 1-2 case studies from their portfolio, detailing their research process, insights, and impact. Expect in-depth questions about methodology, decision-making, and collaboration.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Managers, Designers, Engineers) to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to influence.
• Executive/Senior Leader Interview: Final discussion to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 1-2 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research process, problem-solving skills, and impact, ideally with relevance to complex systems or regulated industries.
• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations clearly: Problem/Opportunity -> Research Questions -> Methodology -> Process -> Key Insights -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome. Use visuals effectively.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, demonstrate the measurable outcomes of your research (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased user satisfaction scores).
• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed stakeholder expectations, and advocated for user needs.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your rationale for methodology choices, how you handled challenges, and what you would do differently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential behavioral questions assessing problem-solving, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
• While not explicitly stated, some companies may introduce a small, timed research exercise or ask hypothetical questions about how you would approach a specific problem. Focus on your structured thinking process.
• Practice articulating your research process and findings concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates must be able to articulate their process, demonstrate impact with data, and showcase their ability to influence product decisions within a complex, regulated environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: dscout, UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Maze, Qualtrics (for surveys and participant management).
• Collaboration & Design: Miro (for whiteboarding and synthesis), Figma (for design collaboration and usability testing within designs), Jira (for agile project tracking).
• Data Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing qualitative data from interviews and usability tests. Experience with quantitative analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python for advanced analytics) is a strong plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience interpreting behavioral analytics data from platforms like Google Analytics or Amplitude to inform research questions and validate findings.
• Ability to create clear, compelling reports and presentations to communicate research findings to diverse stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary tools for this role, an understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) or patient engagement platforms might inform user segmentation or research questions could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a range of UX research tools is expected. Candidates should be comfortable with both dedicated research platforms and general collaboration/design tools. An understanding of how to leverage analytics data to inform research is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Caring with Discovery: A core value at Lilly, emphasizing a deep commitment to improving lives through scientific innovation and compassionate care. This translates to a user-centric approach that prioritizes patient well-being and ethical considerations.
• Integrity and Excellence: Upholding the highest ethical standards in research and practice, combined with a drive for excellence in execution and impact.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse functions and teams to achieve shared goals, fostering an environment of mutual respect and knowledge sharing.
• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and methodologies to solve complex challenges and drive transformative solutions in healthcare.
• User Privacy and Ethical Research: A non-negotiable value, especially critical in the healthcare sector, ensuring all research is conducted with utmost respect for user privacy and adheres to strict ethical guidelines.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and other researchers.
• Emphasis on cross-functional partnership to ensure research insights are understood, integrated, and acted upon.
• Communication is expected to be clear, concise, and persuasive, with a focus on building consensus and driving evidence-based decisions.
• A pragmatic approach that balances ideal rigor with project realities is valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values, particularly "Caring with Discovery" and integrity, will heavily influence how research is conducted and how insights are applied. A strong ethical compass and a collaborative spirit are essential.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Regulated Environments: Conducting user research within the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry requires strict adherence to compliance, privacy, and ethical standards. This demands careful planning and execution.
• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: In a complex organization like Lilly, research findings must be balanced with product strategy, technical feasibility, and business objectives, requiring strong negotiation and influence skills.
• Scaling Research in a Large Organization: Ensuring research quality and impact are consistent across a large, distributed organization like Eli Lilly, and contributing to scalable research operations.
• Driving Strategic Impact: Moving beyond tactical usability testing to influence higher-level product strategy and long-term vision requires strong analytical and communication capabilities.
• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote setting can be a challenge that requires proactive effort.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Knowledge: Gaining deep expertise in specific therapeutic areas, digital health technologies, and the nuances of patient and provider journeys in healthcare.
• Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research techniques relevant to digital health and complex platforms.
• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior researchers, lead research initiatives, and grow into management or strategic leadership roles within Design at Lilly.
• Industry Engagement: Participation in relevant conferences, webinars, and professional development programs focused on UX research, digital health, and healthcare innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexities of working in healthcare tech, emphasizing the need for adaptability, strong ethical grounding, and strategic influence. Growth opportunities are tied to both deepening domain expertise and advancing within research leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used mixed methods to solve a complex user problem. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on rationale for methods, synthesis, and impact).
• "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints? Provide an example." (Highlight your pragmatic approach and negotiation skills).
• "How would you approach researching a new feature for the LillyDirect platform that aims to improve patient adherence to medication?" (Demonstrate your structured thinking, research planning, and understanding of healthcare context).
• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and influence product decisions, especially with executive stakeholders?" (Focus on communication, storytelling, and advocacy).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the healthcare industry and specifically at Eli Lilly?" (Research Lilly's mission, recent innovations, and the LillyDirect platform).
• "How do you approach ethical considerations and user privacy in your research, particularly in a regulated environment?" (Emphasize your commitment and understanding of compliance).
• "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, design). How do you foster collaboration?" (Highlight your partnership skills and communication style).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Use a clear, narrative structure for your case studies: context, problem, your role, research questions, methodology, process, findings, recommendations, and impact.
• Visuals: Use mockups, user journey maps, personas, quotes, and data visualizations to make your presentation engaging and easy to follow.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time limits. Focus on the most critical aspects of each project and be prepared to go deeper on specific points during Q&A.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If exact metrics aren't available, describe the qualitative impact or potential impact clearly.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Demonstrate your thought process and decision-making at each stage of the research.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on showcasing end-to-end research leadership, strategic influence, ethical considerations within healthcare, and clear, data-driven communication, all supported by compelling portfolio evidence.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring your resume and portfolio are attached.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio Submission is Mandatory: Ensure your portfolio or case studies are readily accessible and clearly demonstrate your end-to-end research process, impact, and relevance to complex/regulated environments. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience in mixed-methods research, strategic influence, and collaboration within product teams.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare Your Case Studies: Select 1-2 key projects for potential presentation. Focus on articulating the problem, your research approach, key insights, actionable recommendations, and the measurable impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your decision-making process in detail.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: Research Eli Lilly and LillyDirect: Understand the company's mission, values, and the specific goals of the LillyDirect platform. Familiarize yourself with the healthcare industry's regulatory landscape and patient/provider needs.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: Practice Your Pitch: Be prepared to articulate your UX research philosophy, your strengths in mixed-methods research, and how you contribute to a collaborative, evidence-based product development process. Practice answering behavioral and situational interview questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Eli Lilly and Company during the application and interview process.