Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher
Company: Microsoft
Location: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Job Type: Full-time
Category: User Experience Research (UXR) / Product Design
Date Posted: February 17, 2026
Experience Level: 6-10+ years (depending on education)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end UX research initiatives for Microsoft Lists, a collaborative information management tool integrated across Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and other Microsoft 365 services.
• Drive strategic research roadmaps, influencing product vision and near-term design execution for critical areas like AI-first productivity, collaboration tools, and data evaluation strategies.
• Conduct mixed-methods research, synthesizing generative and evaluative insights to directly inform product planning, design, and strategic decisions.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Data Science to champion user needs and drive impactful product development.
• Focus on enhancing user experiences within enterprise productivity tools, with a specific emphasis on AI-driven features and ethical data collection practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Researcher within Microsoft's Product & Design organization, specifically focusing on the Microsoft Lists product. The emphasis on "AI-first experiences," "Slack compete," and "IDC's highest-priority initiatives" indicates a strategic importance. The role requires a blend of strategic leadership in research, strong execution capabilities across mixed methodologies, and the ability to influence product direction in a complex, fast-paced environment. The requirement to bridge research input between Hyderabad and Redmond partners highlights a key aspect of the role's collaborative dynamic.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive Research Strategy: Define and own strategic UX research roadmaps for Microsoft Lists, ensuring alignment with business objectives, product vision, and user needs. This includes identifying key research questions and prioritizing areas of investigation.
• Conduct Mixed-Methods Research: Plan, execute, and synthesize findings from both generative (exploratory, foundational) and evaluative (usability testing, concept validation) research using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Deliver Actionable Insights: Translate complex research data into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations that directly inform product planning, design iterations, and long-term strategic decisions for the Lists product.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a key user advocate, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Scientists to ensure user insights are integrated throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support Rapid Iteration & Validation: Enable frequent concept testing and validation for key workstreams such as AI experiences, Forms integration, and Document Library integrations, utilizing internal tools and panels.
• Contribute to Evaluation Frameworks: Work with Data Science and other stakeholders to define ethical, effective, and scalable evaluation signals, particularly for new AI-driven features and data collection strategies.
• Mentor and Evangelize User-Centricity: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior researchers, share best practices in UX research, and champion a strong user-centric culture across the product team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a senior-level UX Researcher role that goes beyond typical execution. It emphasizes strategic leadership ("Drive Research Strategy"), significant influence ("influence roadmap decisions," "shape both near-term design and long-term strategy"), and collaboration across a complex matrix ("Partner Cross-Functionally," "bridging research input from Hyderabad to Redmond partners"). The inclusion of "ethical data collection" and "AI experiences" points to a forward-thinking and responsible approach to research in cutting-edge product areas.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or a related field AND 6+ years of User Experience Research experience.
• OR Master's Degree in a relevant field AND 8+ years of User Experience Research experience.
• OR Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field AND 10+ years of User Experience Research experience.
• OR equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in driving research strategy and leading end-to-end research initiatives within product development cycles.
• Proven track record of influencing product roadmaps and design decisions through impactful user research.
• Experience working in fast-paced, agile environments with cross-functional product teams.
• A deep commitment to accessibility and inclusive design principles.

Required Skills:

• Fluency in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including but not limited to: user interviews, usability studies, surveys, card sorting, heuristic evaluations, and analysis of usage data.
• Exceptional storytelling, presentation, and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to clearly articulate research findings and influence stakeholders at various levels.
• Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple data sources into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Experience working effectively with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Scientists.
• Strong understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices.
• Systems-level thinking and the ability to navigate ambiguity in product development.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with enterprise productivity tools, collaborative platforms, or workflow management systems (e.g., Microsoft Lists, Teams, SharePoint, Slack, Asana, Jira).
• Familiarity with AI-driven experiences, machine learning concepts, and the unique research challenges they present.
• Experience conducting research across multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop, cloud environments).
• Proficiency with common UX research tools such as UserTesting, Dovetail, Qualtrics, UserZoom, or similar platforms.
• Experience with 0→1 product development or iterative product spaces where structure needs to be defined.
• Experience with ethical data collection and evaluation design for new technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive educational requirements, coupled with the tiered experience expectations (6-10+ years), clearly define this as a senior-level role demanding significant expertise. The emphasis on "fluency in qualitative and quantitative methods" and "strong storytelling and communication skills" are critical for influencing decisions. Preferred skills highlight specific domain knowledge highly relevant to Microsoft Lists' ecosystem.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end UX research projects, detailing the research problem, methodologies employed, research process, key findings, and the impact of your insights on product decisions and outcomes.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of how your research contributed to product strategy, design execution, or business goals (e.g., user adoption, satisfaction, efficiency improvements).
• Include examples of how you've synthesized insights from diverse data sources (qualitative, quantitative, analytics) to form a holistic understanding of user needs and behaviors.
• Highlight experience with iterative research cycles, including concept testing, usability evaluation, and validation of new features or product directions.
• Showcase examples of influencing cross-functional partners (PM, Eng, Design) through research findings and strategic recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of defining and executing research plans that align with product roadmaps and business objectives.
• Documentation of how research findings were communicated and integrated into product development workflows.
• Examples of how you've adapted research methodologies to suit specific project needs, constraints, or the nature of the product (e.g., AI-first experiences, enterprise tools).
• Demonstrations of your approach to ethical data collection and privacy considerations, especially for sensitive user data or AI features.
• Examples of how you've contributed to defining success metrics or evaluation frameworks based on user research and product goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior UX Researcher role at a company like Microsoft, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to go beyond simply listing projects and demonstrate strategic thinking, impact, and methodological rigor. The emphasis on "end-to-end," "impact," and "cross-functional influence" are key indicators of what a hiring committee will look for.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior UX Researcher title, location in Hyderabad, India, and the employer being Microsoft, a competitive salary range would likely fall between ₹2,000,000 to ₹4,500,000 per annum, depending on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and performance during the interview process. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level UX research roles in major tech hubs in India, considering the cost of living and the compensation structures typical for large multinational technology companies.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance for employees and dependents.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Retirement savings plans and company matching contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continued education.
• Access to Microsoft's extensive internal learning platforms and resources.
• Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for eligible candidates.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock awards.
• Parental leave policies.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for mental and emotional well-being.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Flexibility may be offered to accommodate cross-geographical collaboration with teams in different time zones (e.g., Redmond, USA).
• Occasional work outside standard hours might be required to meet project deadlines or accommodate urgent research needs, especially given the global nature of Microsoft's operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on general market data for similar roles and locations. Actual compensation will be determined by Microsoft's internal compensation bands and the candidate's specific profile. Microsoft is known for offering a robust benefits package, which is detailed above.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software and Technology, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Productivity Software. Company Size: Microsoft is a global technology giant with over 200,000 employees worldwide, indicating a large, established, and resource-rich environment. Founded: 1975, providing a long history of innovation and market leadership.

Team Structure:

• The Microsoft Lists team is part of the broader Microsoft 365 or Office product group, likely collaborating with teams responsible for SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Forms.
• The UX Research team is integrated within the product development lifecycle, working closely with Product Management, Design, and Engineering.
• This role emphasizes bridging research efforts between the Hyderabad (India) and Redmond (USA) locations, suggesting a distributed team structure with strong inter-site collaboration.

Methodology:

• Microsoft operates with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making, user-centric design, and agile development methodologies.
• The Lists team likely follows a product development process that involves continuous user feedback, iterative design, and rigorous evaluation, especially with the integration of AI.
• A "growth mindset" is a core Microsoft value, encouraging continuous learning, experimentation, and embracing challenges.
• Ethical considerations, particularly for AI and data collection, are paramount in their product development approach.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture is characterized by its "growth mindset," focus on empowering individuals and organizations, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. For a UX Researcher, this translates to an environment that values data-informed insights, user empathy, and continuous learning. The specific mention of bridging research between Hyderabad and Redmond indicates a global, collaborative, and potentially hybrid work model.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Researcher role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant experience and the ability to lead research initiatives independently, mentor others, and influence strategic product decisions. This level typically sits above a standard UX Researcher and below a Principal or Lead Researcher.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Research Lead or Manager within the Microsoft Lists product group. They will work very closely with Product Managers and Lead Designers responsible for the Lists product. The role also involves significant collaboration with engineering and data science counterparts.

Operations Impact: The insights generated by this role directly influence the development of Microsoft Lists, a core component of Microsoft 365. This means impacting how millions of knowledge workers worldwide manage information, collaborate, and improve productivity. The focus on AI-first experiences and competitive positioning (e.g., Slack compete) highlights the strategic importance of this role in shaping the future of collaboration tools.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like AI/ML research, enterprise productivity tools, or cross-platform research.
• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead or Principal UX Researcher role, managing a team or a larger research domain, and taking on more strategic leadership responsibilities.
• Cross-Product Impact: Possibility to contribute to other Microsoft 365 products or initiatives, leveraging gained expertise.
• Skill Development: Access to Microsoft's extensive internal training programs, conferences, and research communities to enhance methodological skills and stay abreast of industry trends.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior researchers and contribute to the growth of the UX research practice within Microsoft.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies a level of autonomy and strategic contribution expected. Growth opportunities at Microsoft are typically well-defined, with clear paths for advancement into leadership or expert individual contributor roles. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and influencing product strategy is key to career progression within Microsoft's product development ecosystem.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based on-site in Hyderabad, India, within a Microsoft office. Microsoft offices are typically modern, well-equipped, and designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being. Office Location(s): Hyderabad, Telangana, India. This location is a major tech hub in India, offering a vibrant ecosystem for talent and technological advancement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Microsoft offices feature a variety of work settings, including open collaborative areas, meeting rooms, quiet zones, and private offices, catering to different work styles and tasks.
• Technology & Tools: Employees have access to cutting-edge technology, including high-performance workstations, robust network infrastructure, and a suite of collaboration and productivity tools (Microsoft 365 suite, Teams, etc.).
• Team Interaction: The role requires close, in-person collaboration with local team members in Hyderabad, as well as frequent virtual interaction with global teams (Redmond). This necessitates strong communication and remote collaboration skills.
• Inclusive Design: Microsoft is committed to accessibility, and office spaces are designed to be inclusive and accommodating for all employees.

Work Schedule: The primary work schedule will be on-site, Monday through Friday, aligning with standard business hours in India. However, due to collaboration with teams in different time zones (e.g., US Pacific Time), some flexibility in working hours may be expected to facilitate meetings and ensure seamless communication across geographies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is on-site, the nature of global tech companies like Microsoft means that remote collaboration tools and practices are integral. The physical office environment is designed to support both focused work and team interaction, with an emphasis on technology and employee well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and interest.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, research philosophy, strategic thinking, and fit with the team.
• Technical/Portfolio Review: This is a critical stage where you will present your portfolio. Expect to walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing your process, insights, impact, and how you navigated challenges. This may involve a panel of UX Researchers, Designers, and/or Product Managers.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key partners (e.g., Product Manager, Lead Designer, Engineer) to assess your collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to influence.
• Research Exercise (Potential): You might be given a small research challenge or case study to complete within a timeframe, to assess your problem-solving and research design skills.
• Final Interview: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Projects: Organize your portfolio around 2-4 impactful projects. For each project, clearly outline: the problem, your role, the research questions, methodology, process, key findings, recommendations, and most importantly, the impact (e.g., how your research influenced product decisions, user metrics, or business outcomes).
• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Highlight how you identified research opportunities, defined research strategy, and contributed to the product roadmap, not just executed research tasks.
• Demonstrate Methodological Breadth: Include examples of using both qualitative and quantitative methods, and explain why you chose specific methods for particular problems.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the value and impact of your research. For example, "Our usability findings led to a 15% reduction in task completion time" or "Concept testing validated a new feature that projected a 10% increase in user engagement."
• Tailor to Microsoft Lists: Research the Microsoft Lists product thoroughly. Understand its core features, target users, competitive landscape (e.g., Slack), and current strategic priorities (AI, collaboration). Frame your portfolio projects in a way that resonates with these aspects.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle conflicting feedback, ethical considerations in your research, and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Scope: If given a research exercise, ensure you understand the goals, constraints, and desired deliverables.
• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your research plan, including target users, recruitment strategy, methods, and analysis approach.
• Prioritize: If time is limited, focus on the most critical aspects of the research problem.
• Communicate Clearly: Be prepared to present your approach and findings concisely and effectively, highlighting your strategic thinking and methodological choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's interview process is rigorous and designed to assess not just technical skills but also strategic thinking, communication, and cultural fit. A strong portfolio that demonstrates impact and strategic contribution is paramount. The emphasis on tailoring to Microsoft Lists and preparing for specific types of questions is critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, UserZoom, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey for user studies, surveys, and feedback collection.
• Collaboration & Analysis: Dovetail, Miro, FigJam for synthesizing research findings, affinity mapping, journey mapping, and collaborative ideation.
• Productivity Suites: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive for daily work, documentation, and communication.
• Data Analysis Tools: Potentially SQL for querying data, Excel for data manipulation, and statistical software for quantitative analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience interpreting data from analytics platforms (e.g., Microsoft's internal telemetry, Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform research questions and validate findings.
• Ability to create clear, compelling reports and presentations summarizing research findings and recommendations for various stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data is managed within systems like CRMs or product databases can be beneficial for participant recruitment and understanding user segmentation.
• Familiarity with automation tools could be relevant for streamlining research processes or understanding product automation features.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a range of UX research tools is expected. Given the employer, deep familiarity with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (Teams, SharePoint, Lists) and potentially internal Microsoft tools for data collection and analysis is highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product decisions.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data to inform strategy and design.
• Growth Mindset: Embracing challenges, learning from failures, and continuously seeking improvement.
• Inclusivity & Accessibility: Designing products that are usable and accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or background.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams across geographies and disciplines.
• Impact & Accountability: Driving meaningful product outcomes and taking ownership of responsibilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with PM, Design, and Engineering is essential. Researchers are embedded within product teams.
• Open Communication: An environment that encourages open feedback, constructive debate, and knowledge sharing.
• Data-Informed Dialogue: Discussions are grounded in user data and insights, fostering objective decision-making.
• Global Teamwork: Practicing effective remote collaboration and communication strategies to work with distributed teams, particularly between Hyderabad and Redmond.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's core values are deeply ingrained in its culture. For a UX Researcher, this means a strong emphasis on empathy, continuous learning, and collaboration to deliver impactful, inclusive products. The ability to navigate a global team structure is also a key aspect of the collaborative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on AI-first experiences and new product integrations (e.g., Lists + Forms, Doc Library) often involves significant ambiguity, requiring researchers to define problems and structure research from scratch (0→1).
• Balancing Strategic vs. Tactical Research: Juggling long-term strategic research needs with immediate, iterative validation requirements for fast-paced development cycles.
• Cross-Geographical Collaboration: Effectively bridging research insights and collaboration between teams in different time zones and cultural contexts (Hyderabad/Redmond).
• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in and driving action based on research findings from a variety of technical and business-oriented stakeholders.
• Ethical Considerations for AI: Navigating the complex ethical landscape of AI research, ensuring responsible data collection and unbiased user experiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge research techniques, particularly in areas like AI, behavioral economics, and complex system research.
• Product Domain Expertise: Deepening knowledge of collaboration tools, productivity workflows, and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
• Leadership Development: Pathways to grow into leadership roles, manage research projects, mentor junior staff, and contribute to the strategic direction of UX research at Microsoft.
• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend conferences, participate in research communities, and present findings externally.
• Internal Training: Access to Microsoft's extensive internal learning platforms, workshops, and subject matter experts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic and complex nature of working on a product like Microsoft Lists, especially with emerging technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are robust, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to employee development and career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define a research strategy for a complex, ambiguous product area. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for structuring research, identifying key questions, and aligning with business goals).
• "How do you prioritize research initiatives when faced with multiple competing demands from Product, Design, and Engineering?" (Showcase your strategic thinking, ability to negotiate, and focus on impact).
• "Walk me through a research project where your insights directly led to a significant change in product strategy or design. What was the impact?" (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio, emphasizing metrics and business outcomes).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you ensure your research is inclusive and addresses the needs of diverse user populations?" (Connect to Microsoft's commitment to accessibility and inclusive design).
• "How do you collaborate with engineers and product managers who may not have a deep understanding of UX research?" (Highlight your communication and influence skills).
• "What is your understanding of Microsoft's 'growth mindset' and how do you embody it in your work?" (Relate to learning, experimentation, and embracing challenges).
• "How would you approach conducting research for AI-driven features, considering ethical implications?" (Demonstrate awareness of AI ethics and responsible data practices).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure each portfolio project as a narrative. Start with the problem/opportunity, explain your role and approach, detail the journey of discovery, present key findings, and conclude with the impact and lessons learned.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify your contributions whenever possible. Use metrics, user feedback, or product adoption data to demonstrate the value of your research.
• Highlight Your Process: Be prepared to discuss why you chose specific methodologies, how you synthesized data, and how you translated insights into actionable recommendations.
• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with cross-functional teams throughout the research process.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, decision-making, and the challenges you faced.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, impact, strong communication, and a deep understanding of user-centered research principles within a large tech organization. Tailoring your examples to Microsoft's product suite and values will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Microsoft Careers portal via the provided link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful UX research projects. Ensure each project clearly demonstrates your end-to-end process, strategic thinking, methodological rigor, and quantifies the impact of your insights on product development and user experience. Tailor your project descriptions to highlight relevance to enterprise productivity tools, AI, and collaboration.
• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX Researcher," "mixed-methods research," "research strategy," "cross-functional collaboration," "AI experiences," and specific tools you've used. Quantify your achievements and responsibilities whenever possible.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience, research philosophy, and project details concisely and compellingly. Be ready to discuss your approach to complex problems, collaboration, and influencing stakeholders. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions.
• Research Microsoft Lists: Thoroughly understand the Microsoft Lists product, its features, target audience, competitive landscape (especially Slack and Teams integrations), and the strategic importance of AI in its future development. Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's mission and values.

⚠️ 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.