Senior UX Researcher, Health and Fitness

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher, Health and Fitness Company: Google Location: London, England, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience Research (UXR) / Product Research Date Posted: November 4, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-to-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping user-centered product development within Google's Health and Fitness domain, focusing on deep user understanding to drive product strategy and innovation.
• The Senior UX Researcher will be responsible for designing, executing, and communicating impactful research initiatives, particularly for cutting-edge LLM-based products and conversational AI experiences.
• A key aspect involves translating complex technical and business requirements into user-centric research designs and effectively communicating findings to diverse cross-functional teams.
• The position requires a strong foundation in various qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with a focus on applying them to understand user behaviors, needs, and emotions in the health and fitness context.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title specifies "Health and Fitness," the core responsibilities and preferred qualifications heavily emphasize LLM-based products and conversational AI. This suggests the role might be a blend of traditional UX research within a specific domain and forward-looking research into AI-driven user experiences. The "Health and Fitness" aspect likely defines the product domain where these AI experiences will be applied.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and own a comprehensive UX research strategy for health and fitness products, proactively identifying high-impact research opportunities and leading their end-to-end execution.
• Conduct primary research using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, including but not limited to usability studies, contextual inquiry, ethnographic field studies, diary studies, participatory workshops, surveys, and logs analysis.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, including UX Designers, Product Managers, Program Managers, Content Strategists, and Engineers, throughout the entire product development lifecycle to ensure user insights inform design and strategy.
• Translate complex user needs, technical constraints, and business objectives into robust research designs that yield actionable insights.
• Communicate research findings, insights, and recommendations effectively to stakeholders at various levels, including executive leadership, through compelling written reports, presentations, and other appropriate formats.
• Innovate and apply novel UXR approaches specifically tailored for understanding and evaluating user experiences with Large Language Model (LLM)-based products, including human evaluations and prototyping with real or synthetic user data.
• Champion a strong user-centered perspective in all product discussions, design reviews, and strategic planning sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "executive leadership" in preferred qualifications and the need to "drive product strategy" and "ensure product excellence" with "Design, Product Management, and Engineering leaders" indicates a senior-level role requiring significant influence and strategic thinking, not just execution. The specific mention of "LLM-based products and associated UXR methods" highlights a critical, forward-looking component of the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in an applied research setting, demonstrating a strong track record of conducting user research.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience working directly with or presenting to executive leadership (e.g., Director level and above) is preferred.
• Proven experience in developing and executing comprehensive UX research strategies that drive product decisions and impact.

Required Skills:

• Research Design Expertise: Proficient in designing and executing studies using a variety of methods, including usability studies, contextual inquiry, surveys, ethnographic fieldwork, and interviews.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Engineers, Content Strategists, Product Managers, and Designers throughout the UX process, fostering strong working relationships.
• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex research findings and their implications clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
• User-Centered Mindset: Deep commitment to understanding user needs, behaviors, and emotions to inform product development and ensure user delight.
• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data to derive actionable insights and recommendations.

Preferred Skills:

• LLM/AI Research Methods: Experience with user experience research methods specific to LLM-based products, such as human evaluations, prototyping with real or synthetic user data, and understanding AI-specific user challenges.
• Product Strategy Influence: Demonstrated ability to influence product strategy and roadmaps through impactful research insights and strategic recommendations.
• Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with the health and fitness industry and its unique user needs and challenges.
• Advanced Methodologies: In-depth understanding of various research methods, including when and how to apply them across different stages of the product development lifecycle.
• Passion for AI: A genuine interest and passion for emerging conversational AI products and user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on both traditional UX research methods and specialized LLM/AI research methods, coupled with the experience requirement with executive leadership, positions this as a senior-level strategic role. The "Health and Fitness" domain is a key area of application, but the core technical focus leans towards AI.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Research Impact: A portfolio showcasing a range of research projects with clear evidence of how your research directly influenced product decisions, strategy, and user experience improvements.
• Methodological Diversity: Examples of research designs and executed studies across various methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), demonstrating adaptability to different research questions and product stages.
• LLM/AI Research Case Studies: If applicable, include examples of research conducted on AI-driven products or features, highlighting unique challenges and insights derived.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Evidence of successful collaboration with product, design, and engineering teams, illustrating how you integrated user insights into their workflows.
• Communication Artifacts: Samples of research reports, presentations, or other communication materials that effectively convey complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Process Documentation:

• Research Strategy Articulation: Ability to present your approach to developing a research strategy, including stakeholder alignment, goal setting, and resource planning.
• Study Design Walkthrough: Be prepared to walk through the design of a past research study, explaining the rationale behind method selection, participant recruitment, and data collection.
• Insight Synthesis and Reporting: Demonstrate your process for synthesizing research data into actionable insights and how you translate these into clear, compelling deliverables.
• Impact Measurement: Explain how you measure and communicate the impact of your research on product outcomes and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, a portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond just showing completed studies; it must demonstrate strategic thinking, impact, and the ability to influence. The inclusion of LLM/AI research is a significant differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: £85,000 - £130,000 per annum.
• Methodology: This estimate is based on research for Senior UX Researcher roles in London, UK, for large technology companies like Google. Factors considered include the seniority of the role (6+ years experience, executive interaction), the specific market (London tech hub), and industry benchmarks for comparable roles in leading tech organizations. Google typically offers competitive compensation packages. The range accounts for variations in experience, specific skill sets (e.g., LLM expertise), and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision) for employees and dependents.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension scheme) with potential company contributions.
• Stock options or Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of the compensation package.
• Professional development opportunities, including access to training, conferences, and internal learning resources.
• Wellness programs and benefits, such as gym memberships or wellness stipends.
• Parental leave benefits exceeding statutory requirements.
• Employee assistance programs for mental health and well-being.
• On-site amenities (depending on office location) such as cafeterias, fitness centers, and recreational spaces.

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Flexibility may be offered in terms of start and end times, subject to team needs and manager approval, to accommodate effective collaboration and research execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Google is known for its comprehensive benefits package. The salary range is an estimate for London, UK, reflecting the seniority and type of role. Actual compensation may vary.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software, Internet Services, AI, Health & Fitness Applications) Company Size: Large Enterprise (Over 5,000 employees, likely exceeding 100,000 globally) Founded: 1998

Team Structure:

• UX Organization: Google UX is a large, multi-disciplinary organization comprising UX Designers, Researchers, Writers, Content Strategists, Program Managers, and Engineers, fostering a collaborative and specialized environment.
• Reporting: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Research Manager or Lead, with direct collaboration with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Design Leads for specific product initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A core element of the culture is tight integration with product development teams. The UXR works as an embedded member within these teams, influencing strategy from inception through launch and iteration.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: A deeply ingrained philosophy of "Focus on the user and all else will follow," driving all product development decisions.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Heavy reliance on both quantitative (logs, metrics) and qualitative (research) data to inform strategy and design.
• Iterative Development: Emphasis on agile and iterative product development cycles, where research plays a continuous role in validating and refining concepts.
• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouragement of novel approaches and experimentation, particularly relevant for cutting-edge fields like AI and LLMs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture is characterized by its scale, innovation, and strong emphasis on data and user focus. For a Senior UXR, this means opportunities to work on products with massive impact, but also expectations of rigorous research and strong collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is positioned as a Senior individual contributor within the UX Research discipline. At Google, "Senior" typically implies a high degree of autonomy, the ability to lead complex projects independently, mentor junior researchers, and significantly influence product strategy. The focus on executive interaction and strategic planning further solidifies this senior standing.

Reporting Structure:

• The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Research Manager or Lead who oversees a portfolio of research activities or a specific product area. They will work extremely closely with Product Managers, Design Leads, and Engineering Leads for the health and fitness products they support.

Operations Impact:

• The impact of this role is measured by its direct influence on the product strategy and success of Google's health and fitness offerings. By providing deep user insights, the UXR helps ensure that products are not only technically sound but also meet user needs, drive engagement, and achieve business objectives. For LLM-based products, the impact extends to defining how users interact with and trust AI, a critical factor for adoption and success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Progression to Staff UX Researcher, Principal UX Researcher, or even management roles (UX Research Manager) by demonstrating leadership in research strategy, mentorship, and cross-company influence.
• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific research methodologies or product areas, such as AI/LLM research, health tech, or conversational interfaces.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Taking on broader product strategy roles or leading research initiatives across multiple product areas.
• Mentorship & Training: Opportunities to mentor junior researchers, contribute to internal training programs, and develop leadership skills.
• Industry Recognition: Contributing to the broader UX research community through publications, conference presentations, or internal knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title at Google signifies a significant level of responsibility and potential for impact. Growth opportunities are typically tied to increased scope, strategic influence, and leadership, both within research and across product teams.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Large, modern, collaborative tech campus environment. Google offices are known for their amenities, designed to foster creativity and productivity. Office Location(s): London, England. This specific office will house various Google teams, including UX, Product Management, Engineering, and Sales.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to numerous meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open spaces designed for team collaboration and brainstorming sessions.
• Tools & Technology: A state-of-the-art technology environment with access to high-performance computing, advanced research software, and internal proprietary tools for data analysis and collaboration.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for informal and formal interaction with diverse teams, including UX researchers within the same product area and across Google, fostering a strong sense of community and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).
• While on-site, there's often flexibility in daily start/end times, provided core collaboration hours are met and research tasks are completed effectively. This allows researchers to manage their schedules around study needs and team syncs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major tech hub like London implies a dynamic, highly collaborative, and resource-rich work environment. Flexibility is usually present within a structured framework.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and resume, followed by a brief screening call to assess your background and interest.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, research approach, and fit for the specific role and team.
• Portfolio Review / Presentation: A critical stage where you will present a selection of your past research work. This typically involves 2-3 case studies showcasing your process, impact, and strategic thinking. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodologies, challenges, and the outcomes of your research.
• On-site (or Virtual) Interviews: A series of interviews with cross-functional team members (Designers, Product Managers, Engineers, other Researchers) designed to assess your collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, research expertise, and cultural fit. Questions will likely cover your approach to research strategy, handling difficult stakeholders, and applying research to complex problems.
• Executive Interview (Potential): Given the preferred qualifications, an interview with a senior leader (Director level or above) may be part of the process to assess strategic thinking and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, the insights generated, and most importantly, the impact your research had on the product and business. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "led to a X% increase in user retention," "reduced user errors by Y%").
• Showcase Process: Detail your research process from defining the problem to synthesizing findings and communicating them. Highlight your decision-making rationale for choosing specific methodologies.
• Highlight LLM/AI Experience: If you have experience with AI/LLM research, make it prominent. Discuss the unique challenges and methods you employed.
• Tailor to Google: Research Google's products and their UX philosophy. Frame your experience in a way that aligns with Google's user-centric and data-driven approach.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology, how you handle ambiguity, how you influence stakeholders, and how you measure success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready for hypothetical scenarios related to health and fitness products, LLM interactions, or user data challenges. Think about how you would approach researching these problems.
• Methodology Justification: Prepare to defend your choices of research methods and explain why they were appropriate for the given context.
• Stakeholder Management: Think about how you would communicate with and influence busy product and engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Google is rigorous and multi-faceted. A strong portfolio that clearly demonstrates impact and strategic thinking, especially regarding LLM/AI research, is crucial for this senior role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Google often uses internal, proprietary tools for managing research projects, participant recruitment, and data analysis. Familiarity with large-scale research operations is key.
• Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is beneficial for understanding and collaborating on design prototypes.
• Survey Tools: Proficiency with platforms like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, or internal Google survey tools for designing and deploying questionnaires.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Experience with statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS) or data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker - Google's own BI platform) for analyzing quantitative data.
• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced skills in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel for data manipulation and basic analysis.
• Qualitative Analysis Tools: Familiarity with tools for coding and analyzing qualitative data (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail, or internal Google equivalents).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how insights can feed into product roadmaps is important. Familiarity with how user feedback is integrated into product development workflows is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific external tools might not be explicitly listed due to Google's use of internal systems, the emphasis is on the capability to use advanced analytical, survey, qualitative analysis, and prototyping tools. Adaptability to new platforms is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: Deeply embedded in all activities, prioritizing user needs and experiences above all else. This translates to rigorous research and advocacy for the user.
• Data-Driven: A commitment to making decisions based on evidence, whether from user research, product analytics, or market data.
• Innovation: Encouragement to explore new ideas, technologies (like LLMs), and methodologies to push the boundaries of user experience.
• Collaboration: A strong belief in the power of diverse teams working together to solve complex problems, fostering an environment of mutual respect and shared goals.
• Impact: A focus on delivering tangible value and making a meaningful difference in the lives of billions of users.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded and Integrated: UXRs are not siloed but are integral members of product teams, working side-by-side with PMs, Designers, and Engineers daily.
• Open Communication: A culture that encourages direct, honest, and constructive feedback among team members.
• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in internal research communities, sharing best practices, learnings, and insights across teams.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Building strong relationships with various stakeholders to ensure research is relevant, timely, and actionable.

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture emphasizes innovation, user-centricity, and a highly collaborative, data-driven approach. The UXR role is deeply integrated into product teams, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills alongside research expertise.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Researching LLM-Based Products: The rapidly evolving nature of LLMs presents unique challenges in defining user needs, evaluating performance, and ensuring ethical AI interactions. Developing novel research approaches will be key.
• Balancing Research Rigor with Speed: In a fast-paced tech environment, researchers must balance the need for robust, methodologically sound research with the demands for quick insights to inform rapid product iterations.
• Driving Impact at Scale: Translating research findings into meaningful product changes that positively impact billions of users requires strong communication, influence, and strategic alignment across numerous teams.
• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on new product areas, especially in emerging fields like conversational AI within health and fitness, often involves significant ambiguity that researchers must navigate to define clear research questions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Research: Direct involvement with advanced AI/LLM research, providing opportunities to develop expertise in this rapidly growing field.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to experienced researchers within Google for guidance, skill development, and career advice.
• Internal Training & Resources: Extensive internal resources, workshops, and courses on research methodologies, AI, product development, and leadership.
• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to attend leading UX and AI conferences, potentially present research, and stay abreast of industry trends.
• Cross-Pollination: Learning from and contributing to a vast community of UX professionals across diverse product areas within Google.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are significant but directly tied to growth opportunities, particularly in the exciting and rapidly advancing field of AI and its application in user-facing products.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a comprehensive research strategy for a new product or feature. How did you align with stakeholders and what was the outcome?"
  • Preparation: Focus on a project where you owned the strategy, detailing your process for identifying research needs, prioritizing questions, selecting methods, and securing buy-in. Emphasize how your strategy directly informed product direction.
• "How would you approach researching user trust and safety in a conversational AI product for health and fitness?"
  • Preparation: Think about specific methods (e.g., ethical reviews, user interviews on perceived bias, testing with sensitive data scenarios, understanding user mental models of AI). Discuss how you'd balance user expectations with AI capabilities and limitations.
• "Walk me through a complex UX problem you solved using research. What was your role, what methods did you use, and what was the impact?"
  • Preparation: Select a case study from your portfolio that best demonstrates your problem-solving skills, methodological rigor, and ability to drive impact. Be ready to discuss trade-offs, challenges, and your specific contributions.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Google's approach to UX, particularly in the health and fitness or AI space?"
  • Preparation: Research Google's UX philosophy, recent product announcements in health/fitness or AI, and their commitment to user-centricity. Connect your own values and interests to these.
• "How do you ensure your research findings are effectively communicated and acted upon by cross-functional teams, especially engineers and product managers?"
  • Preparation: Discuss your communication strategies, stakeholder management techniques, and how you tailor your deliverables to different audiences. Provide examples of overcoming resistance or driving adoption of your insights.
• "How do you see your research contributing to the success of LLM-based health and fitness products at Google?"
  • Preparation: Connect your skills and experience with the specific challenges and opportunities of AI in this domain. Highlight your ability to innovate research methods for these new product types.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role and approach, the critical insights, and the tangible impact on the product or users.
• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., key quotes, screenshots, simplified flow diagrams, impact metrics) to support your presentation. Avoid overwhelming slides with text.
• Focus on "Why": Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your methodological choices and strategic decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success and impact of your research.
• Practice Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows well, stays within the allotted time, and that you can answer questions confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Google interviews are designed to assess not just technical skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and cultural fit. A strong, impact-driven portfolio presentation is paramount for this senior role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Google Careers portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 impactful research case studies. Prioritize examples that showcase your strategic research design, cross-functional collaboration, and, critically, any experience with AI/LLM products or complex user domains like health and fitness.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 6+ years of applied research experience, your proficiency in various research methodologies, your experience with executive-level interaction, and any specific achievements related to influencing product strategy or driving user-centric changes. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly prepare for each stage of the interview process. Practice articulating your research process, impact, and strategic thinking using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Rehearse your portfolio presentation to be clear, concise, and impactful.
• Company Research: Deeply research Google's mission, values, and recent work in the health/fitness and AI/LLM spaces. Understand their UX philosophy and how this role fits into their broader product development ecosystem.

⚠️ 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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