Senior UX Researcher, Mixed Methods, Jigsaw

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher, Mixed Methods, Jigsaw Company: Google Location: New York, New York, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Research Date Posted: July 22, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product research initiatives, integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies to inform product strategy and development.
• Drive user-centric solutions by influencing stakeholders across diverse functions and levels through compelling research insights and communication.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, engineers, and external partners, to foster a shared understanding of user needs and behaviors.
• Contribute to the development of new products within an incubator environment, focusing on the human dimensions of emerging technologies.
• Maintain rigorous research ethics, ensuring appropriate documentation, privacy safeguards, and adherence to review board standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Researcher within Google's Jigsaw incubator, indicating a focus on advanced research methodologies and impact on emerging technologies and global partnerships. The emphasis on mixed methods, external partnerships, and influencing stakeholders suggests a strategic and influential research position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead iterative product research directly embedded within product teams, working in tandem with designers, engineers, product managers, and external partners to guide the development of novel products.
• Champion user-centric solutions by influencing key stakeholders across various organizational units, utilizing written articles, peer-reviewed publications, and impactful presentations to garner support.
• Independently design and execute comprehensive research studies from inception to completion, upholding a strong commitment to research ethics through meticulous documentation, robust privacy safeguards, and, where applicable, adherence to external institutional review board (IRB) and peer review processes.
• Strategically deploy a versatile mixed-methods research toolkit, encompassing ethnographic studies, in-depth interviews, co-design workshops, and surveys, while also developing cutting-edge experimental methods with AI to dynamically address emergent opportunities.
• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable insights that effectively inform and influence organizational leadership, product discovery processes, strategic planning, and design cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level expectation for leading research, influencing strategy, and managing complex projects with ethical considerations. The mention of "developing experimental methods with AI dynamically" points to an innovative and forward-thinking research approach within Google's Jigsaw initiative.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in an applied research setting, such as product development or academic research, or a comparable field.
• Preferred: 5 years of experience conducting UX research on products and collaborating with executive leadership (e.g., Director level and above).
• Preferred: 3 years of experience managing projects, particularly within large, matrixed organizations.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience with a variety of research methodologies, including but not limited to usability studies, contextual inquiries, one-on-one interviews, and unmoderated research studies.
• Proven ability to build and manage research partnerships with external organizations, with a strong emphasis on nonprofits, civil society groups, or public sector entities.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively communicating complex research findings and insights across diverse contexts and audiences, spanning academia, civil society, and industry.
• Proficiency in translating research findings into clear, actionable recommendations for product development and strategic decision-making.
• Strong understanding and application of research ethics, including data privacy and documentation best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced research and development (R&D) environment, particularly with emerging technologies.
• Skill in conducting niche participant recruitment for qualitative research and possessing cultural competency to engage sensitively with a broad range of respondents, including hard-to-reach populations.
• Experience in influencing stakeholders and driving user-centric solutions through compelling communication and strategic partnership management.
• Familiarity with project management principles and execution within large, complex organizational structures.
• Ability to develop and implement experimental methods, potentially integrating AI, to address novel research challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of deep methodological expertise, partnership management, and strong communication skills. The preference for advanced degrees and experience with executive leadership and complex organizations indicates a senior-level role requiring significant strategic influence and project oversight.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a portfolio demonstrating end-to-end research projects, highlighting the research process from initiation to impactful outcomes.
• Include detailed case studies that illustrate the application of mixed-methods research, clearly articulating the problem, methodology, findings, and resulting product or strategic influence.
• Present examples of successful research partnerships with external organizations, detailing the collaboration process, challenges, and mutual benefits.
• Provide evidence of how research insights were translated into actionable recommendations that directly influenced product design, strategy, or policy.
• Demonstrate a commitment to research ethics, with examples of privacy safeguards, documentation practices, and ethical considerations in participant engagement.

Process Documentation:

• Document the process for designing and executing original research studies, including planning, recruitment, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Illustrate the methodology for translating research findings into clear, actionable insights and communicating them effectively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
• Showcase experience in adapting research methodologies to dynamic environments and emerging technologies, with potential examples of experimental approaches.
• Detail approaches to managing research partnerships, including communication protocols, expectation setting, and collaborative problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, emphasizing not just the research conducted but also the ability to manage partnerships, influence stakeholders, and adapt methodologies. The expectation is for a comprehensive demonstration of the entire research lifecycle and its impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The US base salary range for this full-time position is $151,000 - $222,000 annually.
• This range is determined by role, level, and location, with individual pay influenced by job-related skills, experience, and education/training.

Benefits:

• Bonus eligibility.
• Equity participation.
• Comprehensive benefits package.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week.
• The role involves working within a dynamic R&D environment, which may necessitate flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Senior UX Researcher in a major metropolitan area like New York. The inclusion of bonus and equity indicates a performance-driven compensation structure common at Google. The "40 hours" is a standard baseline, but the R&D context implies potential for varied work schedules.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (specifically focused on the intersection of technology, security, and societal impact). Company Size: Google is a large, publicly traded technology company with tens of thousands of employees globally, operating across numerous product areas and research initiatives. Founded: Google was founded in 1998, and its culture is deeply rooted in innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a user-centric philosophy.

Team Structure:

• The UX team at Google is multidisciplinary, comprising UX Designers, UX Researchers, Writers, Content Strategists, Program Managers, and Engineers.
• UX Researchers often work embedded within product teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers, and may report into UX leadership or specific product area leadership.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone of Google's culture, with researchers expected to work seamlessly with product management, engineering, design, marketing, and legal/policy teams.

Methodology:

• Google's research methodology is characterized by a strong emphasis on data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, to derive actionable insights.
• Workflow planning and optimization are continuous processes, driven by user feedback and performance metrics.
• Automation and efficiency are key drivers, with a constant pursuit of improving processes and tools to enhance research productivity and impact.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture champions innovation and user focus. The Jigsaw team specifically operates within an incubator setting, suggesting a more agile and experimental environment focused on tackling complex societal challenges through technology, requiring strong cross-functional collaboration and adaptability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Researcher. This level signifies a significant degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility in designing and executing research, influencing product strategy, and mentoring junior team members. Reporting Structure: Typically, a Senior UX Researcher would report to a UX Research Manager or a Director of UX Research within their specific product area. They would also work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads. Operations Impact: UX Researchers at Google have a profound impact on revenue and business decisions by ensuring products are user-friendly, desirable, and meet user needs. Their insights directly inform product roadmaps, feature prioritization, and overall product strategy, ultimately driving user adoption, satisfaction, and business success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research methodologies, emerging technologies, and advanced analytical techniques. Potential for developing expertise in AI-driven research methods.
• Leadership Development: Progression into Lead UX Researcher roles, managing research programs, and mentoring junior researchers. Potential for moving into management or strategic research leadership positions.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Collaboration across various product areas and initiatives within Google, providing exposure to different domains and business challenges.
• Industry Recognition: Opportunities to contribute to the broader UX research community through publications, conference presentations, and internal knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior UX Researcher role at Google offers significant career growth potential, both in terms of research expertise and leadership. The company's commitment to development and its vast scope provide numerous avenues for specialization and advancement within the UX research field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Google is known for its innovative and collaborative office spaces, often referred to as "Googleplexes," designed to foster creativity and productivity. These typically include open-plan areas, private meeting rooms, and informal gathering spaces. Office Location(s): The role is based in New York, NY. Google has multiple offices in major metropolitan areas globally, including a significant presence in New York. Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to encourage collaboration, with ample opportunities for interaction with designers, product managers, engineers, and fellow researchers.
• Access to state-of-the-art research tools, technologies, and internal resources is a hallmark of Google's research environment.
• Team members are encouraged to share knowledge and best practices, fostering a continuous learning and improvement culture. Work Schedule: While the standard is a 40-hour work week, the fast-paced R&D environment and the nature of research may require flexibility to meet project deadlines and accommodate user schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The New York office environment at Google is expected to be highly collaborative and resource-rich, supporting cutting-edge research. The emphasis on flexibility acknowledges the demands of user research, which often requires adapting to participant availability and project timelines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review applications, assessing qualifications and experience against the job requirements.
• Recruiter Screen: A brief call with a recruiter to discuss your background, interest in the role, and confirm basic qualifications.
• Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, research philosophy, and how you align with the team's needs and Jigsaw's mission.
• Portfolio Review & Presentations: Typically involves presenting 1-2 key research projects from your portfolio to a panel of UX researchers and potentially cross-functional partners. This will assess your research process, methodology, impact, and communication skills.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with team members from design, product management, and engineering to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to integrate research into the product development lifecycle.
• On-site/Virtual Loop: A series of interviews covering various aspects like research methodology, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best represent your senior-level expertise, mixed-methods capabilities, and impact on product strategy or user experience.
• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you addressed, your unique contribution, the research methodology used, key findings, and the tangible impact your research had on the product, users, or business. Quantify impact whenever possible.
• Highlight Process: Detail your end-to-end research process, including how you navigated challenges, managed stakeholders, and ensured ethical research practices.
• Showcase Mixed Methods: Explicitly demonstrate your proficiency in combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques and how this integration led to richer insights.
• Practice Your Narrative: Be prepared to walk through your projects concisely and engagingly, anticipating questions about your decisions and findings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Case Studies: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical research problem relevant to Jigsaw's mission (e.g., understanding user needs for a new safety feature).
• Stakeholder Scenarios: Prepare for questions about how you would handle disagreements with stakeholders or advocate for user needs when they conflict with business priorities.
• Ethical Dilemmas: Consider how you would address ethical considerations in research, especially when dealing with sensitive topics or vulnerable populations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Google is rigorous and multi-faceted. A strong portfolio showcasing impactful, mixed-methods research and clear communication of process and outcomes is paramount. Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, collaboration, and a user-centric approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Tools for conducting and managing various research studies (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics for surveys).
• Data Analysis Software: Tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and quantitative data analysis (e.g., R, SPSS, Python libraries like Pandas, NumPy).
• Collaboration Tools: Google Workspace suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet), JIRA, Confluence.
• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools designers use (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to understand prototypes being tested.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Looker, or similar tools for creating dashboards and reports to communicate research findings and product performance.
• Statistical Analysis Packages: Proficiency in tools like R, Python, or SPSS for in-depth quantitative analysis.
• Survey Platforms: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms for designing and deploying surveys.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM/automation, understanding how user feedback and research findings integrate with CRM data or marketing automation platforms can be beneficial. Familiarity with how user data is managed within systems like Google Ads or Analytics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in a wide array of research tools, from participant recruitment and data collection platforms to advanced analytical and visualization software, is expected. The ability to integrate research findings with product development workflows and understand the broader data ecosystem is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Focus on the User: The guiding principle at Google, ensuring all product decisions are made with the user's needs, behaviors, and satisfaction at the forefront.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizing empirical evidence and rigorous analysis to inform strategy and product development.
• Innovation and Experimentation: Encouraging bold ideas, testing hypotheses, and embracing new technologies and methodologies to solve complex problems.
• Collaboration and Inclusion: Fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where open communication, constructive feedback, and cross-functional teamwork are highly valued.
• Impact and Ownership: Taking initiative, owning projects, and driving for measurable results that benefit users and the company.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers are integral members of product teams, working closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers throughout the product lifecycle.
• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive criticism and knowledge sharing among team members to continuously improve research quality and impact.
• Process Iteration: A mindset of constantly refining research processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values a user-first approach, rigorous data analysis, and a collaborative spirit. Team members are expected to be proactive, innovative, and contribute to a supportive and inclusive work environment. The Jigsaw team specifically may have a culture geared towards tackling challenging societal issues with a sense of purpose.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Influencing Stakeholders: Navigating complex organizational structures and diverse stakeholder priorities to advocate for user needs and research-driven decisions.
• Rapidly Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with emerging technologies and adapting research methodologies to understand user interaction with novel products and platforms.
• Ethical Research with Sensitive Topics: Conducting research on potentially sensitive or complex societal issues (as per Jigsaw's mission) requires advanced cultural competency, ethical rigor, and careful participant engagement.
• Translating Ambiguity into Action: Working within an incubator environment where product direction may be less defined, requiring researchers to help shape strategy through early-stage exploration and insight generation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to internal and external training programs to enhance expertise in advanced research methods, statistical analysis, and emerging technologies.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior researchers and leaders within Google, as well as to mentor junior researchers.
• Industry Conferences & Publications: Support for attending and presenting at leading UX research conferences and contributing to academic or industry publications.
• Internal Mobility: Potential to move into different product areas or research specializations within Google, broadening experience and career scope.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex, impactful challenges at the forefront of technology and societal issues. The learning and development support at Google is extensive, offering pathways for continuous professional growth and specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Research Design: "Describe how you would approach researching user needs for a new platform aimed at fostering democratic discourse. What methods would you prioritize, and why?" (Focus on justifying your methodology based on the problem space and potential stakeholders.)
• Stakeholder Management: "Imagine a product manager wants to skip user testing for a critical feature due to tight deadlines. How would you communicate the importance of user testing and negotiate a compromise?" (Highlight your ability to influence and build consensus.)
• Problem-Solving: "We're seeing low adoption of a new safety feature. How would you diagnose the root cause using research methods, and what steps would you take to improve it?" (Demonstrate a structured, analytical approach to problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working on Jigsaw specifically, and what do you know about its mission?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the team's purpose.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers who may have different priorities?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication skills.)
• "How do you measure the impact of your research, and how do you ensure your insights lead to tangible product improvements?" (Focus on metrics, actionable insights, and driving change.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear story arc: problem definition, research goals, methodology, key findings, actionable insights, and impact.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your research, such as improvements in usability metrics, increased user engagement, or successful product launches informed by your work.
• Showcase Mixed Methods: Clearly explain how you integrated qualitative and quantitative data to gain a holistic understanding and why this approach was superior.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your research decisions, data analysis, and how you handled any challenges or limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your research process in detail, emphasizing your ability to manage complex projects, influence stakeholders, and drive impactful user-centered decisions. Demonstrating a deep understanding of Jigsaw's mission and Google's user-centric values will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Google Careers link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your mixed-methods expertise, experience with external partnerships, and ability to influence stakeholders, specifically mentioning any work related to social impact or emerging technologies if applicable.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your accomplishments using action verbs and quantifiable results, with a strong emphasis on your 6+ years of applied research experience and specific methodologies used.
• Interview Readiness: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on the impact and actionable insights derived from your research. Prepare to discuss your approach to ethical considerations and stakeholder management.
• Company Research: Gain a thorough understanding of Google's mission, values, and specifically Jigsaw's work in addressing complex societal challenges through technology. Familiarize yourself with their approach to user-centric design and research.

⚠️ 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.