Senior/Staff UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior/Staff UX Researcher

Company: n8n

Location: Germany (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Research / User Experience

Date Posted: March 18, 2026

Experience Level: Senior / Staff (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Establish and lead n8n's user research function, transforming user understanding into a strategic driver for product development and company-wide decision-making.

• Build and maintain robust research infrastructure, including scalable recruitment systems, a unified participant pool, and an actionable insights repository.

• Conduct high-impact, mixed-methods user research to inform product strategy, from foundational work to generative discovery and validation studies.

• Evangelize research best practices across cross-functional teams, mentoring colleagues and championing the voice of the user.

• Leverage AI and n8n's platform to enhance research efficiency and impact, while upholding ethical standards and GDPR compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a foundational hire for UX Research at n8n, indicating a significant opportunity for the candidate to shape the research practice from the ground up. The "Senior/Staff" title suggests a need for a highly experienced individual capable of strategic leadership and independent execution within a remote-first, fast-paced environment. The emphasis on building infrastructure and evangelizing research points towards a "player-coach" dynamic.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Establish Research Operations & Infrastructure:

  • Build and manage automated recruitment systems for diverse user segments.
  • Develop and maintain a unified, GDPR-compliant participant pool and consent management system.
  • Create a searchable and actionable insights repository to democratize user knowledge across the organization.
  • Consolidate fragmented user data into a single source of truth for targeted recruitment and historical tracking.
  • Ensure all research operations adhere to strict privacy and data protection standards.

• Lead Strategic Research Initiatives:

  • Define and own the UX research roadmap in close collaboration with Product Managers and Design Leads.
  • Conduct foundational research (e.g., personas, jobs-to-be-done, mindset models) to establish a deep understanding of n8n's user base.
  • Execute generative discovery and validation studies to inform product direction and reduce uncertainty.
  • Triangulate insights from user research, product analytics, market signals, and support channels to identify patterns and actionable recommendations.
  • Translate research findings into prioritized, data-driven recommendations that guide product strategy and OKRs.

• Drive Research Mentorship and Evangelization:

  • Develop and disseminate research templates, playbooks, and methodologies to enable cross-functional teams.
  • Mentor Product Managers, Engineers, and Designers to conduct their own effective user research studies.
  • Act as a key advocate for user-centricity, embedding research insights into product development cycles and decision-making processes.
  • Champion the voice of the user in all relevant strategic discussions and product reviews.

• Leverage AI and Automation in Research:

  • Utilize AI tools and the n8n platform to enhance research efficiency, data analysis, and insight synthesis.

  • Maintain a strong ethical perspective on AI's role in research, ensuring human understanding remains paramount.

  • Develop a deep understanding of n8n's product and its technical user base through hands-on exploration and product proficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on both building the operational framework for research (ResearchOps) and executing strategic, high-impact research. The emphasis on "turning user understanding into a core driver of decisions" suggests this role will be highly influential in shaping the product roadmap and overall company strategy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of expertise.

Experience: 5-7 years of hands-on experience in User Experience (UX) Research, with a proven track record in B2B or technical product environments.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Expertise: Strong proficiency in mixed-methods research, including qualitative (interviews, usability testing, ethnography) and quantitative (surveys, analytics interpretation) techniques.

• Foundational Research: Demonstrated experience in developing personas, jobs-to-be-done (JTBD), segmentation models, and user journey mapping.

• ResearchOps Builder: Proven ability to build and scale research infrastructure, including recruitment processes, participant databases, community management, and research tooling.

• Strategic Planning & Execution: Capacity to define research needs, build roadmaps, connect research outcomes to business objectives (OKRs), and contribute to prioritization frameworks.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Experience mentoring senior cross-functional teams to enhance their research capabilities and foster a user-centric culture.

• Communication & Influence: Exceptional ability to translate complex research findings into compelling narratives that influence stakeholders at all levels, particularly in a remote-first setting.

• AI-Savvy Researcher: Hands-on experience applying AI tools across the research lifecycle, with a strong ethical framework and understanding of AI's impact.

• Privacy & Compliance: Deep understanding of GDPR, data ethics, and practical experience implementing compliant research practices.

• Technical Aptitude: Curiosity and comfort working with complex systems, technical workflows, and partnering closely with data and engineering teams.

• Independent Work Ethic: Ability to thrive in a remote, autonomous environment, taking initiative and driving projects forward with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills:

• Product-Led Growth (PLG) Experience: Familiarity with PLG environments and understanding the nuances of self-serve user journeys.

• Remote Research Expertise: Experience conducting effective research across distributed teams and diverse global user bases.

• n8n Power User: Confident and proficient use of n8n in daily workflows, demonstrating a deep understanding of the platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "n8n power user" requirement is unusual for a researcher role but highlights n8n's commitment to internal tool adoption and the expectation that this researcher will deeply understand their own product to better research it. The emphasis on B2B and technical environments suggests a need for experience with users who are often highly analytical and technically proficient.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of foundational research projects (e.g., persona development, JTBD frameworks) with clear methodologies and actionable insights.

• Examples of generative and evaluative research studies, showcasing the research process from planning to reporting.

• Case studies detailing the establishment or improvement of research infrastructure (e.g., recruitment processes, insights repositories).

• Evidence of translating research findings into tangible product improvements or strategic shifts, with measurable outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to defining research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies, and designing research plans.

• Provide examples of how you manage participant recruitment, consent, and data privacy, particularly in a GDPR-compliant manner.

• Illustrate your methods for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights.

• Detail your strategies for disseminating research findings effectively across remote, cross-functional teams.

• Include examples of creating and utilizing research templates, playbooks, or best practice guides.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a foundational role for UX Research at n8n, the portfolio should emphasize not just research execution but also the ability to build research processes and infrastructure. Evidence of strategic impact and the ability to influence product direction will be critical. Demonstrating experience with technical users and B2B SaaS is highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimate for Senior/Staff UX Researcher in Germany: €70,000 - €100,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and specific location within Germany.

• Rationale: This range is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level UX researchers in the German tech market, considering the company's valuation ($2.5bn) and funding rounds, which suggest a capacity for competitive compensation. Remote work within listed European countries might adjust this slightly, but Germany serves as a primary benchmark.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation: Fair and attractive pay.

• Ownership: Equity in n8n, reflecting the company's "empower others" core value.

• Work/life balance:

  • Europe: 30 days of vacation, plus public holidays.

• Health & wellness: Benefits provided according to local country norms in Europe.

• Future planning: Pension contributions according to local country norms in Europe.

• Financial security: Benefits provided according to local country norms in Europe.

• Career growth: €1,000 annual budget for professional development (courses, books, events, coaching).

• Passionate team: Participation in regular hackathons to explore and build with n8n.

• Remote-first: Flexible work arrangement across designated European countries.

• Giving back: $100 per month to support open-source projects.

• AI enablement: Unlimited AI budget for productivity and creativity tools.

• Transparency: Open communication regarding company performance and operations.

• Ambitious but kind culture: High employee satisfaction (eNPS of 94).

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (likely 40 hours per week), with flexibility expected in a remote-first environment. The company operates with a focus on autonomy and results, rather than strict hour-by-hour tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific differentiators like equity, a generous career growth budget, and a unique monthly stipend for open-source contributions and AI tools. The distinction between European and US benefits is noted, with this role falling under the European structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software / Workflow Automation / AI Orchestration (SaaS)

Company Size: Over 220 employees. This size indicates a growing startup environment that has achieved significant market traction and funding, suggesting established processes but still retaining agility and a builder-centric culture.

Founded: 2019. A relatively young company that has experienced rapid growth, indicating a dynamic and innovative atmosphere.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will be one of the first dedicated research hires, likely reporting into a Product or Design leadership role.

• They will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and potentially Data Analysts.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong emphasis on using data, including user research, product analytics, and market signals, to inform strategic choices.

• Agile Development: While not explicitly stated, the fast-paced growth and focus on iteration suggest an agile or hybrid development methodology.

• Community-Centric: n8n actively cultivates a large and engaged developer community, implying a strong feedback loop and user involvement.

• Automation First: The core product is automation, so teams are expected to leverage tools and processes that enhance efficiency.

Company Website: https://n8n.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: n8n's culture is described as "builder-centric" and "ambitious but kind." The rapid growth, significant funding, and large community suggest a company that values innovation, speed, and user impact. The remote-first nature means communication and collaboration tools are critical.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the Senior/Staff level, indicating a high degree of autonomy, strategic responsibility, and the expectation to lead initiatives. It's a pivotal role as the first dedicated UX Researcher, offering the opportunity to define and scale the research practice.

Reporting Structure: The researcher will likely report to a Head of Product, Director of Product, or Head of Design. They will work collaboratively with product and engineering teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's insights will directly influence product strategy, feature development, and user experience improvements. This role is critical for ensuring n8n's product remains aligned with user needs, driving adoption, retention, and ultimately, revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Foundational Leadership: Opportunity to build and lead the entire UX research function, establishing its methodologies, tools, and impact.

• Strategic Influence: Directly shape product direction and company strategy through high-impact research and cross-functional collaboration.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like B2B SaaS research, AI-driven product development, or ResearchOps.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Grow into a leadership role by mentoring junior team members and potentially building out a research team in the future.

• Industry Exposure: Work within a rapidly growing, well-funded SaaS company at the forefront of workflow automation and AI orchestration.

📝 Enhancement Note: As the inaugural UX Researcher, the growth trajectory is significant, offering the chance to build a function from scratch and exert substantial influence. The role is designed for someone who can operate independently and strategically, with clear potential for future leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This means the primary work environment is a home office, requiring self-discipline and effective remote communication practices.

Office Location(s): While headquartered in Germany, the role is remote-first and open to candidates in a wide range of European countries, as well as potentially US-based candidates for certain roles (though this specific posting focuses on Europe). The listed countries ensure compliance with local labor laws and tax regulations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the company fosters collaboration through digital tools and regular communication. Expect active participation in virtual meetings, Slack channels, and collaborative platforms.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to n8n's own platform, along with standard remote work tools (e.g., video conferencing, project management software, communication platforms). The role encourages leveraging AI tools.

• Operations Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and potentially Data Analysts through virtual channels. Regular off-sites are also mentioned for team bonding.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (estimated 40 hours/week) with flexibility inherent in a remote-first setup. The focus is on achieving objectives rather than strict time tracking. Collaboration across time zones within Europe will be a factor.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature necessitates strong self-management skills and proficiency with remote collaboration tools. The company's emphasis on transparency and communication is key to maintaining a cohesive team culture despite geographical distribution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application & Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for alignment with required skills and experience. A unique request is to try n8n and share a screenshot of a first workflow.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely head of Product/Design) to assess strategic thinking, research experience, and cultural fit.

3. Peer/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Designers, and potentially Engineers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to influence.

4. Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A presentation of past work, focusing on strategic impact, research methodologies, and the ability to translate findings into actionable recommendations. This may involve a specific case study or deep dive into a significant project.

5. Final Interview / Executive Interview: Potentially a final discussion with senior leadership to confirm strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact: Focus on how your research drove tangible outcomes (e.g., improved user satisfaction, increased conversion rates, informed product strategy, reduced development risk). Quantify impact where possible.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your research process from problem definition to insight delivery. Include methodology, tools used, participant profiles, and challenges faced.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how you connected research to business goals and influenced decision-making. Show how you prioritized research efforts.

• Address n8n's Context: Tailor your examples to B2B SaaS, technical users, and automation workflows. If possible, integrate examples of using n8n or similar automation tools in your research process.

• Be Prepared for "Build" Questions: Since this is a foundational role, expect questions about how you would build a research function, establish recruitment systems, and create an insights repository.

• Showcase Communication Skills: Your presentation should be clear, concise, and engaging, demonstrating your ability to communicate complex information effectively.

Challenge Preparation:

• Product Immersion: Thoroughly explore n8n.io and the n8n platform (app.n8n.cloud). Understand its value proposition, target audience, and key features. Be prepared to discuss your initial impressions and potential research questions.

• ResearchOps Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would set up a recruitment system for n8n's specific user base (developers, technical users) and build an insights repository.

• Strategic Problem Solving: Prepare to discuss how you would approach a broad research question relevant to n8n, such as understanding user needs for AI integration or identifying pain points in enterprise workflows.

• Mentorship Approach: Articulate how you would empower non-researchers to conduct effective user research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement to use n8n and share a workflow screenshot is a unique screening step. Candidates should prioritize understanding the product and demonstrating their ability to learn and adapt quickly. The interview process is designed to assess strategic thinking, practical research skills, and the ability to build and influence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• n8n Platform: Essential for understanding the product and potentially for automating research tasks. Proficiency is a "must-have."

• Mixed-Methods Research Tools:

  • Usability Testing Platforms: e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Hotjar (for heatmaps/recordings).
  • Survey Tools: e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms, Qualtrics.
  • Interview/Moderation Tools: e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, Miro (for collaborative whiteboarding during sessions).

• Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools:

  • Qualitative Analysis Software: e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, ATLAS.ti.
  • Spreadsheet Software: e.g., Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel for data organization and basic analysis.

• Collaboration & Documentation:

  • Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams.
  • Video Conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet.
  • Documentation/Knowledge Base: Notion (used by n8n), Confluence, Google Docs.
  • Whiteboarding/Diagramming: Miro, Mural.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics for interpreting user behavior data.

• BI Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI may be beneficial for data triangulation.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Understanding of CRM principles (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) for context on B2B customer data, though direct CRM management is unlikely for this role.

• Automation Tools: Deep familiarity with workflow automation concepts, ideally including n8n itself, to understand user needs and leverage the platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on n8n as a "must-have" tool is critical. Beyond that, the role requires a broad toolkit for qualitative and quantitative research, data synthesis, and remote collaboration. Familiarity with product analytics is also important for triangulating insights.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Empower Others: This core value will be reflected in how the researcher empowers teams with user insights and mentors them in research practices.

• Builder Spirit: A proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving and creating new systems and processes, particularly relevant for establishing the research function.

• Speed & Pragmatism: Balancing thorough research with the need to deliver insights quickly in a fast-paced environment, using phased approaches.

• User-Centricity: Championing the voice of the user in all product and strategic decisions.

• Transparency: Open communication about research plans, findings, and their impact.

• Kindness & Ambition: A culture that encourages ambitious goals while maintaining a supportive and respectful work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The researcher will work closely with Product, Design, Engineering, and potentially Marketing and Support teams, acting as a bridge between user needs and development efforts.

• Remote Collaboration: Proficient use of digital tools for seamless communication, documentation, and collaborative problem-solving across geographical distances.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to teach and learn from colleagues, democratizing research skills and insights throughout the organization.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to continuously improve research practices and product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes autonomy, impact, and collaboration within a remote setting. The "builder spirit" is particularly important for this role, as it involves establishing new processes and infrastructure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing a New Practice: Building a UX research function from scratch requires significant effort in defining processes, gaining buy-in, and demonstrating value.

• Remote-First Collaboration: Effectively communicating and influencing stakeholders without in-person interactions can be challenging.

• Balancing Speed and Rigor: Delivering timely insights for a fast-paced product development cycle while maintaining research quality and ethical standards.

• Understanding Technical Users: Deeply understanding the needs, motivations, and workflows of n8n's sophisticated technical user base.

• Scaling Recruitment: Building and managing a robust, GDPR-compliant recruitment system for a global user base.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Foundational Leadership: Opportunity to architect and lead the entire UX research function, setting its strategic direction and operational framework.

• Impactful Product Contribution: Directly influence the development of a leading open-source workflow automation platform with a strong AI focus.

• ResearchOps Expertise: Gain in-depth experience in designing and implementing scalable research operations infrastructure.

• Advanced AI Research: Explore the application of AI within the research lifecycle and understand AI's role in product development for technical users.

• Cross-functional Influence: Develop strong stakeholder management and influencing skills within a dynamic SaaS environment.

• Professional Development: Utilize the annual €1,000 budget for courses, conferences, or certifications to further enhance skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the "greenfield" nature of the role. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to build a significant function and have a profound impact on a rapidly scaling company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building n8n's UX research function from the ground up, focusing on establishing core processes and infrastructure like recruitment and an insights repository?" (Focus on your ResearchOps strategy, prioritization, and phased approach).

• "Describe a time you had to influence product strategy with research insights. What was the situation, your approach, and the outcome?" (Highlight your strategic thinking, communication, and impact).

• "Given n8n's user base (developers, technical users), what research methods would you prioritize for understanding their needs around AI integration, and why?" (Showcase your mixed-methods expertise and understanding of technical users).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of n8n, what do you see as the biggest opportunities or challenges for user research in our context?" (Requires pre-interview product research).

• "How do you approach mentoring non-researchers to conduct effective user research? Can you give an example of empowering a team?" (Assess your coaching and evangelization skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Problem/Opportunity -> Your Role -> Methodology -> Key Findings -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the business or product impact of your research whenever possible.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly explain how you conducted the research, not just what you found.

• Tailor to n8n: Highlight projects relevant to B2B SaaS, technical users, or automation. If you can, weave in how you might have used n8n or similar tools.

• Be Ready to Dive Deep: Prepare to answer detailed questions about any part of your presented work.

• Practice the n8n Workflow: Be ready to show your n8n workflow screenshot and briefly explain its purpose.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only research expertise but also the ability to build, influence, and operate strategically in a remote, fast-growing tech company. Understanding n8n's product and user base is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior/Staff UX Researcher position at n8n:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Try n8n: Sign up for n8n at app.n8n.cloud/register and build your first workflow. Take a screenshot of your workflow and be prepared to share it. This is a unique requirement to demonstrate your engagement with the product.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in B2B/technical UX research, ResearchOps, mixed-methods expertise, and strategic influence. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your portfolio to showcase 2-3 impactful projects that demonstrate your ability to build research infrastructure, conduct strategic research, and drive product decisions. Ensure it aligns with the requirements for this role.

• Research n8n: Thoroughly explore the n8n website, product, and community. Understand their value proposition, target users, and recent developments, particularly regarding AI.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clarity, impact, and your approach to building a research function. Be ready to articulate your n8n workflow.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding specific interview processes and company expectations, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application process. The unique requirement to use n8n and share a workflow is critical for this application.