Sr UX Researcher I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr UX Researcher I Company: Remitly Location: London, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience Research Date Posted: 2026-01-05 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research initiatives to deeply understand customer and user needs, behaviors, motivations, and use cases within the Academic & Government (A&G) business segment, directly influencing product strategy and design.
• Apply a comprehensive suite of UX research and testing methodologies, including ethnographic studies, usability testing, and data analysis, to inform strategic decisions and product development.
• Drive user-centered product design by mentoring junior researchers, producing detailed research documentation, and collaborating closely with UX and visual designers to shape both the information architecture and visual identity of products.
• Utilize data-driven analysis and iterative testing to inform strategic direction, establishing key performance metrics, refining research methods, and identifying data gaps to enhance decision-making processes.
• Leverage strong technical research skills, expertly employing relevant tools and software across diverse contexts, while effectively collaborating with technology teams and mentoring junior colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The title "Sr UX Researcher I" suggests a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role within the UX research function, likely reporting into a UX Research Lead or Manager. The emphasis on "leading understanding," "setting direction," and "mentoring" indicates significant autonomy and leadership expectations, even without explicit management duties. The context of "Academic & Government (A&G) business segment" and tools like "Interfolio and Pure" points to a focus on institutional technology solutions for higher education and research.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct end-to-end user research, from initial discovery and problem definition to solution validation, ensuring a deep understanding of customer and user needs, use cases, and market segments.
• Design, plan, and execute qualitative and quantitative research studies, including but not limited to, in-depth interviews, ethnographic field studies, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), surveys, and heuristic evaluations.
• Synthesize research findings into actionable insights, clearly communicating user needs, pain points, and opportunities to cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, engineers, and stakeholders.
• Translate research insights into compelling recommendations that directly influence product strategy, roadmap prioritization, and design decisions, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user expectations.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive research documentation, including research plans, participant recruitment screeners, interview guides, test scripts, and detailed reports that articulate findings, insights, and strategic recommendations.
• Mentor and guide junior UX researchers, providing constructive feedback, sharing best practices, and fostering a collaborative learning environment to elevate the team's overall research capabilities.
• Collaborate effectively with UX designers, visual designers, and product managers throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring research insights are integrated seamlessly into the design process and iterated upon based on user feedback.
• Establish and track key metrics related to user experience and product adoption, using data-driven analysis and continuous testing to inform strategy and identify areas for improvement.
• Stay abreast of the latest UX research methodologies, tools, and industry trends, proactively recommending and implementing innovative approaches to enhance research effectiveness and impact.
• Champion a user-centered culture across the A&G business segment, advocating for user needs and ensuring that research findings are understood and acted upon by relevant teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of deep research execution and strategic influence. The emphasis on "mentoring junior team members" and "leading our understanding" points to an expectation of subject matter expertise and the ability to guide others. The mention of specific tools like Interfolio and Pure suggests the researcher will be involved with complex enterprise-level software solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a design-related discipline such as Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Product Design, Design, Graphic Design, or a related field is preferred, but not strictly required if equivalent practical experience is demonstrated.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) research, with a proven track record of leading and executing research initiatives that have directly impacted product strategy and design outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and overseeing user research initiatives across various methodologies, including ethnographic studies, usability testing (across different fidelity levels and platforms), and the analysis of user analytics.
• Proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships across diverse teams and functions (e.g., Product Management, Engineering, Design, Marketing, Sales), fostering a unified approach to research and design efforts.

Required Skills:

• Deep and practical understanding of UX research best practices, principles, and a wide array of methodologies (qualitative and quantitative).
• Proficiency in designing, conducting, and analyzing research using methods such as ethnographic studies, contextual inquiries, usability testing (moderated/unmoderated), in-depth interviews, and surveys.
• Strong analytical skills to synthesize complex data from various sources into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate research findings and their implications effectively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with UX/UI designers, product managers, and engineers, contributing to user-centered product development.
• Experience in mentoring junior researchers, providing guidance on research methodologies, analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency with common UX research tools and software for data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting research within the Academic & Government (A&G) sector or for enterprise-level software solutions.
• Familiarity with specific tools and platforms relevant to the A&G segment, such as Interfolio or Pure.
• Experience with A/B testing and experimental design to validate hypotheses and optimize user experiences.
• Knowledge of user analytics platforms and how to integrate behavioral data with qualitative research findings.
• Experience in market segmentation and competitor analysis from a user perspective.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and how to integrate research within sprint cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred but not required" education clause indicates a strong emphasis on practical experience and demonstrated skill in UX research over formal academic credentials. The implied 5-10 years of experience for a "Sr" role is a standard industry benchmark.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects, clearly demonstrating end-to-end research process ownership from problem identification to actionable recommendations.
• Case studies that highlight specific research methodologies employed, the rationale behind their selection, and how they addressed unique user needs or business challenges.
• Evidence of how research insights were translated into tangible design improvements or strategic shifts, with clear articulation of the impact on user behavior or business outcomes.
• Examples of research documentation, such as research plans, interview guides, and synthesized findings reports, demonstrating clarity, rigor, and actionable insights.
• Demonstration of collaboration with design and product teams, illustrating how research was integrated into the product development lifecycle.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed research plans outlining objectives, target participants, methodologies, timelines, and success metrics for proposed studies.
• Clear documentation of participant recruitment strategies and screening criteria to ensure representative user samples.
• Rigorous methodology for data collection, including interview protocols, usability test scripts, and survey design, ensuring consistency and validity.
• Thorough analysis and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data, leading to well-supported insights and strategic recommendations for product development and business strategy.
• Effective communication of research findings through compelling presentations, reports, and workshops, tailored to different stakeholder audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher, the portfolio is crucial. It should not just show what was done, but why it was done, and what impact it had. Emphasis should be placed on strategic thinking, methodology selection, and the ability to translate complex research into actionable business insights.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Researcher in London, UK, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is between £65,000 and £90,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the final scope of responsibilities within Remitly's A&G segment.

Benefits:

• Health Care Plans and Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance options to support employee well-being.
• Modern Family Benefits: Including generous maternity, paternity, adoption, and surrogacy leave policies to support employees and their families.
• Life Assurance and Accident Policies: Providing financial security for employees and their beneficiaries.
• Comprehensive Pension and Retirement Plans: Robust plans to support long-term financial planning and retirement security.
• Access to Learning and Development Resources: Opportunities for continuous professional growth through training, workshops, and access to learning platforms.
• Flexible Working Hours: The ability to adjust working times to optimize productivity and work-life balance.
• Wellbeing Initiatives: Various programs and resources dedicated to supporting employee mental, physical, and financial well-being.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are expected to be 40 hours per week. The role offers flexibility, allowing employees to adjust their working times to best suit their productivity and personal commitments, aligning with the company's commitment to work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for a Senior UX Researcher in London. Benefits are listed as provided in the job description, with an emphasis on those beneficial to professionals seeking work-life balance and career development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information and Analytics / Technology / Publishing (specifically focusing on Academic & Government sectors) Company Size: Large (implied by global presence and diverse business segments like Elsevier) Founded: Elsevier's parent company, RELX, was founded in 1957. Elsevier itself has a long publishing heritage.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team within Academic & Government (A&G) likely operates as a central function supporting product development across various A&G products and platforms.
• Researchers will report into a UX Research Lead or Manager, with direct collaboration across Product Management, UX/UI Design, Engineering, and potentially Marketing and Sales within the A&G business unit.
• The team structure supports a hybrid work model, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, and emphasizes mentorship and knowledge sharing among researchers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong emphasis on using research insights and data analytics to inform strategy, design, and product development.
• User-Centered Design: A core philosophy ensuring that user needs, behaviors, and motivations are at the forefront of all product initiatives.
• Agile Research Integration: The expectation is to integrate research seamlessly within agile development cycles, providing timely feedback and insights.
• Collaborative Innovation: Encouraging cross-functional teamwork to foster creative problem-solving and the development of novel solutions.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to iterative research, testing, and refinement to enhance user experiences and product effectiveness.

Company Website: https://www.relx.com/ (Parent Company), https://www.elsevier.com/ (Relevant Business Area)

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Remitly's (or its parent, RELX's) broader mission in information and analytics, coupled with Elsevier's specific focus on academic and government sectors, provides crucial context. This role is about enabling research and education through technology, not FinTech as the company name might initially suggest.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor (IC) in UX Research. This role is positioned for individuals who can independently lead complex research projects, mentor others, and significantly influence product strategy. It offers a path towards Principal UX Researcher or a specialized lead role within a specific product domain.

Reporting Structure: The Sr UX Researcher I will likely report to a UX Research Manager or Lead within the Academic & Government (A&G) business segment. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineering leads for specific product lines or initiatives.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is direct and significant. By deeply understanding user needs and behaviors, the Sr UX Researcher I will shape the development of tools and platforms that enhance research, education, and institutional success. Their insights will drive product adoption, user satisfaction, and ultimately contribute to the achievement of strategic business objectives within the A&G segment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in specific research methodologies or product areas within the A&G segment (e.g., research assessment tools, academic discovery platforms).
• Leadership Development: Potential to move into a UX Research Lead role, managing a small team or a specific research domain, or a Principal UX Researcher role focusing on highly complex strategic initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of product strategy, business operations, and market dynamics by working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Business stakeholders.
• Skill Enhancement: Continuous learning and development through access to internal and external training, conferences, and mentorship, further honing expertise in advanced research techniques and strategic thinking.
• Industry Influence: Contribute to the broader UX research community through sharing best practices and potentially speaking at industry events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr UX Researcher I" title implies a focus on deep expertise and leadership within the research function, rather than people management. Growth paths would typically involve increased strategic scope, mentorship, and potentially specialization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, combining in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The company emphasizes a balance between structured work and personal well-being. Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom (with potential for wider geographical reach or collaboration with global teams).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The workspace is designed to foster open communication and teamwork, with opportunities for cross-functional interaction and knowledge sharing.
• Technology-Rich: Access to necessary UX research tools, software, and potentially shared research labs or testing environments.
• User-Centric Culture: The environment is geared towards understanding and serving user needs, with research integrated into daily workflows.
• Professional Development Focus: Emphasis on continuous learning, feedback, and skill development through various internal and external resources.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week with flexible working hours, allowing individuals to tailor their schedules for optimal productivity and work-life integration. This flexibility is crucial for conducting research that may require accommodating participant availability outside traditional business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible hours are key aspects for attracting talent. The description implies a professional, collaborative, and development-oriented work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios, assessing alignment with the role's core requirements and experience level.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, experience, and understanding of UX research principles, with an emphasis on strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 key UX research case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your process, insights, and impact. This is a critical step.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential cross-functional collaborators (e.g., Product Managers, UX Designers, other Researchers) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, strategic alignment, and long-term potential within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research process, strategic thinking, and ability to drive impact, ideally relevant to enterprise/institutional software.
• Focus on the "Why" and "So What": Clearly articulate the research problem, your methodology choices (and why), the insights derived, and the actionable recommendations you provided.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics demonstrating the impact of your research on product decisions, user satisfaction, or business outcomes.
• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight instances where you effectively partnered with design, product, and engineering teams.
• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss every aspect of your presented projects in detail, including challenges faced and lessons learned.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential research exercise or take-home assignment that simulates a real-world problem. This might involve analyzing a dataset, outlining a research plan for a given scenario, or synthesizing findings from provided materials.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially when explaining complex research concepts or data.
• Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers about the team, the product roadmap, current research challenges, and the company's approach to user-centered design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a critical component for UX Research roles. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process, strategic thinking, and the measurable impact of their work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Proficiency with tools for conducting usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze), surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms), and potentially remote interviewing tools.
• Data Analysis Software: Experience with tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and quantitative analysis (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).
• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Jira, Confluence, Slack, and Miro for team collaboration, documentation, and workshop facilitation.
• Design Prototyping Tools: Basic understanding of tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD to review prototypes and provide feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Experience with tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to understand user behavior on digital platforms.
• BI Tools: Familiarity with business intelligence platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for visualizing and reporting on key metrics, potentially integrating research data with business performance data.
• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create clear and concise reports and dashboards to communicate research findings to various stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not core UX Research tools, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context on customer journeys and data flow within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong command of qualitative and quantitative research tools. Experience in synthesizing data from various sources, including analytics platforms, is highly valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product development and strategic decisions.
• Data-Driven Insights: Valuing rigorous research and data analysis to inform hypotheses, validate assumptions, and guide strategic direction.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where open communication, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional teamwork are paramount.
• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging a mindset of continuous learning, exploration, and challenging the status quo to find novel solutions.
• Impact & Ownership: Taking responsibility for research outcomes and demonstrating how insights contribute to tangible business and user success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partnering with Product Management, UX/UI Design, and Engineering to ensure research is embedded throughout the product lifecycle.
• Constructive Feedback: Engaging in open dialogue, providing and receiving feedback respectfully to improve research quality and product outcomes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing research findings, methodologies, and best practices within the UX team and to wider stakeholder groups.
• Agile Partnership: Working closely with agile teams to provide timely research support and adapt research plans as needed within sprint cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values likely align with a modern tech organization focused on innovation, user advocacy, and data-informed decision-making. Collaboration is key, especially in a hybrid environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the diverse requirements and priorities of various stakeholders within the Academic & Government sector.
• Researching Across Different User Segments: Adapting research methodologies to effectively understand the unique needs of researchers, educators, administrators, and government officials.
• Integrating Research into Rapid Development Cycles: Ensuring timely and impactful research insights are delivered within fast-paced agile development processes.
• Demonstrating ROI of Research: Clearly articulating and quantifying the value and impact of UX research on product success and business objectives.
• Staying Ahead of Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with advancements in research tools, methodologies, and the changing landscape of academic and government technology solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research techniques (e.g., advanced qualitative analysis, experimental design, mixed-methods research).
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant UX research conferences and pursuing professional certifications to stay current and expand networks.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior researchers or leaders for guidance on career progression, strategic thinking, and leadership development.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn about product strategy, business development, and other functional areas within the A&G segment to gain a holistic understanding of the business.
• Contribution to Knowledge Base: Potential to contribute to internal best practice documentation, training materials, or even external publications/presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges helps candidates prepare for the realities of the role and demonstrate their problem-solving capabilities. Growth opportunities should be framed in terms of skill development and career advancement within the UX research field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence product strategy with research insights. What was the situation, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, impact, and communication).
• "How would you approach researching the needs of diverse user groups (e.g., university researchers vs. government officials) for a new institutional platform?" (Assess methodology, segmentation, and adaptability).
• "Walk me through a complex UX research project from start to finish. What were the key decisions you made, and what did you learn?" (Demonstrate end-to-end process, critical thinking, and self-reflection).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Elsevier/RELX, specifically within the Academic & Government sector?" (Show genuine interest and research into the company's mission).
• "How do you foster collaboration between research, design, and product teams?" (Highlight teamwork and communication skills).
• "How do you measure the success and impact of your UX research efforts?" (Focus on metrics, ROI, and data-driven validation).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Methodology -> Process -> Findings/Insights -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.
• Be Concise and Focused: Highlight the most critical aspects of each project. Don't get bogged down in minor details.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, diagrams, quotes) to illustrate your points and findings.
• Anticipate Questions: Think about potential follow-up questions on methodology, challenges, and impact.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience relevant to enterprise software, complex workflows, and influential research.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for specific types of questions and practicing portfolio presentations will significantly increase a candidate's chances of success. Emphasize the "why" behind decisions and the measurable impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr UX Researcher I position:

• Submit your Application: Visit the provided Workday job link and complete the online application form.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest UX research case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end process, strategic thinking, and impact on product development. Ensure it highlights experience relevant to enterprise or institutional software if possible.
• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX Research," "Usability Testing," "Ethnographic Studies," "Data Analysis," "Mentoring," "Stakeholder Engagement," and specific tools or methodologies. Quantify your achievements wherever possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on a clear narrative, articulating your process, insights, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your methodology choices and answer detailed questions.
• Research Remitly/Elsevier: Familiarize yourself with Remitly's mission, Elsevier's role in the Academic & Government sector, their product offerings (Interfolio, Pure), and their company values to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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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