Staff UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff UX Researcher

Company: Samsung Research America

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research

Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead cutting-edge user research initiatives to identify future product and experience opportunities, focusing on human-centered design principles.

• Drive the discovery of new behavioral shifts and user values to inform long-term product strategy and innovation within a forward-looking studio environment.

• Execute a comprehensive range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to uncover deep user insights and unmet needs.

• Translate complex research findings into compelling, actionable insights and strategic recommendations for executive and product stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Samsung's "Global UX Studio," indicating a strategic, forward-looking focus on innovation and future product experiences, rather than immediate product iteration. The "Staff" title implies a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy and influence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive research plans, defining clear hypotheses, recruitment criteria, data collection methods, and key metrics for both quantitative and qualitative studies.

• Conduct and lead in-depth user interviews and other qualitative research activities to extract nuanced insights into user behaviors, motivations, and pain points.

• Synthesize research data from multiple sources to generate tangible, impactful insights that directly address key stakeholder expectations and business objectives.

• Create compelling presentations and reports that clearly communicate research findings, supported by rich media like short video clips to capture user sentiment and key discoveries.

• Proactively communicate research insights and strategic recommendations to diverse stakeholder groups, including product managers, designers, and leadership, influencing product roadmaps.

• Continuously refine and innovate research methodologies to ensure fresh perspectives and robust, reliable findings in a dynamic innovation environment.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including design, product management, and engineering, to ensure research insights are integrated effectively into the product development lifecycle.

• Travel internationally and domestically as required to conduct research and engage with global teams and user bases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "start a project, idea, concept from scratch" highlights the exploratory and foundational nature of this role within the Global UX Studio. The emphasis on "short video clips" suggests a need for strong storytelling and communication skills beyond traditional reports.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree preferred in a Design Research field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Information Science) or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) Research, with a strong preference for experience conducting research on new concepts and future product experiences.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing a wide range of quantitative research methodologies (e.g., surveys, statistical analysis, A/B testing, usability testing metrics) and qualitative research methodologies (e.g., in-depth interviews, ethnographic studies, focus groups, diary studies).

• Advanced understanding of design-centered research processes and methodologies for identifying and solving complex user problems.

• Proven ability to identify user needs and generate actionable insights through rigorous user research execution.

• Strong grasp of design thinking, design principles, user experience design, and experience design methodologies, with practical application experience.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, concise, and strategic recommendations.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a transparent and proactive communication style.

• Proven ability to think and act strategically, anticipate future trends, and proactively drive research initiatives.

• Strong time management skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting generative research to explore unmet needs and identify novel opportunities.

• Familiarity with emerging technologies and their potential impact on user behavior and product experiences.

• Experience working within a global product development organization.

• Proficiency in synthesizing insights from both primary research and secondary data sources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "10+ years of experience" and the "Staff" title indicate this is a senior position, likely involving mentorship and setting research direction for less experienced team members. The emphasis on "new concepts and new product experiences" distinguishes this from a typical product UX researcher role focused on existing products.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5-7 distinct UX research projects, with at least 2-3 focusing on exploratory research for new concepts or future product experiences.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end research ownership, from planning and methodology selection to synthesis and impact articulation.

• Evidence of strong analytical skills, including the ability to define and track key research metrics and demonstrate how insights led to tangible product or strategy improvements.

• Examples of presenting complex research findings to executive-level stakeholders, including clear communication of insights and strategic recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly outline the research planning process, including hypothesis formulation, methodology justification, and participant recruitment strategies.

• Demonstrate experience in the execution phase, detailing how data was collected and managed, and any adaptations made to the original plan.

• Showcase the synthesis process, illustrating how raw data was transformed into meaningful insights and actionable recommendations.

• Include examples of how research findings were communicated and integrated into design or product strategy, ideally with evidence of impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on future products and concepts, the portfolio should strongly emphasize exploratory research, foresight, and the ability to shape product strategy from nascent ideas, rather than solely optimizing existing user flows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $192,300 - $264,550 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Eligibility for an annual bonus, reflecting company performance and individual contribution.

• Generous benefits package designed to support overall well-being and work-life balance.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with potential company match.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. While a standard 40-hour work week is expected, flexibility may be required to accommodate international time zones, project deadlines, and occasional overtime, especially when travel is involved.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Staff UX Researcher role in New York City, reflecting the required seniority and specialized skillset. The range should be considered a guideline, with actual compensation determined by factors such as specific experience, skills, and the candidate's fit within the defined compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Electronics, Technology, Research & Development. Samsung is a global leader in innovation across a wide spectrum of technology products and services, driving advancements in areas like mobile, home appliances, and semiconductors. Samsung Research America (SRA) is at the forefront of R&D, exploring next-generation technologies and user experiences.

Company Size: Samsung is a large, multinational corporation with a vast global workforce. Samsung Research America, as a division, is substantial, employing thousands across various research and development hubs. The Global UX Studio, while part of SRA, likely operates as a specialized, agile unit within this larger structure.

Founded: Samsung was founded in 1938, with a long history of innovation and diversification. Samsung Research America was established to further its global R&D efforts, with a focus on cutting-edge technologies and future market opportunities.

Team Structure: The Staff UX Researcher will be part of the Global UX Studio, an independent design and research entity within Samsung Research America. This studio likely comprises a mix of senior researchers, designers, strategists, and potentially futurists. The team structure is designed to foster autonomy and cross-functional collaboration, with reporting likely to a Director or Head of UX Research/Design. Collaboration will extend to various product teams across Samsung globally.

Methodology: The Global UX Studio emphasizes a human-centered approach, utilizing design thinking and foresight methodologies to explore future possibilities. Research planning, execution, and synthesis are critical, with a focus on uncovering novel insights that drive innovation. Data analysis is core to informing strategy, and workflow optimization is inherent in refining research processes for maximum impact. Automation may be leveraged for data analysis and reporting efficiency.

Company Website: Samsung Research America (Note: The provided URL was null, this is a likely related domain.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The "independent design and research studio" framing suggests an environment that values autonomy and allows for longer-term, speculative research, distinct from the faster-paced, iteration-focused research often found within product development teams.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a "Staff" level, indicating a senior individual contributor position. It signifies a high degree of expertise, autonomy, and influence within the UX Research discipline. Staff-level researchers are expected to lead complex projects, mentor junior team members, and contribute to the strategic direction of research methodologies and practices.

Reporting Structure: The Staff UX Researcher will likely report to a senior leader within the Global UX Studio, such as a Director of UX Research or Head of Design Strategy. This structure allows for strategic guidance while maintaining operational independence for the studio's research initiatives. Collaboration will be extensive with product teams and leadership across Samsung globally.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is shaping the future direction of Samsung's products and experiences. By uncovering unmet user needs and identifying emerging behavioral shifts, the Staff UX Researcher directly influences innovation pipelines, guides strategic investments in new technologies, and ensures that Samsung's future offerings are deeply rooted in human-centered principles, thereby driving market relevance and competitive advantage.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research areas such as generative research, foresight methodologies, or emerging technology impact assessment.

• Leadership: Transition into a management role, leading a team of UX researchers, or take on a Principal/Distinguished Researcher track focusing on technical and strategic leadership.

• Cross-functional Influence: Expand influence across different Samsung business units, contributing to global product strategy and innovation frameworks.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior researchers, contributing to the overall growth and development of the UX research practice within Samsung.

• Continuous Learning: Access to Samsung's extensive R&D resources, industry conferences, workshops, and internal training programs to stay at the forefront of UX research and design innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" designation and the nature of the Global UX Studio suggest significant opportunities for shaping research strategy and influencing long-term product vision, offering a unique growth path beyond typical product-cycle research roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in an office setting within Samsung Research America in New York City. This environment is likely designed to foster collaboration and innovation, potentially featuring open workspaces, dedicated research labs, and meeting areas conducive to brainstorming and cross-functional interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is 30 W 26th Street, New York, New York 10010. This central Manhattan location offers excellent accessibility via public transportation and is situated in a vibrant commercial district.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to work alongside a diverse team of researchers, designers, and strategists within the Global UX Studio, encouraging spontaneous idea exchange and collaborative problem-solving.

• Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art research tools, software, and potentially specialized lab equipment to facilitate rigorous data collection and analysis. This includes standard office productivity suites and potentially advanced data visualization or analysis platforms.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for interaction with internal stakeholders from various product divisions, as well as potential engagement with external research participants and industry experts.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position. Standard office hours are expected, but the role may require flexibility to accommodate global project timelines, participant availability, and occasional travel. The emphasis on research planning and execution means that focused work time, both individually and collaboratively, is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The New York City location for a forward-looking UX studio suggests access to a diverse talent pool and a dynamic urban environment that can inspire creative research and design thinking.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A focused discussion with the hiring manager to delve into your experience, research philosophy, and approach to complex UX research challenges. Be prepared to discuss specific projects from your portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study Review: A dedicated session where you will present 2-3 key projects from your portfolio, demonstrating your research process, insights, and impact. Expect in-depth questions about your methodologies and decision-making.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with other UX researchers and potentially cross-functional partners (designers, product managers) to assess your collaboration style, technical depth, and cultural fit within the Global UX Studio.

• Final Interview: A concluding interview, potentially with senior leadership, to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall fit for the Staff UX Researcher role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Prioritize Future-Focused Projects: Highlight research that explored new concepts, future trends, or unmet needs, aligning with the Global UX Studio's mission.

• Structure for Clarity: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodologies used, key insights, recommendations, and the impact (or potential impact) of your work. Use visuals effectively.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how your research informed strategic decisions and influenced product direction, not just tactical design improvements.

• Showcase Methodology Mastery: Be prepared to defend your methodology choices, explaining why specific qualitative or quantitative approaches were selected and how they addressed the research objectives.

• Highlight Communication Skills: Demonstrate your ability to translate complex research into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Design Exercise: You may be given a hypothetical problem or product concept and asked to outline a research plan, including objectives, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes.

• Insight Synthesis Exercise: You might be presented with sample research data and asked to identify key insights and formulate strategic recommendations.

• Stakeholder Communication Practice: Prepare to articulate your research findings and recommendations concisely, as if presenting to product leadership, focusing on business impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior "Staff" level and the focus on future innovation, interviewers will likely probe for strategic thinking, foresight capabilities, and the ability to drive research initiatives with minimal oversight. Your portfolio should be the primary vehicle for demonstrating these skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote interviews, usability testing, and managing qualitative data (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Dovetail).

• Quantitative Research Tools: Survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics), data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis), and A/B testing frameworks.

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Tools for remote collaboration, brainstorming, and affinity diagramming (e.g., Miro, Mural, Figma).

• Project Management: Software for tracking research projects, timelines, and deliverables (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Platforms for creating insightful dashboards and reports (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker).

• Statistical Analysis Software: For deeper quantitative analysis and modeling.

• Reporting & Presentation Software: Standard tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for crafting compelling research presentations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, understanding how user data flows from CRM or other customer data platforms into research insights is beneficial.

• Automation tools may be used for survey distribution, data cleaning, or report generation to enhance efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires proficiency in a broad spectrum of research tools, emphasizing the ability to select the right tool and methodology for the specific research question, particularly for exploratory and future-focused studies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all aspects of product development and innovation.

• Curiosity & Exploration: A drive to ask "why," explore the unknown, and uncover novel insights that push the boundaries of current thinking.

• Strategic Impact: A focus on research that not only informs design but also shapes long-term business strategy and drives significant market impact.

• Collaboration & Openness: A culture of sharing knowledge, providing constructive feedback, and working collaboratively across disciplines and global teams.

• Proactivity & Ownership: Taking initiative, driving projects forward from inception to completion, and owning the outcomes of research endeavors.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working closely with designers, product managers, engineers, and strategists to ensure research is integrated throughout the product lifecycle.

• Process Improvement Culture: A willingness to continuously evaluate and refine research processes and methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Knowledge Sharing: Regular sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings through team meetings, presentations, and documentation, fostering a collective growth environment.

• Experimentation: An openness to experimenting with new research techniques and tools to stay at the forefront of the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of user advocacy, strategic foresight, and collaborative execution, essential for a team focused on inventing future experiences within a large organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on future concepts often means dealing with high levels of uncertainty and less defined problem spaces. Developing strategies to navigate this ambiguity is key.

• Translating Foresight to Action: Bridging the gap between long-term, speculative research and actionable product roadmaps within a large, established organization can be challenging.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively communicating the value of future-focused research and driving adoption of its insights requires strong persuasive and strategic communication skills.

• Balancing Depth and Breadth: Managing a diverse portfolio of research projects, each requiring deep understanding and specific methodologies, demands excellent prioritization and time management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge research techniques, including foresight methodologies, speculative design, and advanced quantitative modeling.

• Industry Engagement: Participation in leading UX research conferences, workshops, and industry events to stay abreast of emerging trends and network with peers.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Deep exposure to various technology domains and product areas within Samsung, broadening understanding of the innovation landscape.

• Leadership Development: Potential for mentorship, leading research initiatives, and contributing to the strategic direction of UX research at Samsung.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in future-focused research, particularly within a large corporation, present significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development in areas like strategic foresight and change management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you identified a significant unmet user need that led to a new product concept or strategic shift. What was your process?" (Focus on foresight, generative research, and strategic impact.)

• "How do you approach research planning when the problem space is highly ambiguous or the target users are not yet well-defined?" (Demonstrate your ability to create structure from ambiguity.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Samsung's approach to future product innovation, and how do you see your UX research contributing to it?" (Research Samsung's R&D efforts and their focus on user experience.)

• "How would you foster collaboration between the Global UX Studio and various product development teams at Samsung to ensure your research insights are effectively utilized?" (Highlight your communication and influence strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Craft a Compelling Narrative: For each case study, tell a story that highlights the problem, your unique contribution, the journey of discovery, and the tangible impact.

• Quantify Impact Where Possible: Even for exploratory research, articulate the potential business impact or strategic value derived from your insights.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, participant selection, data analysis, and how you handled any challenges or unexpected findings.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Clearly articulate how your research informed strategic decisions and influenced product direction, demonstrating your role as a strategic partner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to think strategically, manage ambiguity, and translate forward-looking insights into actionable influence within a large, complex organization like Samsung. Your portfolio is your primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience in UX research, specifically emphasizing work on new concepts, future products, and your proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best represent your ability to conduct exploratory research, synthesize complex insights, and drive strategic influence. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, key findings, and impact. Prioritize projects related to future product experiences.

• Prepare your presentation: Practice delivering your portfolio presentation, ensuring it is concise, engaging, and clearly articulates your strategic thinking and research impact. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your methodology and decision-making.

• Research Samsung Research America: Understand their mission, current R&D focus, and the role of the Global UX Studio. Prepare to discuss how your skills and experience align with their goals for future innovation.

⚠️ 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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