Staff UX Researcher - C2C

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff UX Researcher - C2C

Company: eBay

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research

Date Posted: February 22, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centric product development and strategy by leading qualitative and quantitative UX research initiatives.

• Translate complex user behaviors and needs into actionable insights that influence product roadmaps and business decisions.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Design, Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing to champion user needs.

• Develop and execute comprehensive research plans across the entire product development lifecycle, from concept to launch.

• Foster a culture of human-centered design by effectively communicating research findings through compelling storytelling and workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Staff UX Researcher, indicating a senior-level position requiring significant autonomy and strategic influence. The "C2C" designation likely refers to "Consumer-to-Consumer" or a specific business unit within eBay, suggesting a focus on the core marketplace experience. The emphasis on "zero-to-one space" and "defining excellent customer experiences" points to opportunities for foundational research and shaping new initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategize, plan, and execute a variety of user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing, diary studies, ethnographic research) to uncover deep user needs and behavioral patterns.

• Define research questions and hypotheses aligned with business objectives and product strategy for key roadmap priorities.

• Analyze and synthesize research data to identify key themes, insights, and opportunities for product and experience improvements.

• Develop compelling narratives and presentations to communicate research findings, insights, and recommendations to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership.

• Facilitate workshops and collaborative sessions to help design and product teams translate research insights into concrete design decisions and product features.

• Advocate for the user throughout the product development process, ensuring that user needs are prioritized and addressed.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement and growth of eBay's UX Research practice by sharing best practices, mentoring junior researchers, and participating in community-of-practice activities.

• Conduct global research to understand diverse user populations and inform international product strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and leadership-oriented role, requiring the researcher to not only conduct research but also to influence product direction and contribute to the overall UX research discipline within eBay. The mention of "zero-to-one space" implies a need for foundational research to define new product areas or features from scratch.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master's or PhD in Anthropology, Sociology, Cognitive Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Human Factors Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field.

Experience: 8+ years of practical experience deploying qualitative and quantitative research methods throughout the product development lifecycle, from conceptualization to launch, in an applied user research setting.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in designing, conducting, and analyzing a wide range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods.

• Deep understanding of the product development lifecycle and ability to integrate research seamlessly at all stages.

• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advocate for user needs effectively.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex and ambiguous situations.

• Demonstrated ability to draw from a variety of research fundamentals to impact design and product decisions.

• Expert use of UX research tools and platforms for data collection, analysis, and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting global research and understanding diverse cultural nuances.

• Familiarity with e-commerce platforms and the specific user behaviors within them.

• Experience in "zero-to-one" product development environments.

• Mentorship experience with junior researchers.

• Proficiency in statistical analysis software and advanced data visualization techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "8+ years" combined with the "Staff" title suggests a significant level of seniority. The education requirements are typical for advanced research roles, emphasizing a strong theoretical and methodological foundation. The "C2C" context implies a need for understanding consumer behavior in marketplace environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a breadth of research projects demonstrating expertise across multiple methodologies (qualitative and quantitative).

• Clearly articulate the research problem, your role, the methods used, key findings, and the impact of your research on product/business outcomes.

• Provide examples of how you translated complex user insights into actionable recommendations.

• Include case studies that highlight your ability to influence product strategy and design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Present research plans that outline clear objectives, target participants, methodologies, and timelines.

• Illustrate how you have integrated research findings into design iterations and product development cycles.

• Show examples of how you have documented and shared research insights effectively with various stakeholders.

• Detail your approach to ethical research practices and data privacy compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Staff-level researcher, the portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase methodological proficiency but also strategic thinking, leadership in influencing outcomes, and the ability to drive impact in complex organizational settings. Demonstrating experience with "zero-to-one" initiatives and global research will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $127,600 - $214,700 USD per year

Explanation of Range: This salary range is based on the provided data for a Staff UX Researcher position in Austin, Texas, considering the experience level (10+ years), the seniority of the role, and industry benchmarks for similar positions in major tech hubs. Factors such as specific skills, interview performance, and internal equity will influence the final offer within this range.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical coverage

• Financial benefits (details not specified, but typically include retirement plans, stock options, etc.)

• 401(k) eligibility

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Parental Leave

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this full-time role are approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, core business hours will need to be observed to facilitate collaboration with local and potentially distributed teams. Flexibility may be available depending on team needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a strong indicator of the seniority and value placed on this role. The benefits package is standard for a large tech company, with specific financial benefits and stock options being common at the Staff level. The on-site requirement in Austin means candidates should be prepared for a fixed location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Technology, Marketplace

Company Size: eBay is a large, established global technology company with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for broad impact, cross-functional collaboration, and career mobility within a well-resourced organization.

Founded: eBay was founded in 1995. Its long history as a pioneer in online marketplaces means a culture that values innovation, adaptation, and understanding evolving consumer behaviors.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team at eBay likely operates within a larger Design or Product organization.

• Researchers collaborate closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and marketing specialists on specific product areas or initiatives.

• For a Staff UX Researcher, there may be opportunities to mentor junior researchers and contribute to the strategic direction of the research function.

Methodology:

• eBay emphasizes a human-centered approach, using insights to guide product and business strategy.

• Expect a data-driven environment where research findings are rigorously analyzed and presented to inform decisions.

• Collaboration is key, with an expectation that researchers actively engage with partners to ensure insights are understood and acted upon.

• Continuous improvement of research practices and methodologies is encouraged.

Company Website: https://jobs.ebayinc.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: eBay's established presence in e-commerce means the culture likely balances innovation with a need for stability and proven methodologies. A Staff UX Researcher will need to navigate a large organization, requiring strong stakeholder management and communication skills. The "C2C" focus implies a deep dive into the dynamics of buyer-seller interactions on the platform.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff UX Researcher

This is a senior individual contributor role. Staff UX Researchers are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, tackle complex and ambiguous problems, and influence strategic decisions. They are often seen as thought leaders within their domain, driving best practices and mentoring others. Their work has a significant impact on product direction and user experience.

Reporting Structure:

The role reports to a Director or Senior Manager of UX Research or potentially a Design leader. The researcher will work closely with product leaders, design managers, and engineering leads within their assigned product area, likely focusing on the C2C segment.

Operations Impact:

The impact of this role is direct and significant. By providing deep user understanding and strategic insights, the Staff UX Researcher will shape the direction of key features and products within eBay's C2C marketplace. This influences customer acquisition, retention, engagement, and overall platform success, ultimately driving revenue and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of e-commerce research, such as marketplace dynamics, buyer-seller interactions, trust & safety, or global consumer behavior.

• Leadership: Transition into management roles (e.g., UX Research Manager) or take on lead roles for large, strategic research programs.

• Cross-functional Influence: Expand influence across broader product portfolios or even into business strategy roles.

• Mentorship: Formally mentor junior researchers, contributing to the development of the research team.

• Industry Contribution: Present findings at industry conferences, publish research, or contribute to the broader UX community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" title signifies a high level of expertise and influence. Growth opportunities will likely involve taking on more strategic research leadership, mentoring, and potentially moving into management, rather than purely technical specialization, although deep domain expertise is also valued.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Austin, Texas. This implies a traditional office setting designed for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Austin, Texas (specific address not provided, but generally a major tech hub). This location offers access to a vibrant tech community and talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting will facilitate close collaboration with design, product, and engineering partners through face-to-face interactions, whiteboarding sessions, and impromptu discussions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office amenities, IT support, and likely a robust set of UX research tools, software licenses, and collaboration platforms provided by eBay.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and knowledge sharing with other UX researchers and design professionals within eBay.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an expectation of working approximately 40 hours per week. While the precise schedule may offer some flexibility, adherence to core business hours is necessary for effective collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders, especially given the on-site requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role in Austin is a key factor. It suggests an environment that values in-person collaboration and spontaneous idea exchange, which can be beneficial for complex problem-solving and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Recruiter Screen: Initial conversation to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, research philosophy, problem-solving approach, and alignment with the role's strategic needs.

3. Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present 1-2 detailed case studies from their portfolio, showcasing their research process, impact, and storytelling abilities. This often includes a Q&A session with a panel of UX researchers and/or design/product leaders.

4. Skills-Based Interview/Exercise: May involve a practical research challenge, a whiteboarding session to solve a UX problem, or a deep dive into specific methodologies.

5. Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Conversations with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Managers, Designers, Engineers) to assess collaboration style and ability to influence.

6. Final Interview: Often with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and final fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your strategic thinking, methodological rigor, and tangible impact on product or business outcomes. Prioritize projects that align with eBay's C2C focus if possible.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate: the problem, your role, the research questions, methodology, key findings, insights, recommendations, and the impact (e.g., metrics improved, product changes made).

• Highlight Ambiguity & Complexity: Showcase how you navigated uncertainty, complex user behaviors, or challenging organizational dynamics.

• Emphasize Influence: Demonstrate how your research directly influenced decisions and led to positive outcomes for users and the business.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about your methodology choices, data analysis, and how you handled challenges or unexpected findings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Think Strategically: If given a design or research challenge, frame your approach using a structured research methodology.

• Consider the User: Always anchor your solutions in user needs and behaviors.

• Acknowledge Constraints: Be realistic about timelines, resources, and business objectives.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Discuss potential risks, limitations, and alternative approaches.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse explaining complex ideas clearly and concisely, as if presenting to diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for a Staff UX Researcher. Candidates should prepare to present detailed case studies that highlight strategic thinking, end-to-end research leadership, and demonstrable impact, especially in complex or ambiguous environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for participant recruitment, scheduling, survey deployment, and remote usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration Tools: Platforms for team communication, project management, and document sharing (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Jira, Confluence).

• Data Analysis Software: Tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, ATLAS.ti) and potentially quantitative analysis (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries like Pandas).

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Familiarity with tools used by design partners (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) is beneficial for understanding the design process and creating stimuli for research.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Experience with tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to understand user behavior at scale.

• BI Tools: Familiarity with business intelligence platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for accessing and visualizing broader business data that can complement UX research.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by UX Research, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) or customer feedback platforms can inform research is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't always listed, a Staff UX Researcher is expected to be proficient in a wide array of research platforms and analysis tools. The ability to integrate insights from analytics and CRM data into research is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the customer's needs and experiences.

• Innovation & Boldness: Encouragement to explore new ideas, challenge the status quo, and tackle ambitious projects, particularly in "zero-to-one" spaces.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Working effectively with diverse teams, valuing different perspectives, and ensuring everyone can contribute their unique selves.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on evidence and insights to guide strategy and product development.

• Impact & Accountability: Taking ownership of research outcomes and striving to make a meaningful impact on the business and users.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Researchers work closely with design, product, and engineering to co-create solutions.

• Insight-Driven: Discussions and decision-making are grounded in user research findings.

• Storytelling Focused: Insights are communicated in compelling ways to ensure understanding and drive action.

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers are embedded within or closely aligned with product teams to ensure seamless integration of research into the development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: eBay's stated values of "authenticity thrives, bold ideas are welcome, and everyone can bring their unique selves to work" suggest a culture that is inclusive, innovative, and values individual contributions. A Staff UX Researcher should embody these values in their collaboration and research approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Organization: Effectively influencing stakeholders and driving change within a large, established company requires strong communication and diplomacy.

• Balancing Qualitative & Quantitative Data: Synthesizing insights from diverse research methods to create a holistic understanding of user needs.

• "Zero-to-One" Ambiguity: Conducting foundational research and defining product direction in uncharted territories requires comfort with uncertainty and strategic foresight.

• Global Research Complexity: Understanding and accounting for cultural differences and market variations across eBay's global user base.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the business value and impact of UX research to secure resources and buy-in.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research techniques or explore emerging methods.

• Strategic Influence: Developing skills in stakeholder management, product strategy, and executive communication.

• Leadership Development: Pathways to formal leadership roles or becoming a recognized subject matter expert.

• Industry Engagement: Attending conferences, workshops, and potentially contributing to publications or industry forums.

• Mentorship: Learning from and contributing to a community of experienced UX professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges for a Staff level are strategic and organizational. Growth opportunities will focus on expanding influence, leadership, and deepening strategic impact within the e-commerce domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a cross-functional team or senior stakeholder with your research findings when they were resistant. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your persuasion, data articulation, and negotiation skills.)

• "Imagine we are launching a new feature in the C2C marketplace focused on [e.g., secure payment processing, seller verification, buyer protection]. How would you approach researching the user needs and potential challenges for this feature?" (Demonstrate your strategic research planning and methodology selection.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in eBay, and specifically this Staff UX Researcher role within our C2C domain?" (Research eBay's mission, values, and recent business initiatives, especially related to its core marketplace.)

• "How do you approach fostering a user-centric culture within teams that may not have deep UX expertise?" (Showcase your advocacy and educational skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly quantify the impact of your research whenever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in conversion," "reduced support tickets by 10%").

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation as a compelling narrative with a clear beginning (problem), middle (your process and insights), and end (solution and impact).

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decision-making process, and how you’d handle similar situations in the future.

• Showcase Your "Staff" Level Thinking: Emphasize your strategic contributions, ability to handle ambiguity, and influence on product direction, not just your execution skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership in research, and a proven ability to drive impact within a large organization. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex problems, influencing stakeholders, and articulating research value.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the eBay Careers portal via the provided job link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your most impactful UX research projects, emphasizing your experience with qualitative and quantitative methods, strategic influence, and driving product outcomes in complex environments.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 8+ years of experience, advanced degree, and specific skills relevant to user research, product development lifecycle, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your case studies, focusing on the narrative, your strategic contributions, and the impact of your work. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team, challenges, and eBay's UX research maturity.

• Company Research: Deeply research eBay's mission, values, recent news, and the specifics of its C2C marketplace to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment. Understand how user research contributes to their business goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided input. All details, especially regarding specific responsibilities, team dynamics, and interview processes, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application and interview stages. The "C2C" designation is an interpretation and may refer to specific business units or initiatives within eBay.