UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: AKQA

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Design Operations

Date Posted: January 23, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end UX research methodology for complex digital product systems, ensuring user needs are central to product development.

• Translate complex research findings into actionable insights, strategic recommendations, and compelling narratives for clients and internal teams.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, strategists, product owners, and engineers, in agile environments to advocate for user-centered approaches.

• Proactively identify knowledge gaps, propose strategic research opportunities, and champion innovative research methods and tools to enhance research delivery.

• Partner strategically with stakeholders to influence product and design decisions, ensuring tangible business value is delivered through research.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Researcher with a strong emphasis on ownership of the research lifecycle and proactive contribution to research practice elevation. The "Operations" category is added to reflect the role's involvement in defining and driving methodologies, which is a core function within Operations disciplines, particularly Design Operations or GTM Operations where research insights feed strategic decisions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently plan, execute, and synthesize a full spectrum of generative and evaluative UX research studies, including stakeholder interviews, in-depth user interviews, contextual inquiry, concept testing, and usability testing.

• Define strategic objectives and craft robust study plans, meticulously managing recruitment and logistics to ensure research integrity.

• Strategically select, advocate for, and skillfully apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods, making informed tradeoffs to achieve project goals.

• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable insights, frameworks (e.g., personas, journey maps, opportunity areas), and strategic recommendations that directly drive significant product and design decisions.

• Lead and facilitate workshops and working sessions with stakeholders and cross-functional teams, such as discovery sessions, assumption mapping, ideation, and prioritization.

• Confidently communicate and persuasively advocate for research findings to diverse audiences, including design teams, business stakeholders, and executives, driving consensus and action.

• Partner strategically with UX/UI designers, product managers, strategists, and engineers in agile environments, effectively evangelizing research findings and user-centered approaches.

• Work within complex systems (e.g., multi-channel journeys, enterprise tools, portals, or service ecosystems) with a focus on simplifying and humanizing the user experience.

• Proactively explore, integrate, and pioneer novel research approaches and tools to enhance research capabilities and elevate research delivery quality, efficiency, and impact.

• Translate research insights into compelling stories that inspire exceptional design and confident decision-making for marquee brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize end-to-end ownership, strategic influence, and proactive contribution to research methodology and practice, aligning with a mid-level researcher who is expected to lead initiatives rather than just execute tasks. The focus on complex digital product systems and impact on millions of users suggests a role in a larger agency or enterprise setting where operational excellence in research is paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Design, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3–5 years of hands-on experience conducting UX research for digital products, services, or platforms.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in independently planning, executing, and synthesizing generative and evaluative research methodologies (e.g., stakeholder interviews, in-depth user interviews, contextual inquiry, concept testing, usability testing).

• Demonstrated ability to own the end-to-end research lifecycle, from defining strategic objectives and crafting study plans to managing recruitment and logistics.

• Skillful application of qualitative and quantitative research methods, with the ability to make informed tradeoffs and advocate for appropriate approaches.

• Exceptional ability to synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable insights, frameworks (e.g., personas, journey maps), and strategic recommendations.

• Experience influencing and partnering strategically with UX/UI designers, product managers, strategists, and engineers in agile environments.

• Comfort working within and simplifying complex digital systems and multi-channel user journeys.

• Ability to confidently lead and facilitate workshops and working sessions with stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

• Strong storytelling and presentation skills with the ability to advocate for findings to various audiences (design teams, business stakeholders, executives).

• Familiarity with common research and collaboration tools (e.g., UserTesting or similar platforms, survey tools, whiteboarding tools like FigJam/Miro, documentation tools).

• Understanding of core UX and interaction design principles and how research translates into design decisions.

• Deep curiosity about people—motivations, behaviors, and contexts—and a passion for turning understanding into better experiences.

• Proactive and influential advocate for user-centered thinking, balancing user needs with business goals and technical realities.

• Comfort with ambiguity, demonstrating an entrepreneurial mindset and ability to bring structure to open-ended problems.

• Exceptional written, visual, and verbal communication skills to make complex information accessible and engaging.

• Collaborative and inclusive approach, building trust and constructively challenging assumptions.

• Methodical and detail-oriented in research execution, pragmatic about timelines, and continuously seeking process optimization.

• Team-first mindset, motivated by contributing to shared outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a consulting or agency environment, working with marquee brands.

• Proven track record of pioneering novel research approaches and setting new standards.

• Experience presenting research findings to executive-level stakeholders.

• Familiarity with advanced analytics and data synthesis techniques.

• Experience with enterprise tools, portals, or complex service ecosystems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list has been expanded to incorporate the "Qualities and Characteristics" section from the original description, as these are crucial behavioral competencies for a UX Researcher in this context. The emphasis on "pioneering innovative best practices," "setting new standards," and "exploring and proposing new tools" highlights the operational aspect of this role, aiming to elevate the overall research practice.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of end-to-end UX research projects, showcasing the full research lifecycle from strategy and planning to synthesis and impact.

• Case studies detailing how research insights directly influenced significant product and design decisions, leading to tangible business value or improved user experiences.

• Examples of how qualitative and quantitative methods were strategically selected and applied to solve complex problems or answer critical business questions.

• Documentation of research findings, including synthesized insights, personas, journey maps, opportunity areas, and strategic recommendations presented in a clear, actionable format.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how research plans were developed, including strategic objectives, methodologies chosen, and logistical considerations managed.

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

• Artifacts demonstrating the translation of research findings into compelling narratives and persuasive presentations for diverse audiences.

• Evidence of process optimization or innovation in research methodologies, tools, or collaboration approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to highlight the candidate's ability to manage the entire research lifecycle, demonstrate strategic impact, and innovate within research practices, aligning with the operational aspects of the role. This emphasizes not just research execution but also the strategic framing and delivery of insights.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the mid-level experience (3-5 years) and the location in Atlanta, Georgia, a competitive salary range for a UX Researcher at a reputable agency like AKQA would typically fall between $90,000 to $130,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks from similar roles in major U.S. metropolitan areas, considering the agency's reputation and the specialized nature of UX research within complex digital product systems. Factors such as specific skill sets, interview performance, and the exact scope of responsibilities may influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick days, and holidays.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and workshops.

• Parental leave policies.

• Employee assistance programs (EAP).

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or profit sharing.

• Hybrid work model flexibility with core in-office days for collaboration.

• Access to cutting-edge research tools and technology.

Working Hours: The role requires availability to work core business hours aligned with U.S. Eastern Time (ET), typically around 40 hours per week. Flexibility is expected for collaboration with additional time zones as needed, reflecting the global nature of agency work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for Atlanta, GA, for a UX Researcher with 3-5 years of experience was researched using aggregated data from industry salary surveys and job boards. The benefits list is a standard offering for professional roles at large agencies, with specific emphasis on professional development, which is crucial for researchers looking to advance their skills.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising & Marketing; Technology Consulting; Digital Experience Design. AKQA operates at the intersection of creativity, technology, and strategy, designing transformative digital experiences for global brands.

Company Size: AKQA is a large, global company with over 6,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for diverse project work, cross-team collaboration, and potential for career growth across various disciplines and geographies.

Founded: AKQA was founded in 1995, bringing a long history of innovation and experience in the digital landscape. This longevity suggests a stable yet forward-thinking organization that adapts to evolving technological and consumer trends.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will likely be part of a larger UX/Design or Product team, potentially within a dedicated Research practice or embedded within project teams.

• Reporting structure typically involves a direct manager (e.g., Head of Research, UX Lead, or Design Director) and collaboration with project leads, product managers, and strategists.

Methodology:

• AKQA champions an entrepreneurial spirit, emphasizing the bold application of art and science to create transformative ideas.

• Research is central to understanding human needs, with a focus on combining rigor and curiosity to reveal how people think, feel, and behave.

• The approach is user-centered, grounded in real customer needs, and focused on delivering measurable impact.

• Agile methodologies are commonly employed, requiring researchers to integrate seamlessly into fast-paced project cycles.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: AKQA's description emphasizes innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and a blend of art and science. For a UX Researcher, this translates to a dynamic environment where curiosity, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to translate complex findings into actionable strategies are highly valued. The large company size implies a structured approach to operations and access to diverse projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is identified as a Mid-Level UX Researcher. It signifies a professional who has moved beyond foundational execution and is expected to independently manage research projects, influence strategy, and contribute to the elevation of research practices. This level requires strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and effective stakeholder management.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report to a senior leader within the UX, Design, or Research discipline (e.g., UX Lead, Head of Research, or Design Director). They will work closely with Project Leads, Product Managers, and Strategists on client projects, requiring strong collaboration and communication across various functional areas.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher plays a critical role in ensuring AKQA's digital experiences are grounded in human truths and deliver measurable impact. Their work directly influences design decisions, product strategy, and ultimately, the success of client initiatives by ensuring user needs are understood and met. This impact is essential for driving customer satisfaction, engagement, and business objectives within the GTM strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specialized research methods, quantitative analysis, or emerging research technologies. Opportunity to lead research initiatives for larger, more complex client projects.

• Methodology Development: Contribute to shaping and refining AKQA's research methodologies, tools, and best practices, potentially leading to roles like Senior UX Researcher or Research Lead.

• Leadership Potential: Develop skills in mentoring junior researchers, leading research teams on major accounts, and influencing strategic direction for client engagements.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to strategy, design, technology, and product management, fostering a holistic understanding of digital product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis focuses on the mid-level expectations, the operational impact of research in a GTM context, and specific growth trajectories within an agency setting, emphasizing both individual contribution and potential leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: AKQA operates with a hybrid work model, requiring core in-office days for collaboration, creativity, and connection. This suggests a dynamic office environment designed to foster teamwork and ideation.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Atlanta, Georgia. AKQA has numerous offices globally, which may offer opportunities for cross-office collaboration or potential future mobility for exceptional performers.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office space is designed to facilitate interaction, brainstorming, and co-creation among cross-functional teams. Expect dedicated spaces for workshops, presentations, and informal team meetings.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard research tools (e.g., UserTesting, survey platforms, Miro/FigJam) and collaboration software is provided. AKQA encourages the exploration and adoption of new technologies to enhance research capabilities.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with designers, strategists, product managers, and other researchers will be a daily occurrence, fostering a learning-rich environment.

Work Schedule: Core business hours are aligned with U.S. Eastern Time (ET), typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid model offers a balance between structured in-office collaboration and flexibility for focused work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, emphasizing both structured collaboration and personal flexibility, which is important for operations roles that require deep work alongside team engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Interview: A more in-depth session with a hiring manager or senior team member. This will involve a walkthrough of your portfolio, focusing on specific research projects, methodologies, and impact. Expect to discuss your approach to research strategy, synthesis, and stakeholder communication.

• Skills-Based Assessment/Workshop: Potentially a practical exercise or a simulated workshop scenario where you'll be asked to demonstrate your research planning, problem-solving, or synthesis skills. This might involve framing a research problem, outlining a study plan, or interpreting a data set.

• Cross-Functional Team Interview: Meet with potential team members (e.g., designers, product managers) to evaluate collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate into agile workflows.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, VP) to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall alignment with AKQA's culture and vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end research capabilities, strategic thinking, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with complex digital product systems or similar challenges.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your research objectives, the methods used, your specific role and contributions, the key insights derived, and the tangible outcomes or impact. Use a clear narrative structure.

• Highlight Process & Impact: Emphasize your process for defining research questions, selecting methods, synthesizing data, and translating insights into actionable recommendations. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, adoption metrics).

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Showcase how you effectively partnered with designers, product managers, and other stakeholders throughout the research process.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handle ambiguity, how you influence stakeholders, and your approach to innovative research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand AKQA's Work: Research AKQA's client roster, recent projects, and their approach to design and technology. Identify themes or challenges relevant to their work.

• Practice Synthesis: Be ready to synthesize a hypothetical data set or problem statement into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

• Articulate User-Centered Principles: Be prepared to discuss how you champion user needs and advocate for human-centered design in a business context.

• Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios: Think about how you would approach research in ambiguous situations or when facing competing business priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for navigating AKQA's interview process, with a strong emphasis on portfolio preparation and demonstrating operational excellence in research, including strategic influence and impact measurement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, UserZoom (or similar platforms for remote usability testing, surveys, and prototype testing).

• Survey Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms for quantitative data collection.

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro, FigJam, Mural for ideation, journey mapping, affinity diagramming, and workshop facilitation.

• Documentation & Project Management: Confluence, Jira, Asana, Trello, Google Workspace for organizing research plans, findings, and project tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Basic Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (understanding how to interpret user behavior data to inform research).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (familiarity with visualizing quantitative findings).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot (understanding how user data within CRMs can inform research).

• Automation: Basic understanding of how automation impacts user workflows being researched.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for UX researchers, with an emphasis on platforms used for executing research and facilitating collaboration. The inclusion of analytics and CRM tools reflects the need for researchers to understand broader data ecosystems and how their insights integrate with business operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ignite Imagination: A core value at AKQA, encouraging creative problem-solving and innovative approaches to research and design.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Valuing proactivity, identifying opportunities, and taking ownership of challenges, which is critical for shaping research practice.

• Human-Centered: A deep commitment to understanding and serving human needs, ensuring research is always focused on the user.

• Bold Application of Art & Science: Integrating creative thinking with rigorous methodologies to deliver transformative ideas and products.

• Collaboration & Connection: Fostering a team-oriented environment where sharing ideas, constructive feedback, and collective problem-solving are encouraged.

• Excellence & Impact: A drive to deliver high-quality work that achieves measurable business and user outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration: Researchers work seamlessly with designers, strategists, product owners, and engineers, acting as a bridge between user needs and product development.

• Workshop facilitation: Actively leading and participating in collaborative sessions to drive consensus and shared understanding.

• Open communication: Encouraging transparency, constructive feedback, and shared learning across teams.

• Agile mindset: Adapting research approaches to fit agile development cycles, with a focus on iterative insights and rapid feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: AKQA's stated values are directly linked to the expected behaviors and operational approach of a UX Researcher, emphasizing innovation, user advocacy, and collaborative problem-solving within a design and technology context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Rigor and Speed: In agile environments, there can be pressure to deliver research quickly. The challenge lies in maintaining research integrity and depth while meeting tight project timelines.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively translating complex research findings into compelling narratives that persuade diverse stakeholders (including executives) to adopt user-centered recommendations.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on open-ended problems or with new product areas where initial understanding of user needs is limited, requiring proactive framing of research questions.

• Simplifying Complex Systems: Researching and designing for intricate digital ecosystems (e.g., enterprise tools, multi-channel journeys) requires a strategic approach to understanding user flows and pain points.

• Measuring Research Impact: Demonstrating the tangible business value and ROI of UX research efforts to secure continued investment and support.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to train in and apply more specialized research techniques, such as advanced qualitative analysis, quantitative modeling, or experimental design.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending leading UX research conferences and obtaining relevant certifications to stay at the forefront of the field.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Access to mentorship from senior researchers and leaders within AKQA, with pathways to develop leadership skills and manage research teams.

• Exposure to Diverse Clients & Industries: Working with a wide range of marquee brands across various industries, broadening research experience and strategic perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames potential challenges as opportunities for growth, directly linking them to the skills and competencies required for a successful UX Researcher at AKQA.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define the research strategy for a complex digital product system from scratch. What was your process, and what were the key learnings?" (Focus on strategic framing, methodology selection, and end-to-end ownership.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints when conducting and presenting research? Provide a specific example." (Assess ability to influence and advocate for user-centered design pragmatically.)

• "Walk us through a research project where your insights led to a significant change in product direction or design. What was the impact, and how did you communicate it?" (Focus on synthesis, storytelling, and demonstrating tangible business value.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about AKQA, and how do you see your skills and entrepreneurial mindset contributing to our culture of igniting imagination?" (Assess cultural fit and understanding of AKQA's mission.)

• "How do you stay current with emerging research methods and tools, and how have you proactively introduced innovation into your research practice?" (Evaluate proactivity and commitment to continuous improvement.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, present a clear problem statement, your research objectives, your specific role and contributions, the methodologies employed, key findings and insights, strategic recommendations, and the ultimate impact or outcome.

• Visualize Your Process: Use visuals (e.g., screenshots of journey maps, personas, affinity diagrams, workshop outputs) to illustrate your research process and findings effectively.

• Quantify Where Possible: Highlight metrics or business outcomes that demonstrate the value of your research (e.g., improvements in engagement, conversion, satisfaction).

• Focus on Storytelling: Weave a narrative that engages the interviewer, highlighting your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach.

• Be Ready to Dive Deep: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology choices, synthesis process, and how you translated insights into actionable design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are designed to probe the candidate's strategic thinking, operational execution, and ability to influence, directly aligning with the expectations for a mid-level researcher in a leading agency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the AKQA careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight experience with end-to-end UX research, specific methodologies used (qualitative & quantitative), synthesis skills, and impactful outcomes. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX research," "digital product systems," "research methodology," "stakeholder interviews," "usability testing," "data synthesis," and "user-centered design."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your ability to plan, execute, synthesize, and influence with research. Focus on projects showing impact, strategic thinking, and collaboration. Prepare to walk through your process and findings clearly and concisely.

• Prepare for Behavioral & Situational Questions: Practice articulating your approach to research strategy, stakeholder management, handling ambiguity, and driving user-centered decisions. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex systems and innovative methodologies.

• Research AKQA: Understand AKQA's work, clients, and culture. Be prepared to articulate why you are a good fit for their entrepreneurial and human-centered approach.

⚠️ 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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