UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: AvePoint

Location: Richmond, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience Research

Date Posted: April 09, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is designed to elevate and deepen user insights within the product design team, focusing on rigorous data collection and analysis to inform product strategy and development.

• The Senior UX Researcher will serve as the dedicated expert in research methodologies, bridging the gap between qualitative user feedback and quantitative performance metrics for complex B2B SaaS products.

• Key responsibilities include leading generative research to uncover new market problems and professionalizing evaluative testing pipelines to provide evidence-based design directives.

• The position requires a proactive, collaborative individual who can independently establish research workflows and best practices, acting as a strategic consultant to the UX/UI team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Researcher," the description emphasizes "Senior UX Researcher" and "resident expert," indicating a mid-to-senior level position requiring significant autonomy and expertise, particularly in a B2B/SaaS context. The role is positioned as a specialist to lead and professionalize research within an existing product design team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Advance Discovery Research: Lead deep-dive ethnographic studies and stakeholder interviews to uncover complex, novel problems that will shape the future product roadmap and identify new market opportunities.

• Professionalize Evaluative Testing: Design, recruit for, and moderate high-rigor usability tests to generate definitive, evidence-based "Design Directives" that guide the product design team.

• Implement Mixed-Methods Approach: Integrate qualitative insights from user interviews with quantitative data from A/B testing, heatmaps, and telemetry to provide a comprehensive understanding of user behavior and product performance.

• Synthesize and Strategize: Translate raw research data into clear, actionable findings and compelling narratives that designers can readily use to create world-class interfaces and inform product strategy.

• Operationalize Recruitment: Design, build, and manage a sustainable user recruitment pipeline to ensure continuous, representative feedback from AvePoint's actual customer base.

• Methodology Expertise: Act as the subject matter expert on research methodologies, selecting appropriate techniques (e.g., diary studies, tree tests) based on research objectives and defending these choices to stakeholders.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with UX/UI designers, product managers, and potentially engineering teams to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and operational focus, moving beyond basic research execution to building and defining research processes within the organization. This implies a need for strong process design and implementation skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is typically expected for advanced UX research roles.

Experience: 4+ years of dedicated UX Research experience, with a strong preference for complex B2B, SaaS, or enterprise software environments.

Required Skills:

• Research Methodology Mastery: Deep understanding and practical application of both generative (discovery) and evaluative (testing) research methods.

• Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing qualitative data (e.g., thematic coding, affinity mapping) and quantitative data (e.g., statistical significance, A/B testing results, telemetry analysis).

• User Recruitment & Management: Proven ability to design, build, and optimize a user recruitment program from scratch, ensuring access to target user segments.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear, compelling narratives and actionable insights for diverse audiences.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Experience working effectively within a product design team, acting as a trusted partner and advocate for user needs.

• Autonomy & Proactivity: Demonstrated ability to work independently, define workflows, select appropriate tools, and establish best practices with minimal supervision.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect user frustrations and behaviors to long-term business opportunities and product strategy.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific research tools for usability testing, survey administration, and data analysis.

• Familiarity with product analytics platforms and telemetry data interpretation.

• Experience in environments with a strong focus on data governance, security, or resiliency, aligning with AvePoint's core offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "The Researcher's Researcher" and "Mastery of both generative (discovery) and evaluative (methods)" suggests that candidates will be evaluated on their depth of knowledge and ability to articulate the rationale behind their methodological choices. The "independent & proactive" trait points to a need for someone who can define and build the research function.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects, from initial problem definition through to actionable insights and their impact on product design.

• Clearly articulate the research questions, methodologies employed (explaining why specific methods were chosen), and the participant recruitment strategy for each case study.

• Highlight your ability to synthesize mixed-methods research, presenting how qualitative and quantitative data were integrated to form comprehensive findings.

• Demonstrate your skill in translating research findings into clear, actionable recommendations and design directives that directly influenced product decisions and improved user experience.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing and documenting research plans, protocols, and findings for various research methodologies.

• Articulate how you would establish and maintain a continuous feedback loop with customers through structured recruitment and research programs.

• Discuss your process for collaborating with designers and product managers to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a new, dedicated research role, a strong portfolio showcasing the ability to build processes and demonstrate impact will be crucial. The emphasis on "professionalize the testing pipeline" and "operationalize research" means candidates should be ready to present examples of process creation and improvement.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with employer match.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Potential for bonuses, commissions, or equity (RSUs), depending on the specific role and performance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility managed within the on-site work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific. For Richmond, Virginia, this range falls within the competitive market for a Senior UX Researcher with 4+ years of experience, especially in a B2B SaaS environment. The benefits package is robust, with "Unlimited PTO" being a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software - specifically focusing on data protection, data security, governance, and resilience for cloud environments, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce ecosystems.

Company Size: AvePoint is a global leader with "more than 28,000 customers" and a "global partner ecosystem" of approximately 6,000 MSPs, VARs, and SIs. This indicates a large, established enterprise with a significant market presence.

Founded: AvePoint was founded in 2001, providing a long history and deep expertise in its domain.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Researcher will join the Product Design team, which currently consists of end-to-end UX/UI designers.

• This role is intended to be a specialist function, augmenting the existing design team's capabilities.

Methodology:

• AvePoint's core offerings revolve around data protection, security, governance, and resilience, suggesting a culture that values data integrity, compliance, and robust technical solutions.

• The company emphasizes "agility, passion, and teamwork," aiming to empower employees.

• The introduction of a dedicated UX Researcher signals a growing commitment to deepening user-centricity and data-driven decision-making within product development.

Company Website: www.avepoint.com

📝 Enhancement Note: AvePoint operates in a critical, complex B2B software space. The company's focus on data protection and governance implies a professional, detail-oriented, and secure operational environment. The "unleash the power of you!" slogan suggests an emphasis on employee growth and contribution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Researcher role, positioned as a specialist expert. It's a step beyond a generalist UX Designer who might also conduct research, to a dedicated researcher who will define and lead research practices.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Product Design team, likely to a Design Lead or Director. The researcher will function as a consultant to the UX/UI designers and collaborate closely with product managers.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's findings will directly influence product strategy, roadmap prioritization, and the design of user interfaces, impacting user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, AvePoint's market competitiveness in data protection and governance solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Define Research Function: Opportunity to build and shape the UX Research practice at AvePoint, establishing methodologies, tools, and processes from the ground up.

• Specialization & Leadership: Develop deep expertise in UX research for complex B2B SaaS products, potentially leading to a Principal Researcher role or management of a future research team.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Gain significant exposure and influence across product development, contributing to strategic decisions and fostering a more user-centric culture company-wide.

• Skill Development: Opportunity to hone mixed-methods research skills, particularly in integrating quantitative telemetry and A/B testing with qualitative insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique chance to "define the research culture" and "build a research function," indicating significant autonomy and potential for impactful contributions. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to shape a discipline within a well-established company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is listed as "On-site" in Richmond, Virginia. This implies a traditional office environment where collaboration and in-person interaction are valued.

Office Location(s): Richmond, Virginia, United States. Specific office address details would typically be provided later in the application process.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is within a Product Design team that currently handles end-to-end UX/UI design, suggesting a collaborative and iterative design culture.

• As a dedicated researcher, you'll have the opportunity to influence the team's toolstack and establish best practices for research operations.

• Proximity to other departments (Product Management, Engineering) will facilitate seamless integration of research findings into the product development lifecycle.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time business hours are expected for an on-site role. While the role is not remote, AvePoint's culture aims to empower employees, suggesting a professional environment that values work-life balance within standard operating hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in Richmond suggests a need for candidates comfortable with a physical office presence and the collaborative dynamics that come with it. The company's emphasis on employee empowerment might translate to a supportive office environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review your resume and portfolio for relevant experience and skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Design Lead or Director) to assess your fit, research philosophy, and understanding of the role's strategic objectives. Be prepared to articulate your approach to building a research function.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with UX/UI designers and potentially Product Managers to evaluate your collaborative style, communication skills, and how you translate research into actionable design input.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you present selected case studies from your portfolio, detailing your research process, findings, and impact. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your expertise.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Show, Don't Just Tell: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your research methodology (justifying your choices), your role, the process you followed, key findings, and the impact of your work on the product.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research, such as improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, or reduction in support tickets.

• Highlight Process Innovation: Since you're building this role, showcase examples where you've established new research processes, improved existing ones, or advocated for specific methodologies.

• Focus on B2B/SaaS Relevance: Tailor your examples to demonstrate experience in complex enterprise or B2B SaaS environments, highlighting your understanding of the unique challenges and user needs in these contexts.

• Narrative is Key: Frame your case studies as compelling stories that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential research-focused exercise or a deep dive into a past project where you'll be asked to outline a research plan for a hypothetical AvePoint product.

• Practice articulating complex research concepts clearly and concisely.

• Consider how you would integrate qualitative and quantitative data to support your recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "professionalize the testing pipeline" and "operationalize research" means your portfolio should not just show what you did, but how you structured and executed it, ideally demonstrating process improvements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools: (Likely to be adopted/defined by the researcher, but common industry standards include):

• Usability Testing Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Optimal Workshop (for tree testing, card sorting).

• Survey Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics.

• Prototyping Tools (for review/collaboration): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence, Jira.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Pendo.

• Heatmaps & Session Recording: Hotjar, FullStory.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Optimizely, Google Optimize.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (for understanding user base): Salesforce (highly relevant given AvePoint's ecosystem focus).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a Senior UX Researcher is expected to be proficient in a variety of research and analytics tools and to be capable of selecting and implementing the best stack for the organization's needs. Given AvePoint's focus on Microsoft, familiarity with the Microsoft ecosystem (including Office 365, Teams) is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value that the Senior UX Researcher will champion, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of product development.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using rigorous research and analytics to inform strategic choices and design iterations.

• Agility and Passion: The company culture encourages a dynamic approach to work and a strong commitment to achieving goals.

• Teamwork and Empowerment: Fostering a collaborative environment where individuals are empowered to contribute and own their career paths.

• Integrity and Trust: Essential given AvePoint's focus on data protection and governance.

Collaboration Style:

• Consultative: The researcher will act as a specialized consultant to the UX/UI team, providing expert guidance and data.

• Partnership: Emphasis on working with designers and product managers, not in isolation, to ensure research is actionable and integrated.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing insights, findings, and recommendations to keep stakeholders informed and engaged.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Building strong working relationships with various departments to ensure a unified approach to product development and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of "agility, passion and teamwork" and "empowered to craft your career, make an impact, and own (y)our future" suggest a dynamic and growth-oriented environment where initiative is rewarded.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing a New Function: The primary challenge will be defining and building a robust UX research function within an organization that has historically relied on product designers for research. This requires strategic planning, process creation, and stakeholder buy-in.

• Balancing Generative & Evaluative Research: Effectively managing time and resources to conduct both deep discovery research and frequent evaluative testing to meet product development timelines.

• Integrating Diverse Data Sources: Harmonizing insights from qualitative interviews, usability tests, A/B tests, and telemetry data to create a cohesive understanding of user behavior.

• Influencing Product Strategy: Effectively translating research findings into compelling arguments that influence product roadmap decisions and design priorities in a B2B SaaS context.

• Recruitment for Niche Audiences: Developing effective strategies to recruit participants for research, especially for specialized enterprise software users.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Molding a Research Practice: Unparalleled opportunity to design and implement research processes, methodologies, and best practices from the ground up.

• Deepening B2B SaaS Expertise: Gaining extensive experience researching complex enterprise software solutions and understanding the unique needs of B2B users.

• Strategic Influence: Direct impact on product strategy and roadmap, fostering growth in strategic thinking and business acumen.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to mentor future researchers or lead a growing research team as AvePoint scales its user experience efforts.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend relevant UX research conferences, workshops, or pursue certifications to stay abreast of industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are significant but directly tied to the growth opportunities. This role is ideal for a self-starter who thrives on building and shaping a function, rather than simply executing within an established framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building a user recruitment pipeline from scratch for a B2B SaaS product like AvePoint's?"

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for user needs that conflicted with business or technical constraints. How did you navigate that situation?"

• "Walk us through a complex research project where you used mixed methods. What were your key findings, and what was the impact?"

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and effectively communicated to design and product teams?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about AvePoint's mission and its focus on data protection and governance?"

• "How do you see yourself contributing to and shaping the research culture within our product design team?"

• "Describe your ideal collaboration with UX/UI designers and product managers."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the methodology, your process, key findings, recommendations, and the measurable impact.

• Justify Your Methods: Be ready to explain why you chose specific research methods over others for each project.

• Highlight Synthesis: Demonstrate your ability to connect disparate pieces of information (qualitative feedback, quantitative data) into a coherent and actionable insight.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the business and user outcomes of your research. Quantify where possible.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, decision-making, and how you would apply your experience to AvePoint's specific products.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on building and professionalizing research, interviewers will likely probe deeply into your process, your strategic thinking, and your ability to influence. Be ready to demonstrate not just research skills, but also strategic leadership and operational acumen.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

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

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight keywords and responsibilities directly related to UX research, B2B/SaaS environments, generative/evaluative methods, mixed-methods research, and user recruitment program development. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful case studies that best showcase your end-to-end research process, strategic thinking, and ability to drive product decisions. Ensure clear articulation of methodology, findings, recommendations, and impact.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and compellingly, focusing on your role and the outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to building research processes and influencing teams.

• Research AvePoint: Familiarize yourself with AvePoint's product suite, target market (B2B, enterprise, cloud data protection), and company values to tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.