UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher Company: Etsy Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Research / User Experience Date Posted: August 11, 2025 Experience Level: 2-5 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product development and refinement by partnering with cross-functional teams including product managers, designers, engineers, and marketers.
• Conduct comprehensive user experience research, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover actionable insights.
• Manage a portfolio of research initiatives, encompassing foundational discovery and evaluative studies to inform product strategy and roadmap.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, prioritized recommendations that directly contribute to marketplace health and business objectives.
• Champion user-centric methodologies and best practices across the organization, fostering a deeper understanding of user needs and behaviors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Etsy's Product Research team, focusing specifically on enhancing buyer experiences by testing new methods for navigating the marketplace's unique inventory. The emphasis is on informing product development with user insights to drive engagement and repeat purchases.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product managers, designers, engineers, and marketers to define research objectives and guide product development and refinement, ensuring user needs are central to the process.
• Independently define project scope and select appropriate research methodologies to effectively manage a portfolio of foundational and evaluative insights.
• Execute user research studies, including on-site, remote, and in-field methodologies, with a focus on Etsy buyers and sellers to gather rich qualitative and quantitative data.
• Work synergistically with other researchers and data analysts to develop holistic approaches that address partner needs and uncover deeper insights.
• Regularly communicate tangible findings and prioritized recommendations to relevant stakeholders, influencing product decisions and driving Etsy’s business goals.
• Advocate for and promote proven user research methodologies and best practices throughout the company, enhancing the overall research maturity.
• Analyze the impact of product initiatives, identifying areas for improvement and providing data-backed recommendations for optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of independent research execution and collaborative influence. The role requires managing multiple research projects simultaneously, a common practice in dynamic product environments, and translating insights into tangible business impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Information Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Approximately 2-5 years of experience conducting user experience research, with a proven track record of impacting product decisions.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of a wide range of user research methods, including but not limited to:
  • User Interviews (in-depth, semi-structured)
  • Contextual Inquiry (field studies, observational research)
  • Journey Mapping (customer lifecycle analysis)
  • Participatory Design (co-creation workshops)
  • Usability Testing (moderated and unmoderated, remote and in-person)
• Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and the ability to integrate findings for a holistic understanding.
• Strong project management skills to independently define scope, manage timelines, and execute research plans across a "portfolio" of projects.
• Excellent communication and storytelling abilities, with a proven capacity to articulate customer-centric perspectives and influence stakeholders.
• Ability to present research findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including product teams, leadership, and engineering.
• Experience conducting research at various stages of the product development lifecycle, from initial discovery and ideation to validation and post-launch analysis.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with modern trends in app design and familiarity with e-commerce platforms.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools and techniques to complement qualitative findings.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, agile product development environment.
• Ability to mentor junior researchers or contribute to the development of research best practices within a team.
• Experience with A/B testing and experimental design for product validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "approx. 2+ years" suggests a mid-level researcher role. The emphasis on a "portfolio" of research implies the need for strong organizational and project management skills to handle multiple concurrent studies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of research projects that demonstrate proficiency in various qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Highlight instances where your research directly influenced product decisions and led to measurable improvements in user experience or business outcomes.
• Include examples of how you managed the end-to-end research process, from defining research questions to delivering actionable recommendations.
• Present case studies that illustrate your ability to adapt methodologies based on project constraints, timelines, and research goals.
• Demonstrate your approach to synthesizing complex data into clear, concise, and compelling insights for various stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your process for stakeholder alignment, ensuring research objectives are clearly defined and agreed upon with product, design, and engineering partners.
• Outline your methods for participant recruitment, screening, and management to ensure representative and engaged study participants.
• Describe your approach to data analysis and synthesis, including how you identify key themes, patterns, and actionable insights from qualitative and quantitative data.
• Explain your process for disseminating research findings, including the creation of reports, presentations, and workshops tailored to different audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't explicitly mentioned, a strong portfolio demonstrating robust research processes, stakeholder management, and impactful insights is paramount. The "portfolio" itself serves as a testament to process adherence and execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $109,000 - $141,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Equity Package: Opportunity to own a part of Etsy's growth and success.
• Annual Performance Bonus: Rewarding contributions and achievements tied to company and individual performance.
• Competitive Benefits: Comprehensive package including health, dental, vision insurance, retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off, parental leave, and other wellness programs designed to support employees and their families.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (typically 40 hours per week), with flexibility to manage research timelines and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a UX Researcher role with 2-5 years of experience in a major tech hub like New York City. The inclusion of equity and an annual bonus signifies a performance-oriented compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Marketplace, Technology Company Size: Etsy is a publicly traded company with a significant global presence, employing thousands of individuals across various functions. While the exact number fluctuates, it signifies a structured corporate environment with established processes. Founded: 2005. Etsy has a history of fostering creativity and empowering small businesses, which likely influences its culture towards innovation and community.

Team Structure:

• The Product Research team operates within the broader Product organization.
• Researchers collaborate closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Scientists, forming agile, cross-functional product teams.
• Researchers typically report to a Research Manager, who oversees the team's strategic direction and individual development.
• The team emphasizes a collaborative approach to problem-solving and insight generation.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is core, integrating qualitative user insights with quantitative behavioral data.
• Agile methodologies are likely employed, enabling iterative product development and research cycles.
• A strong emphasis on understanding the "human" element of commerce, aligning with Etsy's mission.
• Continuous learning and adaptation to new research techniques and market trends are encouraged.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Etsy's mission to "Keep Commerce Human" suggests a culture that values empathy, creativity, and meaningful connections. The company size implies opportunities for growth and exposure to large-scale projects, while also requiring adaptability within a structured environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Researcher position is likely at a mid-level, often referred to as "UX Researcher," "Product Researcher," or potentially "Senior UX Researcher" depending on the specific responsibilities and scope of influence. It requires a solid foundation in research methodologies and the ability to work independently.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Product Research Manager. Collaboration is key with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers within specific product pods or feature teams. Interaction with Data Scientists is also expected for a comprehensive understanding of user behavior.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is directly tied to shaping the buyer experience on Etsy. By providing critical user insights, they influence product strategy, design decisions, and feature development, ultimately driving key business metrics such as buyer engagement, conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methods (e.g., generative research, advanced quantitative analysis, longitudinal studies) or product areas (e.g., search, checkout, seller tools).
• Leadership Development: Progress to a Senior UX Researcher or Lead role, mentoring junior researchers, leading larger research initiatives, and contributing to research strategy.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Gain exposure to different product development cycles and contribute to broader strategic initiatives within the Product organization.
• Management Track: With demonstrated leadership and strategic impact, opportunities may arise to move into a Research Manager or similar leadership position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2+ years" experience requirement points to a mid-level role. Growth opportunities are typical for tech companies, focusing on deepening expertise, taking on more complex projects, and potentially moving into leadership or management roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Etsy operates with a hybrid work model. This means employees are expected to work from a designated office hub for a portion of their week, balanced with remote work.

Office Location(s): While candidates in the United States are considered, priority may be given to those within commutable distance of Etsy's Brooklyn Office Hub or in the San Francisco Bay Area. This indicates a preference for in-person collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The Brooklyn office hub is likely a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster interaction and innovation.
• Employees will have access to standard office amenities and technology infrastructure.
• The hybrid model allows for focused work at home and collaborative sessions, brainstorming, and team meetings in the office.
• Expect a dynamic environment where research plays a crucial role in informing product decisions.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with expectations for consistent availability during core business hours. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in scheduling office days, likely requiring 1-2 days per week in the office depending on proximity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be prepared for a blend of remote and in-office work, with specific requirements for office attendance depending on their location relative to a designated hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review applications and conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Candidates will likely meet with the Product Research Manager and potentially other researchers or product team members to discuss experience, research methodologies, and approach to UX research.
• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: A significant part of the process will involve presenting a portfolio of past research work. This may include a deep dive into 1-2 key projects, showcasing the research process, findings, and impact. A practical research exercise or case study might also be assigned.
• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Designers, or Engineers to assess collaboration skills and how research insights are integrated into product development.
• Final Round: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader in the Product or Design organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 2-3 impactful projects that best showcase your skills, methodologies, and ability to drive results.
• Structure Your Narratives: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your research approach, key findings, challenges encountered, and the ultimate impact on the product and business.
• Showcase Process Rigor: Detail your methodology, participant recruitment, data analysis, and synthesis steps. Explain why you chose certain methods.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research recommendations (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, task success, user satisfaction).
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decision-making process, research challenges, and how you handled conflicting feedback.
• Tailor to Etsy: Research Etsy's products, user base, and recent initiatives. Frame your portfolio examples in a way that demonstrates relevance to Etsy's business and challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Methodology: Be ready to discuss your preferred research methods for different scenarios (e.g., early-stage discovery vs. late-stage validation).
• Problem Solving: Prepare to walk through how you would approach a hypothetical research problem relevant to Etsy's platform.
• Data Synthesis: Practice articulating how you synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into actionable insights.
• Stakeholder Management: Think about how you communicate research findings to different stakeholders and handle disagreements or pushback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes a portfolio presentation, indicating that demonstrating practical research experience and impact is critical. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to articulate their process and showcase tangible results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Familiarity with various user research platforms for usability testing, surveys, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).
• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in collaboration and documentation tools such as Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Confluence, Jira, and Slack.
• Design Tools: Basic familiarity with design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to understand design artifacts and facilitate collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Experience with web analytics tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms to understand user behavior data.
• Data Visualization: Ability to interpret and present data using tools like Tableau, Looker, or internal dashboards.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data flows from research into product management and potentially marketing systems is beneficial. Familiarity with how research insights inform product roadmaps managed in systems like Jira is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: While Etsy doesn't explicitly list a required tool stack for UX Researchers, proficiency with common research platforms, collaboration tools, and an understanding of analytics/data visualization are standard expectations for the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep understanding and empathy for the user, driving research to solve real user problems and enhance their experience.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional partners to integrate research insights seamlessly into the product development lifecycle.
• Data-Driven: Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data to inform decisions and measure impact.
• Curiosity & Learning: A continuous drive to explore, ask questions, and learn new methodologies and about the evolving needs of Etsy users.
• Impact Focus: Ensuring research efforts translate into tangible improvements for both users and the business.

Collaboration Style:

• Researchers are embedded within product teams, fostering close working relationships with PMs, Designers, and Engineers.
• Emphasis on proactive communication and sharing of insights throughout the research process.
• A culture of constructive feedback and knowledge sharing within the research team and with partner teams.
• Encouragement of experimentation and iteration based on user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Etsy's values, particularly "Customer Obsession" and "Curiosity & Learning," directly align with the core tenets of UX Research. The collaborative style emphasizes integration and shared ownership of product outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Rigor with Speed: In a fast-paced product environment, researchers often need to balance the need for thorough, rigorous research with the demand for quick insights to inform rapid iteration.
• Navigating Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Aligning research objectives and interpreting findings for various stakeholders (product, design, engineering, marketing) can be complex.
• Researching a Complex Marketplace: Etsy's marketplace is unique, with both buyers and sellers, each having distinct needs and behaviors that require nuanced research approaches.
• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the return on investment for research activities and ensuring insights are actioned effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to learn and apply more specialized research techniques, such as causal inference, advanced survey design, or longitudinal studies.
• Industry Conferences: Potential for participation in leading UX research conferences (e.g., CHI, UXRConf) to stay abreast of industry trends and network.
• Mentorship: Access to experienced researchers and leaders within Etsy for guidance and career development.
• Product Immersion: Deep dives into specific product areas and business challenges, fostering a comprehensive understanding of Etsy's ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a researcher in a large e-commerce platform, focusing on balancing speed with quality and managing diverse stakeholder expectations. Growth opportunities center on skill enhancement and career progression within the research discipline.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user need that conflicted with business goals or technical constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on balancing user advocacy with business realities.)
• "Walk me through a research project where your findings led to a significant pivot or improvement in a product. What was your process, and how did you measure the impact?" (Demonstrate end-to-end research impact and measurement.)
• "How do you decide which research methodology is most appropriate for a given research question and project timeline?" (Showcase methodological expertise and strategic thinking.)
• "Imagine we're exploring a new feature to help buyers discover personalized recommendations on Etsy. What research questions would you ask, and what methods would you employ?" (Assess your ability to frame research problems and plan studies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Etsy's mission to 'Keep Commerce Human' and how do you see that influencing your approach to UX research?" (Gauge cultural alignment and understanding of Etsy's brand.)
• "How do you typically collaborate with product managers and designers? Describe a successful collaboration and any challenges you've faced." (Assess teamwork and cross-functional communication skills.)
• "How do you share your research findings to ensure they are understood and acted upon by different teams?" (Evaluate your communication and influence strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure each portfolio case study as a narrative with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process/insights), and end (impact/recommendations).
• Focus on "Why" and "So What": Explain the rationale behind your methodological choices and clearly articulate the implications of your findings.
• Visualize Your Process: Use diagrams, screenshots, and key quotes to illustrate your research journey and key insights.
• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with product and design partners throughout the process.
• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, challenges, and decision-making. Practice concise and clear answers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of UX research methodologies, the ability to translate insights into actionable product improvements, and effective collaboration with product teams. A well-prepared portfolio is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your resume and any optional cover letter via the Etsy Careers portal link provided.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that showcases 2-3 of your most impactful UX research projects. Ensure each project clearly details the problem, your research process (methodologies used, participant selection), key findings, challenges, and the resulting impact on product or business metrics.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods, stakeholder collaboration, and driving product improvements. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements where possible.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to present your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling and demonstrating your research process and impact. Practice answering common UX research interview questions, particularly those related to methodology, problem-solving, and stakeholder management.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Etsy's platform, mission, buyer and seller personas, and recent product initiatives. Understand their hybrid work model and how you would thrive in that environment.

⚠️ 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.