UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Phaedon

Location: Minneapolis, MN / Remote (United States)

Job Type: Salaried Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Development

Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Fully Remote (with occasional travel to Minneapolis HQ)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage end-to-end UX research projects, ensuring high-quality insights inform product strategy and design for a client in the healthcare technology sector.

• Drive the development of a robust UX research operating model, championing design thinking and human-centered design principles across the client organization.

• Analyze complex qualitative and quantitative data to identify user trends and actionable insights that directly influence product decisions and roadmap prioritization.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders to seamlessly integrate research findings into the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Researcher, given the 5+ years of experience requirement and the expectation to manage projects independently and contribute to operating model development. The focus on a specific client in healthcare technology suggests a need for domain understanding and the ability to navigate client-facing dynamics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and deliver comprehensive UX research projects, from initial scoping and methodology selection to final reporting and presentation of findings.

• Develop and refine the operating model for the UX research practice, establishing best practices, standards, and workflows for research execution and knowledge sharing.

• Advocate for and embed design thinking and human-centered design methodologies into the client's product development culture and processes.

• Conduct a diverse range of qualitative and quantitative research studies, including in-depth user interviews, surveys, usability testing, contextual inquiries, and ethnographic research.

• Analyze research data using appropriate statistical and interpretive methods to uncover patterns, user needs, pain points, and opportunities for product improvement.

• Translate research insights into clear, actionable recommendations and compelling narratives for product teams, design, engineering, and executive stakeholders.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration by bringing user perspectives into design reviews, product strategy sessions, and development sprints.

• Support products throughout their lifecycle, from early-stage innovation and concept validation to iteration on mature products and understanding user sentiment via NPS and Voice of the Customer (VoC) initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of hands-on research execution and strategic contributions to the research practice itself. The focus on "external clients" and "business unit" suggests the researcher will be embedded within a consulting or agency-like structure supporting a primary client in healthcare.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in user experience research, with a proven track record of delivering impactful research that has directly informed successful product designs.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Methodology: Mastery in planning and executing a wide array of qualitative and quantitative research methods (user interviews, usability testing, surveys, contextual inquiry, diary studies, card sorting, etc.).

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Strong analytical capabilities to interpret complex research data, identify meaningful trends, and synthesize findings into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

• Human-Centered Design Principles: Deep understanding and practical application of design thinking, human-centered design, and user-centric product development philosophies.

• Stakeholder Management & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with diverse teams (designers, engineers, product managers, marketing) and compelling presentation of research findings to all levels of stakeholders.

• Problem Solving: Proven ability to approach complex problems with a curious and analytical mindset, distilling ambiguity into clear research questions and actionable solutions.

• Quantitative Research: Familiarity with quantitative research methods and their application in user experience, including survey design and basic statistical analysis.

• Product Lifecycle Experience: Experience conducting research across various stages of the product lifecycle, from ideation and validation to iteration and optimization.

• Client Collaboration: Demonstrated experience translating the needs of designers, product managers, marketers, and other research disciplines into effective, actionable project deliverables for external clients.

Preferred Skills:

• Expertise in identifying and mitigating assumptions, biases, and ethical considerations within research processes.

• Proficiency in visualizing concepts, relationships, and processes; ability to create low-fidelity mock-ups, storyboards, and prototypes to communicate research findings.

• Proven ability to work independently and proactively in ambiguous environments, with strong self-direction, time management, prioritization, and delegation skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively across matrixed, multi-tiered organizations to achieve optimal outcomes.

• Knowledge of or experience within the healthcare payer or provider space, understanding the unique challenges and user needs in this domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Basic Qualifications" clearly point to a Senior UX Researcher role. The emphasis on client collaboration and translating needs from various disciplines implies a consultative approach. The preferred qualifications highlight strong self-management and adaptability, crucial for consulting roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Research Projects: Showcase detailed case studies of 2-3 significant UX research projects you have managed and executed. Each case study should clearly outline the problem, your research approach, methodologies used, key findings, and the impact of your research on product decisions or business outcomes.

• Methodology Documentation: Provide examples of how you document research plans, user recruitment strategies, and data analysis frameworks. This demonstrates your systematic approach to research design.

• Insight Communication: Include examples of how you present research findings. This could be through slide decks, reports, personas, journey maps, or other visual artifacts that effectively communicate complex user insights.

• Impact Demonstration: Clearly articulate the tangible results or business impact derived from your research. Quantify success where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased user satisfaction scores).

Process Documentation:

• Research Operations: Demonstrate an understanding of how to establish and manage scalable research processes, including participant recruitment, consent management, data privacy, and ethical considerations.

• Workflow Integration: Show how your research process integrates seamlessly with product development workflows (e.g., Agile, Waterfall), design sprints, and product roadmapping.

• Insight Dissemination: Detail your strategies for ensuring research findings are accessible, understood, and acted upon by relevant stakeholders across the organization. This includes documenting how you socialize insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher, the portfolio is critical. The emphasis here is on demonstrating the process of research, not just the findings. Candidates should prepare to discuss their methodologies, participant recruitment strategies, and how they ensure ethical research practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $135,000 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.

• Paid Holidays.

• Paid Parental Leave.

• Retirement Savings Plans (e.g., 401k with company match).

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.

• The role offers flexibility for remote work, allowing for some autonomy in structuring the workday, provided project deadlines and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a good starting point for a Senior UX Researcher in the US, considering the Minneapolis metro area and the remote option which can sometimes command a slightly higher range depending on company policy. The range is broad, suggesting compensation will be highly dependent on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and alignment with the client's needs. Researching comparable UX Researcher salaries in major tech hubs and considering the healthcare tech sector could provide further context.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consulting / Technology Services (supporting Healthcare Technology)

Company Size: Phaedon appears to be a growing company, likely in the 50-200 employee range based on typical ATS platforms like Rippling. This size often offers a balance between the structure of a larger firm and the agility of a smaller one.

Founded: While not specified, Phaedon's presence on a modern ATS suggests it's a contemporary organization.

Team Structure:

• UX Research Practice: The UX Researcher will likely be part of a dedicated UX team or a broader product/design function within Phaedon.

• Client Embedded: A significant portion of the work will involve collaboration with a specific client team in the healthcare sector, requiring adaptability to their organizational structure and workflows.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close partnerships with product managers, designers, engineers, and potentially marketing or data analytics teams, both within Phaedon and at the client site.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Approach: Emphasis on understanding user needs and translating them into product improvements.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing research data to inform and validate product strategies and design choices.

• Agile/Iterative Development: Likely to integrate research cycles within agile product development frameworks to provide timely insights.

• Consultative Delivery: As part of Phaedon, the researcher will be expected to deliver high-value, actionable recommendations to their client.

Company Website: wearephaedon.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Phaedon acts as a bridge, providing specialized talent (like UX Researchers) to client organizations. This means the culture will blend Phaedon's internal values with the operational environment of their client, which is in the dynamic healthcare technology space. Candidates should be prepared for a client-facing role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Researcher. It implies a significant level of autonomy, responsibility for managing projects independently, and the ability to influence research strategy and practice development. It's a role for an experienced practitioner who can mentor others and drive research initiatives forward.

Reporting Structure: The researcher will likely report to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Research within Phaedon. They will also work very closely with client-side product managers and design leads, forming a dotted-line reporting or strong working relationship with them.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is fundamental to the success of digital products. By ensuring products are user-friendly, intuitive, and meet genuine user needs, they directly contribute to:

• Improved user adoption and engagement.

• Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

• Reduced development rework and faster time-to-market by validating concepts early.

• Enhanced efficiency for healthcare professionals using the client's solutions, aligning with the client's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Research Practice: Opportunity to shape and grow the UX research function within Phaedon and for its clients, potentially leading to a UX Research Lead or Manager role.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in healthcare UX research, a high-demand niche.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop skills in managing client expectations, strategic consulting, and becoming a trusted advisor.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior researchers and contribute to building research capabilities.

• Broader Product Strategy Influence: As experience grows, contribute more significantly to overarching product strategy and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Senior UX Researcher often involves moving into leadership, specialization, or broader product strategy roles. The consulting aspect of Phaedon offers unique growth in client management and strategic advisory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a remote-first position, with the option to work from home within the United States. Occasional travel to Phaedon's Minneapolis HQ is expected for company events, which could include team-building, strategy sessions, or client meetings.

Office Location(s):

• Primary work location is remote within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Autonomy: Candidates will manage their own workspace, requiring self-discipline and effective home office setup for productivity and professional communication.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Expect extensive use of collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), and project management tools.

• Client Interaction: Regular virtual interactions with the client's product, design, and engineering teams will be a core part of the daily environment. This requires strong virtual communication and engagement skills.

• Agile and Fast-Paced: The healthcare tech client is likely operating in a dynamic environment, meaning the work pace can be fast and require adaptability.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).

• Flexibility in daily scheduling, provided core working hours for collaboration and client engagement are met. This allows for effective time management around research activities and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role necessitates strong digital collaboration skills and self-management. The occasional travel requirement should be factored into candidates' willingness to work in this hybrid remote model.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Deep Dive: Candidates will likely present a curated selection of their work, focusing on 1-2 detailed case studies. This session will involve in-depth discussion about their research methodology, decision-making process, challenges faced, and the impact of their work. Be prepared to discuss your role and contributions specifically.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with potential peers, managers, and key stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, UX Designers) from both Phaedon and potentially the client. These will assess collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you integrate research into product development.

• Behavioral & Situational Questions: Expect questions designed to gauge your approach to ambiguity, stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and championing user needs.

• Final Interview: May involve a conversation with senior leadership to discuss strategic contributions and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives. Clearly articulate the problem statement, your unique contribution as a researcher, the challenges encountered, and the measurable outcomes.

• Methodology Clarity: Be ready to explain why you chose specific research methods and how they were best suited to answer the research questions.

• Visual Aids: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., research artifacts, key findings summaries, impact metrics) to support your presentation. Avoid overwhelming slides.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your research directly influenced product decisions, improved user experience, or contributed to business goals. Quantify impact whenever possible.

• Client Context: If possible, tailor your examples to demonstrate experience in client-facing roles or complex organizational environments.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Design Exercise: You might be given a hypothetical product or problem statement and asked to outline a research plan, including objectives, target users, methodologies, and key questions.

• Data Synthesis Task: You could be presented with sample research data (e.g., interview transcripts, survey results) and asked to identify key insights and recommendations.

• Presentation Practice: Practice presenting your case studies concisely, within a set time limit, and be prepared for follow-up questions that probe your thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to not only conduct research but also to manage projects, communicate effectively, and drive impact in a client-facing or embedded role. A strong, well-documented portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for recruiting and managing participants (e.g., UserTesting.com, Respondent.io, Lookback, Maze.co).

• Survey Tools: For quantitative data collection and analysis (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Typeform, Qualtrics).

• Usability Testing Software: For remote moderated and unmoderated testing (e.g., UserTesting, Lookback, Maze.co, Hotjar for behavior analytics).

• Prototyping & Wireframing Tools (for review/feedback): Familiarity with tools used by designers (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to understand design artifacts and provide feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: For quantitative data (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).

• Qualitative Analysis Tools: For coding and theme identification in qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, ATLAS.ti).

• Visualization Tools: For presenting findings (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or advanced PowerPoint/Keynote skills).

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Communication Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet.

• Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com.

• Documentation/Wiki Tools: Confluence, Notion, Google Workspace.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily focused on research execution and analysis, familiarity with the broader product development toolchain is beneficial. The specific tools will depend on Phaedon's and their client's standard stack, but core UX research tools are essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user in all product decisions.

• Data-Driven Insights: Valuing rigorous research and evidence-based recommendations over assumptions.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering open communication and teamwork across disciplines and with clients.

• Continuous Learning & Improvement: Embracing curiosity, seeking new knowledge, and refining research practices.

• Impact & Value: Focusing on delivering research that has a demonstrable positive impact on product success and business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working closely with product, design, and engineering as a strategic partner, not just a service provider.

• Empathetic Communication: Understanding and addressing the needs and perspectives of stakeholders, including clients.

• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking opportunities to contribute research insights early and often in the product lifecycle.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share research findings, methodologies, and best practices widely to elevate the team's and client's understanding of users.

📝 Enhancement Note: Phaedon likely cultivates a culture of professional growth, client focus, and high-quality delivery. The researcher needs to align with these values while also adapting to the specific culture of the client they support.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Client Dynamics: Effectively managing stakeholder expectations, differing opinions, and potential resistance to research findings within a client organization.

• Defining Research Scope in Ambiguity: In a fast-paced healthcare tech environment, research questions may be broad or ill-defined, requiring the researcher to define clear, actionable research objectives.

• Balancing Qualitative Depth with Quantitative Breadth: Integrating different research methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of user behavior and needs.

• Translating Insights into Action: Ensuring research findings are not just delivered but are understood and acted upon by product teams to drive meaningful change.

• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote setting with occasional travel.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Healthcare UX Specialization: Deepen expertise in the unique user needs, regulatory considerations, and technology landscape of the healthcare industry.

• Advanced Research Methodologies: Explore and implement cutting-edge research techniques and tools.

• Consulting Skills Development: Enhance abilities in client management, strategic advisory, and business development.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Opportunity to guide research initiatives and mentor junior team members.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to product strategy, engineering, and business operations through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in consulting or embedded positions, emphasizing adaptability, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. The growth opportunities are significant for someone looking to specialize and advance their career in a high-impact field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a stakeholder who was resistant to your research findings. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, data visualization, and negotiation skills.)

• "How would you approach developing an operating model for UX research within a new business unit or for an external client?" (Highlight your understanding of process, scalability, and best practices.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working with Phaedon and specifically supporting clients in the healthcare technology space?" (Showcase research into Phaedon and the healthcare industry's challenges.)

• "How do you ensure ethical research practices and data privacy, especially when working with sensitive user data?" (Demonstrate your commitment to ethical research standards.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 Strongest Case Studies: Choose projects that showcase a range of methodologies, demonstrate significant impact, and highlight your leadership in research management.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define: Problem/Opportunity -> Your Role/Approach -> Methodology -> Key Findings -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, challenges faced, alternative approaches you considered, and how you handled conflicting data or stakeholder feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the value of your research (e.g., percentage increase in task completion, reduction in error rates, improvement in satisfaction scores).

• Focus on Process: Explain why you chose certain methods and how you ensured the quality and validity of your research.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just research expertise, but also strategic thinking, client-facing skills, and the ability to drive impact within a fast-paced, potentially complex organizational structure.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Rippling ATS.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your most impactful UX research projects. Focus on case studies that clearly demonstrate your end-to-end research process, your ability to synthesize complex data, and the tangible impact your work has had on product development or business outcomes. Ensure your portfolio highlights your experience in client-facing roles or managing research in complex environments.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and responsibilities directly relevant to UX research, usability testing, qualitative and quantitative methods, data analysis, human-centered design, and stakeholder management. Quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., "Increased user satisfaction by 15% through iterative usability testing").

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough. Be ready to articulate your research process, rationale for methodological choices, and the business impact of your findings concisely and compellingly. Practice delivering your presentation within a typical interview timeframe.

• Research Phaedon and Healthcare Tech: Understand Phaedon's business model and values. Familiarize yourself with current trends, challenges, and user needs in the healthcare technology sector to demonstrate domain interest and insight.

⚠️ 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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