UX Researcher (d/f/m)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher (d/f/m) Company: DEPT® Location: Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Germany Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience / Product Research Date Posted: August 08, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (1-2 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive customer-centered product decisions by uncovering user needs, motivations, and behaviors through rigorous user research methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and developers in agile, cross-functional teams to integrate user insights into the product development lifecycle.
• Shape and champion a user-centric research practice by refining methods, improving tooling, and advocating for evidence-based product development.
• Explore complex problem spaces, test hypotheses, and translate research findings into actionable strategies that enhance digital products and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a dynamic agency environment, suggesting a need for adaptability, client-facing communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently. The emphasis on "emotive yet conversion-focused ideas" implies research will balance emotional connection with measurable business outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct a variety of user research studies, including exploratory discovery work, usability testing, concept validation, and in-depth interviews.
• Frame critical research questions and guide product teams in exploring problem spaces to ensure solutions address genuine user needs before solution ideation.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data, synthesize findings into clear, actionable insights, and present them effectively to product managers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively within cross-functional teams to ensure research findings directly inform and influence product strategy, design iterations, and development priorities.
• Contribute to the development and standardization of research practices, methods, and tooling to scale user research capabilities across multiple client projects and internal teams.
• Champion a journey-driven, evidence-based approach to product development, facilitating sessions and advocating for user needs across the organization.
• Stay abreast of emerging research tools, methods, and technologies, proactively bringing new perspectives and techniques into the team to enhance research effectiveness.
• Develop and refine user journey maps and experience frameworks, integrating them into practical product development workflows to foster a deep understanding of the user lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "support the development of research standards and ways of working" indicates this role will involve process improvement and potentially mentorship for more junior researchers or team members new to formal research practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design Research, or a related field. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• Several years of dedicated experience in user research, with a strong preference for experience gained within a digital agency or in agile, product-focused environments.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and executing a wide range of research methodologies, from generative discovery to evaluative testing.
• Proven track record of translating research findings into actionable product and design recommendations that have demonstrably improved user experience and business outcomes.

Required Skills:

• User Research Methodologies: Expertise in planning, conducting, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys, card sorting, diary studies).
• Data Synthesis & Insight Generation: Strong ability to analyze complex data sets from various research activities, identify key themes, and generate actionable insights.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven talent for making research results easily understandable and actionable for diverse audiences, including non-researchers.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively with product managers, designers, developers, and other stakeholders in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Agile & Product Focus: Familiarity with agile development processes and a deep understanding of how research integrates into product lifecycle management.
• Journey Mapping & Experience Frameworks: Proficiency in developing and utilizing journey maps, personas, and other experience frameworks to guide product strategy.
• Facilitation Skills: Confidence and skill in facilitating user interviews, usability testing sessions, stakeholder workshops, and brainstorming meetings.
• Proactive & Self-Driven: A proactive mindset with the ability to work independently, drive research initiatives forward, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Language Proficiency: Fluent in German and comfortable working in English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced statistical analysis or qualitative data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, NVivo, Dovetail).
• Familiarity with A/B testing and experimentation design.
• Experience contributing to the development of research operations (ResearchOps) frameworks.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their impact on user behavior and product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for fluency in both German and English, combined with locations in major German cities, suggests the role will involve significant client interaction within the German market, necessitating strong interpersonal and communication skills in both languages.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing a range of user research projects, clearly articulating the research problem, methodology, your role, key findings, and the impact of your research on product decisions.
• Provide examples of how you have translated complex research insights into actionable recommendations for product managers and designers.
• Include case studies that highlight your ability to frame research questions effectively and explore problem spaces before jumping to solutions.
• Showcase experience with different research methods (qualitative and quantitative) and your ability to select the most appropriate methods for specific research objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of process development or refinement in planning, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on user research activities.
• Examples of how you have documented research processes, standards, or best practices to improve efficiency and consistency within a team.
• Demonstrate experience in synthesizing research findings into easily digestible formats (e.g., reports, presentations, workshops) that facilitate stakeholder understanding and action.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the agency context, a portfolio that highlights adaptability across different client industries and project types, along with a clear demonstration of driving user-centricity within client projects, will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As specific salary information is not provided, a typical range for a UX Researcher with 5-10 years of experience in major German cities like Hamburg, Berlin, or Cologne would be between €60,000 and €85,000 annually, depending on the specific scope of responsibilities, client exposure, and the agency's compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working Policy: Hybrid working model with 1-2 days per week in the office, promoting work-life balance.
• Company Pension Scheme: Contribution towards retirement savings.
• Commuting Support: Lease bike options (JobRad) and a 25% subsidy for the Deutschlandticket for public transport.
• Office Perks: Occasional breakfast/lunch at the office and "Smoothie Tuesdays" for team connection and well-being.
• Health & Wellness: Contribution to health via the OpenUp platform for mental well-being.
• Flexible Benefits Package: €30 per month for digital food stamps, fitness providers, sports clubs, massage studios, internet costs, or public transport.
• Employee Discounts: "Future Bens" for exclusive access to sustainable, healthy products at attractive deals.
• Social & Team Building: Numerous social events and organized activities to foster connection with colleagues.
• Professional Development: Training, development programs, and certifications to support skill enhancement and career growth.
• Charitable Engagement: Participation in global "DEPT® Cares Month" for skill-based charity support.

Working Hours:

• Likely a standard full-time work week of approximately 40 hours, with the hybrid policy offering flexibility in managing in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing work-life balance, health, and professional development, which are attractive incentives for mid-to-senior level operations and research professionals. The Deutschlandticket subsidy is a significant perk for commuting.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency / Technology / Marketing Services. DEPT® specializes in creating emotive, conversion-focused digital experiences and campaigns for national and international brands. Company Size: Large – DEPT® operates in 30+ countries with a significant global workforce, offering extensive opportunities while maintaining a culture that aims to be "small enough to care." Founded: DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021, indicating a commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This ethos likely permeates the company culture.

Team Structure:

• Works within a dedicated design team that combines technology and experience design expertise.
• Operates within cross-functional client teams, collaborating closely with product managers, designers, and developers.
• The research practice itself is likely evolving, with opportunities to influence team-wide research standards and methodologies.

Methodology:

• Employs a data-driven approach, leveraging user research to inform strategic decisions and product development.
• Focuses on creating impactful digital experiences that shape new behaviors and drive market difference.
• Values innovation, speed, and scale in developing client solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "pioneers at heart" ethos suggests a forward-thinking, innovative, and adaptable environment. The B Corp certification highlights a commitment to purpose beyond profit, which may attract candidates who value ethical business practices and social responsibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Senior Level UX Researcher. This role involves significant autonomy in research planning, execution, and insight dissemination, with potential to influence research practices within the agency. Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a UX Researcher typically reports to a Head of UX, Design Director, or a senior research lead within the agency's operations structure. Collaboration will be primarily with project-based cross-functional teams. Operations Impact: The UX Researcher plays a critical role in ensuring product development is customer-centered, directly impacting user satisfaction, product adoption, and ultimately, client business objectives and revenue. By uncovering user needs, the role mitigates the risk of developing products that fail to resonate with the target audience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative analysis, quantitative research design) or specialize in particular industries or client types.
• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior researchers, lead research initiatives on key client accounts, and contribute to the overall development of the agency's research practice (ResearchOps).
• Client Engagement: Develop strong client-facing skills and strategic advisory capabilities, becoming a trusted partner for clients navigating complex digital product challenges.
• Industry Exposure: Work with a diverse range of high-profile clients, gaining broad experience across various sectors and product types.

📝 Enhancement Note: The agency model offers a unique growth path, allowing for rapid exposure to different challenges and industries, which can accelerate skill development and career progression compared to a single-company role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: DEPT® promotes a hybrid working model, indicating a mix of collaborative office-based work and remote flexibility. The specific office environment in Hamburg, Berlin, or Cologne likely features modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster creativity and teamwork. Office Location(s): Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne. These are major German cities, offering vibrant professional and social environments. Workspace Context:

• Expect a dynamic, fast-paced agency environment where collaboration is key.
• Access to modern tools and technologies necessary for user research and digital product development.
• Frequent opportunities for interaction with diverse teams and clients, fostering a broad professional network. Work Schedule: The hybrid policy allows for flexibility in managing workdays, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work, which is conducive to deep work and focused research analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature implies a need for strong self-management and communication skills to maintain team cohesion and productivity across different work locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and agency.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Conversation with the hiring manager (e.g., Head of UX/Design) to delve deeper into experience, research philosophy, and approach to client work. Portfolio review may occur here.
• Team/Peer Interview: Meetings with potential colleagues (designers, product managers, other researchers) to evaluate collaboration skills and fit within cross-functional teams.
• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare and present a case study from their portfolio, demonstrating their research process, insights, and impact. This is a critical stage for assessing practical skills.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to finalize the decision and discuss terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 strong projects that best showcase your skills across different research methodologies and highlight your impact.
• Structure Your Narratives: For each project, clearly define the problem, your research approach (why you chose specific methods), your process, key findings, and the tangible outcomes or recommendations.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced usability issues, increased user satisfaction).
• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with cross-functional teams and how your insights influenced their decisions.
• Demonstrate Process Thinking: Show your ability to frame research questions, manage research projects, and document findings effectively.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your favorite research methodologies and why.
• Anticipate questions about how you handle challenging stakeholders or conflicting feedback.
• Practice articulating your research process and insights concisely and persuasively.
• Research DEPT®'s work and clients to understand their approach and tailor your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The agency environment often means candidates need to demonstrate not just research expertise but also strong client management and business acumen. Be ready to discuss how your research contributes to client business goals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for remote usability testing, session recording, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, UserZoom, Optimal Workshop).
• Prototyping & Design Tools: Experience working with or understanding tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision for reviewing prototypes and collaborating with designers.
• Collaboration & Documentation: Tools such as Miro, Mural for collaborative whiteboarding and brainstorming; Confluence, Notion, or Google Workspace for documentation and knowledge sharing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for analyzing user behavior data on live products.
• Data Visualization: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker Studio for creating dashboards and reporting on research findings and product performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, an understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) can inform user segmentation or how research impacts customer journey mapping within CRM systems is beneficial.
• Familiarity with project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello is expected given the agile, cross-functional team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ability to adapt to and learn new tools quickly is essential in an agency setting. Highlighting proficiency with industry-standard UX research and collaboration tools will be key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies and methods, constantly seeking better ways to understand and serve users.
• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to placing the user at the heart of all product development decisions.
• Collaboration: Working effectively in cross-functional teams, valuing diverse perspectives and shared problem-solving.
• Impact & Results: Focusing on delivering tangible outcomes for clients through data-driven insights and actionable recommendations.
• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to evolving personal and team practices, methods, and tools.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with designers, product managers, and developers to integrate user insights seamlessly into the product lifecycle.
• Emphasis on open communication and feedback exchange to refine research approaches and product strategies.
• Proactive sharing of knowledge and best practices within the research and design communities of practice.

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s B Corp status and emphasis on "doing good" suggest a culture that values ethical considerations and positive societal impact, which may influence how research is conducted and its ultimate purpose.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Needs with Research Rigor: Navigating client pressures for quick results while ensuring research is methodologically sound and truly insightful.
• Translating Insights into Action: Overcoming organizational inertia or resistance to adopt research recommendations effectively.
• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling diverse client projects with varying research needs and timelines in a fast-paced agency environment.
• Evolving Research Landscape: Staying current with new research tools, techniques, and the ethical considerations of emerging technologies like AI.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to internal and external training programs focused on advanced research methodologies, data analysis, and emerging technologies.
• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend relevant UX, research, and digital industry conferences to learn from peers and thought leaders.
• Mentorship: Potential guidance from senior researchers or design leaders within DEPT® to foster career growth and skill development.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to technology, strategy, and creative work through collaboration with other agency disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The agency model inherently presents challenges related to project variety and pace, but these also serve as significant growth opportunities for developing adaptability, efficiency, and a broad skill set.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to frame a research problem before diving into a solution. What was your process?" (Focus on problem definition, stakeholder alignment, and research planning).
• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and lead to concrete product decisions?" (Highlight communication strategies, stakeholder engagement, and follow-through).
• "Walk me through a complex research project you led. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Emphasize your process, adaptability, and problem-solving skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about DEPT® and our approach to digital experiences?" (Research DEPT®'s recent work, values, and client portfolio).
• "How do you envision contributing to our research culture and standards?" (Focus on your proactive mindset and desire to improve practices).
• "How do you collaborate with designers and product managers to ensure user insights are integrated effectively?" (Provide specific examples of cross-functional collaboration).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process/research), and end (impact/recommendations).
• Focus on Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in team-based projects.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, key quotes from users, or concise data visualizations to support your points.
• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, alternative methods you considered, and how you handled unforeseen issues.
• Highlight Impact: Emphasize the tangible outcomes of your research, even if it's a recommendation that was implemented later.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to discuss how you balance the needs of different stakeholders (clients, internal teams, end-users) and how you manage ambiguity inherent in agency work and new product development.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on greenhouse.io.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experience in digital product research, agency environments, and agile methodologies. Select portfolio pieces that best demonstrate your ability to drive customer-centered decisions.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your years of experience, specific research skills, and impactful contributions using keywords from the job description (e.g., user research, usability testing, data analysis, journey mapping, agile). Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, insights, and impact. Prepare specific examples for common behavioral and situational questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to be clear, concise, and engaging.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with DEPT®'s client work, company values (especially B Corp status), and their approach to digital experiences. Understand their hybrid work policy and the implications for team collaboration.

⚠️ 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.