UX Researcher II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher II

Company: Microsoft

Location: Redmond, Washington, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: 2025-09-19T17:48:00

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive human-centered strategy and product direction by integrating deep insights into user behaviors, attitudes, practices, and norms.

• Leverage both evaluative and foundational research methodologies to inform near-term product tactics and long-term strategic planning.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including UX Designers, Product Managers, Engineering, and Data Science to identify and address critical user needs and product opportunities.

• Contribute to a supportive and collaborative research environment known for research excellence and driving business results through data-informed decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is specifically for the SharePoint product group, focusing on innovation for the AI era. The emphasis on "AI skilled and curious" and "new ways of working" suggests a forward-looking approach to research within the context of AI-driven product development and user experiences on the SharePoint platform.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct end-to-end qualitative and quantitative user research studies, from planning and participant recruitment to data analysis and reporting.

• Translate complex user behaviors, attitudes, and needs into actionable insights that directly influence product strategy and roadmap development for SharePoint.

• Design and execute a variety of research methods, including user interviews, usability testing, surveys, card sorting, and ethnographic studies, to uncover both known and unknown user needs.

• Partner effectively with Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Data Science teams to define research questions, scope studies, and integrate research findings into the product development lifecycle.

• Advocate for the user throughout the product development process, ensuring that user feedback and research insights are central to design and engineering decisions.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research processes, tools, and methodologies within the CxD (Customer Experience and Design) organization.

• Stay abreast of emerging trends in AI, collaboration tools, and productivity software to identify new research opportunities and inform product innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary focus is on influencing product strategy and development for SharePoint, with a strong emphasis on user-centricity and data-driven decision-making. The role requires a blend of strategic thinking and tactical execution of research initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in UX research, with a proven track record of delivering impactful research insights.

• Experience conducting both foundational and evaluative research across various product development stages.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in a broad range of qualitative and quantitative UX research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, surveys, contextual inquiry, diary studies).

• Strong analytical skills to synthesize complex data sets into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate research findings to diverse audiences, including senior stakeholders.

• Experience with research planning, study design, participant recruitment, and data analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with UX Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers.

• A strong understanding of human-centered design principles and their application in product development.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-related user research, understanding user interactions with AI-powered features.

• Familiarity with productivity software and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or OneDrive.

• Experience working in large, complex technology organizations.

• Knowledge of data science methodologies and how to integrate quantitative data with qualitative research findings.

• Experience with research operations (ResearchOps) principles and best practices.

• Familiarity with statistical analysis tools or programming languages (e.g., R, Python) for advanced quantitative analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI skilled and curious" preference indicates a strong desire for candidates who can explore and understand user interactions with AI features, which is becoming increasingly critical in modern software development. The mention of "record of accomplishment of delivering results" implies a need for candidates who can demonstrate tangible impact from their research.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects, demonstrating end-to-end research capabilities from problem definition to insight delivery.

• Case studies that highlight your role in driving product strategy and influencing product decisions through research.

• Examples of how you have translated user needs and behaviors into actionable recommendations that led to product improvements or new feature development.

• Evidence of your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Design, and Engineering, to integrate research findings.

• Demonstrations of quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills, including how you synthesized findings from multiple sources.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research plans, methodologies, and findings clearly and concisely for internal team consumption and broader stakeholder communication.

• Experience in creating research reports and presentations that effectively communicate key insights and recommendations to product teams and leadership.

• Understanding of how to integrate research findings into product backlog grooming, sprint planning, and design review processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "delivering results" and "business results" suggests that portfolio pieces should not only showcase research execution but also the impact and measurable outcomes of that research on product success and user satisfaction.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

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

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.

• Employee stock purchase program (ESPP).

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

• Access to Microsoft's extensive internal learning resources and communities.

• Parental leave and family-friendly benefits.

• Discounts on Microsoft products and services.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for occasional overtime depending on project needs and deadlines.

• Flexibility in scheduling may be available, but on-site presence is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry reports for UX Researcher II roles in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area (which includes Redmond, WA). Microsoft typically offers a competitive total compensation package that includes salary, bonus, and stock.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software & Technology (Cloud Computing, Productivity Software, Artificial Intelligence)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Over 100,000 employees globally)

Founded: 1975 (Microsoft Corporation)

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Customer Experience and Design (CxD) organization, specifically supporting the SharePoint product group.

• The CxD Research team is described as diverse, collaborative, and focused on research excellence.

• Researchers work closely with UX Designers, Producers, Content Writers, Engineers, Product Managers, and Data Scientists.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on human-centered strategy and integrating user insights into product development.

• Data-driven decision-making, using key metrics to track successes and failures.

• Collaborative approach across disciplines to address user challenges with empathy and expertise.

• Embraces inclusive culture and growth mindset philosophies.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture is heavily influenced by its "growth mindset" philosophy, encouraging continuous learning, experimentation, and resilience. The CxD organization specifically aims for research excellence and cross-functional collaboration to deliver user-centric products. SharePoint's focus on AI integration means the team is likely experimenting with new research approaches to understand user interaction with these evolving features.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level UX Researcher (UX Researcher II). This level typically involves independent execution of research projects, contributing to project strategy, and mentoring junior researchers.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher II will likely report to a Senior UX Researcher or a Research Manager within the CxD organization, who oversees the research strategy for the SharePoint product group.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the success of SharePoint by ensuring the product meets user needs, improves usability, and drives adoption. Insights generated will inform product strategy, feature prioritization, and the overall user experience, contributing to user productivity and organizational success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., AI user research, mixed-methods research) or product areas within SharePoint.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead research initiatives, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to the evolution of the research practice within CxD.

• Cross-Product Exposure: Potential to contribute research to other Microsoft products within the productivity and collaboration space (e.g., Teams, OneDrive, Viva) depending on team needs and individual interests.

• Advanced Training: Access to internal and external training, conferences, and workshops to stay current with UX research best practices and emerging technologies.

• Strategic Influence: Grow into roles with greater strategic influence, contributing to broader product vision and market strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "growth mindset" and "learning, growing, and embodying new ways of working" suggests that Microsoft provides structured pathways for career development and skill enhancement, particularly in emerging areas like AI.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space designed for innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Redmond, Washington, United States. The role is on-site, requiring regular presence in the Redmond campus.

Workspace Context:

• Highly collaborative environment where researchers work closely with designers, PMs, and engineers.

• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities, tools, and technologies.

• Opportunities for informal and formal knowledge sharing sessions, brown bags, and community events within the CxD organization.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility in daily start and end times, as long as core collaboration hours are met.

• On-site presence is crucial for team collaboration, brainstorming, and leveraging campus resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "inclusive culture" and "supportive culture" mentioned in the job description indicate an environment that values diverse perspectives and fosters psychological safety, which is beneficial for research activities that often involve uncovering sensitive user feedback.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about experience, motivations, and fit with the team and company culture.

• Technical/Research Interviews: Series of interviews with other UX Researchers, Designers, and Product Managers focusing on research skills, methodology, problem-solving, and case studies.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their research portfolio, demonstrating their process, impact, and ability to articulate insights. This is a critical component.

• Final Round/Panel Interview: May involve a broader panel or senior stakeholders to assess strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-4 strong projects that best showcase your skills and the impact of your research on product outcomes. Prioritize projects relevant to enterprise software or collaboration tools if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodology used, the key findings, and the resulting actions or product changes. Emphasize the "so what?" of your research.

• Showcase Process: Detail your research process, including how you defined research questions, selected methods, handled challenges, and synthesized data.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research (e.g., "usability improvements led to a 15% reduction in task completion time," "insights informed a feature that increased engagement by X%").

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handled conflicting feedback, how you collaborated with teams, and how you dealt with ambiguity.

• Demonstrate AI Curiosity: If you have AI-related research experience or specific interest, prepare to discuss it, aligning with the company's forward-looking approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for behavioral questions about how you've handled specific situations (e.g., dealing with difficult stakeholders, unexpected research findings, tight deadlines).

• Practice articulating your thought process for solving complex user problems.

• Research Microsoft's products, especially SharePoint, and consider potential user challenges or areas for innovation.

• Understand Microsoft's core values, particularly the growth mindset and inclusive culture, and be ready to provide examples of how you embody them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a crucial step. Candidates should focus on demonstrating not just research execution but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and tangible impact. The emphasis on AI means candidates with relevant experience or a demonstrated interest in AI research will have an advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Familiarity with various user research platforms for remote usability testing, surveys, and participant management (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Lookback, Maze).

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in Microsoft's own suite of collaboration tools, including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and potentially Microsoft Loop.

• Design Tools: Basic understanding of design tools used by UX designers (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch) to facilitate collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Experience with tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and quantitative data analysis (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python).

• Visualization Tools: Ability to create clear and compelling data visualizations using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or common spreadsheet charting features.

• Product Analytics: Familiarity with product analytics platforms (e.g., Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics) to complement qualitative research insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how insights can be integrated into product development workflows is beneficial. Experience with project management tools (e.g., Azure DevOps, Jira) for tracking research tasks and findings is also relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool requirements aren't listed, proficiency with Microsoft's internal collaboration suite (Teams, SharePoint) is implicitly expected for seamless integration within the team. A strong understanding of data analysis and reporting tools that complement qualitative research is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Growth Mindset: Continuously learning, embracing challenges, and seeking feedback for improvement.

• Customer Focus: Deeply understanding and advocating for user needs to drive product success.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams across disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Inclusivity: Fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued, contributing to a rich and diverse perspective.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of research projects and delivering high-quality, impactful results.

• Integrity: Conducting research ethically and transparently, maintaining the trust of participants and stakeholders.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working in close partnership with UX Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers throughout the product lifecycle.

• Emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of product outcomes.

• Researchers are expected to be proactive in seeking input and sharing insights across teams.

• Participation in design reviews, product strategy sessions, and cross-functional team meetings is common.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "growth mindset," "inclusive culture," and "collaboration" highlights the company's commitment to a positive and productive work environment. Researchers are expected to be active participants and contributors to this culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Large-Scale Development: Working within a large organization like Microsoft can present challenges in terms of process complexity, stakeholder management, and aligning research efforts with broader company priorities.

• Balancing Foundational vs. Evaluative Research: Effectively managing time and resources to conduct both strategic, long-term foundational research and immediate, tactical evaluative research.

• Integrating AI Insights: Developing and refining methodologies to effectively research user interactions and perceptions of AI-powered features within SharePoint.

• Driving Impact in a Fast-Paced Environment: Ensuring research insights are delivered and acted upon promptly in a dynamic product development cycle.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Research Specialization: Opportunities to develop expertise in researching AI-driven user experiences, a key growth area for Microsoft.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior researchers and leaders within the CxD organization.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Support for attending relevant conferences (e.g., CHI, UXRConf) and participating in specialized training.

• Internal Learning Communities: Participation in internal research communities, brown bags, and skill-sharing sessions to learn from peers across Microsoft.

• Career Pathing: Clear pathways for advancement within the UX research discipline, from UX Researcher II to Senior UX Researcher, Principal UX Researcher, and potentially into research management or product strategy roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents an excellent opportunity to gain experience in researching cutting-edge AI features within a mature enterprise product, offering significant growth potential in a highly sought-after field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced product strategy based on your research findings. What was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating strategic impact and business results.)

• "How do you approach research when dealing with ambiguous product requirements or a rapidly evolving technology like AI?" (Highlight your adaptability, problem-solving approach, and ability to define research scope.)

• "Tell me about a challenging research project you led. What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Showcase your resilience, problem-solving skills, and proactive approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about SharePoint and its future, particularly in the context of AI?" (Demonstrate your understanding of the product and your alignment with the company's vision.)

• "How do you embody Microsoft's growth mindset and inclusive culture in your work?" (Provide specific examples of how you learn, adapt, and foster inclusivity in your research practice.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem/Opportunity -> Your Role & Research Questions -> Methodology -> Key Findings -> Impact/Recommendations -> Learnings.

• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., key quotes, personas, journey maps, data charts) to support your narrative. Avoid overwhelming slides with text.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure you can cover your most impactful projects effectively.

• Engagement: Be prepared to go deeper into specific aspects of your research process, data analysis, or stakeholder interactions based on interviewer questions.

• AI Focus: If applicable, highlight any AI-related research experience or how you would approach researching AI features.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a strong blend of research expertise, strategic thinking, collaborative skills, and cultural alignment with Microsoft's values. Demonstrating a proactive, curious, and impact-driven approach will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the careers link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Select and refine 3-4 of your most impactful UX research projects that best align with the responsibilities and requirements outlined. Ensure each case study clearly demonstrates your process, findings, and the tangible impact of your research on product development or user experience.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as "human-centered strategy," "evaluative research," "foundational research," "collaboration," and "AI skills." Quantify your achievements whenever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process and findings for each portfolio project. Prepare to discuss your experience with Microsoft products, your understanding of the growth mindset, and how you contribute to an inclusive culture.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research SharePoint, Microsoft's overall strategy for AI in its products, and the CxD organization's mission and values. Understand how your role contributes to empowering users and organizations.

⚠️ 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.