UX Researcher (Product)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher (Product)

Company: Zinnia

Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product & Design Operations / User Experience Research

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Partner with cross-functional product teams to conduct comprehensive, end-to-end UX research throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial discovery to post-launch evaluation.

• Drive user-centered design by advocating for user needs and translating complex user behaviors and pain points into actionable insights for product development.

• Employ a mixed-methods approach, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative research techniques to validate concepts, test prototypes, and assess the success of live product features.

• Collaborate closely with Product and Data teams to define, measure, and analyze key success metrics and performance indicators, ensuring data-informed decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is embedded within product teams, signifying a high degree of autonomy and direct impact on product strategy and execution within a complex SaaS environment. The emphasis on "mixed-methods" and "data-informed thinker" highlights the need for a researcher who can bridge qualitative user understanding with quantitative performance analysis, a critical skill in modern product operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct foundational research to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, motivations, and pain points across Zinnia's diverse user base (carriers, distributors, agents, policyholders, and operational teams).

• Design and execute evaluative research studies, including usability testing, concept validation, and A/B testing, on prototypes and live product features to identify areas for improvement.

• Collaborate with Product Managers and Data Analysts to define key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics for new features and user experiences, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Analyze post-launch user feedback, behavioral data, and performance metrics to measure the success of released features and identify opportunities for iterative improvement and continuous optimization.

• Document and disseminate research findings through clear, concise reports, presentations, and insights repositories to ensure research knowledge is accessible and actionable across product teams.

• Contribute to the growth of the research practice by developing and maintaining research repositories, templates, and best practices, fostering a culture of curiosity and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and integrated role within product teams, moving beyond ad-hoc research to strategic contribution across the entire product lifecycle. The mention of "complex or regulated environments" suggests that understanding the nuances of financial services or insurance will be a significant advantage, requiring researchers to be adept at navigating specific industry constraints and user expectations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's Degree in UX Research, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Data Science, Product Management, or a related field.

Experience: 5+ years of relevant professional experience in UX Research, product research, or a closely related discipline, with a proven track record of impacting product decisions.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in designing and conducting end-to-end UX research, encompassing both generative (discovery) and evaluative (testing) phases.

• Strong foundation in qualitative research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, contextual inquiry, ethnographic studies, usability testing).

• Demonstrated experience with quantitative research approaches and data analysis (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, analyzing behavioral data, interpreting metrics).

• Ability to translate complex research findings and data trends into clear, actionable recommendations for product, design, and engineering teams.

• Proficiency in synthesizing insights from disparate data sources to inform product strategy and roadmap development.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to effectively articulate research insights to diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the SaaS industry, particularly with enterprise-level products.

• Familiarity with the financial services or insurance sectors, understanding their unique user needs and regulatory landscapes.

• Experience contributing to or managing research operations, including building research repositories and establishing best practices.

• Familiarity with user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of research initiatives for assigned product areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5+ years of relevant experience" positions this as a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on both qualitative and quantitative skills, coupled with the need to interpret metrics and inform product decisions, indicates a demand for a researcher who can provide holistic insights rather than just surface-level findings. Experience in regulated industries is a significant plus, suggesting a need for researchers who can handle complexity and compliance.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects, demonstrating your end-to-end research process from problem definition to solution validation.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the research objectives, methodologies employed (qualitative and quantitative), key findings, and the impact of your research on product decisions and outcomes.

• Examples of how you have translated user needs and pain points into actionable design recommendations or product improvements.

• Demonstrations of your ability to define and measure success metrics for product features and user experiences.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate your approach to planning and executing research studies, including participant recruitment, study design, and data collection methods.

• Showcase how you document and share research findings to ensure insights are accessible, reusable, and drive continuous improvement within product development cycles.

• Provide examples of your contribution to research operations, such as building research repositories, developing templates, or refining best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showing the final designs and focus heavily on the process of discovery, analysis, and validation. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their methodological choices and explain the "why" behind them, demonstrating a strategic approach to understanding user needs and informing product development. The emphasis on "impact" means showcasing how research led to tangible improvements or informed critical product decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX Researchers in Noida, India, with 5-10 years of experience in a SaaS/FinTech environment, the estimated salary range is ₹1,200,000 - ₹2,200,000 per annum. This range accounts for the complexity of the role, the specific industry context (financial services/insurance), and the required skill set.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees and dependents.

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

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.

• Retirement savings plan or provident fund contributions.

• Performance-based bonuses and potential for stock options.

• Access to modern office facilities and amenities in Noida.

• Employee assistance programs (EAP) for mental and emotional well-being.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, typically aligning with business hours in India (Asia/Kolkata timezone). Flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team collaboration requirements, but on-site presence is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from various Indian job boards and salary aggregators for UX Researcher roles with 5-10 years of experience in metropolitan areas like Noida, considering the tech and financial services sectors. It reflects the demand for specialized UX research skills in a growing market. Benefits are standard for a full-time role in a reputable tech company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Zinnia operates within the Life and Annuities Technology sector, a specialized area of InsurTech and FinTech. The company focuses on providing innovative enterprise solutions and data insights to simplify the buying, selling, and administration of insurance products. This industry is characterized by complex regulatory environments, a need for high data security, and a drive for digital transformation.

Company Size: Zinnia is a significant player with over $180 billion in assets under administration, serving 100+ carrier clients, 2500 distributors and partners, and over 2 million policyholders. While the exact employee count isn't stated, this scale suggests a well-established organization with dedicated teams across product, engineering, operations, sales, and research.

Founded: The company's founding details are not explicitly provided in the job description, but its substantial assets under administration and client base indicate a mature and established entity within the industry. This maturity suggests a structured approach to product development and operations.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will report to the Lead UX Researcher, indicating a growing or established research practice within the organization.

• The role is embedded within product teams, implying close collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts.

Methodology:

• Zinnia emphasizes a "persona-driven experience" and a "user-centered" approach, indicating that understanding user needs is core to their development philosophy.

• The company values "boldness, teamwork, and delivering value," suggesting a culture that encourages initiative, collaboration, and a focus on tangible business outcomes.

• Research findings are expected to be translated into actionable recommendations, highlighting a pragmatic approach to applying insights.

Company Website: www.zinnia.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on complex financial products means that users may have specific needs related to security, trust, and ease of use in a regulated environment. The UX Researcher will need to navigate these complexities, making the "comfortable working in complex or regulated environments" preference a key indicator of the operational context. The company values suggest a culture that is both innovative and results-oriented.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level UX Researcher, requiring 5+ years of experience. It involves significant autonomy, ownership of research initiatives for product teams, and the ability to influence product strategy. The researcher is expected to be a hands-on practitioner who can operate independently while also contributing to the broader research practice.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher reports to the Lead UX Researcher, indicating a direct line of guidance and mentorship within the research discipline. Being embedded within product teams means daily interactions will be with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts, fostering strong cross-functional relationships.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is significant, as they are responsible for uncovering user needs, validating product solutions, and measuring the success of features. This directly influences product roadmap decisions, feature prioritization, and overall user experience, which in turn affects customer acquisition, retention, and operational efficiency for Zinnia's clients and end-users. By ensuring products are user-centered and effective, the researcher contributes to Zinnia's mission of simplifying insurance and enabling financial protection.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization within Research: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced quantitative analysis, behavioral economics) or specific product areas within Zinnia's complex ecosystem.

• Leadership in Research Operations: Contribute to and potentially lead initiatives to scale the research practice, develop new tools and processes, and mentor junior researchers.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Develop strong product acumen and potentially transition into Product Management or broader Product Strategy roles, leveraging deep user understanding.

• Industry Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in UX for InsurTech and FinTech, a highly valuable and growing field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within the UX research discipline, with opportunities to influence practice development and potentially move into leadership. The embedded model within product teams also provides excellent exposure to product strategy and execution, opening doors for broader career development within the tech or FinTech sectors.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site" in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued. Zinnia likely offers a professional office setting designed to facilitate team interaction and productivity.

Office Location(s): The specific office address in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, would need to be confirmed, but the location suggests access to a major business hub with good connectivity.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Being on-site and embedded in product teams facilitates spontaneous collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and quick feedback loops, which are crucial for agile product development.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard office infrastructure, software, and potentially specialized UX research tools and platforms provided by Zinnia.

• Team Interaction: Regular face-to-face interaction with product managers, designers, engineers, and fellow researchers, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, aligning with typical business operations in India. While on-site, there may be some flexibility depending on project demands, but the expectation is consistent presence for team collaboration and project work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is a key differentiator. For a UX Researcher, this often means opportunities for direct observation, in-person user interviews (if applicable to the local user base), and more fluid collaboration with colleagues. It implies a company culture that values face-to-face interaction and team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience alignment.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Lead UX Researcher to delve into your research experience, approach, and understanding of user-centered design principles. Expect questions about your past projects and how you handle complex research challenges.

• Team/Cross-functional Interview: An interview with members of a product team (Product Manager, Designer, Engineer) to evaluate your collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations relevant to their work.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your research process, methodologies, findings, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your rationale for methodological choices and how your research influenced product outcomes.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to assess overall fit with Zinnia's culture and strategic vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research capabilities, mixed-methods experience, and ability to drive impact. Tailor your selection to highlight experience in complex or regulated environments if possible.

• Focus on Process & Impact: Clearly articulate the problem, your research questions, the methods you chose and why, your findings, and most importantly, the impact your research had on the product or business. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives, guiding the interviewers through your thought process and problem-solving approach.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodological choices, how you handled challenges, how you collaborated with teams, and how you measured success.

• Showcase Mixed Methods: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, and how you integrated them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Discussion: Be prepared to discuss your preferred research methodologies for different scenarios (e.g., early-stage discovery vs. late-stage validation).

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: You might be presented with a hypothetical product problem and asked to outline your research approach to understand user needs and validate potential solutions.

• Data Interpretation: Expect questions that test your ability to interpret data and metrics to inform product decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just your research skills but also your ability to integrate into product teams and drive tangible outcomes. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, so candidates must prepare thoroughly to articulate their process, insights, and impact effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for participant recruitment, survey distribution, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello for task management and project tracking.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: While not a designer, understanding and interacting with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is beneficial for testing prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Experience with tools for analyzing quantitative data (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, basic SQL for data extraction, potentially R or Python for more advanced analysis).

• BI & Dashboard Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for understanding user behavior metrics and performance dashboards.

• Product Analytics: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude for tracking user behavior within digital products.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM user, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) might inform user segmentation or how user feedback ties into customer success is advantageous.

• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts could be helpful when discussing how research insights can lead to process improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While Zinnia's specific stack isn't detailed, the role implies a need for a researcher who is comfortable working with a variety of tools common in product development environments. The emphasis on "data-informed thinker" suggests that proficiency in analyzing quantitative data and using analytics platforms will be highly valued, alongside traditional qualitative research tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Be Bold: Encourages taking initiative, proposing innovative research approaches, and challenging assumptions to uncover deeper user insights.

• Team Up: Fosters a collaborative spirit where researchers work closely with product, design, and engineering teams, sharing knowledge and working towards common goals.

• Deliver Value: Emphasizes a pragmatic and results-oriented approach, ensuring research directly contributes to product improvements, business objectives, and enhanced user experiences.

• Curiosity & Continuous Improvement: A core value for the research practice itself, driving the desire to constantly learn, explore new methodologies, and refine processes to deliver more impactful insights.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded and Integrated: Researchers are part of product teams, working daily with other functions to ensure user insights are seamlessly integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• Data-Driven and Insightful: Collaboration is grounded in data and user insights, fostering discussions that are focused on understanding user needs and validating solutions.

• Open Communication: Encourages open dialogue, feedback exchange, and knowledge sharing to build a strong, cohesive product development culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zinnia's core values ("be bold, team up, deliver value") are directly applicable to the operations and research functions. They suggest a dynamic environment where initiative is rewarded, collaboration is essential, and the ultimate goal is to drive tangible business outcomes through user-centric product development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Working within the financial services/insurance sector presents challenges related to regulatory compliance, data privacy, and user trust, requiring researchers to be meticulous and sensitive to these factors.

• Diverse User Ecosystem: Zinnia serves multiple distinct user groups (carriers, distributors, agents, policyholders, operational teams), each with unique needs and workflows, requiring tailored research approaches.

• Balancing Qualitative and Quantitative Insights: Effectively integrating and synthesizing findings from both qualitative studies and quantitative data to provide a holistic understanding of user behavior and product performance.

• Driving Adoption of Insights: Ensuring that research findings are not just delivered but actively understood, embraced, and acted upon by cross-functional teams to drive meaningful product changes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen InsurTech/FinTech Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in the unique user behaviors, market dynamics, and regulatory landscapes of the life and annuities insurance industry.

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement advanced quantitative analysis techniques, behavioral science principles, or specialized qualitative methods.

• Research Practice Development: Contribute to building and scaling Zinnia's UX research practice, potentially leading initiatives in areas like research operations, tooling, or mentorship.

• Cross-functional Skill Enhancement: Develop a strong understanding of product management, design strategy, and data analytics through close collaboration, potentially opening doors for broader career paths.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a researcher who is not only skilled in methodology but also adaptable, strategic, and capable of understanding complex business and regulatory environments. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering paths for deep specialization or broader career development within a growing industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research in a complex or regulated industry. What were the unique challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on methodology, ethical considerations, and stakeholder management.)

• "How do you approach defining success metrics for a new product feature, and how do you integrate quantitative data with qualitative insights to measure its performance post-launch?" (Highlight your understanding of product analytics and measurement frameworks.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Zinnia's core values (be bold, team up, deliver value) align with your approach to UX research?" (Connect your work style and philosophy to the company's stated values.)

• "How do you ensure your research is collaborative and integrated with product, design, and engineering teams?" (Provide examples of your cross-functional collaboration style and communication strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly present: 1. The Problem/Opportunity, 2. Your Research Goals, 3. Your Methodology (and why), 4. Key Findings, 5. Recommendations, 6. The Impact/Outcome.

• Highlight Mixed Methods: Explicitly point out where you used qualitative and quantitative approaches and how they complemented each other.

• Focus on Actionability: Emphasize how your insights translated into concrete actions or decisions by the product team.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, and how you measured success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating your ability to apply core UX research principles within a business context, particularly in a complex industry. Be ready to articulate your process, justify your methodological choices, and quantify the impact of your work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link on the Zinnia careers section.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end research, mixed-methods application, and impact in complex or enterprise environments. Prioritize case studies that showcase your ability to influence product strategy and decisions.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 5+ years of relevant UX research experience, specifically mentioning methodologies used, industries worked in (especially SaaS, FinTech, or regulated environments), and key achievements tied to product improvements or business outcomes.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, findings, and impact. Prepare to present a detailed case study from your portfolio and be ready to discuss how you collaborate with cross-functional teams and handle challenges in complex industries.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Zinnia's mission, products, and core values. Understand the InsurTech/FinTech landscape and consider how user experience plays a critical role in this sector.

⚠️ 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.