UX Researcher (Product)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher (Product)

Company: Zinnia

Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Operations / User Experience Research

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered design initiatives by conducting comprehensive UX research across the entire product lifecycle, from initial discovery to post-launch evaluation.

• Employ mixed-methods research approaches, integrating both qualitative and quantitative techniques to uncover deep user insights and validate product strategies.

• Translate complex research findings and data trends into actionable recommendations for product teams, influencing strategic decision-making.

• Take ownership of research initiatives for assigned product teams, fostering a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement within the organization.

• Contribute to the advancement of the research practice by documenting findings, developing best practices, and supporting shared learning across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a hands-on UX Researcher embedded within product teams, focusing on driving persona-driven experiences in a complex B2B SaaS environment. The emphasis is on mixed-methods research and translating insights into tangible product improvements, aligning with a typical product operations or GTM strategy support function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts to define research objectives and methodologies for new features and product enhancements.

• Conduct foundational research (e.g., user interviews, ethnographic studies, surveys) to identify unmet user needs, pain points, and opportunities within the life and annuities insurance ecosystem.

• Design and execute evaluative research studies (e.g., usability testing, prototype testing, A/B testing) to validate design concepts and ensure user-friendliness of live features.

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

• Analyze user feedback, behavioral data, and performance metrics to measure the success of launched features and identify areas for iteration and optimization.

• Advocate for user-centered design principles across cross-functional teams, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of product development.

• Maintain and contribute to research repositories, templates, and documentation to ensure research insights are accessible and reusable across the organization.

• Support the growth of the UX Research practice by sharing learnings, mentoring junior researchers, and contributing to the development of best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on end-to-end research ownership and cross-functional collaboration, emphasizing the researcher's role in informing product strategy and measuring impact. The mention of "complex or regulated environments" suggests a need for researchers adept at navigating intricate user journeys and compliance considerations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Design, or a related field.

Experience:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in UX Research, User Experience Design, Product Management, or Data & Analytics, with a significant focus on user research.

• Proven track record of successfully applying research findings to influence product strategy and drive measurable improvements in user experience.

Required Skills:

• Mixed-Methods Research: Expertise in designing and executing both qualitative (e.g., interviews, focus groups, ethnography) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, analytics, A/B testing analysis) research studies.

• User Needs Assessment: Ability to identify, articulate, and prioritize user needs, pain points, and motivations through rigorous research.

• Product Lifecycle Research: Experience conducting research across generative (discovery, ideation) and evaluative (validation, testing) phases.

• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Proficiency in analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to derive actionable insights and inform product decisions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data teams.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to present complex research findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Prototyping & Usability Testing: Experience with various prototyping tools and conducting usability testing on prototypes and live products.

• Success Metrics Definition: Ability to collaborate with teams to define and measure user experience and product success metrics.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in SaaS product environments, particularly within the FinTech or InsurTech sectors.

• Familiarity with complex or regulated industries such as financial services or insurance.

• Experience with research operations, including managing research repositories, tools, and best practices.

• Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis techniques.

• Experience with user journey mapping and persona development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "5+ years of relevant experience" suggests a mid-to-senior level role. The inclusion of "UX Design, Product Management, Data & Analytics" as related fields for equivalent experience indicates a pragmatic approach to candidate sourcing, valuing practical research application over strict degree titles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects that demonstrate your end-to-end research process from problem definition to actionable insights.

• Case studies should highlight your approach to understanding user needs, validating solutions, and measuring impact, with clear articulation of your role and contributions.

• Examples of how you have used both qualitative and quantitative methods to solve complex user problems.

• Demonstrations of how your research has directly influenced product decisions and led to positive outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research plans, methodologies, findings, and recommendations in a clear, organized, and accessible manner.

• Experience contributing to and maintaining research repositories, ensuring insights are easily discoverable and reusable.

• Examples of creating research artifacts that facilitate understanding and action for product teams (e.g., user journey maps, personas, research reports, presentation decks).

• Familiarity with standard research documentation practices within a product development context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing end-to-end research and impact is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to detail their process, methods, and the tangible outcomes of their research, especially in complex environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX Researchers (5-10 years) in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, a competitive salary range would typically fall between ₹12,00,000 to ₹25,00,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, public holidays).

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., Provident Fund).

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

• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing organization.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, aligning with the typical 5-day work week in India (Monday to Friday).

• While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility offered for specific needs, but core hours will be expected to ensure collaboration with global teams and on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on prevailing market rates for experienced UX Researchers in the specified location, considering the industry (FinTech/InsurTech) and company size. Actual compensation will be determined by Zinnia's internal compensation structure and the candidate's qualifications.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Platform for Life and Annuities Insurance. Zinnia operates within the InsurTech sector, focusing on accelerating growth through innovative enterprise solutions and data insights. This means a dynamic environment that blends technological advancement with the complexities of the financial services industry.

Company Size: Zinnia is a significant player with over $180 billion in assets under administration, serving 100+ carrier clients and 2500 distributors/partners. This indicates a well-established company with a substantial market presence, likely offering structured processes and opportunities for impact.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly stated, Zinnia's description implies a company that has achieved scale and market leadership, suggesting a mature organizational structure with established workflows and a focus on growth.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team is led by a Lead UX Researcher, with this role reporting directly to them.

• Researchers are embedded within product teams, fostering close collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers.

• This structure likely promotes agile development practices and ensures research is integrated early and continuously in the product development lifecycle.

Methodology:

• Data-driven Decision Making: A core principle, evidenced by the need to analyze trends, interpret metrics, and connect insights to outcomes.

• User-Centricity: Emphasized through persona-driven experiences and advocating for user needs.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Implied by the full product lifecycle research approach, from discovery to post-launch evaluation and continuous improvement.

• Mixed-Methods Integration: A foundational approach to research, combining qualitative depth with quantitative validation.

Company Website: www.zinnia.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on the life and annuities insurance sector suggests a need for researchers who can understand complex user needs and potentially regulated environments. The "bold, team up, deliver value" values should guide how candidates approach their work and interactions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Researcher role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level, requiring 5+ years of experience. The responsibilities involve end-to-end research ownership, supporting product teams, and contributing to research operations. This level typically involves working with less direct supervision and taking on more complex research challenges.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Lead UX Researcher, indicating a clear line of guidance and mentorship within the research function. Being embedded in product teams means daily interaction and collaboration with product, design, and engineering counterparts.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is critical in shaping product strategy, improving user experience, and ensuring the success of Zinnia's technology platform. By providing data-informed insights, they help reduce product risk, increase adoption rates, and contribute to customer satisfaction and retention within the insurance ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or product areas within the insurance technology domain.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior UX Researcher role, leading larger research initiatives or mentoring junior researchers.

• Research Operations: Contribute to building and scaling the research function, potentially taking on responsibilities related to tooling, processes, and best practices.

• Cross-functional Development: Gain deeper understanding of product management, design, and engineering processes, broadening overall product development expertise.

• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in the life and annuities insurance sector, which is valuable in a niche but critical industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities emphasize both deepening research skills and expanding into broader product development or operational leadership roles, common in growing tech companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests a collaborative workspace designed for in-person interaction, idea sharing, and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. This location is a major technology and business hub, offering access to talent and infrastructure.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site nature promotes spontaneous collaboration, whiteboard sessions, and direct interaction with product teams, designers, and engineers. This is crucial for agile development and rapid iteration based on research findings.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard office productivity tools, as well as specialized UX research software and potentially company-specific analytics platforms.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to engage with colleagues, participate in team meetings, and build strong working relationships within the product development sphere.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week (Monday-Friday) is expected for on-site roles. However, the nature of product development may sometimes require flexibility to meet project deadlines or accommodate cross-time zone collaborations, though core hours will be focused on maximizing productive on-site engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is a key factor, suggesting Zinnia values in-person collaboration for its product development teams. Candidates should be prepared for a structured office environment in Noida.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes. Candidates with strong portfolios and relevant experience will be shortlisted.

• Hiring Manager/Lead UX Researcher Interview: Discussion about your background, experience, research philosophy, and how you approach user-centered design. This stage will heavily focus on your portfolio.

• Product Team Interview(s): Interviews with Product Managers, Designers, and/or Engineers to assess your collaboration style, understanding of product development, and ability to integrate research into their workflows.

• Research Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to present a past research project in detail or tackle a hypothetical research problem. This assesses your problem-solving skills, methodological rigor, and communication abilities.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership, focusing on strategic thinking, cultural fit, and long-term career aspirations within Zinnia.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that showcase a range of skills and impact. Prioritize projects that align with Zinnia's industry (InsurTech) or the complexity of their platform.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research methods used, the key insights derived, the recommendations made, and the impact on the product or business. Use a clear structure: Context -> Problem -> Process -> Insights -> Impact.

• Highlight Mixed-Methods: If applicable, showcase how you combined qualitative and quantitative approaches to gain a more robust understanding.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "reduced error rate by X%", "increased task completion by Y%", "informed a strategic pivot that led to Z outcome").

• Be Ready to Discuss: Be prepared to go deep into any aspect of your portfolio projects, including challenges faced, alternative approaches considered, and lessons learned.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a hypothetical challenge, ask clarifying questions to understand the product, target users, and business goals.

• Outline Your Approach: Be ready to walk through your proposed research plan, including target participants, methods, key questions, and how you would analyze the data.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize how you would conduct the research, not just the potential findings. Showcase your methodological thinking.

• Consider Constraints: Think about potential limitations (time, resources) and how you would adapt your approach.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse your presentation of past work or your approach to a new challenge to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes portfolio presentation and practical application of research skills. Candidates should prepare detailed case studies and be ready to discuss their thought process and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Tools for conducting usability testing, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools used for creating interactive prototypes for testing (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

• Collaboration Tools: Platforms for team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/Product Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar for tracking user behavior and feature adoption.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for presenting quantitative data and trends.

• Spreadsheet Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis and manipulation.

CRM & Automation:

• While not the primary focus, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms might store or influence customer data can be beneficial for understanding the broader user ecosystem.

• Familiarity with data interpretation from customer feedback platforms or support ticketing systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The list of tools reflects common requirements for UX Researchers, emphasizing platforms for user research execution, prototyping, collaboration, and data analysis. The ability to interpret data from analytics tools is particularly highlighted.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Be Bold: Encourages taking initiative, proposing innovative research approaches, and challenging existing assumptions with data.

• Team Up: Fosters cross-functional collaboration, shared learning, and a supportive environment where research insights are integrated collaboratively.

• Deliver Value: Focuses on research that directly informs product strategy, improves user experience, and contributes to business objectives, ensuring research efforts have a tangible impact.

• Curiosity & Learning: Embedded in the role description, this value drives a continuous pursuit of understanding user needs and improving research practices.

• Data-Driven Approach: Emphasizes the importance of evidence-based decision-making, using both qualitative and quantitative data to support recommendations.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded and Integrated: Researchers work closely with product teams, acting as an extension of those teams to ensure research is timely and relevant.

• Communicative and Transparent: Findings are shared openly, and research plans are often developed collaboratively to ensure alignment.

• Action-Oriented: The goal is to translate insights into actionable recommendations that drive product improvements.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that welcomes constructive feedback on research approaches and findings to refine strategies and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values "Be Bold, Team Up, Deliver Value" are central. Candidates should demonstrate how their research approach embodies these principles, particularly in how they collaborate and drive impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: The life and annuities insurance sector is complex and can be heavily regulated. Understanding user needs and translating them into simple, intuitive experiences requires deep empathy and analytical skill.

• Balancing Research Needs with Business Demands: Effectively prioritizing research efforts to meet the immediate needs of product teams while also conducting deeper, foundational research.

• Bridging Qualitative and Quantitative Data: Synthesizing insights from diverse data sources to create a holistic understanding of user behavior and product performance.

• Driving Adoption of Research Insights: Ensuring that research findings are not just delivered but actively understood and acted upon by product teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen InsurTech Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in a critical and evolving industry, becoming a go-to expert for user insights in this domain.

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement more sophisticated research techniques, potentially including advanced analytics or behavioral economics.

• Mentorship: Learn from experienced colleagues and contribute to the growth of junior researchers, developing leadership skills.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Broaden understanding of product management, agile development, and data science principles.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of the latest UX research trends, tools, and best practices through conferences, workshops, and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a resilient and adaptive researcher who can thrive in a complex industry. The growth opportunities point towards continuous skill enhancement and career progression within a specialized tech domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research in a complex or regulated industry. How did you adapt your methods?" (Focus on methodological flexibility and understanding constraints.)

• "How do you prioritize research requests when multiple product teams need your support simultaneously?" (Highlight prioritization frameworks, stakeholder management, and communication.)

• "Walk us through a research project where your insights led to a significant product change. What was the impact, and how did you measure it?" (Prepare a detailed STAR method answer focusing on impact and metrics.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Zinnia, what do you think are the biggest UX challenges for our platform?" (Research Zinnia's products and industry to formulate an informed opinion.)

• "How do you embody our company values of 'Be Bold, Team Up, Deliver Value' in your research practice?" (Provide specific examples of how your work aligns with these values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Choose impactful projects: Select case studies that showcase your end-to-end process, mixed-methods skills, and tangible business impact relevant to Zinnia's domain.

• Structure your narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your process, key insights, recommendations, and measurable outcomes.

• Be ready for deep dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decision-making, challenges, and the specific impact of your work.

• Showcase your communication skills: Present your findings clearly, concisely, and engagingly, adapting your language for different audiences.

• Prepare for hypothetical scenarios: Be ready to outline how you would approach a research problem similar to those Zinnia might face.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of research methodology, the ability to translate insights into action, and alignment with Zinnia's company values and industry context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your comprehensive application, including your resume and a link to your online portfolio, through Zinnia's careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly highlights UX research projects that demonstrate your end-to-end process, mixed-methods expertise, and measurable impact, with a focus on complex or regulated environments if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description, such as "UX Researcher," "mixed-methods," "qualitative/quantitative research," "product lifecycle," "data analysis," and experience in "SaaS" or "financial services." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and prepare to discuss your research philosophy, collaboration style, and how you drive value.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Zinnia, its products, its values ("Be Bold, Team Up, Deliver Value"), and the InsurTech industry to articulate informed perspectives during interviews.

⚠️ 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.