UX Researcher, Qualitative

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher, Qualitative
Company: Meta
Location: Menlo Park, CA / Remote, US
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: User Experience Research / Product Research
Date Posted: 2026-01-23
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive impactful product decisions through deep qualitative user understanding, focusing on user behavior and attitudes.
• Lead end-to-end research initiatives, from topic identification and study design to execution and compelling communication of insights.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including product management, design, engineering, and marketing to integrate user needs into product strategy.
• Act as a thought leader and advocate for users, influencing the future of Meta's products by translating research findings into actionable strategic narratives.
• Navigate ambiguous and fast-changing environments, managing research plans efficiently to deliver critical insights to a broad range of stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is explicitly UX Research, the emphasis on "designing for the global spectrum of human needs," understanding "how people interact with each other and the world around them," and impacting "billions of people on a global scale" suggests a strong focus on large-scale consumer products and platforms. The mention of "product and business teams" implies a need to connect research insights directly to business objectives and product roadmaps, which is a core tenet of effective Revenue Operations and Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy enablement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with product, design, and business teams to define key research questions and identify strategic research opportunities that align with product goals and business objectives.
• Design, plan, and execute primary qualitative research studies using a diverse range of methodologies, including but not limited to in-depth interviews, focus groups, usability testing, concept testing, and field studies.
• Develop comprehensive research plans that address both user behaviors and attitudes, ensuring rigorous methodology and timely execution in dynamic environments.
• Effectively synthesize complex research data and translate findings into clear, compelling, and actionable strategic narratives that inform product strategy, design decisions, and business initiatives.
• Champion the voice of the user throughout the product development lifecycle, advocating for user needs and ensuring that research insights are effectively integrated into product roadmaps and feature development.
• Proactively manage research project timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations, ensuring efficient execution and delivery of critical insights to a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional partners, including product management, design, content strategy, engineering, and marketing, to ensure research is integrated and impactful.
• Generate novel insights that inspire new product ideas, inform design iterations, and rigorously evaluate the effectiveness and user experience of existing and new product features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strategic thinking and the ability to influence product direction, which are critical skills for operations professionals aiming to impact GTM strategies. The emphasis on "translating research findings into strategic narratives" and "influencing the future of Meta" points towards a role that requires not just data collection but also the ability to synthesize and communicate complex information to drive business outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 4+ years of relevant experience in user experience, applied research, or product research and development; OR
• Master's degree with a minimum of 2+ years of relevant experience; OR
• PhD with relevant experience.
• Preferred degrees are in human behavior-related fields such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Communication, Information Science, Media Studies, Computer Science, or Economics.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in conducting hands-on, primary research, including In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) or Focus Groups, and Concept Testing or Usability Testing.
• Proven ability to translate complex research findings into strategic narratives that influence product strategy and drive decision-making.
• Experience working within consumer products, consumer insights, or product development environments is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Qualitative Research Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of various qualitative research methodologies.
• Research Design: Ability to design robust and relevant research studies tailored to specific product and business questions.
• User Advocacy: Strong ability to champion user needs and translate them into actionable insights for product teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven success working effectively with diverse teams including product, design, engineering, and marketing.
• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present research findings compellingly and creatively to diverse audiences.
• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for tackling complex research challenges in ambiguous and fast-changing environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Consumer Insights: Experience generating insights from consumer behavior and market trends.
• Product Development Acumen: Understanding of the product development lifecycle and how research integrates into it.
• Quantitative Research Familiarity: While primarily qualitative, an understanding of quantitative methods can enhance study design and interpretation.
• Data Synthesis: Ability to synthesize qualitative data with potential quantitative signals to form a holistic understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on translating research into "strategic narratives" and influencing "product development" aligns with operations roles that bridge user understanding with go-to-market strategy. Professionals with experience in operations who can articulate user needs in a business context, or those who have worked closely with product/marketing teams to define value propositions, would find this skillset transferable.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of at least 3-5 significant research projects that showcase end-to-end qualitative research capabilities.
• Each project should clearly articulate the research problem, objectives, methodology employed, key findings, and the direct impact or influence on product decisions or strategy.
• Evidence of ability to manage research plans through ambiguous and fast-changing environments, demonstrating adaptability and strategic prioritization.
• Demonstrations of how research insights were communicated effectively and creatively to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Examples of cross-functional collaboration, highlighting how research was integrated with design, product management, engineering, and marketing efforts.

Process Documentation:

• For each project, outline the research process followed, from initial scoping and stakeholder alignment to data collection, analysis, synthesis, and reporting.
• Clearly define the steps taken to translate research findings into actionable recommendations and strategic narratives.
• Showcase the methods used to ensure high-quality and rigorous research, including any ethical considerations or validation steps.
• Provide examples of how research influenced ideation or evaluated designs, demonstrating a clear link between research activities and product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, the portfolio should highlight how their research-driven insights contributed to refining target customer segments, improving user onboarding flows, or informing messaging for product launches. Demonstrating an ability to quantify the impact of research (e.g., through improved conversion rates, reduced churn, or increased user satisfaction metrics) would be highly valuable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $103,000/year to $166,000/year (USD)

Benefits:

• Bonus: Performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Equity: Stock options or grants, providing ownership and participation in company growth.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) or similar plan with potential company match.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Family Leave: Parental leave and other family support benefits.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and skill enhancement.
• Wellness Programs: Resources and programs to support employee well-being.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility to manage research projects effectively.
• Occasional work outside standard hours may be required to accommodate global user research or critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified salary range is competitive for a Senior UX Researcher in the Bay Area and for remote roles in the US, reflecting the experience level and the impact expected from this role at a company like Meta. Operations professionals applying for GTM or Sales Ops roles at similar large tech companies can expect comparable salary bands, with variations based on specific responsibilities and team impact.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Social Media, Technology, Advertising, Metaverse Development. Meta operates at the intersection of social networking, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, aiming to build the metaverse and connect billions of people. This industry context means a constant drive for innovation, rapid iteration, and a focus on user engagement and data-driven decision-making.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Meta is a global technology giant with tens of thousands of employees). This scale implies structured processes, significant cross-functional teams, and the potential for high impact but also a need for clear communication and alignment across many departments.

Founded: 2004. Meta has a long history of innovation and growth, evolving from a social networking platform to a broad technology company with diverse product lines. This history suggests a culture that values continuous learning, adaptation, and ambitious goals.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team is likely structured to support various product groups and initiatives across Meta. Researchers may specialize in specific product areas (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, VR/AR, AI) or methodological approaches.
• Researchers typically report into a UX Research leadership structure, often within larger Product or Design organizations.
• Collaboration is highly cross-functional, involving close partnerships with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and Marketing teams.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: A strong emphasis on rigorous qualitative research methods, complemented by quantitative data analysis to provide a holistic understanding of user needs and behaviors.
• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Researchers are expected to design and manage their own research projects efficiently, often within fast-paced product development cycles. This requires strong project management and strategic planning skills.
• Automation and Efficiency Practices: While not directly developing automation tools, researchers leverage various platforms and tools to streamline data collection, analysis, and reporting to maximize efficiency and impact.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, Meta's culture implies a data-driven environment where decisions are informed by user insights and business metrics. Understanding how user research contributes to optimizing customer journeys, improving product adoption, and ultimately driving revenue is key. This role's focus on understanding user needs directly supports GTM efforts by ensuring products are designed for market fit and user success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is for an experienced UX Researcher, likely at a Senior or Lead level, given the 4+ years of experience requirement and the expectation to act as a "thought leader" and "advocate for the people." This level implies significant autonomy, responsibility for complex projects, and the ability to mentor junior researchers.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Research Manager or Lead, who oversees a portfolio of research projects and researchers. They will work closely with Product Managers and Design Leads within specific product teams, forming a core triad for product development.

Operations Impact: While not a direct operations role, the insights generated by this UX Researcher directly fuel GTM and Revenue Operations. By understanding user needs, pain points, and motivations, the researcher provides critical input for:

• Target Audience Definition: Refining ideal customer profiles (ICPs) and buyer personas.
• Product-Market Fit: Ensuring products resonate with market needs and drive adoption.
• User Onboarding & Adoption: Identifying friction points in the user journey that impact conversion and retention.
• Messaging & Positioning: Informing marketing and sales collateral with user-centric language and value propositions.
• Customer Success: Understanding user challenges to inform support and success strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., ethnographic studies, advanced qualitative analysis) or product domains (e.g., VR/AR, AI, social platforms).
• Leadership: Transition into management roles, leading teams of researchers, or take on principal-level individual contributor roles focusing on strategic research initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence by leading research for major product launches or strategic platform initiatives, working more closely with senior leadership across Product, Design, and GTM functions.
• Skill Development: Opportunities to learn new research techniques, gain experience with cutting-edge technologies, and attend industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations professionals can draw parallels in career growth. A Senior Ops role at Meta would also involve significant autonomy, strategic influence, and potential leadership opportunities. The ability to "translate research findings into strategic narratives" is akin to an Ops professional translating complex data into actionable business strategies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Meta operates with a hybrid work model, offering both in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. The Menlo Park office is a large, modern campus designed to foster collaboration and innovation, with various amenities. Remote roles offer the flexibility to work from home across the US.

Office Location(s):

• Menlo Park, CA: A primary hub for Meta's operations, offering a vibrant, collaborative campus environment.
• Remote, US: Allows employees to work from anywhere within the United States, providing flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Offices are equipped with meeting rooms, open spaces, and collaborative zones designed to encourage team interaction, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing.
• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to a wide range of cutting-edge software and hardware for research, communication, and collaboration, including high-performance computing and specialized UX research tools.
• Operations Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with diverse teams, including product managers, designers, engineers, and fellow researchers, fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment.

Work Schedule: The role supports a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility to manage research timelines. This flexibility is crucial for qualitative researchers who may need to schedule interviews or field studies outside of typical business hours, aligning with user availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, the hybrid model and emphasis on collaboration are standard. The availability of advanced tools and the need for cross-functional interaction are also common. The flexibility in scheduling is a key aspect for many operational roles that require real-time data analysis or stakeholder engagement across different time zones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your resume and potentially conduct a brief introductory call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Interview: A key stage will involve presenting your research portfolio. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 of your most impactful projects, detailing your role, methodology, insights, and impact. This may be with a hiring manager or senior researcher.
• Skills-Based Interviews: Expect interviews focused on your research methodology, problem-solving skills, ability to handle ambiguity, and cross-functional collaboration experience. Case studies or hypothetical research scenarios may be presented.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders you'd be working with (e.g., Product Managers, Designers) to assess collaboration style and ability to integrate research into product development.
• Final Interview: Often with a more senior leader to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit within Meta's research organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, highlight the business impact of your research. Did it lead to increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, or a more focused product roadmap?
• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your research process, including how you identified research questions, selected methodologies, and synthesized findings.
• Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process/challenges), and end (insights/impact).
• Demonstrate Adaptability: Highlight instances where you had to adapt your research plan due to changing priorities or unexpected findings.
• Tailor to Meta: Understand Meta's products and user base. Frame your experience in a way that demonstrates relevance to their mission.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical research problem relevant to Meta's products.
• Methodology Nuances: Prepare to discuss the pros and cons of different qualitative methods and when to use them.
• Stakeholder Management: Think about how you would communicate challenging research findings or disagree with product direction constructively.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, the portfolio review is crucial. Instead of research projects, focus on case studies demonstrating process optimization, CRM implementation success, sales playbook development, or GTM strategy enablement. Quantify the impact using metrics like revenue growth, cost reduction, efficiency gains, or sales cycle acceleration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote interviews and usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Zoom).
• Survey Tools: For designing and distributing surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms).
• Collaboration Suites: For project management, documentation, and team communication (e.g., Google Workspace, Confluence, Jira, Asana, Slack).
• Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools: Software for organizing, coding, and analyzing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, ATLAS.ti, or advanced spreadsheet/database techniques).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While this role is primarily qualitative, familiarity with how to interpret quantitative data from product analytics tools (e.g., internal Meta tools, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to complement qualitative findings is beneficial.
• Tools for creating compelling visual reports and presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, Figma for mockups).

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly used for research execution, but understanding how user insights can feed into CRM strategies, customer segmentation, and marketing automation platforms is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations professionals in GTM or Revenue Operations would be expected to be highly proficient in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot), sales enablement platforms (e.g., Highspot, Seismic), marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot), and business intelligence/analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker).

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for users, ensuring their needs are at the forefront of product development.
• Rigorous and Ethical Research: Adherence to high standards of research quality, scientific integrity, and ethical practices in all research activities.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Working effectively with cross-functional teams, fostering strong relationships to ensure research insights are integrated and actionable.
• Impact and Influence: A focus on generating insights that drive meaningful product improvements and strategic decisions, ultimately contributing to Meta's mission.
• Curiosity and Learning: An open-minded approach to exploring new research methods, understanding complex human behaviors, and adapting to a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: Researchers are embedded within product teams, working daily with designers, product managers, and engineers to co-create solutions.
• Open Feedback Exchange: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on research plans, findings, and potential interpretations to refine insights.
• Knowledge Sharing: Researchers are encouraged to share learnings across teams and the broader organization through internal presentations, documentation, and community forums.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations teams at Meta likely value data-driven decision-making, efficiency, cross-functional alignment, and a results-oriented mindset. They would appreciate colleagues who can clearly articulate the business value of their work and contribute to strategic goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace and Ambiguity: Navigating the fast-paced, often ambiguous environment of a major tech company, requiring researchers to be adaptable and prioritize effectively.
• Scale of Impact: Designing research that effectively serves a global user base, requiring consideration of diverse cultural contexts and needs.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring research findings are understood, accepted, and acted upon by diverse teams with potentially competing priorities.
• Measuring Impact: Demonstrating the tangible business value and ROI of qualitative research in a metrics-driven organization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to learn and master cutting-edge qualitative and mixed-methods research techniques.
• Product Domain Expertise: Develop deep knowledge in specific product areas or emerging technologies within Meta.
• Mentorship: Access to experienced researchers and leaders for guidance and career development.
• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend and present at leading UX research conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, challenges might include managing complex systems, driving process adoption across large organizations, or aligning sales and marketing efforts with product roadmaps. Growth opportunities often involve taking on larger scopes of responsibility, leading operational initiatives, or moving into management roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision with your research. What was the challenge, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, communication, and impact).
• "How do you approach research in a highly ambiguous or fast-changing environment?" (Highlight your ability to prioritize, adapt, and manage stakeholders).
• "Imagine we are considering [hypothetical product feature]. How would you approach researching its potential user adoption and usability?" (Demonstrate your research planning and methodological thinking).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Meta and our mission?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's goals).
• "How do you collaborate with product managers and designers? Provide an example." (Emphasize partnership and integration).
• "How do you ensure your research is impactful and drives business outcomes?" (Connect your work to metrics and strategic goals).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, methodology, key findings, limitations, and impact. Use visuals effectively.
• Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics that demonstrate the success or influence of your research.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, data analysis, and how you handled specific challenges or unexpected findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with process improvement methodologies, CRM/Salesforce utilization, GTM strategy development, and how they've used data to drive revenue or operational efficiency. Portfolio presentations should focus on case studies with clear metrics and demonstrable business impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Meta Careers portal.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with qualitative research methodologies, end-to-end study design, stakeholder management, and translating insights into strategic recommendations. Use keywords from the job description.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate your portfolio to showcase 2-3 of your most impactful research projects. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your approach, key findings, and the resulting impact on product or business decisions. Practice presenting these projects concisely and compellingly.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Meta's products, mission, and recent news. Understand their focus on the metaverse and connecting people, and consider how user research contributes to these goals.
• Interview Practice: Prepare for behavioral questions by using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to articulate your experiences. Practice answering hypothetical research scenario questions and be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and problem-solving.

⚠️ 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.

---