UX Researcher, Trustworthy Personalization, Google Core

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher, Trustworthy Personalization, Google Core
Company: Google
Location: New York, New York, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: User Experience Research / Operations
Date Posted: August 14, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is deeply embedded within Google's user-centric product development lifecycle, focusing on understanding user needs and behaviors to enhance personalization experiences.
• The position requires a strong foundation in research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, to inform product strategy and design decisions.
• Success in this role hinges on the ability to translate complex user insights into actionable recommendations that drive product improvements and strengthen user trust.
• The UX Researcher will collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to ensure user needs are at the forefront of product development within the Google Core and Trustworthy Personalization teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is in User Experience Research, the emphasis on data analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and driving product decisions based on insights aligns it with operational functions that support Go-To-Market (GTM) and product success. The role requires operationalizing research findings into tangible product improvements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct independent, end-to-end user research studies across various product areas, leveraging a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover critical user insights.
• Design and execute research plans, including usability studies, contextual inquiries, diary studies, participatory workshops, ethnography, surveys, benchmark studies, server log analysis, and online experiments (A/B testing).
• Collaborate proactively with cross-functional partners such as Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineers to identify and prioritize research opportunities in a dynamic, fast-paced product development environment.
• Interpret and synthesize complex technical and business requirements into actionable research objectives and methodologies, ensuring research directly supports product goals.
• Effectively advocate for user needs and research findings by creating compelling written reports and delivering impactful in-person presentations to stakeholders at various levels, including senior leadership.
• Contribute to the development of foundational experiences that foster a healthy and engaging ecosystem by strengthening user identity and personalization across Google products.
• Support the Core team's mandate to build essential building blocks for excellent, safe, and coherent user experiences, impacting technical decisions across the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong operational component: managing research projects, synthesizing diverse data streams, and influencing cross-functional teams. The "advocacy" aspect requires strong communication and strategic influence, akin to operational roles that drive change.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in an applied research setting, with a proven track record of conducting user research and translating findings into product improvements.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and executing research using a variety of methodologies, including but not limited to usability studies, contextual inquiry, surveys, interviews, and ethnography.

Required Skills:

• User Research Expertise: Proficient in planning, executing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative user research studies.
• Methodological Breadth: Strong understanding and practical application of diverse research methods (e.g., usability testing, contextual inquiry, ethnography, surveys, diary studies, A/B testing).
• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize user behavior data from various sources (lab studies, field visits, logs, experiments) to derive actionable insights.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with product managers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders to integrate research into the product development lifecycle.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to articulate research findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree or PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Psychology, Anthropology, or a related field.
• 3 years of experience working directly with senior leadership (e.g., Director level and above) to influence product strategy.
• 2 years of experience conducting UX research on complex products, managing research projects, and navigating large, matrixed organizations.
• Experience across a variety of product spaces, demonstrating adaptability and broad research application.
• Strong command of the strengths and limitations of various research methods and their appropriate application throughout the product development process.
• Proficiency in communicating user research findings to drive impact within product teams and across broader organizational functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred qualifications" highlight strategic influence and experience with complex organizational structures, which are critical operational competencies for driving impact in a large tech company.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing a range of research projects, highlighting your ability to address complex user problems and drive product impact.
• Include case studies that clearly articulate the research questions, methodologies employed, key findings, and the resulting product changes or strategic recommendations.
• Showcase your ability to manage research projects from inception to completion, including stakeholder management and timeline adherence.
• Provide evidence of how your research insights have directly influenced product design, strategy, or business outcomes, ideally with measurable results.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of structured research planning and execution processes, detailing how you approach user research design and methodology selection.
• Examples of how you document and synthesize research findings to ensure clarity, accessibility, and actionable insights for product teams.
• Demonstrate experience in integrating research findings into product development workflows and iterating based on user feedback and data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the nature of UX research and its impact demands a portfolio that demonstrates a structured, data-driven approach, akin to operational process documentation and success metrics presentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The US base salary range for this full-time position is $129,000 - $185,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Bonus: Eligibility for performance-based bonuses.
• Equity: Potential for stock grants or other equity compensation.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off, parental leave, and other employee wellness programs.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically involving around 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project demands and collaborate effectively with global teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-senior level UX Researcher in a high-cost-of-living area like New York. The inclusion of bonus and equity indicates a performance-driven culture, common in operational and product-focused roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Internet Services & Software
Company Size: Extremely Large (Over 10,000 employees)
Founded: 1998

The company culture at Google is renowned for its emphasis on user focus, innovation, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration. The core premise, "Focus on the user and all else will follow," permeates all aspects of product development. The organization fosters an environment where individuals are encouraged to tackle complex problems, experiment, and contribute to cutting-edge technologies.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is multi-disciplinary, comprising UX Designers, Researchers, Writers, Content Strategists, Program Managers, and Engineers, emphasizing a collaborative and integrated approach to product development.
• This specific role reports within the Trustworthy Personalization Research team, which collaborates closely with the Google Identity and Engagement group, and also interfaces with the Google Core team responsible for foundational technical elements across Google's flagship products.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone of the Google UX model, requiring researchers to work seamlessly with product management, engineering, and design to ensure user needs are integrated throughout the product lifecycle.

Methodology:

• User experience research at Google is deeply rooted in understanding user behaviors and motivations through rigorous primary research methods.
• Data analysis and insights are central to informing product strategy, with a strong emphasis on user-centered design principles and iterative development.
• The company encourages the adoption of automation and efficiency practices where applicable, though the core of this role is human-centered research.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The strong emphasis on user focus, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration aligns this role with operational excellence, where insights are translated into actionable improvements that impact business outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This position is positioned at a mid-to-senior level within the UX Research discipline. It requires a significant degree of autonomy in conducting research, influencing product strategy, and managing complex projects. The role demands the ability to operate independently while also contributing to team-level objectives and mentoring junior researchers.

Reporting Structure:

• The UX Researcher will report into a UX Research leadership structure, likely within the Trustworthy Personalization or Google Identity & Engagement umbrella. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product initiatives within the Google Core team.

Operations Impact:

• The UX Researcher's insights directly inform the development of foundational technical components and personalized user experiences, impacting the usability, trustworthiness, and engagement of Google's core products. This role has a direct influence on user satisfaction and the overall success of Google's ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and user-centered design principles.
• Leadership Development: Potential to lead research initiatives, mentor junior researchers, and influence product roadmaps at a strategic level.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain exposure to a wide range of product areas and technical challenges within Google's vast ecosystem, fostering broad understanding and adaptability.
• Career Pathing: Potential to move into senior researcher roles, research management, or even product management roles leveraging deep user understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities emphasize both specialized research skills and broader operational competencies like project leadership, strategic influence, and cross-functional impact, which are critical for career progression in operations-oriented roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• Google's offices are typically modern, dynamic, and designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Expect a vibrant, tech-forward workspace.

Office Location(s):

• New York, New York. Specific office details would be provided during the interview process, but Google offices are known for their amenities and collaborative layouts.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to encourage interaction and knowledge sharing among UX professionals and with cross-functional teams. Expect access to state-of-the-art research facilities and collaboration tools.
• The environment supports both focused individual work and dynamic team discussions, facilitating the iterative process of product development and research analysis.
• Opportunities for informal and formal collaboration with UXRs across Google through meetups, internal forums, and mentorship programs are a significant aspect of the work environment.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, aligning with business hours in the New York time zone. However, flexibility is often provided to accommodate research needs, project deadlines, and collaboration with teams in different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaborative environments and access to specialized tools is crucial for UX researchers, mirroring the need for efficient operational workflows and robust technological support in other operations roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will assess your resume and qualifications against the minimum and preferred requirements.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Typically involves discussions about your experience, research philosophy, and approach to user-centered problem-solving. Expect questions about your past projects and how you've driven impact.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present a selection of your best research work, highlighting your process, insights, and the impact of your research. Prepare to discuss your role, the challenges, and the outcomes in detail.
• Skills-Based Assessments: This may include a research exercise or a case study to evaluate your research design, analytical, and communication skills.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Managers, Designers) to assess your ability to work effectively in a team and integrate research into product development.
• Final Round: May involve interviews with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 diverse projects that showcase your range of skills, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with Google's product areas and values.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research questions, the methodologies used, key findings, the insights derived, and the impact on the product or business. Use visuals effectively.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify your impact whenever possible. Show how your research led to specific product improvements, increased user engagement, or addressed critical user pain points.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Highlight how you collaborated with cross-functional teams and communicated your findings to drive action.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, analytical process, and decision-making rationale.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Design: Be ready to design a research study for a hypothetical product or feature, considering objectives, target users, methodologies, and metrics.
• Data Interpretation: Practice interpreting qualitative and quantitative data, identifying patterns, and drawing actionable conclusions.
• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to articulate complex research findings concisely and persuasively, tailoring your communication to different audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a structured portfolio review, case study presentation, and stakeholder communication preparation is highly relevant to operations roles, which often require presenting data, justifying strategies, and demonstrating ROI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Familiarity with various user research tools for usability testing, surveys, and data analysis (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).
• Data Analysis Software: Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, Python for data analysis) and qualitative analysis tools (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo).
• Collaboration Tools: Experience with Google Workspace suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet) and project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) for understanding user behavior at scale.
• Ability to use data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker Studio) to present research findings effectively.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data integrates with customer profiles and product personalization systems is beneficial. Familiarity with data management principles is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core tools are research-specific, the mention of data analysis software, analytics platforms, and data integration underscores the analytical and data-driven nature of operational roles, even in research.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product decisions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on empirical evidence and rigorous analysis to guide strategy and product development.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong belief in the power of cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration, experimentation, and a continuous learning mindset.
• Impact & Ownership: Taking responsibility for driving meaningful improvements and contributing to the success of Google's products.

Collaboration Style:

• The collaboration style is highly integrated and iterative, with researchers working closely with product teams throughout the entire product development lifecycle.
• There's an emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of product outcomes.
• Knowledge sharing is actively encouraged through internal communities, presentations, and documentation, fostering a culture of collective learning and operational excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style described are hallmarks of effective operations teams, emphasizing data, collaboration, and measurable impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Understanding and influencing product development within Google's vast and intricate organizational structure.
• Translating Insights into Action: Ensuring that research findings are effectively translated into concrete product changes and strategic decisions by cross-functional teams.
• Balancing Methodologies: Selecting and applying the most appropriate research methods for diverse product contexts and research questions, often under tight timelines.
• Measuring Impact: Demonstrating the tangible business and user impact of research efforts in a way that resonates with stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Access to Google's internal resources and expert community for continuous learning in cutting-edge research methodologies.
• Cross-Product Exposure: Opportunities to work on projects across various Google product areas, broadening your research expertise and understanding of different user segments.
• Mentorship Programs: Participate in formal and informal mentorship programs to gain guidance from experienced researchers and leaders.
• Skill Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas like trustworthy AI, personalization, or complex system research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities highlight the need for adaptability, strategic thinking, and continuous learning, all critical attributes for success in operations roles that require navigating complex environments and driving improvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision with your research. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the outcome?" - Prepare a STAR-method answer focusing on a significant research project where you successfully advocated for a user-centric change. Highlight your research process, communication strategy, and the measurable impact.
• "How do you prioritize research opportunities when faced with multiple competing demands from different product teams?" - Discuss your framework for prioritization, considering factors like business impact, user needs, feasibility, and stakeholder alignment. Emphasize your ability to manage operational workflows.
• "Imagine you're asked to research a new feature for Google Core. What would be your initial steps and what research methods would you consider?" - Outline a structured approach, starting with defining research objectives, identifying target users, and then selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Google's approach to trustworthy personalization and the role of the Core team?" - Research Google's identity, personalization strategies, and the foundational nature of the Core team. Connect this to your understanding of user trust and data ethics.
• "How do you see your research contributing to the broader Google ecosystem and user experience?" - Articulate how your work on personalization and core systems impacts user trust, engagement, and the overall perception of Google products.
• "Describe your experience working within a large, matrixed organization. How do you ensure your work gets visibility and drives action?" - Discuss your strategies for stakeholder management, cross-functional communication, and navigating organizational dynamics to achieve operational goals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the "why" (the problem), the "how" (your research process), and the "so what" (the insights and impact).
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research and the product changes it influenced (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved task success, reduced error rates).
• Showcase Collaboration: Be ready to talk about how you partnered with designers, PMs, and engineers, and how you synthesized feedback from different sources.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate deep dives into your methodology, data analysis, and decision-making. Practice articulating your thought process clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice emphasizes structured problem-solving, data-driven communication, and stakeholder management, all critical operational skills for success in influencing product strategy and driving outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the official Google Careers portal via the provided URL.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your most relevant UX research projects, focusing on those that demonstrate impact, collaboration, and a systematic approach to problem-solving. Select case studies that showcase your ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with various research methodologies, data analysis skills, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements with metrics where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, findings, and impact using the STAR method. Prepare specific examples for common UX research interview questions and be ready to present your portfolio with confidence.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Google's mission, values, and specific initiatives related to Trustworthy Personalization and the Google Core team. Understand how your role contributes to the company's broader objectives.

⚠️ 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.