UX/UI Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Researcher

Company: Diversified Services Network, Inc.

Location: Chillicothe, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Research & Design

Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the user-centered design process by conducting comprehensive UX research to inform UI design decisions.

• Translate complex user needs, stakeholder requirements, and business objectives into actionable insights and design recommendations.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and management, to ensure a cohesive and effective user experience.

• Develop and document key UX artifacts, including journey maps, user flows, and strategy documents, to guide downstream development teams.

• Champion user advocacy by synthesizing research findings and presenting clear, compelling data stories that influence product strategy and roadmap prioritization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the "Shop Team" and implies a focus on applications or platforms related to the company's operational or customer-facing services. Given the Fortune 500 context, the research will likely support large-scale product development and refinement, requiring robust documentation and clear articulation of strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct user research using a variety of methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing, contextual inquiry) to understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points.

• Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative research data to identify key themes, patterns, and actionable insights related to user interaction with digital products.

• Collaborate with UI/UX Designers to translate research findings into intuitive and effective user interface designs, prototypes, and wireframes.

• Facilitate user testing sessions to gather feedback on prototypes and existing product interfaces, iterating on designs based on observed user behavior and feedback.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive UX documentation, including user personas, journey maps, storyboards, user flows, and detailed UX strategy documents.

• Present research findings and design recommendations clearly and persuasively to cross-functional teams and stakeholders, including management, to gain buy-in and inform product roadmaps.

• Work closely with engineering teams to ensure the accurate implementation of designed user experiences and to address any technical constraints or opportunities.

• Prioritize research needs and backlog items in alignment with the product roadmap and strategic business objectives.

• Stay current with industry trends, best practices, and emerging research methodologies in UX/UI research and design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "documenting the preferred experience," "creating visual artifacts," and "handoff" indicates a critical role in bridging the gap between research insights and development execution, requiring strong communication and documentation skills beyond just data collection.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors, Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related UX field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience specifically in UX Research, with a strong focus on user-centered design methodologies and best practices.

Required Skills:

• Empathy & Synthesis: Demonstrated ability to effectively organize and synthesize both stakeholder and user sentiment, listening with openness to learn and identify opportunities for empathy.

• Adaptive Thinking: Proven ability to pivot quickly with changing requirements and product understanding; viewing challenges as learning opportunities and confidently making decisions while remaining open to change.

• UI Best Practices: Thorough understanding of UI best practices, UI design principles, and essential graphic design theory.

• Collaboration & Independence: Ability to produce results both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency and experience with UI layout, specification, and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

• Project Management: Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines, and prioritizing tasks effectively.

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio demonstrating expertise, a clear articulation of research and design processes, and successful project outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in integrating user research directly into product designs and broader design practices.

• Experience facilitating research and translating findings into actionable product design recommendations.

• Project management experience is considered a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Empathy" and "Adaptive Thinking" skill descriptions are highly specific and suggest the company values individuals who can deeply understand user emotions and adapt to dynamic project environments, indicating a culture that encourages learning and flexibility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects, demonstrating a deep understanding of the research process from discovery to delivery.

• Clear articulation of research methodologies employed for each project, including rationale for selection and execution details.

• Evidence of how research findings directly informed UI design decisions and led to tangible improvements in user experience or business outcomes.

• Examples of user-centered artifacts created, such as personas, journey maps, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase proficiency in documenting the entire UX lifecycle, from initial concept and user needs assessment to final design handoff and post-launch analysis.

• Ability to create clear, concise, and shareable UX artifacts that effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences.

• Demonstrate experience in defining and documenting guiding principles and UX strategy that can be leveraged across multiple downstream partners and product teams.

• Provide examples of how research backlogs were prioritized based on product roadmaps and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating "expertise and ability to articulate your process" emphasizes the need for candidates to not only present finished work but also to clearly explain their strategic thinking, research methodologies, and decision-making framework.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $98,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Disability Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Paid Holidays

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and falls within the mid-to-senior level for UX/UI Researchers in a non-major metropolitan area. The inclusion of a Health Savings Account (HSA) alongside traditional benefits suggests a robust and modern benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Diversified Services Network, Inc. operates within a broad spectrum of services, indicated by its Fortune 500 status, suggesting a stable, large-scale corporate environment. The "Shop Team" context hints at potential operational or e-commerce related platforms.

Company Size: Fortune 500 company, indicating a large, established organization with significant resources and established processes. This often translates to structured career paths and a focus on efficiency and scalability.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, its Fortune 500 status implies a long operational history.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Researcher will be part of the "Shop Team," working closely with designers, engineers, strategists, and management.

• This suggests a collaborative, cross-functional team environment where UX research findings are integrated into the product development lifecycle from concept to execution.

Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on user-centered design and data-driven decision-making, leveraging human-computer interaction principles.

• Research findings are expected to directly inform UI design, product strategy, and roadmap prioritization.

• A structured approach to documentation and communication of UX strategy and findings is crucial for successful handoff to downstream teams.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Being part of a Fortune 500 company like DSN Worldwide implies working within established corporate structures, which can offer stability and clear career progression but may also require navigating internal processes and stakeholder consensus.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level UX/UI Researcher, requiring 5+ years of experience. It involves significant autonomy in research planning and execution, as well as a key role in influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into the "Shop Team," likely under a Design Lead, Product Manager, or Director of Product/Design. Collaboration is expected across design, engineering, and strategy departments.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Researcher directly impacts product success by ensuring user needs are met, which in turn drives user adoption, satisfaction, and potentially revenue through improved conversion rates and customer retention. Their work bridges user needs with business objectives, influencing the strategic direction of the "Shop Team's" offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or UX domains (e.g., accessibility research, generative research, evaluative testing).

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior UX Researcher role, lead research initiatives, mentor junior researchers, or move into a UX Management or Design Lead position.

• Cross-functional: Expand influence by collaborating on broader product strategy initiatives or moving into product management roles with a strong UX focus.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to learn new tools, technologies, and research techniques, potentially through company-sponsored training or industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Fortune 500 context suggests that growth opportunities will likely be structured within established career ladders, offering clear paths for advancement and skill development within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role in Chillicothe, Illinois, indicating a traditional office setting.

Office Location(s): Chillicothe, Illinois, United States.

Workspace Context:

• A professional office environment within a large corporate structure.

• Expectation of collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms for testing and team discussions, and access to necessary hardware and software for UX research and design.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work schedule, likely around 40 hours per week.

• While core hours are expected, there might be some flexibility depending on project needs and team dynamics, but the on-site nature suggests adherence to typical office hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Chillicothe, Illinois, is a key factor. Candidates should consider the commute and local amenities. The environment will likely be structured and professional, typical of a large, established corporation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, role responsibilities, and team dynamics.

• Portfolio Review & Case Study Presentation: This is a critical stage. Candidates will likely present their portfolio, detailing 1-2 key projects. They should be prepared to articulate their research process, decision-making, challenges, and the impact of their work.

• Skills Assessment/Technical Interview: May involve a practical exercise or a deeper dive into specific research methodologies or tool proficiency.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with designers, engineers, or product managers to assess collaboration style and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: With senior leadership, focusing on strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your research skills, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with B2B or corporate environments if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research methodologies used, key insights discovered, design decisions influenced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize how you conducted research, why you chose specific methods, and how you translated findings into actionable recommendations.

• Visualize Data: Use clear visuals (screenshots, diagrams, charts) to support your narrative.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, how you handled conflicting feedback, and what you would do differently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential take-home exercises or live design/research challenges.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially under time constraints.

• Focus on demonstrating your ability to quickly understand a problem, identify key research questions, and propose a viable research approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "documentation of the preferred experience" and "handoff" suggests that interviewers will scrutinize how well candidates can translate research into clear, usable specifications for downstream teams. The portfolio review will be a key differentiator.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Proficiency in tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure, or InVision for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and UI mockups.

• User Research Platforms: Experience with survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms), usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze), and potentially participant recruitment tools.

• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with project management and collaboration software like Jira, Asana, Trello, Confluence, or similar platforms for task tracking and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Ability to analyze qualitative data (e.g., using NVivo, Dovetail) and quantitative data (e.g., using Excel, Google Sheets, basic statistical software).

• Reporting & Presentation Tools: Strong skills in creating visually compelling reports and presentations using tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, or dedicated data visualization software.

CRM & Automation:

• While not core to UX research, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or customer data platforms can provide valuable context for understanding user segments and business goals.

• Understanding of how user experience impacts customer journeys within a CRM context can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description specifically mentions "UI layout, spec, and prototyping tools," highlighting the practical application of design software. While not explicitly listed, experience with qualitative data analysis tools is implied by the nature of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experience in all product decisions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on research findings and data analysis to inform strategy and design choices.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams (design, engineering, product, management) to achieve shared goals.

• Adaptability & Continuous Learning: Embracing change, learning from challenges, and staying current with evolving UX/UI best practices and technologies.

• Clear Communication: Valuing transparent and effective communication of research insights, design rationale, and strategic recommendations.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with designers to translate research into tangible designs.

• Cross-functional integration with engineering and strategy teams to ensure alignment and feasibility.

• Expected to proactively share findings and insights, fostering a culture of shared understanding and user advocacy.

• Openness to feedback and iterative design processes is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Empathy" and "Adaptive Thinking" as required skills strongly suggests these are core values of the team and company, influencing how individuals are expected to interact and approach their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the inherent tension between user desires and the technical/business constraints of a large Fortune 500 organization.

• Synthesizing Diverse Feedback: Effectively consolidating and making sense of feedback from various stakeholders (users, designers, engineers, management) to drive cohesive decisions.

• Translating Insights into Action: Ensuring research findings are not just documented but are actively used to influence product development and design iterations.

• Working within Established Processes: Adapting research and design methodologies to fit within the established workflows and timelines of a large corporation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced UX research methodologies, specialized design tools, and data analysis techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences or workshops focused on UX/UI research and design.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced design and product leaders within the organization for guidance and career development.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to learn about different aspects of product development and business operations within a Fortune 500 company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a candidate who is not only skilled in research but also adept at navigating corporate environments and influencing stakeholders effectively.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business requirements. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, compromise, and impact.)

• "How do you prioritize your research backlog when faced with multiple competing project demands and a dynamic product roadmap?" (Highlight your organizational skills and strategic thinking.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Diversified Services Network, Inc. and our industry? How do you see UX research contributing to our success?" (Research the company's mission, products, and recent news.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with designers, engineers, and product managers? Describe your ideal cross-functional working relationship." (Showcase your teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Start with a brief overview of the project's goals and challenges.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly explain the research questions, methodologies used, participant demographics, and your role.

• Showcase Insights: Present the key findings and user pain points identified.

• Illustrate Solutions: Show how your research informed specific design decisions, using wireframes, mockups, or prototype examples.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present data showing the positive outcomes of your work (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and stays within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've demonstrated "Empathy" and "Adaptive Thinking" throughout your career, as these are highlighted as critical required skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of UX research experience, specific methodologies used, and quantifiable achievements. Ensure keywords from the job description are naturally integrated.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong projects that showcase your research process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Be ready to present these in detail, focusing on your process and the outcomes.

• Research DSN Worldwide: Understand the company's business, industry, and potential user base for the "Shop Team." This will help tailor your interview responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice Your Articulation: Rehearse explaining your research process, insights, and design recommendations clearly and concisely, as this will be a significant part of the interview process.

⚠️ 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.