Manager UX/UI Research and Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Manager UX/UI Research and Strategy

Company: UT Southwestern Medical Center

Location: Dallas, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-time, Regular, Standard

Category: Digital Strategy & Experience Operations

Date Posted: November 4, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads user experience (UX) research and user interface (UI) strategy initiatives to significantly enhance digital experiences across UT Southwestern's extensive online platforms, ensuring a user-centered and accessible approach.

• Provides strategic direction, mentorship, and management to a team of UX/UI professionals, fostering professional development and ensuring high-quality output in user research, interaction design, and UX strategy.

• Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, including digital strategists, developers, project managers, and content professionals, to translate research findings and strategic insights into user-friendly, technically feasible, and scalable digital solutions.

• Acts as a subject matter expert and internal consultant, advocating for user-centered design principles, accessibility standards, and institutional brand consistency across all digital touchpoints.

• Drives continuous improvement and innovation by monitoring digital analytics, user behavior, and emerging UX trends, recommending strategic enhancements to maintain UTSW's digital presence as current, innovative, and competitive.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within the Digital team of the Department of Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs, indicating a strong focus on external-facing digital properties such as websites, patient portals, and marketing platforms, rather than internal operational tools. The emphasis on "Digital Strategy and Engagement" and "online channels" further supports this. The "Operations" aspect is derived from the management of processes, systems, and team workflows related to digital experience delivery and improvement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative UX research and usability activities, including user interviews, surveys, contextual inquiries, usability testing, card sorting, and tree testing.

• Develop and communicate comprehensive UX deliverables such as research plans, user personas, journey maps, task flows, experience maps, site maps, information architectures, prototypes, and strategic recommendations tailored to project needs.

• Manage, mentor, and develop direct reports within the UX/UI team, including providing strategic direction, coaching, performance feedback, workload management, and professional development plans.

• Oversee UX research and strategy throughout the entire project lifecycle, reviewing designs, prototypes, websites, and applications to ensure alignment with approved UX requirements, research findings, accessibility considerations, and institutional experience standards.

• Partner effectively with digital strategists, developers, project managers, content strategists, designers, and institutional stakeholders to translate research insights and UX strategy into intuitive, accessible, technically feasible, scalable, and sustainable digital experiences.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of UX research and strategy standards, methodologies, documentation, and reusable practices, supporting the creation and consistent application of design systems and component patterns.

• Monitor and analyze digital analytics, user behavior data, research findings, and emerging UX practices to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation in digital experiences.

• Serve as a trusted internal consultant and subject matter expert on UX/UI research and strategy, advocating for user-centered and inclusive design principles across the institution.

• Coordinate UX research and strategy efforts across multiple concurrent initiatives, assisting with scoping, resource estimation, prioritization, dependency management, and risk communication.

• Build and maintain strong cross-institutional relationships through transparent communication, responsive collaboration, and a consistent focus on enhancing the digital user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities emphasize a blend of hands-on research and strategic leadership. The role requires not only conducting research and developing deliverables but also managing a team, influencing stakeholders, and contributing to the overarching digital strategy of a large, complex organization like UT Southwestern. This suggests a need for strong project management skills alongside deep UX expertise.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Architecture, Psychology, Human Factors, Design, Visual Communications, Digital Media, or a closely related field.

• Alternatively, significant relevant experience in User Experience design may be considered in lieu of a formal degree. Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in UX research, UX strategy, user experience design, information architecture, usability, or related digital experience work.

• At least two (2) years of experience specifically managing and/or leading UX/UI Research and Design teams, including experience mentoring, managing, or providing direction to UX/UI professionals or multidisciplinary teams. Required Skills:

• UX Research Methodologies: Proven expertise in planning and executing a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g., user interviews, surveys, contextual inquiry, usability testing, card sorting, tree testing).

• UX Strategy Development: Ability to define and articulate comprehensive UX strategies, including user personas, journey maps, information architecture, and interaction design principles.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated experience managing, mentoring, and developing UX/UI professionals, fostering team growth and high-quality output.

• Stakeholder Management & Communication: Excellent ability to communicate research findings, strategic recommendations, and UX principles effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership.

• Digital Analytics & Data Synthesis: Proficiency in analyzing digital analytics, user behavior data, and research findings to derive actionable insights and inform strategic decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Complex Organizational Experience: Experience within higher education, healthcare, academic medicine, government, agency, or consulting environments, understanding the unique challenges and dynamics of large institutions.

• Design Systems & Standards: Experience contributing to the development and implementation of UX research practices, usability programs, experience standards, or design systems.

• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity and experience working within Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or similar iterative development frameworks.

• Accessibility Standards: Deep understanding and practical application of web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) in research and design processes.

• Prototyping & Wireframing Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard tools for creating wireframes, prototypes, and mockups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "five (5) years progressively responsible experience in UX research, UX strategy, user experience design, information architecture, usability, or related digital experience work" coupled with "two years experience managing UX/UI Research and Design teams" strongly suggests a mid-to-senior level role. The preference for experience in complex environments like healthcare and academic medicine indicates that candidates with experience navigating large, multi-stakeholder organizations will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in UX Research & Strategy: Showcase detailed case studies demonstrating your ability to lead UX research initiatives from conception to implementation, highlighting research methodologies, key findings, and strategic recommendations.

• Demonstrated Impact of UX Strategy: Provide examples of how your UX strategies have directly improved user engagement, satisfaction, task completion rates, or accessibility on digital platforms. Quantifiable results are highly preferred.

• Team Leadership & Process Improvement Examples: Include evidence of your experience managing and mentoring UX/UI teams, as well as examples of how you've developed or improved UX processes, workflows, or standards within an organization.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Evidence: Illustrate instances where you have effectively collaborated with diverse teams (developers, project managers, content, business stakeholders) to deliver cohesive digital experiences, detailing your role and contributions.

• Accessibility Integration: Demonstrate how you incorporate accessibility considerations into your research and strategy processes, with examples of how you've addressed accessibility challenges.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Templates & Examples: Ability to create clear, concise, and actionable research plans outlining objectives, methodologies, participant criteria, and timelines.

• UX Deliverable Standards: Experience in developing and adhering to standards for key UX deliverables such as personas, journey maps, information architecture diagrams, wireframes, and prototypes.

• Usability Testing Protocols: Proficiency in documenting usability testing protocols, including test scripts, participant recruitment criteria, and reporting frameworks.

• Process Improvement Documentation: Documented examples of how you have identified inefficiencies in UX processes and implemented improvements that led to better outcomes or increased efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Manager-level UX/UI role, the portfolio should not only showcase individual contributions but also demonstrate leadership in defining and improving UX processes and team management. The emphasis on a "complex organizational environment" suggests that demonstrating experience with large-scale projects and navigating organizational structures within the portfolio will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Manager of UX/UI Research and Strategy in a major metropolitan area like Dallas, Texas, with a large healthcare/academic institution, the estimated salary range is $110,000 - $150,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the required experience level (5+ years UX, 2+ years management), the specialized nature of UX research and strategy, and the cost of living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

• UT Southwestern Medical Center notes that salary is "commensurate with education, skills, and relevant experience," indicating a willingness to negotiate within this range based on candidate qualifications. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: PPO medical plan available from day one, with 100% coverage for preventive healthcare services for the employee.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO available from day one, allowing for work-life balance.

• Retirement Security: Participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), a robust state-sponsored retirement program.

• Family Support: Paid Parental Leave Benefit for eligible employees.

• Wellness & Development: Access to wellness programs to support employee wellbeing and Tuition Reimbursement to support ongoing education and skill development.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): As a qualified employer, UT Southwestern enables employees to work towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness for federal student loans.

Working Hours:

• The standard workweek is likely 40 hours, aligning with the "40" provided for ai_working_hours. While the role is on-site, typical for a management position requiring team oversight and in-person collaboration, there may be some flexibility for project needs or occasional remote work, though the primary arrangement is on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for similar roles in the Dallas area, considering the experience and management responsibilities. UT Southwestern's benefits package is highly competitive, with particular strengths in healthcare coverage, PTO, retirement, and educational support, especially for those in public service roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare, Academic Medicine, Research, Education. UT Southwestern Medical Center is a leading academic medical center, recognized for its commitment to patient care, scientific discovery, and education. This context means the digital experience focus will likely cater to patients, researchers, students, and faculty, requiring a nuanced understanding of diverse user needs and institutional priorities.

Company Size: Large, with tens of thousands of employees (indicated by company_size and company_employees if available, but generally understood for a major medical center). This scale implies complex organizational structures, numerous stakeholders, and significant digital footprint.

Founded: 1947. With over 75 years of history, UT Southwestern has a well-established reputation and a deep-rooted culture.

Team Structure:

• Reporting Line: The Manager reports to the Director, Digital Strategy and Engagement, indicating a structured hierarchy within the digital operations of the Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs department.

• Team Composition: The UX/UI team likely includes a Sr. UX/UI Strategist, and potentially other researchers, designers, or information architects, all reporting to this Manager.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with various departments and disciplines, including IT, clinical departments, research labs, academic affairs, and external communications teams, requiring strong partnership-building skills.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): The core methodology will revolve around understanding and prioritizing user needs in the design and development of digital experiences.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Research findings, analytics, and user behavior data will be integral to informing strategy and design decisions.

• Agile/Iterative Development: While not explicitly stated as mandatory for the manager, the preference for Agile/Scrum/Kanban experience suggests that the Digital team operates within or alongside agile development processes.

• Accessibility Focus: A strong commitment to accessibility standards (WCAG) will be a foundational element of all digital initiatives.

Company Website: https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: The healthcare and academic medicine context is critical. It means user needs can range from complex medical information for patients to research data access for scientists and educational resources for students. The role's success will hinge on balancing these diverse needs with institutional goals and brand integrity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Management position within the Digital Strategy and Operations domain. It signifies a transition from individual contributor to team leadership, responsible for strategic direction, team development, and project oversight. The role is pivotal in shaping the user experience across the institution's digital presence.

Reporting Structure: The Manager reports to the Director, Digital Strategy and Engagement. This implies a clear path for escalation of strategic decisions and a direct line of communication to higher leadership within the Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs department. The Manager is also responsible for managing and developing direct reports, including a Sr. UX/UI Strategist.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Research and Strategy Manager has a significant impact on:

• Patient Engagement: Improving the ease of access to healthcare services, appointment scheduling, and patient information.

• Research & Education: Enhancing platforms for researchers to access data and collaborate, and for students and faculty to utilize educational resources.

• Brand Reputation: Ensuring a consistent, professional, and user-friendly digital presence that reflects UT Southwestern's commitment to excellence.

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlining digital workflows and user journeys to reduce support needs and improve overall user satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Director Level: A successful tenure as Manager, demonstrating strategic leadership and successful team management, could lead to promotion to Director or similar senior leadership roles within digital strategy or operations.

• Specialization in Healthcare UX: Deepening expertise in the unique challenges and opportunities of UX within the healthcare and academic medicine sectors, becoming a recognized authority.

• Broader Digital Transformation Leadership: Opportunities to influence and lead larger digital transformation initiatives across the institution as the digital landscape evolves.

• Cross-departmental Influence: Expanding influence and collaboration across different institutional divisions, potentially leading strategic initiatives that span multiple departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role is clearly defined, moving from managing a specialized team to potentially overseeing broader digital strategy or even contributing to institutional-level digital transformation efforts. The healthcare context offers a unique specialization path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site" with "Office Setting" as the working condition. This suggests a traditional office environment within UT Southwestern's facilities.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Dallas, Texas, with a specific mention of "5323 Harry Hines Blvd" in Dallas, which is a central campus address for UT Southwestern.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: As a Manager, the workspace will likely involve interaction with direct reports, peers in digital strategy and development, and stakeholders across the institution. The emphasis on collaboration suggests a dynamic office setting.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard office technology, as well as specialized UX/UI research and design software, analytics platforms, and project management tools will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, one-on-ones with direct reports, and participation in cross-functional project discussions will be integral to the daily work.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, typical for a management role. While the role is on-site, there may be occasional requirements for flexibility to meet project deadlines or critical user research needs, though this is not explicitly stated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is a key differentiator, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration, team leadership, and direct engagement within the UT Southwestern campus environment. This is typical for management positions requiring strong team cohesion and stakeholder interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the Director, Digital Strategy and Engagement, to delve into strategic thinking, leadership experience, and understanding of the healthcare/academic environment.

• Team & Peer Interviews: Meetings with the UX/UI team and key cross-functional partners (e.g., lead developers, project managers) to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and team dynamics.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates will present a selection of their work, focusing on case studies that demonstrate UX research leadership, strategic impact, team management, and problem-solving skills. This may include a live demonstration or a prepared presentation.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within the department or a related area, to confirm fit and discuss final terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best represent your leadership in UX research, strategy development, team management, and impact within complex organizations. Prioritize projects relevant to healthcare or large institutions if possible.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the Problem, Your Role & Responsibilities, Process & Methodology (research, strategy, design), Solutions/Recommendations, and Results (quantifiable outcomes, user satisfaction improvements, efficiency gains).

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your contributions to team development, process improvement, and stakeholder management. Showcase how you've mentored others and driven strategic alignment.

• Demonstrate Data Synthesis: Clearly articulate how you used research findings, analytics, and user data to inform your strategy and recommendations.

• Address Accessibility: Include examples of how accessibility was considered and integrated into your work.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, how you handle conflict, and your vision for UX at UT Southwestern.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for questions that present hypothetical UX challenges within a healthcare/academic context (e.g., "How would you approach improving the patient portal's appointment scheduling flow?").

• Strategic Thinking Exercises: You may be asked to outline a UX research strategy for a new initiative or a problem area.

• Process Improvement Discussion: Be ready to discuss how you would assess and improve existing UX processes or establish new ones.

• Leadership Scenarios: Questions might probe your approach to managing team conflict, motivating team members, or influencing stakeholders who have differing priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates must showcase not only their individual UX expertise but also their capacity to lead a team, define strategic direction, and deliver measurable results within a complex, mission-driven organization. The focus will be on strategic impact and leadership capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Tools for conducting surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Zoom/Teams for remote sessions).

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Software for creating interactive prototypes and wireframes (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP).

• Information Architecture Tools: Tools for creating site maps and user flows (e.g., Miro, Lucidchart, Visio, Optimal Workshop for card sorting/tree testing).

• Analytics Platforms: Web analytics tools for monitoring user behavior and performance (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially used for presenting research findings and analytics (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio).

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience with creating and interpreting dashboards that track key UX metrics and project performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM systems, understanding how UX integrates with CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) for user segmentation and personalized experiences may be beneficial.

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) and digital experience platforms (DXP) common in large organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools are not listed, but standard industry-accepted UX research, design, and analytics software are implied. Proficiency with a modern design and prototyping tool like Figma is highly probable, as is experience with web analytics platforms. The ability to integrate UX insights into broader CRM and DXP strategies would be a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value that prioritizes understanding and meeting the needs of patients, students, researchers, and faculty in all digital interactions.

• Excellence & Innovation: A commitment to high standards in research, strategy, and execution, coupled with a drive to adopt innovative approaches to digital engagement.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse teams work together seamlessly to achieve common digital goals, valuing transparency and mutual respect.

• Compassion & Inclusivity: Ensuring digital experiences are empathetic, accessible, and inclusive for all users, reflecting UT Southwestern's core mission.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing evidence-based insights derived from research and analytics to guide strategic choices and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Encouraging strong partnerships between UX/UI, digital strategy, development, content, marketing, and institutional stakeholders to ensure cohesive and aligned digital initiatives.

• Open Communication: Promoting a culture of transparency, where feedback is openly shared, and challenges are discussed constructively.

• Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating the exchange of best practices, research findings, and learnings across the team and with partner departments.

• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking opportunities to collaborate and provide UX expertise early in project lifecycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values (excellence, innovation, teamwork, compassion) are explicitly stated and directly translate into the expected culture for the UX/UI team. The role requires embodying these values while managing operations related to digital experience delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Institution: Balancing the diverse needs and priorities of numerous departments, stakeholders, and user groups within a complex academic medical center.

• Integrating Diverse Digital Platforms: Ensuring a consistent and cohesive user experience across a wide array of digital channels, from patient portals to research platforms and marketing websites.

• Driving Adoption of UX Best Practices: Educating and influencing stakeholders across the institution to embrace user-centered design principles and robust research methodologies.

• Measuring ROI of UX Initiatives: Quantifying the impact and return on investment of UX research and strategy efforts in a healthcare and academic context, which can be complex.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technology & Trends: Continuously adapting research methods and strategies to incorporate new technologies and evolving user expectations in the digital space.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Healthcare UX Training: Opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, or pursue certifications focused on UX within the healthcare and academic medicine sectors.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to internal leadership training and development programs offered by UT Southwestern to enhance management and strategic planning skills.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Research: Working within an institution at the forefront of medical research provides unique opportunities to understand and design for complex scientific and clinical workflows.

• Mentorship from Senior Leadership: Potential for mentorship from the Director, Digital Strategy and Engagement, and other senior leaders within Communications and Marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the strategic and operational complexities of working in a large, mission-driven organization. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening specialized expertise and advancing into broader leadership roles within digital transformation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a UX strategy for a new digital initiative at an academic medical center. What are the key considerations and steps involved?" (Focus on user research, stakeholder alignment, business objectives, and iterative planning.)

• "How would you balance the needs of different user groups (e.g., patients, physicians, researchers, students) when designing a unified digital experience for an institution like UT Southwestern?" (Emphasize user segmentation, persona development, and prioritization frameworks.)

• "Walk us through a complex UX research project you led. What was the problem, your methodology, key findings, and the impact of your recommendations on the final product?" (Prepare a detailed case study highlighting leadership, process, and quantifiable results.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about applying UX research and strategy within the healthcare and academic medicine domain at UT Southwestern?" (Research UTSW's mission, recent initiatives, and challenges in healthcare UX.)

• "How do you foster a user-centered culture within a team and influence stakeholders who may not prioritize UX?" (Discuss your communication, advocacy, and collaboration strategies.)

• "Describe your experience managing and mentoring UX/UI professionals. How do you support their growth and ensure high-quality output?" (Provide examples of your leadership style, feedback mechanisms, and professional development support.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Frame your case studies as narratives that highlight problem-solving, strategic thinking, and impactful outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, prototypes, diagrams) to illustrate your process and deliverables.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your work (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved task completion times, higher user satisfaction scores).

• Focus on Leadership: Clearly articulate your role, responsibilities, and contributions, especially in managing teams and influencing project direction.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, decisions, and the challenges you encountered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of UX principles within the specific context of healthcare and academic medicine. The ability to articulate process, impact, and leadership is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Manager, UX/UI Research and Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the UT Southwestern Medical Center careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in UX research, UX strategy, team management, and working within complex or healthcare/academic environments. Use keywords from the job description such as "user research," "usability," "interaction design," "UX strategy," "leadership," and "stakeholder management."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-4 strong case studies that showcase your leadership in UX research and strategy, demonstrating quantifiable results and your ability to manage and mentor a team. Ensure it clearly outlines your process, role, and impact.

• Research UT Southwestern: Familiarize yourself with UT Southwestern's mission, values, current digital initiatives, and target audiences (patients, students, researchers) to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and highlighting your strategic thinking and leadership contributions. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your process and decision-making.

⚠️ 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.

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