Senior / Staff UX Researcher, Qualitative

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior / Staff UX Researcher, Qualitative

Company: Suno

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience Research / Product Research

Date Posted: 2026-09-16

Experience Level: 7+ years of industry experience (Senior to Staff level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead foundational qualitative research initiatives for Suno's mobile product, focusing on understanding and reaching new creators.

• Drive generative research studies, including ethnography and diary studies, to inform product strategy and development for a diverse user base.

• Conduct in-person and in-field research, including in-home sessions with families and multi-participant studies, to capture nuanced user behaviors.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to embed user insights into the product development lifecycle and influence strategic decisions.

• Develop impactful research artifacts such as segmentations, journey maps, and design principles that drive long-term product direction and user adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior/Staff Individual Contributor (IC) with significant autonomy. The emphasis on "owning the foundational research agenda" and "building a roadmap" indicates a need for a proactive, strategic researcher who can identify and champion critical research questions, rather than execute a pre-defined plan. The focus on qualitative methods for understanding "people we haven't reached yet" and "creative confidence" suggests a deep dive into user motivation, behavior, and untapped potential within the consumer mobile space, particularly for music creation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, design, and execute a comprehensive qualitative research agenda for Suno's mobile creation experience, prioritizing high-impact generative studies such as ethnography, diary studies, longitudinal studies, in-context observation, and concept validation.

• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate research methodologies for a broad age range of participants, including early childhood and early elementary ages, ensuring ethical participant care, guardian consent, and assent procedures are meticulously followed.

• Lead complex in-person and in-field research initiatives, including in-home sessions, multi-participant family studies, and collaborative creative sessions, to uncover behaviors and insights not observable through remote methods.

• Serve as a strategic research partner to the mobile create Product Manager, Designer, and Engineering team, integrating user insights early and continuously throughout the product development process to shape product direction and inform critical decisions.

• Translate research findings into strategic frameworks and actionable outputs, such as detailed user segmentations, jobs-to-be-done analyses, opportunity maps, and enduring design principles that guide product evolution.

• Bridge the gap between qualitative insights and quantitative data by collaborating with Data Science to validate and size findings, and with Growth teams to inform acquisition, onboarding, and retention strategies.

• Mentor and provide guidance to other researchers, review study designs, and proactively unblock research efforts, contributing to the overall advancement of research craft within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of deep qualitative investigation and strategic influence. The explicit mention of "ethnography, diary and longitudinal studies, in-context observation, concept work" highlights the need for robust foundational research skills. The requirement to "decide what's worth studying, and say no to what won't change a decision" underscores the strategic judgment expected. Furthermore, the focus on "turning findings into things the org keeps using" and "connecting qual to the numbers" points to the need for researchers who can create lasting impact and integrate their work with quantitative analysis and business goals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Postgraduate degree in HCI, Human-Centered Computing, Psychology, Learning Sciences, or a related field is preferred, demonstrating methodological depth and research training.

Experience: 7+ years of industry UX research experience, with a strong specialization in qualitative methods and a proven track record of impacting consumer mobile products.

Required Skills:

• Qualitative Research Mastery: Deep expertise in designing and conducting generative research methodologies, including ethnography, diary studies, longitudinal studies, in-context observation, and concept testing.

• Mobile Product Expertise: Proven experience researching and influencing consumer mobile products, with an understanding of mobile user behaviors and platform nuances.

• Diverse Participant Research: Demonstrated ability to design and moderate research with participants across a wide age spectrum, including young children, using developmentally appropriate methods and adhering to strict ethical guidelines for consent and assent.

• In-Person & Field Research: Experience conducting in-person research, including in-home sessions, multi-participant studies (e.g., families), and in-context observations.

• Strategic Impact: A track record of research that has demonstrably shifted product strategy, roadmap decisions, or product bets, with the ability to articulate this impact clearly.

• Methodological Rigor: Strong judgment in selecting appropriate research methods to address specific questions, with the flexibility to adapt approaches rather than relying on a single go-to method.

• Ethical Considerations: Sound understanding of research ethics and participant comfort, especially when working with non-professional research subjects and vulnerable populations.

• Quantitative Fluency: Ability to interpret quantitative data, design effective surveys, and collaborate effectively with data scientists to complement qualitative findings.

• Self-Direction & Ambiguity Tolerance: Genuinely self-directed, capable of identifying key research questions proactively, and comfortable with ambiguity, shifting priorities, and rapid iteration.

• Stakeholder Influence: Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority and to advocate for user needs effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Startup Experience: Prior experience in a startup environment, particularly as an early or sole researcher, or experience as a founder, indicating a high degree of ownership and pragmatism.

• Sensitive Product Areas: Experience researching products in sensitive or high-scrutiny domains such as safety, trust, or well-being.

• Consumer Mobile in Audio/Music/Social: Background in consumer mobile products within the audio, music, or social media sectors.

• AI & Generative Products: Experience researching AI-powered and generative products, understanding the unique challenges of user mental models in emerging technology spaces.

• LA Research Network: Knowledge of suitable UX research labs or in-person session spaces in the Los Angeles area.

• Suno User: Familiarity with Suno's product by having used it to create music.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list is a direct interpretation of the "Who You Are" section, rephrased for clarity and to incorporate relevant operations/product research keywords. The preferred qualifications are also directly extracted and presented. The emphasis on "startup experience" and "ownership rather than process" is highlighted as a critical cultural fit element for this role. The educational preference for a postgraduate degree with "methodological depth" combined with "pragmatism of shipping under deadline" is also a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Impact Demonstrations: Showcase case studies detailing how your research directly influenced product strategy, roadmap decisions, or led to significant product changes, quantifying impact where possible.

• Generative Research Examples: Include examples of foundational research projects (e.g., ethnographies, diary studies, in-depth interviews) that uncovered unmet needs or opportunities, leading to new product directions or feature ideation.

• Methodological Diversity: Present a range of qualitative research methodologies applied, demonstrating flexibility in choosing the right method for the question, including experience with diverse participant groups and in-person research.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highlight instances where you partnered effectively with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, showing how you integrated user insights into their workflows and decision-making processes.

• Output Artifacts: Include examples of key research deliverables such as user segmentations, journey maps, jobs-to-be-done frameworks, or design principles that have been adopted and utilized by product teams.

Process Documentation:

• Generative Research Frameworks: Document your approach to defining and executing generative research agendas, including how you identify critical research questions and prioritize studies.

• In-Person Research Protocols: Detail your process for planning, recruiting, conducting, and synthesizing findings from in-person and in-field research, particularly for studies involving families or multiple participants.

• Ethical Research Practices: Outline your standard operating procedures for ensuring ethical research conduct, including participant care, informed consent, and assent processes, especially for vulnerable populations.

• Insight Synthesis & Dissemination: Describe your methods for synthesizing complex qualitative data into clear, actionable insights and effectively communicating these to diverse stakeholders to drive product decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to a UX Research role, focusing on the tangible outputs and processes expected in a portfolio. The "Portfolio Essentials" are designed to showcase the strategic and impactful nature of the research, while "Process Documentation" emphasizes the systematic approach to conducting high-quality research. The emphasis is on demonstrating how research translates into actionable outcomes and influences product strategy, which is crucial for a Senior/Staff level IC role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $176,000 - $220,000 annually, plus target equity.

Benefits:

• Equity: Company Equity Package, offering ownership and potential for significant upside.

• Retirement: 401(k) with a 3% Employer Match and Roth 401(k) option for long-term financial planning.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, with PPO options including HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) choices.

• Paid Time Off: Generous Unlimited PTO and Sick Time policy, alongside 11 Paid Holidays, promoting work-life balance and employee well-being.

• Family Support: 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave, supporting new parents during a critical life event.

• Professional Development: Creative Education Stipend to foster continuous learning and skill development.

• Commuting: Generous Commuter Allowance to support daily travel to the office.

• On-site Amenities: In-Office Lunch provided 5 days per week, enhancing the on-site work experience and fostering team connection.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility managed by the individual and their team, aligning with the on-site work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits are directly extracted from the provided text. The "Working Hours" are inferred from the "FULL_TIME" employment type and a standard 40-hour work week, with a note on team-managed flexibility. The benefits are detailed with context relevant to professionals, such as HSA/FSA options and equity for potential upside.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Entertainment / AI Music Technology. Suno is at the forefront of AI-driven music creation, positioning itself as a leader in a rapidly evolving and innovative market. The company aims to democratize music creation, making it accessible to everyone.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Suno is described as the "fastest growing consumer entertainment company" and is backed by "leading investors," suggesting a scale-up phase with significant growth and ambition, likely moving from a startup to a mid-size company. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities for impact.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's rapid growth and significant investor backing indicate it is an established entity within the AI and entertainment tech space, likely founded within the last 5-10 years to achieve such rapid scaling.

Team Structure:

• Research Team: The role involves partnering closely with a Product Manager and Designer for "mobile create" and working alongside another researcher focused on "rapid mobile evaluation." This suggests a lean, integrated product development team structure where researchers are embedded within product pods.

• Reporting: This is an individual contributor role, implying direct reporting to a research lead or a product/design leader, rather than managing a team. The focus is on individual impact and mentorship of peers.

• Collaboration: High emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, with researchers sitting "with the mobile create PM, designer, and engineers as decisions are being made." This indicates a highly integrated and collaborative approach to product development.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Development: The core of the role is understanding user needs and behaviors to shape product direction, particularly for new and less experienced creators.

• Data-Driven Insights: A strong emphasis on connecting qualitative findings with quantitative data (surveys, behavioral analytics) to inform product strategy and measure impact.

• Agile & Iterative: The fast-paced environment and the need to "change your mind in public when the data says you were wrong" suggest an agile and iterative product development process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the provided description, focusing on its innovative space in AI music and its growth trajectory. The "Team Structure" and "Methodology" sections infer how a researcher would operate within such an organization, emphasizing collaboration, strategic impact, and data integration. The mention of "millions of people use to express themselves" highlights the consumer-facing nature and scale of the product.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the Senior/Staff level within UX Research, signifying a highly experienced individual contributor. It requires deep expertise in qualitative research methodologies, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive significant product and strategy shifts. The role demands autonomy and the capacity to define its own research agenda.

Reporting Structure: As a Senior/Staff IC, the researcher will likely report to a Director or VP of Product, Design, or Research. They will be embedded within a product team (mobile create) and will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, acting as a peer and strategic advisor.

Operations Impact: The researcher's impact will be measured by their ability to:

• Shape Product Strategy: Identify and define new market opportunities and user needs that significantly influence the direction of Suno's mobile creation platform.

• Drive User Adoption: Inform the development of features and experiences that lower the barrier to entry for music creation, thereby expanding Suno's user base.

• Enhance User Experience: Ensure that the mobile creation experience is intuitive, engaging, and empowering for a diverse range of users, from beginners to advanced creators.

• Inform Business Bets: Translate qualitative insights into data-supported hypotheses for acquisition, onboarding, and retention strategies, contributing directly to business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop into a thought leader within the research function, influencing research strategy across the company and mentoring junior researchers.

• Product Ownership: Gain deep product expertise and potentially transition into product management or a more senior research leadership role focused on specific product areas or user segments.

• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in the burgeoning field of AI music creation and human-computer interaction within creative domains.

• Cross-Functional Development: Deepen understanding of product management, design, engineering, and data science, fostering a holistic product development perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis extrapolates the career trajectory and impact of a Senior/Staff UX Researcher within a fast-growing tech company. The emphasis is on the IC path, focusing on strategic influence, deep product involvement, and potential for leadership in research or product strategy, rather than traditional people management. The "Operations Impact" section is framed in terms of how research contributes to business objectives and product success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role requires 5 days per week in the Venice Beach office, indicating a strong preference for an on-site, in-person work environment. This suggests a culture that values face-to-face collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and a cohesive team presence.

Office Location(s): Venice Beach, Los Angeles, California. This location is known for its vibrant tech and creative scene, offering a dynamic and inspiring work atmosphere.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The on-site requirement points to a workspace designed for interaction, with dedicated areas for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and ad-hoc discussions.

• Integrated Tools: Expect access to standard productivity and collaboration tools, likely including video conferencing, project management software, and potentially specialized research tools. The company's focus on music and AI might also mean access to cutting-edge creative software and hardware.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for direct interaction with PMs, designers, engineers, and fellow researchers, fostering a culture of shared learning and problem-solving. The "In-Office Lunch" benefit further encourages daily team engagement.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the culture likely supports a degree of flexibility managed by individuals and their teams, especially given the emphasis on ownership and self-direction. The on-site nature means work is primarily conducted from the office, with occasional travel for field research or company offsites.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers the work environment based on the explicit "on-site" requirement and the company's location and industry. The Venice Beach location is noted for its cultural context, and the on-site aspect is linked to collaborative culture and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will involve presenting a portfolio showcasing past UX research work, focusing on strategic impact, methodological rigor, and cross-functional collaboration. Expect to walk through 2-3 impactful case studies.

• Research Deep Dive / Case Study: Candidates may be asked to conduct a take-home assignment or a live case study session where they analyze a problem, propose a research plan, or synthesize hypothetical data. This will assess their research judgment, strategic thinking, and ability to articulate their process.

• Hiring Manager / Team Interviews: Interviews with the hiring manager and potential team members (PM, Designer, other Researchers) to evaluate research craft, problem-solving skills, collaboration style, and alignment with Suno's culture.

• Executive/Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, influence, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Prioritize case studies that clearly demonstrate how your research drove significant product decisions, strategy shifts, or business outcomes. Quantify impact whenever possible.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies with a clear narrative: the problem, your approach (methodology), your insights, the recommendations, and the impact.

• Showcase Methodological Range: Highlight your versatility in applying different qualitative methods, especially those relevant to generative research and understanding new user segments.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional partners, how you integrated their feedback, and how you ensured your insights were understood and acted upon.

• Address Ethical Considerations: Be prepared to discuss your approach to ethical research, particularly when working with diverse and potentially vulnerable participant groups.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, trade-offs you made, and alternative approaches you considered.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Suno's Mission: Research Suno's product, its mission to democratize music creation, and its target audience. Think about the unique challenges of making music creation accessible.

• Identify Key Research Questions: For a role focused on new creators, consider what fundamental questions need answering about user motivation, barriers, and creative confidence.

• Develop a Research Strategy: Be ready to outline a plausible research plan for a given scenario, including target participants, methodologies, and expected outcomes.

• Practice Articulating Insights: Focus on clearly and concisely communicating complex insights and their implications for product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a UX Researcher role. The interview process outlines a typical progression for senior-level positions in tech. The portfolio and challenge preparation tips are designed to help candidates showcase their strategic thinking, methodological expertise, and ability to drive impact, aligning with the role's requirements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for remote moderation, session recording, and analysis (e.g., UserTesting, Lookback, Dovetail, Maze).

• Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) or similar for documentation, analysis, and presentations.

• Project Management: Tools like Asana, Jira, or Trello for managing research projects and timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Survey Tools: Platforms for designing and distributing surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics).

• Data Analysis Tools: Statistical software or platforms for analyzing quantitative data (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries) or advanced spreadsheet functions.

• Behavioral Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics for understanding user behavior patterns, often used in conjunction with qualitative findings.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable for a UX Researcher's primary toolkit, but understanding how user data is managed within CRM systems (like Salesforce) can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section lists typical tools used by UX Researchers. While the job description doesn't specify a tech stack, these are common industry standards for qualitative research, data analysis, and collaboration. The focus is on tools that support research execution, insight synthesis, and cross-functional communication.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Expression: A core value driving Suno's mission to empower everyone to create music, fostering an environment where creativity is celebrated and encouraged.

• Ownership & Intensity: A culture that values individuals taking full responsibility for their work, driving initiatives with passion and a high degree of commitment, especially in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A deep commitment to building high-quality products and experiences, with a focus on excellence in both technology and user experience.

• User-Centricity: A fundamental belief in understanding and serving the user, with research insights playing a critical role in guiding product decisions and ensuring user needs are met.

• Ambition & Innovation: A drive to push boundaries, explore new frontiers in AI and entertainment, and build something truly novel that impacts millions.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded & Integrated: Researchers work directly alongside Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where user insights are integrated into the product development process from inception.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: A culture that values rigorous analysis, blending qualitative depth with quantitative validation to make informed decisions.

• Open Communication & Feedback: An environment that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and the willingness to challenge assumptions and adapt based on new data.

• Proactive & Self-Directed: Team members are expected to be proactive in identifying opportunities and challenges, driving their work forward with minimal oversight.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from the company description, the role's emphasis on partnership, and the general culture of ambitious tech companies. The focus is on how these cultural elements would manifest for a researcher, emphasizing impact, collaboration, and a user-first approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining New Behaviors: Understanding and shaping the emergent behaviors of users interacting with AI-powered creative tools, where established mental models may not exist.

• Reaching Untapped Audiences: Developing effective research strategies to engage and understand diverse user segments, including very young children and individuals with limited technical or creative vocabulary.

• Balancing Depth and Speed: Conducting deep, foundational research while operating in a fast-paced startup environment that requires rapid iteration and decision-making.

• Influencing Without Authority: Effectively advocating for user needs and research insights in a highly collaborative environment where decisions are made collectively.

• Ethical Research with Vulnerable Groups: Navigating the complexities of ethical research, consent, and assent when studying young children and potentially other sensitive user groups.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening AI/Creative Tech Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge in the rapidly evolving field of AI music generation and human-computer interaction in creative domains.

• Advanced Qualitative Methodologies: Opportunities to refine and expand expertise in advanced generative research techniques, longitudinal studies, and ethnographic methods.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Learning from product, design, and data science peers to broaden understanding of product development lifecycles and quantitative analysis.

• Strategic Research Leadership: Developing skills in defining research roadmaps, influencing organizational strategy, and mentoring other researchers, positioning for future leadership roles.

• Building a New Medium: Contributing to the foundational understanding of a nascent creative medium, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of entertainment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are derived from the role's description and the context of working in an innovative, fast-growing AI music company. The emphasis is on the unique aspects of researching emerging technologies and diverse user groups, as well as the growth potential for a senior individual contributor.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time your research significantly shifted a product strategy or roadmap. What was the problem, your approach, the key insight, and the outcome?" (Assesses strategic impact and storytelling)

• "How would you approach understanding the needs and motivations of someone who has never made music before, and is also a young child (e.g., 6-8 years old)?" (Tests approach to diverse demographics and generative research)

• "Imagine you have limited time and resources for a critical feature launch. How would you prioritize your research efforts to provide the most value?" (Evaluates prioritization skills and pragmatism) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Suno's mission to democratize music creation, and how does that align with your research interests?" (Assesses cultural fit and passion)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced startup environment. How do you handle ambiguity and shifting priorities?" (Tests adaptability and self-direction)

• "How do you ensure your research findings are not just delivered, but actively used by product teams to make decisions?" (Evaluates collaboration and influence) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business/product context, the research question, your methodology, key findings, recommendations, and most importantly, the impact of your work.

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear visuals, user quotes, and concise summaries to convey complex information effectively. Show, don't just tell.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with cross-functional partners throughout the process, from problem definition to insight dissemination.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your methodological choices, ethical considerations, and how you handled challenges or unexpected results.

• Connect to Suno: Where possible, draw parallels between your past work and Suno's goals, demonstrating an understanding of their specific challenges and opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are tailored to a Senior/Staff UX Researcher role, focusing on strategic thinking, methodological expertise, collaboration, and cultural fit within an innovative tech company. The portfolio presentation advice emphasizes demonstrating impact and clear communication.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior / Staff UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Craft a compelling resume: Highlight your 7+ years of experience in qualitative UX research, specifically mentioning your expertise in generative research, mobile products, and working with diverse age groups. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 2-3 impactful case studies that demonstrate your ability to drive product strategy, showcase methodological rigor (especially in qualitative and in-person research), and highlight cross-functional collaboration and tangible outcomes.

• Research Suno: Familiarize yourself with Suno's mission, product, target audience, and recent developments. Understand their unique position in the AI music and consumer entertainment space.

• Practice your narrative: Be ready to articulate your research philosophy, your approach to complex problems, and your experience in fast-paced, collaborative environments. Prepare to discuss your specific contributions to past projects and their impact.

⚠️ 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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