Senior User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher

Company: A Place for Mom

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Research / Product Research

Date Posted: 2026-06-08

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead generative and evaluative user research initiatives across both consumer and provider platforms to deeply understand user needs, journeys, and decision-making processes within the aging care marketplace.

• Drive product strategy and design direction by transforming qualitative insights into actionable recommendations, integrating them with quantitative data, funnel metrics, and business intelligence.

• Actively experiment with and leverage emerging AI tools to enhance research operations, accelerate synthesis, and improve the efficiency of research workflows, while rigorously maintaining research integrity and participant privacy.

• Serve as a critical, high-agency researcher embedded within product teams, fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning to improve user experiences and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Senior User Researcher" with a strong emphasis on influencing product strategy and a forward-thinking approach to AI integration in research. The "5-10 Years" experience level suggests a need for demonstrated leadership in research execution and strategic impact. The remote nature and US-wide focus indicate a need for strong self-management and communication skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently lead and execute comprehensive generative and evaluative research studies for both family (consumer) and care provider (B2B) segments, identifying unmet needs, pain points, and opportunities for experience enhancement.

• Develop and maintain a strategic research roadmap that aligns with product strategy, design priorities, marketplace dynamics, and key business objectives, ensuring research efforts are focused and impactful.

• Plan, conduct, and analyze a variety of research methodologies, including in-depth interviews, usability testing, concept validation, journey mapping, surveys, diary studies, and mixed-methods approaches to gather robust insights.

• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, concise, and decision-oriented artifacts (e.g., reports, presentations, frameworks) that directly influence product roadmaps, user experience strategies, service design, and overall business strategy.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Design, Analytics, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, and Operations to integrate qualitative insights with quantitative data (behavioral, funnel, marketplace, operational metrics) for a holistic understanding of user behavior and business performance.

• Identify emerging patterns, critical assumptions, trust gaps, and potential experience risks across customer segments and product areas, proactively informing product development and strategic planning.

• Facilitate workshops and discussions to foster alignment among stakeholders on key research findings, identify knowledge gaps, and drive consensus on necessary product or strategic adjustments.

• Contribute to the establishment and refinement of repeatable research practices, including lightweight rituals, templates, participant recruitment pipelines, and insight repositories, to democratize research and accelerate learning across the organization.

• Champion a pragmatic approach to research rigor, guiding teams to select appropriate methodologies based on the complexity of the question and the desired level of strategic impact.

• Actively experiment with and integrate AI-assisted workflows for research planning, desk research, transcript analysis, synthesis, pattern detection, and insight sharing, while diligently managing associated risks like bias and privacy.

• Evaluate AI-enabled product experiences for their trustworthiness, utility, clarity, safety, adoption rates, and potential edge cases, particularly in sensitive moments of family decision-making and provider engagement.

• Share learnings and best practices regarding AI in research with internal teams to foster collective learning and continuous improvement in research capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of core user research craft, strategic influence, cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive, experimental approach to AI integration. The dual focus on consumer and provider experiences is a critical differentiator for this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Market Research, or a related field is typically expected for senior research roles.

Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in user research, UX research, product research, design research, or mixed-methods research, with a proven track record of impacting product strategy and design.

Required Skills:

• Strong command of a wide range of qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviewing, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), ethnographic studies, concept testing, and journey mapping.

• Proficiency in synthesizing research data into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives that drive decision-making across product, design, engineering, and business stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to influence product strategy, user experience direction, and roadmap prioritization through evidence-based research findings.

• Experience in operating autonomously in ambiguous environments, defining research priorities, and managing multiple research projects concurrently.

• Proven ability to pair qualitative research findings with quantitative data sources, such as analytics, experimentation (A/B testing), surveys, funnel data, and operational metrics, to provide comprehensive insights.

• Demonstrated curiosity and practical, hands-on experimentation with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, NotebookLM, Dovetail AI, Maze AI) within the research or product development lifecycle, understanding both their potential and limitations.

• Excellent facilitation, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex research findings and methodologies to diverse audiences, including designers, product managers, engineers, analysts, marketers, operations, sales partners, and senior leadership.

• A strategic mindset with pragmatic product judgment, capable of translating deep user understanding into tangible product and business outcomes.

• Ability to articulate not only research findings but also the rationale behind methodological choices, the constraints faced, and the judgment applied in shaping product decisions. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within marketplace platforms, healthcare, senior care services, or organizations with complex consumer decision journeys.

• Familiarity with B2B workflows, provider experience optimization, or high-trust service industries.

• Experience with longitudinal studies, diary studies, or other methods for understanding long-term user behavior and evolving needs.

• Knowledge of service design principles and their application in improving end-to-end customer experiences.

• Experience contributing to or managing insight repositories and research operations (ResearchOps) initiatives.

• Bonus: Evidence of research artifacts, passion projects, prototypes, side projects, or AI-assisted experiments that showcase unique thinking, learning agility, and impactful communication of evidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for both deep research craft and strategic business acumen, with a strong emphasis on the candidate's proactive engagement with AI tools and their ability to influence cross-functional teams. The "bonus" points suggest areas where candidates can further differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio or collection of work samples that explicitly demonstrates your research judgment, methodological craft, synthesis capabilities, and impact on product and business decisions.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem space, your research approach, the methods used, key findings, and how those insights directly influenced product strategy, design iterations, or business outcomes.

• Examples showcasing your ability to move from ambiguity to clarity, effectively scoping research problems and delivering actionable recommendations.

• Inclusion of passion projects, AI-assisted experiments, or side projects is highly encouraged, as these can reveal unique problem-solving approaches, learning agility, and innovative ways of communicating evidence beyond traditional case study formats. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting research processes, from planning and recruitment to execution, synthesis, and insight dissemination, to ensure reproducibility and knowledge sharing.

• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or leveraged lightweight research rituals, templates, or participant pipelines to streamline research operations and increase efficiency.

• Showcase how your research efforts have informed or been informed by existing product development processes, design systems, or data analytics workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that showcases "judgment, craft, synthesis, and decision influence," particularly in moving from ambiguity to clarity, is critical. The encouragement of AI-assisted experiments and passion projects suggests a desire for candidates who are innovative and proactive in their approach to research.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $135,000 - $160,000 USD per year.

• This range reflects a senior-level position in the US market for a User Researcher, considering the company's industry (online marketplace/services) and the role's strategic impact.

Bonus: 10% of annual earnings.

• This performance-based bonus structure is common for senior roles, incentivizing the achievement of individual and company goals. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance, providing robust medical and wellness support for employees and their families.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with employer match, supporting long-term financial planning.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, allowing employees to rest, recharge, and attend to personal needs.

• Additional Potential Benefits: While not explicitly listed, companies of this size and type often offer other benefits such as life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance programs (EAP), and professional development stipends.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

• This is a standard full-time work schedule. Given the fully remote nature, there may be flexibility in daily start/end times, but core collaboration hours will likely be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior User Researcher in the US. The inclusion of a bonus and standard benefits package is typical for a full-time role at this level. The "40 hours per week" is noted, but flexibility is often a de facto benefit of remote work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Online Marketplace / Senior Care Services. A Place for Mom operates in a unique intersection of technology and healthcare/senior services, aiming to simplify the complex process of finding senior living and care. This context means the company deals with sensitive, high-stakes decisions for families.

Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but based on typical tech/marketplace operations and the description, it's likely a mid-to-large-sized organization (hundreds to thousands of employees).

Founded: 2000. This history suggests a company that has evolved significantly, likely moving from a more traditional model to a technology-driven platform, and has established a strong market presence.

Team Structure:

• Embedded Research: The role is described as "product-embedded," meaning the Senior User Researcher will likely work directly within or alongside specific product squads (teams focused on particular features or customer journeys).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The researcher will partner closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Analysts, Marketing, Sales, and Operations teams, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills.

• Learning Layer: The role aims to "strengthen the learning layer across Consumer and Provider experiences," suggesting a focus on building organizational knowledge and enabling data-driven decision-making throughout the company.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven & Evidence-Based: A core expectation is to use research, data, and AI to inform decisions, moving beyond assumptions to evidence-backed strategies.

• Agile & Iterative: The emphasis on "making better decisions faster" and working across "squads" implies an agile development environment where research needs to be timely and integrated into iterative product cycles.

• AI-Forward Experimentation: A key methodology is the proactive exploration and responsible integration of AI tools to enhance research efficiency and effectiveness.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: A Place for Mom operates in a mission-driven space with significant ethical considerations. The company's history and industry suggest a blend of established processes and a drive for technological innovation. The "product-embedded" structure is common in modern tech organizations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Individual Contributor (IC) role. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead research initiatives independently. It's a position for someone who can mentor others implicitly through their work and influence product direction without direct managerial responsibility.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior User Researcher is often expected to report into a Head of Research, Director of Product, or similar leadership role. They will work closely with Product Managers and Design Leads within their assigned product squads.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the company's ability to understand and serve its two core customer segments: families seeking care and care providers. By providing evidence-based insights, this researcher will influence product development, user experience strategy, and marketplace effectiveness, ultimately driving customer acquisition, satisfaction, and retention, which are critical operational metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like generative research, marketplace dynamics, AI integration in research, or consumer decision journey analysis.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Researcher role, mentor junior researchers, or even transition into a Research Manager position if the research function expands.

• Strategic Influence: Develop stronger capabilities in translating research into business strategy, influencing executive-level decisions, and shaping the overall product vision.

• Skill Expansion: Continuous learning and experimentation with cutting-edge AI tools and methodologies, positioning the candidate at the forefront of the research field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant scope for impact and professional development, particularly for individuals interested in leveraging AI in research and influencing product strategy within a mission-driven organization. The "Senior" title suggests a path towards leadership or deep specialization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This indicates that the company has embraced a distributed workforce model, offering flexibility in where employees work.

Office Location(s): While the job posting is for the "United States," the company headquarters are likely in a specific city (research indicates Seattle or Denver area, though this is not confirmed in the provided data). Remote employees may need to align with specific US time zones for collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Digital Environment: Expect extensive use of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, Miro, Figma) for communication, brainstorming, and design/research reviews.

• Research Tools & Technology: Access to standard user research platforms, survey tools, analytics dashboards, and importantly, the company will likely support experimentation with AI tools and potentially provide licenses for relevant software.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Frequent interaction with product, design, engineering, and analytics teams, requiring strong virtual collaboration skills. The researcher will be a key voice in squad meetings and product discussions.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week), with potential for flexibility typical in remote roles. However, effective participation in team meetings and collaboration will require alignment with core business hours, likely within US time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature emphasizes the need for self-discipline, strong communication, and proficiency with digital collaboration tools. The company's focus on AI suggests a modern, tech-forward work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, research philosophy, AI approach, and specific examples of impact.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present 1-2 case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their research process, synthesis, and influence. This is where they will articulate how they moved from ambiguity to clarity.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., Product Manager, Design Lead, Senior Engineer, Analyst) to assess collaboration skills, strategic thinking, and ability to work within a product team.

• Final Round: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Product, Head of Design/Research) to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Select case studies that clearly demonstrate how your research influenced product decisions, improved user experiences, or drove business outcomes. Quantify impact where possible.

• Showcase Process & Judgment: Clearly articulate your research process, including how you scoped the problem, chose methodologies, handled challenges, and synthesized findings. Explain the "why" behind your decisions.

• Highlight AI Integration: If applicable, showcase how you've experimented with or integrated AI tools into your research workflow, detailing the benefits and any challenges or lessons learned.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation as a narrative, guiding the interviewers through the problem, your approach, the insights, and the resulting actions and impact.

• Address Ambiguity: Be prepared to discuss how you navigate ambiguous situations and define research questions when the path isn't clear.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Research Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach research for a specific product feature or business problem relevant to A Place for Mom's marketplace.

• Methodology Justification: Be prepared to defend your choice of research methods based on the problem, timeline, and available resources.

• Synthesis & Insight Generation: Practice synthesizing hypothetical data or scenarios into clear, actionable insights.

• AI Application Discussion: Be ready to discuss your thoughts on the ethical use of AI in research, potential biases, and how to maintain research rigor.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a key component, emphasizing the need for candidates to showcase not just their research skills but their ability to drive strategic change and embrace new technologies like AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for conducting interviews, usability tests, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Digital tools for remote collaboration, ideation, and synthesis (e.g., Miro, Mural, Figma, Google Workspace).

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Software for organizing and analyzing qualitative data (e.g.,

Dovetail, NVivo, or advanced spreadsheet/database skills).

• AI Tools: Active experimentation and potential use of large language models (LLMs) and AI-assisted research tools for tasks such as:
  • Desk Research & Synthesis: ChatGPT, Claude, NotebookLM.
  • Transcript Analysis: Tools that leverage AI for summarization, theme extraction, or pattern detection.
  • Research Operations: AI for participant screening, scheduling, or generating research artifacts.
  • AI-Enabled Product Evaluation: Tools to assess the user experience of AI features.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Experience working with or interpreting data from tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or similar platforms to complement qualitative findings.

• Data Visualization: Ability to work with or interpret dashboards created in tools like Tableau, Looker, or Power BI to understand user behavior patterns and funnel metrics.

• CRM/Sales Data: Familiarity with how customer relationship management (CRM) data or sales funnel metrics might inform or validate research insights, particularly for the provider side.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and sales/marketing automation tools capture customer interactions and data can be beneficial for a holistic view of the customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools is a significant differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and comfort level with a variety of AI-powered research assistants and analytical tools, alongside standard qualitative research software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Over Me: A strong emphasis on empathy and purpose in helping families and seniors. Researchers should demonstrate how their work contributes to this mission.

• Do Hard Things: The company embraces challenging problems. Researchers will be expected to tackle complex user needs and marketplace dynamics with enthusiasm and resilience.

• Drive Outcomes as a Team: Collaboration is key. Researchers must be adept at working with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals and ensure research insights translate into tangible outcomes.

• Win The Right Way: Upholding organizational integrity and ethical practices is paramount, especially in a sensitive field like healthcare and senior care. This includes responsible use of AI and protecting participant privacy.

• Embrace Change: The company values innovation and continuous evolution. Researchers should be adaptable and open to exploring new methodologies, tools (especially AI), and approaches to research.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: The researcher is expected to be a proactive partner to Product, Design, and other teams, co-creating solutions and driving consensus.

• Evidence-Based Dialogue: Fostering discussions grounded in data and user insights, encouraging critical thinking and informed decision-making.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing learnings and best practices, particularly around AI integration and research methodology, to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are deeply rooted in its mission and approach to problem-solving. Demonstrating alignment with these values, particularly regarding empathy, collaboration, and embracing change (including AI), will be crucial for cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: The role requires working in an evolving market with complex customer needs (families and providers). Research must help clarify these ambiguities and guide strategy.

• Balancing Rigor & Speed: The need to conduct rigorous research while also supporting fast-paced product development cycles. This requires efficient methods and strong prioritization skills.

• Integrating AI Responsibly: Experimenting with AI tools presents challenges related to data privacy, bias detection, maintaining research integrity, and ensuring AI enhances rather than replaces human judgment.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Gaining buy-in and influencing diverse stakeholders (from engineers to sales) requires strong communication and diplomacy.

• Marketplace Dynamics: Understanding the complex interplay between consumers, providers, and the platform itself within the senior care market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Research Specialization: Become a go-to expert within the company for leveraging AI in user research, developing best practices and strategies.

• Strategic Impact Growth: Enhance skills in translating research insights into long-term product and business strategy, potentially influencing executive-level decision-making.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to informally mentor junior researchers or designers by sharing knowledge and best practices.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with the senior care industry and marketplace technology trends, potentially attending relevant conferences or webinars.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Deepen understanding of product management, analytics, and business operations through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex, real-world problems with significant social impact, while also staying at the cutting edge of research technology with AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research in a highly ambiguous situation. How did you define the problem and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for scoping and clarifying ambiguity).

• "How would you approach understanding the decision-making process for families choosing senior care, considering the emotional and logistical complexities?" (Assess your understanding of complex user journeys and your methodological approach).

• "Walk us through a research project where your insights directly influenced product strategy or design decisions. What was your process, what were the key findings, and what was the measurable impact?" (This is your primary opportunity to showcase your portfolio and influence).

• "How do you balance the need for deep, rigorous research with the demands of rapid product development cycles?" (Look for pragmatic approaches to research planning and execution). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about A Place for Mom's mission and the senior care industry?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the company's purpose).

• "How do you see AI tools being used responsibly and effectively in user research? What are the potential risks you've identified?" (Demonstrate your AI-forward yet critical perspective).

• "Describe your experience working within cross-functional product teams. How do you ensure research findings are understood and acted upon by different disciplines?" (Highlight your collaborative and communication skills).

• "How do you embody A Place for Mom's values, such as 'Mission Over Me' or 'Do Hard Things,' in your work?" (Connect your past experiences to their stated values). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 1-2 case studies that best represent your senior-level capabilities, showcasing complex problems, your strategic approach, and measurable outcomes.

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with the business/user problem, clearly state your role and objectives, detail your research methodology and rationale, present key insights compellingly, and conclude with the actions taken and the impact achieved.

• Highlight AI Contributions: If applicable, weave in how AI tools were used to enhance your research process or findings, explaining the benefits and any precautions taken.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodological choices, synthesis process, stakeholder management, and how you handled any challenges or unexpected findings.

• Showcase Artifacts: Use visuals (screenshots, diagrams, anonymized research outputs) to make your presentation engaging and clear.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a proactive and experimental approach to AI, strong collaboration skills, and a clear ability to translate research into actionable business impact, all within the context of A Place for Mom's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 1-2 strong case studies that exemplify your research judgment, craft, synthesis abilities, and demonstrated influence on product or business decisions. Prioritize projects that show how you navigate ambiguity and drive clarity.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of relevant research experience, specific qualitative and mixed-methods skills, experience influencing strategy, and any hands-on experimentation with AI tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your chosen portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and quantifiable impact. Be ready to discuss your AI approach and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams.

• Research A Place for Mom: Understand their mission, business model (marketplace for senior care), target users (families and providers), and company values. Prepare to discuss how your skills and experience align with their specific needs and industry context.

⚠️ 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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