Senior User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher

Company: Amplify

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Research / Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-08-06

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute comprehensive user research initiatives across diverse product portfolios, encompassing Literacy, Math, Science, and Platform offerings, to drive product innovation and improvement.

• Serve as a strategic thought partner, collaborating with Product, Design, Marketing, Sales, and other research teams to deeply understand user behaviors and inform critical product and business decisions.

• Conduct mixed-methods research with K-12 educators and students, leveraging a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques to gather rich user insights.

• Translate complex research findings into compelling, actionable insights that directly influence product strategy, feature development, and overall user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within an agile Market and User Research team, indicating a dynamic and collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making. The emphasis on "strategic thought partner" suggests a need for proactive engagement and influence beyond just executing research tasks.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead end-to-end user research projects, from initial planning and participant recruitment to data analysis and insight delivery, with a focus on enhancing Amplify's educational products.

• Proactively identify new research opportunities that can inform and shape the future product roadmap, anticipating user needs and market trends.

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Designers, Data Scientists, Marketing, and Sales, to define key research questions, establish shared priorities, and ensure research alignment with business objectives.

• Employ a range of mixed-methods research techniques, including in-depth user interviews, comprehensive surveys, rigorous usability testing, prototype validation, focus groups, and direct classroom observations.

• Develop and maintain a diverse and representative panel of K-12 teachers, students, and administrators to facilitate efficient and effective user recruitment for research studies.

• Synthesize both qualitative and quantitative research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable insights, effectively communicating recommendations to stakeholders to drive measurable product and business outcomes.

• Champion a user-centered design philosophy throughout Amplify, ensuring the voice of the user is consistently integrated into decision-making processes at all stages of product development.

• Adapt research methodologies and tailor the communication of findings to suit the specific needs of various audiences, product contexts, and varying levels of technical complexity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on end-to-end ownership and proactive research identification, suggesting the need for an autonomous and strategic researcher. The requirement to "tailor research approaches and communication of findings" points to the importance of strong communication and presentation skills, catering to diverse stakeholder needs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Market Research) or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years conducting user research, with a proven track record of leading end-to-end research projects and influencing product strategy. Preference for 5+ years of experience leading user research specifically within the EdTech sector.

Required Skills:

• Extensive expertise in both quantitative and qualitative user research methodologies, including discovery research, usability testing, A/B testing, focus groups, field research, user interviews, and survey design.

• Proficiency in utilizing Google Suite (e.g., Google Sheets, Google Slides) and Microsoft Excel for robust data analysis and compelling data visualization.

• Demonstrated experience with key user research platforms and survey tools such as Rally, SurveyMonkey, or similar industry-standard applications.

• Proven ability to deliver methodologically rigorous research and translate findings into actionable insights that demonstrably influence product decisions and business strategy.

• Strong project management capabilities, including meticulous attention to detail, effective management of multiple competing priorities, and adeptness at navigating ambiguity and shifting project timelines.

• Self-directed, analytical, and proactive, with a strong capacity for prioritization, independent problem-solving, and driving projects forward with minimal supervision.

• Proven experience in coordinating and communicating effectively between multiple stakeholders across various organizational levels.

• Solid understanding of the U.S. K–12 education landscape, including pedagogical approaches, curriculum structures, and the needs of educators and students. Preferred Skills:

• 5+ years of experience specifically leading user research initiatives within the EdTech industry.

• Direct experience working within the U.S. K-12 education market, with a deep understanding of its unique challenges and opportunities.

• Familiarity with Amplify's product suite and educational solutions.

• Experience leveraging AI tools to enhance research efficiency and uncover novel insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "K-12 education landscape" and "EdTech" experience in preferred qualifications suggests that candidates with direct industry background will have a significant advantage. The specific mention of AI tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to research methodologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of impactful user research case studies showcasing end-to-end project ownership, from problem definition to actionable recommendations.

• Demonstrations of mixed-methods research application, illustrating how quantitative and qualitative data were integrated to provide comprehensive insights.

• Evidence of research findings directly influencing product strategy, design decisions, or business outcomes, ideally with measurable results.

• Examples of research deliverables tailored to different audiences, such as executive summaries, detailed reports, and presentation decks. Process Documentation:

• Detailed descriptions of research planning processes, including how research questions are formulated, methodologies are selected, and participant recruitment strategies are developed.

• Documentation of research execution, highlighting how studies were conducted, data was collected, and potential challenges were overcome.

• Examples of insight synthesis and communication, showcasing how complex data was translated into clear, actionable recommendations for product and design teams.

• Case studies demonstrating the iterative nature of research, showing how feedback loops were established and how research informed subsequent design or product iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior User Researcher role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic impact and leadership. Candidates should highlight their ability to not only conduct research but also to identify opportunities, influence stakeholders, and drive measurable product improvements. The inclusion of AI research tools in preferred skills suggests that demonstrating innovative research approaches within the portfolio would be beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 - $109,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance plans.

• Mental health support and resources.

• Basic life insurance coverage.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) to promote work-life balance.

• Parental leave policies to support new parents.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth programs.

• 401(k) plan for retirement savings.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to accommodate research needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a Senior User Researcher role in the U.S. The benefits package is robust, indicating a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is attractive to experienced operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech), focused on K-12 literacy, biliteracy, math, and science curriculum and instructional systems. Amplify is a recognized leader in educational innovation.

Company Size: Amplify is a substantial organization, serving over 18 million students and teachers across all 50 states and internationally. This implies a well-established structure with opportunities for impact across a large user base.

Founded: Founded in 2000, Amplify has a long-standing history and deep relationships within the education sector, suggesting a stable company with a strong understanding of its market.

Team Structure:

• The Senior User Researcher will be part of an agile Market and User Research team, working closely with Product Managers, Designers, Data Scientists, Marketing, and Sales teams.

• This role reports to the Director of Marketing and User Research, indicating a clear reporting line within a dedicated research function.

• Collaboration is expected across multiple product areas, requiring the ability to build context quickly and work with diverse stakeholders. Methodology:

• The team operates within an agile framework, emphasizing iterative development and continuous feedback loops.

• Research methodologies are mixed-methods, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to gain a holistic understanding of user needs and behaviors.

• A strong emphasis is placed on translating research findings into actionable insights that inform product strategy and drive measurable outcomes.

• The company culture values user-centered design and encourages the integration of user feedback into all stages of product development.

Company Website: https://amplify.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Amplify's mission to "bring delight and rigor to students every day" through research-based educational experiences is a strong cultural anchor. The company's scale and history suggest a stable yet innovative environment where user research plays a critical role in shaping impactful educational tools.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a significant level of autonomy, strategic contribution, and expected leadership within research initiatives. The role requires not just execution but also strategic partnership and proactive identification of research opportunities.

Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher reports directly to the Director of Marketing and User Research. This position offers direct access to leadership and the opportunity to influence high-level strategy.

Operations Impact: The research conducted directly impacts the development and refinement of K-12 educational products used by millions of students and teachers. Insights from this role will shape curriculum design, assessment tools, and overall instructional systems, leading to measurable improvements in educational outcomes and user satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, EdTech domains, or advanced analytics, potentially focusing on emerging areas like AI in education research.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior researchers, lead larger-scale research programs, or transition into management roles within the user research or product development functions.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop broader strategic influence by working across multiple product lines and collaborating with various departments, enhancing understanding of the full product lifecycle and business operations.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to the advancement of educational technology by shaping products that have a tangible positive impact on teaching and learning nationwide.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior User Researcher role is well-positioned for career advancement within Amplify, offering pathways into leadership, specialization, and broader strategic influence, particularly within the EdTech sector. The emphasis on impacting millions of users highlights the significant potential for professional fulfillment and demonstrable impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position ("Remote Solely"), offering flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere within the United States.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company is based in the United States, with a headquarters likely in a major hub (though not explicitly stated in the provided data, common for EdTech companies). The remote nature allows for access to talent across the country.

Workspace Context:

• The remote work environment necessitates strong self-discipline and proactive communication to maintain collaboration and team cohesion.

• Access to Amplify's digital tools and platforms will be crucial for seamless collaboration with distributed teams.

• Opportunities for virtual team interactions, such as video conferencing for meetings and informal check-ins, will be key to fostering a connected work environment.

• The company's focus on educational products suggests a culture that values learning, innovation, and a commitment to improving educational outcomes.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility to accommodate research timelines, project deadlines, and collaboration with colleagues across different time zones within the United States.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role is a significant factor. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and possess strong self-management skills. The mention of "America/Chicago" as a timezone derived from the location data might hint at a preferred timezone for core working hours, though the remote status offers broad flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's requirements and experience level.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, experience, research philosophy, and understanding of the K-12 education landscape. This will likely include behavioral questions related to collaboration and problem-solving.

• Research Exercise/Case Study: A practical assessment where you may be asked to present a past research project in detail, or tackle a hypothetical research challenge relevant to Amplify's products. This is a key opportunity to showcase your research process, analytical skills, and ability to derive actionable insights.

• Cross-Functional Panel Interview: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Design, and potentially other research or business units to evaluate your collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate research into product development workflows.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Director or VP) to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Focus on case studies where your research demonstrably influenced product decisions and led to positive outcomes. Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in user engagement," "reduced task completion time by X%").

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your research process for each case study, emphasizing your methodology, rationale for choices, and how you handled challenges or ambiguity.

• Mixed-Methods Expertise: Include examples that demonstrate your proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research, and how you integrated findings from both.

• Tailor to Amplify: Research Amplify's products and mission. Frame your portfolio examples to resonate with their focus on K-12 education and user-centered product development.

• Presentation Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Practice presenting your case studies concisely, highlighting key insights and recommendations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Amplify's Products: Familiarize yourself with Amplify's offerings in literacy, math, and science. Consider the user personas (teachers, students) and their typical workflows.

• Methodology Repertoire: Be prepared to discuss and justify the application of various research methods (interviews, surveys, usability testing, etc.) in different scenarios.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would approach research for a new feature, a usability issue, or a strategic product question. Think about how you would define the problem, select methods, and measure success.

• AI Integration: Given the mention of AI in research, be ready to discuss how you might leverage AI tools to enhance your research process, analyze data, or generate hypotheses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application and stakeholder collaboration. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates impact and process, coupled with preparation for case study presentations and discussions on K-12 education, will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools like Rally (mentioned as a requirement), UserTesting.com, Lookback, or similar platforms for conducting usability testing, interviews, and gathering qualitative feedback.

• Survey Tools: Proficiency in SurveyMonkey (mentioned as a requirement), Qualtrics, Google Forms, or Typeform for designing and deploying surveys for quantitative data collection.

• Collaboration Suites: Extensive use of Google Suite (Sheets, Slides, Docs) for data analysis, reporting, and presentation creation, and potentially Microsoft Excel for advanced data manipulation.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with agile project management tools such as Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar, for tracking research tasks and collaborating within an agile team structure.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Ability to perform data analysis using spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets) and potentially statistical software or libraries (e.g., R, Python with Pandas) for more advanced quantitative analysis.

• Visualization Tools: Experience creating clear and compelling data visualizations using tools like Google Slides, PowerPoint, Tableau, or Looker Studio to communicate research findings effectively.

• Reporting Frameworks: Ability to structure and present research findings in a clear, concise, and actionable manner suitable for product and business stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Understanding: While not a direct CRM role, an understanding of how user research insights can feed into CRM strategies for customer segmentation, engagement, and retention would be beneficial.

• Data Integration Awareness: Awareness of how research data might integrate with other data sources (e.g., product analytics, sales data) to provide a more holistic view of the user.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Rally and SurveyMonkey as required tools highlights their importance. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these specific platforms. The ability to analyze and visualize data using standard office suites is also a key requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the needs of K-12 educators and students, ensuring their voice is central to product development.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: A reliance on rigorous research and data analysis to inform strategic choices and validate product hypotheses.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A belief in working closely with cross-functional teams, fostering strong relationships, and integrating research insights seamlessly into the product lifecycle.

• Agility & Adaptability: A willingness to embrace iterative processes, adapt research methodologies to changing project needs, and respond effectively to ambiguity and shifting priorities.

• Impact & Improvement: A passion for creating educational experiences that drive measurable positive outcomes for students and teachers, with a continuous drive for improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Partnering: Researchers are expected to be thought partners, engaging with stakeholders early and continuously, rather than just executing requests.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Product, Design, Marketing, Sales, and Data Science teams is essential, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate research into actionable insights for diverse audiences.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that values constructive feedback, both in giving and receiving, to continuously refine research practices and product development.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of research findings, methodologies, and lessons learned across teams to foster collective learning and improve overall product development effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "partnering" and "thought partnership" suggests that Amplify seeks researchers who are proactive, strategic, and adept at building relationships, going beyond simply delivering data to actively contributing to product strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working across multiple product areas requires quickly building context and adapting research approaches to diverse domains and stakeholder needs.

• Balancing Rigor and Speed: In an agile environment, there will be pressure to deliver timely insights without compromising the methodological rigor of the research.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively translating complex research findings into compelling narratives that drive action and secure buy-in from diverse stakeholders with varying priorities.

• Recruiting Diverse Participants: Consistently recruiting a diverse and representative panel of K-12 educators and students to ensure research findings are broadly applicable.

• Integrating AI in Research: Exploring and effectively integrating AI tools into the research workflow, managing ethical considerations and ensuring enhanced value.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research techniques, including advanced quantitative analysis and AI-driven qualitative analysis.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge within specific educational subject areas (Literacy, Math, Science) and gain insights into the K-12 market dynamics.

• Strategic Product Influence: Develop skills in strategic thinking and influencing product roadmaps through impactful research contributions.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior researchers and learn from experienced leaders within the Market and User Research team.

• Industry Exposure: Access to industry conferences, webinars, and professional development resources related to user research and EdTech.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in dynamic organizations, emphasizing the need for adaptability, strong communication, and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities highlight a commitment to continuous learning and professional development within the user research and EdTech fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to prioritize research initiatives with competing demands. How did you decide what to focus on, and how did you communicate your decisions to stakeholders?" (Assesses prioritization, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management.)

• "Walk us through a complex research project where your insights significantly influenced a product strategy or design decision. What was the problem, your approach, the key findings, and the ultimate impact?" (Evaluates end-to-end research process, analytical skills, and ability to drive impact.)

• "How do you ensure your research methods are appropriate for the specific research questions and the target audience (e.g., K-12 teachers vs. students)?" (Tests methodological expertise and adaptability.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Amplify's mission and our work in K-12 education?" (Assesses alignment with company values and understanding of the market.)

• "How do you approach building relationships and becoming a trusted partner with product managers and designers, especially in a remote environment?" (Evaluates collaboration style and communication skills.)

• "Describe your experience using AI in your research practice. What are the benefits and potential drawbacks?" (Gauges familiarity with emerging technologies and critical thinking.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the methodology, key findings, recommendations, and the resulting impact. Use a narrative structure to tell a compelling story.

• Quantify and Qualify: Present both quantitative data (e.g., survey results, usability metrics) and qualitative insights (e.g., user quotes, observations) to provide a holistic view. Quantify impact whenever possible.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, mockups, charts) to illustrate your points and make your findings more tangible.

• Focus on "So What?": For every insight, clearly articulate the implications for the product and the recommended actions. Demonstrate your ability to translate data into strategic recommendations.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and fits within the allotted time. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, a strong research process, stakeholder management, and a clear understanding of the educational technology landscape. A well-prepared portfolio presentation that highlights impact and actionable insights will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher position at Amplify:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor your resume and cover letter: Highlight specific experiences and skills that directly align with the job description, particularly your user research expertise, mixed-methods proficiency, K-12 education knowledge, and experience with relevant tools like Rally and SurveyMonkey.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 2-3 of your most impactful user research case studies that demonstrate end-to-end project ownership, strategic influence, and measurable outcomes. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a personal website, PDF, or dedicated portfolio platform) and clearly articulates your process and impact.

• Research Amplify: Familiarize yourself with Amplify's mission, products (literacy, math, science), target audience (K-12 educators and students), and recent company news. Understand how your skills can contribute to their goals.

• Practice interview responses: Prepare to discuss your research philosophy, specific project experiences, how you handle collaboration and ambiguity, and your understanding of the EdTech space. Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies.

⚠️ 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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