Senior User Researcher
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Senior User Researcher
Company: ResMed
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Job Type: Full time
Category: User Experience Research / Customer Experience
Date Posted: 2026-08-12
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
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Lead the development and execution of strategic research initiatives to uncover unmet customer needs within complex healthcare programs.
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Design and conduct a diverse range of qualitative and quantitative research studies to inform product, design, and business decisions.
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Synthesize findings from multiple data sources and studies to identify actionable opportunities and drive customer-centric innovation.
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Champion customer empathy and influence stakeholders through compelling communication of research insights.
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Leverage AI-enabled tools to enhance research efficiency in synthesis, prototyping, and documentation while maintaining rigorous research judgment.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior User Researcher, implying a need for strategic thinking, program-level research planning, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking research environment focused on efficiency and scalability. The role bridges user research with broader customer experience and behavioral science, indicating a holistic approach to understanding user needs within the healthcare sector.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Develop comprehensive research strategies for large and complex programs of work, aligning with business objectives and product roadmaps.
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Plan and facilitate strategic, discovery, and UX workshops to foster collaboration and define problems or evaluate concepts.
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Partner closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and business stakeholders to identify customer needs, define problems, and validate solutions.
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Design, execute, and manage the timelines for both qualitative (e.g., interviews, usability testing) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, data analysis) research studies.
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Synthesize findings from various research methodologies and data sources to identify overarching patterns, unmet needs, and actionable recommendations.
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Communicate research insights effectively through compelling narratives, presentations, and reports that build empathy and drive informed decision-making.
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Thoughtfully integrate AI-enabled tools to support research synthesis, prototyping, documentation, and overall workflow efficiency, ensuring research integrity.
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Contribute to the creation and maintenance of a centralized customer knowledge base to ensure shared understanding across teams and disciplines.
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Collaborate with other research teams within ResMed to ensure a holistic and consistent view of customer experiences across the organization.
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Partner with Research Operations to refine and improve research practices, governance, repositories, templates, and participant management processes.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic planning, hands-on research execution, and cross-functional collaboration, typical of a senior-level researcher. The explicit mention of AI tools and Research Operations partnership indicates a focus on modernizing research practices and ensuring scalability.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, Psychology, or a related field.
Experience: 5+ years of experience leading generative and evaluative research studies, with a proven track record of uncovering customer insights that directly inform product, design, and business decisions.
Required Skills:
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Deep expertise in user research methodologies, including planning, conducting, and synthesizing both qualitative and quantitative studies.
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Proven experience leading generative research (e.g., understanding user needs, identifying opportunities) and evaluative research (e.g., usability testing, concept validation).
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Strong qualitative research skills, including user interviews, contextual inquiry, and usability testing.
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Proficient in quantitative research methods, such as survey design, data analysis, and statistical interpretation.
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Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex findings from multiple studies and data sources into clear, actionable insights.
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Experience in designing and facilitating strategic, discovery, and UX workshops.
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Familiarity with online testing tools, research repositories, and insight management platforms.
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Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders effectively.
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Hands-on experience using AI-enabled tools to accelerate research synthesis, prototyping, documentation, and product thinking, while maintaining strong research judgment.
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Experience contributing to Research Operations initiatives, such as improving research repositories, participant panels, templates, toolkits, guidelines, and governance practices. Preferred Skills:
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Experience with lean experimentation and early-stage concept testing.
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Familiarity with the healthcare industry and its unique research considerations.
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Experience working with digital product teams.
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Understanding of attitudinal and behavioral research methods.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong foundation in traditional user research while also highlighting proficiency with modern tools like AI and a willingness to contribute to operational improvements. The preference for healthcare experience is a significant differentiator.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Showcase a diverse range of research projects demonstrating expertise in both generative and evaluative research methodologies.
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Provide clear examples of how research insights directly influenced product strategy, design decisions, or business outcomes, with measurable impact.
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Include case studies detailing the research process from problem definition to actionable recommendations, highlighting challenges and solutions.
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Demonstrate proficiency in synthesizing complex data from multiple sources (qualitative and quantitative) into cohesive insights.
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Present examples of workshop facilitation and stakeholder collaboration, showcasing your ability to drive alignment and understanding.
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Illustrate the application of AI-enabled tools in your research workflow, detailing specific use cases and benefits. Process Documentation:
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Document the end-to-end process for planning and executing research studies, including stakeholder alignment, recruitment, data collection, and analysis.
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Detail methodologies for synthesizing findings across different research projects and data types to build a holistic understanding of the user.
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Outline strategies for effectively communicating research insights to diverse audiences, ensuring clarity and driving action.
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Showcase experience with research operations best practices, including contributions to repositories, templates, or governance frameworks.
📝 Enhancement Note: A portfolio for this role should clearly articulate the candidate's ability to translate research into tangible business impact. The inclusion of AI tool usage and contributions to Research Operations are critical for demonstrating modern research leadership.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior User Researcher role in Sydney, Australia, with 5+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is AUD $130,000 - $180,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Sydney, the specialized nature of user research in the healthcare tech sector, and ResMed's position as a significant player in its industry.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
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Generous paid time off (PTO), including annual leave, personal leave, and public holidays.
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Retirement savings plan (e.g., Superannuation contributions).
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Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.
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Opportunities to work on innovative healthcare solutions with a global impact.
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Potential for performance-based bonuses.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support.
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Travel allowance for business-related travel up to 15%.
Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, ResMed may offer some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team and business needs. Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.
📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on market data for similar roles in Sydney, factoring in the specified experience level and industry. Benefits are standard for large, established tech/healthcare companies in Australia. The mention of 15% travel is incorporated into the working conditions.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Medical Devices / Healthcare Technology. ResMed is a global leader in cloud-connected medical devices for treating sleep apnea, COPD, and other chronic respiratory conditions. This industry demands a strong focus on patient outcomes, regulatory compliance, and continuous innovation.
Company Size: ResMed is a large, established global company with thousands of employees worldwide. This size often translates to structured processes, significant resources, and opportunities for career progression, but can also mean navigating larger organizational hierarchies.
Founded: ResMed was founded in 1989. With a long history, the company has a deep understanding of its market and a proven track record in developing life-changing medical technologies. This longevity suggests a culture of stability and sustained innovation.
Team Structure:
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The role is within the Customer Experience (CX) team, specifically part of the Experience Insights (EXI) function.
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EXI is a multidisciplinary group encompassing UX Research, Customer Experience, and Behavioral Science.
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The Senior User Researcher will likely report to a Research Lead or Manager within EXI.
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Collaboration is expected across product management, engineering, design, marketing, and other business stakeholders. Methodology:
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Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with a focus on using customer insights to guide product development and strategy.
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A human-centered design approach is emphasized, ensuring that patient and provider needs are at the forefront.
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There's a commitment to leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance research efficiency and impact.
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Collaboration and knowledge sharing are encouraged to foster a holistic understanding of the customer.
Company Website: https://www.resmed.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: ResMed's focus on healthcare technology implies a culture that values rigorous research, patient well-being, and innovation. The multidisciplinary nature of the EXI team suggests a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a Senior User Researcher role, indicating an individual contributor position with significant autonomy and responsibility. It requires the ability to lead research initiatives independently, mentor junior researchers, and influence strategic decisions. The role is expected to contribute to the evolution of healthcare solutions and drive customer-centricity.
Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher will likely report to a Research Manager or Lead within the Experience Insights (EXI) team, which is part of the broader Customer Experience organization. They will collaborate closely with product, design, and engineering teams.
Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on the user-centeredness and effectiveness of ResMed's products and services. By uncovering and communicating deep customer needs, the researcher directly influences product strategy, feature development, and overall user experience, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and business success in the competitive healthcare market.
Growth Opportunities:
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Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or therapeutic areas within ResMed's product portfolio.
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Leadership: Transition into a Research Lead or Managerial role, overseeing research projects and mentoring a team of researchers.
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Cross-functional Mobility: Move into roles within Product Management, UX Design, or Customer Experience Strategy, leveraging research expertise.
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Research Operations: Contribute further to the advancement of Research Operations, potentially specializing in areas like participant management, tooling, or knowledge management.
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Industry Influence: Become a thought leader in user research within the healthcare technology space, through internal presentations or external contributions.
📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior Researcher level offers substantial growth potential, both within specialized research tracks and into broader product and strategy roles, supported by ResMed's global presence and commitment to innovation.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The role is based in Bella Vista, Sydney, Australia, indicating an on-site work environment. This suggests a physical office space designed for collaboration, with meeting rooms, workstations, and communal areas.
Office Location(s): Bella Vista, Sydney, NSW, Australia. This location provides access to a major metropolitan hub with amenities and transport links.
Workspace Context:
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The workspace will likely be collaborative, encouraging interaction with designers, product managers, and engineers.
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Access to necessary research tools, software, and potentially specialized equipment for user testing.
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Opportunities for informal knowledge sharing and problem-solving with colleagues within the EXI team and broader product development groups.
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A professional office environment supporting focused work and team collaboration.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. While on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily working hours, but the expectation is to be present in the office to facilitate team collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Travel up to 15% is also a component of the work schedule.
📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, team synergy, and direct engagement with stakeholders in a professional office setting.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on relevant experience and qualifications.
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Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation to assess your experience, research philosophy, and suitability for the Senior Researcher role and ResMed's culture.
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Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your research process, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodologies, and the outcomes of your work.
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Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential peers, cross-functional partners (e.g., Product, Design), and possibly senior leadership. These will assess your collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to influence.
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Research Operations / AI Tools Discussion: A potential segment focusing on your experience with Research Operations and your practical application of AI-enabled tools in research.
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Final Interview: May involve a senior leader or executive to make a final decision.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Wisely: Select 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your best work, highlighting diverse methodologies and impact. Prioritize projects where your insights led to significant product or business outcomes.
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Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role and approach, the research methodologies used, key findings, your recommendations, and the resulting impact (quantify where possible).
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Highlight AI Integration: If applicable, detail how you used AI tools to enhance your research process (e.g., speeding up synthesis, generating prototypes) and the benefits derived.
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Showcase Collaboration: Demonstrate how you partnered with stakeholders, incorporated their feedback, and influenced decision-making.
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Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your methods, rationale, and challenges encountered.
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Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your presentation to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence. Aim for approximately 15-20 minutes per case study, leaving ample time for Q&A.
Challenge Preparation:
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Hypothetical Research Scenario: You might be given a hypothetical product or problem and asked to outline a research plan to address it. Focus on defining clear research questions, appropriate methodologies, and key deliverables.
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Insight Synthesis Exercise: You may be presented with raw research data (e.g., interview transcripts, survey results) and asked to synthesize findings and propose recommendations.
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Stakeholder Communication Role-Play: You could be asked to role-play how you would present a challenging insight or recommendation to a skeptical stakeholder.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on demonstrating practical research skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate insights into action. A well-prepared portfolio is critical.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).
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Prototyping Tools: Software for creating interactive prototypes for concept testing (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
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Collaboration Tools: Platforms for team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Jira).
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AI-enabled Research Tools: Emerging tools for research synthesis, analysis, transcription, and potentially generative design (specific tools may vary, but proficiency in leveraging AI for efficiency is key).
Analytics & Reporting:
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Data Analysis Software: Tools for analyzing quantitative data (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).
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Visualization Tools: Software for creating dashboards and reports to communicate insights effectively (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio).
CRM & Automation:
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CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM principles and data management, though direct CRM administration is unlikely to be a primary responsibility.
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Documentation & Knowledge Management: Tools for organizing and sharing research findings (e.g., Confluence, Notion, dedicated research repositories).
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a range of qualitative and quantitative research tools is essential. The explicit mention of AI tools signifies a need for candidates to be adaptable and forward-thinking in their tool adoption. Familiarity with research repositories and knowledge management systems is also important.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Customer Obsessed: A deep-seated commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs, ensuring that patient and provider experiences are paramount in all decision-making.
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Curious by Nature: An intrinsic drive to explore complex problems, ask probing questions, and uncover the underlying reasons behind user behaviors and needs.
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Influential Communicator: The ability to articulate research findings clearly, persuasively, and empathetically, fostering understanding and driving consensus among diverse stakeholders.
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Systems Thinker: A capacity to see the bigger picture, connect disparate ideas and insights, and understand how different components of the user experience and business ecosystem interact.
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Pragmatic and Adaptable: A balanced approach that combines research rigor with the agility needed to deliver timely insights in a fast-paced environment, knowing when and how to adjust methodologies.
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Collaborative Partner: A proactive and supportive approach to working with cross-functional teams, building trust and fostering strong working relationships to achieve shared goals.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-functional Integration: Actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with product management, design, engineering, and marketing teams, integrating research into their workflows.
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Process Improvement Focused: Engages in open discussions about research processes, sharing best practices and actively contributing to the refinement of team methodologies and tools.
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Knowledge Sharing Culture: Proactively shares research findings, learnings, and insights across teams, contributing to a collective understanding of the customer and fostering a learning environment.
📝 Enhancement Note: The values align with a modern, user-centric product development culture. Emphasis on "systems thinker" and "pragmatic and adaptable" suggests a need for researchers who can handle complexity and navigate trade-offs effectively.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Navigating Complex Healthcare Systems: Understanding and researching user needs within a highly regulated and complex healthcare ecosystem, which involves diverse user groups (patients, clinicians, administrators) and intricate workflows.
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Balancing Rigor and Speed: Delivering high-quality, impactful research insights within tight product development timelines, requiring efficient methodologies and effective prioritization.
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Influencing Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in and driving action from stakeholders who may have different priorities or perspectives, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills.
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Integrating AI Tools Effectively: Responsibly and effectively incorporating AI-enabled tools into the research workflow, ensuring ethical considerations and maintaining research integrity while maximizing efficiency.
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Synthesizing Diverse Data: Connecting insights from various research studies, quantitative data, and market information to build a comprehensive and actionable understanding of user needs.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunities to attend workshops, conferences, or pursue certifications in specialized research techniques.
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Healthcare Industry Expertise: Deepen understanding of the medical device industry, regulatory landscape, and specific therapeutic areas ResMed serves.
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AI in Research Training: Access to training and resources for leveraging AI tools and ethical considerations in user research.
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Leadership Development: Potential for mentorship and training programs focused on team leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder management.
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Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn from and collaborate with behavioral scientists, CX strategists, and product innovators within ResMed.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of senior roles in established, complex industries. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with the need for continuous learning and career progression within a leading healthcare technology company.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a time you developed a research strategy for a large, complex program. What were the key considerations, and how did you align it with business goals?" (Focus on strategic planning, stakeholder alignment, and outcome orientation.)
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"How do you approach synthesizing findings from multiple, potentially conflicting, research studies or data sources? Walk us through a specific example." (Highlight your analytical rigor, pattern identification skills, and ability to draw clear conclusions.)
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"Imagine you've uncovered a user need that challenges a long-held product assumption. How would you communicate this insight to influence stakeholders and drive change?" (Demonstrate your communication, influence, and empathy skills.)
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"How have you used AI-enabled tools in your research process? What were the benefits, challenges, and how did you ensure research quality and ethical use?" (Showcase your adaptability, technical acumen, and critical judgment.) Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you about ResMed and our mission to improve lives through healthcare innovation?" (Research ResMed's products, mission, and recent news. Connect your passion for user research to their impact.)
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"How do you see your role contributing to a customer-obsessed culture within a large organization?" (Discuss your advocacy for users and how you foster empathy.)
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"Describe your experience working with Research Operations. What value do you see in formalized research practices and repositories?" (Highlight your understanding of scalable research and your willingness to contribute to operational efficiency.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Start with the 'Why': For each case study, clearly articulate the initial problem or opportunity and why research was necessary.
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Detail Your Process: Walk through your research design, methodology choices (and rationale), and execution steps. Be specific about your role, especially if collaborating.
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Showcase Key Insights: Present the most impactful findings and explain how they were derived. Use compelling visuals or quotes if possible.
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Present Actionable Recommendations: Clearly outline the recommendations you made based on your insights.
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Demonstrate Impact: Crucially, explain the outcomes of your research. Quantify the impact on the product, user experience, or business metrics if possible. If direct impact is hard to measure, discuss how your work informed subsequent decisions or future strategy.
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Integrate AI/Ops: Weave in how AI tools assisted or how you contributed to operational improvements within the case study context.
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Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your choices, challenges, and alternative approaches.
📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of research methodologies, strong communication skills, and the ability to drive impact within a complex organizational structure. Practical examples and a well-structured portfolio are key.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Senior User Researcher position:
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Submit your application through the ResMed careers portal via the provided URL.
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Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 impactful case studies that demonstrate your experience in leading generative and evaluative research, synthesizing complex data, and influencing product decisions, with a particular focus on any healthcare-related projects or your use of AI tools.
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Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of experience, specific research methodologies used, stakeholder management skills, and contributions to Research Operations or process improvements. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
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Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, insights, and impact using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare to discuss your experience with AI tools and your strategic approach to user research in the healthcare context.
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Company Research: Thoroughly research ResMed's products, mission, values, and recent news. Understand their commitment to improving patient outcomes and their approach to innovation. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years of experience leading generative and evaluative research studies. Candidates must demonstrate strong expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, stakeholder communication, and the use of AI tools for research efficiency.