Senior User Researcher II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher II

Company: Jobgether (Partner Company)

Location: Canada

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary (12-month maternity leave coverage)

Category: User Research / Product Research

Date Posted: September 1, 2026

Experience Level: 6+ years professional experience

Remote Status: Fully Remote (Across Canada)

🚀 Role Summary

• Own and drive the research strategy and roadmap for a core product area, translating ambiguous business questions into focused research plans and actionable learning agendas.

• Lead end-to-end mixed-method research initiatives across the entire product lifecycle, from discovery and concept testing to post-launch evaluation.

• Synthesize complex research findings and multiple data sources (qualitative, quantitative, behavioral signals) into clear, defensible recommendations that influence product direction and stakeholder decisions.

• Leverage AI responsibly to accelerate research processes, including planning, analysis, synthesis, and knowledge sharing, while maintaining research rigor and data privacy.

• Develop and implement scalable research workflows and practices to enhance organizational research capabilities and impact, fostering a culture of continuous learning from customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a Senior User Researcher II position, indicating a need for strategic ownership and a proven track record of influencing product strategy. The focus on "core product area" suggests significant impact and responsibility. The mention of AI-supported research is a key differentiator, requiring candidates to be comfortable with emerging technologies in the research domain. The temporary nature (maternity leave coverage) is critical for candidate consideration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and own the research strategy and roadmap for a designated core product area, prioritizing learning opportunities aligned with customer needs, product vision, and business objectives.

• Develop comprehensive research plans by translating ambiguous business and customer questions into specific, measurable research objectives and selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies (generative, evaluative).

• Execute mixed-method research studies throughout the product lifecycle, including but not limited to: discovery research, concept testing, usability studies, field research, surveys, benchmarking, and post-launch performance evaluations.

• Conduct rigorous analysis and synthesis of research findings, integrating insights from various evidence sources (customer feedback, product analytics, behavioral data) to build a holistic understanding of customer needs and behaviors.

• Formulate clear, actionable, and defensible recommendations for Product, Design, Engineering, Data, and business stakeholders to support informed decision-making and mitigate product risks.

• Establish and track success measures for product initiatives, evaluating outcomes based on key indicators such as efficiency, comprehension, confidence, error reduction, speed, and customer satisfaction.

• Proactively identify unmet customer needs, surface potential risks, and challenge assumptions early in the product development process by bringing customer perspectives to planning and prioritization discussions.

• Utilize AI tools responsibly to enhance research efficiency in planning, analysis, synthesis, and knowledge management, ensuring adherence to research ethics, participant privacy, and data handling standards.

• Design, document, and implement reusable research workflows and best practices to democratize research insights and improve the overall effectiveness of customer-centric learning across the organization.

• Maintain and curate accessible research repositories, effectively communicating key insights, decisions, risks, and open questions to cross-functional partners and leadership.

• Coach and mentor cross-functional partners and designers on effective research practices, contributing to the development of research capabilities throughout the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic, end-to-end ownership of research for a core product area. The emphasis on mixed-methods research, AI integration, and scaling research practices suggests a need for a researcher who is both a strong individual contributor and a potential enabler of research across teams. The mention of "challenging assumptions" and "surfacing risks" indicates a need for a researcher with strong critical thinking and advocacy skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: 6+ years of professional experience conducting user research, product research, or a closely related discipline, with a proven track record of influencing product direction and delivering measurable customer or business value.

Required Skills:

• Research Strategy & Planning: Ability to own and develop research roadmaps and strategic learning agendas for core product areas.

• Methodological Expertise: Strong command of a wide range of qualitative (e.g., interviews, ethnography, usability testing, field studies) and quantitative research methodologies (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, data analysis, benchmarking).

• End-to-End Research Ownership: Proven ability to manage research projects from problem framing and study design through participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, synthesis, and actionable recommendation delivery.

• Ambiguity Navigation: Experience working autonomously in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, effectively prioritizing multiple research needs and stakeholder expectations.

• Analytical & Synthesis Skills: Exceptional ability to connect diverse evidence sources, identify meaningful patterns, and synthesize complex information into durable insights.

• Communication & Influence: Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence Product, Design, Engineering, Data, and business stakeholders.

• Pragmatic Research Approach: Ability to balance methodological rigor with speed, risk, and business needs to deliver timely and impactful research.

• AI-Supported Research Familiarity: Experience or strong understanding of using AI for research planning, analysis, synthesis, and knowledge management, with an awareness of privacy and ethical considerations.

• Customer Empathy & Critical Thinking: Deep customer empathy coupled with intellectual curiosity and confidence to challenge assumptions based on research evidence.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in complex operational domains such as entertainment, payroll, fintech, or accounting.

• Familiarity with building and maintaining research repositories or knowledge management systems.

• Experience in coaching or mentoring junior researchers or cross-functional partners on research best practices.

• Proficiency in data analysis tools and statistical software.

• Experience with user journey mapping, persona development, and service blueprinting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "6+ years" combined with "Senior User Researcher II" implies a need for a seasoned professional capable of strategic thinking and independent execution. The emphasis on "influencing product direction" and "measurable customer or business value" suggests that candidates should be prepared to showcase the business impact of their research. The preferred skills point towards candidates who can bring domain-specific knowledge or experience in scaling research practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A curated selection of 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end research projects, showcasing the entire research lifecycle from problem definition to impact.

• Methodological Diversity: Evidence of applying a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, with clear justification for method selection based on project goals and constraints.

• Impact Demonstration: Clearly articulate the impact of your research on product decisions, strategy, and measurable business or customer outcomes (e.g., increased conversion, improved satisfaction, reduced errors).

• Process Documentation: Showcased examples of research plans, synthesis artifacts (e.g., affinity diagrams, thematic maps), and recommendation documents.

• Problem Framing: Examples of how you've translated ambiguous business or customer questions into clear, actionable research objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Examples of research workflows you've designed or optimized, demonstrating an understanding of efficiency and scalability.

• Methodology Application: Documentation illustrating how you've selected and applied appropriate research methodologies for different product stages (discovery, validation, iteration).

• Insight Synthesis & Communication: Artifacts that demonstrate your ability to synthesize complex data into clear, compelling insights and communicate them effectively to diverse stakeholders.

• AI Integration Examples: If applicable, demonstrate how you've incorporated AI tools into your research process and the benefits achieved.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior User Researcher role, the portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase research execution but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to drive product impact. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the "why" behind their methodological choices and the "so what" of their findings, linking them directly to business outcomes. Demonstrating experience with AI in research will be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CA$149,000 – CA$205,000 annually.

📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is competitive for a Senior User Researcher II position in Canada. The range accounts for variations in cost of living across different Canadian regions and the experience level of the candidate. The provided range is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level research roles in technology companies within Canada, considering the specified experience level (6+ years) and the potential for specialized domain knowledge (fintech, entertainment, etc.).

Benefits:

• Health & Dental Coverage: Comprehensive health and dental benefits package.

• Retirement Savings: Up to 2% matching contribution for RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) or 401(k) plans.

• Remote Work: Fully remote work opportunity available across Canada, offering flexibility and work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunity to work on complex product challenges and develop AI-supported research practices.

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside creative, multidisciplinary teams.

• Inclusive Workplace: Commitment to an equal opportunity, harassment- and discrimination-free environment.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely to be around 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. Given the remote nature and the emphasis on flexibility, there may be some latitude, but core availability for collaboration with teams across different time zones within Canada will be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on health, retirement savings, and remote work flexibility. The inclusion of RRSP/401(k) matching is a significant financial benefit for long-term savings. The remote work aspect is a key draw for candidates seeking geographical flexibility within Canada.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company, Jobgether, is described as a technology company utilizing AI-powered matching for recruitment. The partner company operates in a domain that could range from technology, SaaS, or potentially a more specific sector like fintech, entertainment, or payroll, as hinted in the preferred qualifications.

Company Size: Jobgether itself appears to be a tech platform, while the partner company's size is not specified but likely operates within the tech sector, given the nature of the role. The research role suggests a company that values data-driven decision-making and invests in understanding its users.

Founded: Jobgether's founding date is not provided, but its focus on AI suggests a relatively modern or forward-thinking organization. The partner company's founding is also not specified.

Team Structure:

• Research Function: The role implies an established or growing user research function within the partner company. The Senior User Researcher II will likely be part of a product development team, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts.

• Reporting: The researcher will likely report into a lead researcher, a UX research manager, or a head of product/design, depending on the team's structure.

• Collaboration: The role emphasizes close cross-functional collaboration, with a need to integrate research insights with product analytics and business objectives.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: The core of this role is to drive evidence-based decision-making through rigorous user research.

• Agile & Iterative: The involvement across the product lifecycle suggests an agile or iterative product development process where research informs continuous improvement.

• AI Integration: A forward-thinking approach that embraces AI to enhance research efficiency and effectiveness.

Company Website: https://jobgether.com/ (for Jobgether's platform)

The partner company's website is not directly provided but can be inferred from the application process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description points to a company that is technologically advanced, likely values innovation (AI), and prioritizes a data-driven approach to product development. The collaborative nature of the role suggests a culture that encourages cross-functional teamwork.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior User Researcher II position, indicating a mid-to-senior level role. It requires significant autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence product direction. It’s a step beyond a general User Researcher, suggesting leadership in research strategy for a specific product area.

Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher II will likely report to a Research Manager, Head of UX, or a senior Product leader. They will work closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers within their core product area.

Operations Impact: The role's direct impact is on product strategy and development by ensuring user needs and behaviors are understood and prioritized. This influences the success of product launches, feature adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business objectives like revenue growth and market share. The research findings will be critical in validating product-market fit and identifying opportunities for innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or within the partner company's industry domain (e.g., fintech, entertainment).

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Lead User Researcher or Research Manager role, overseeing a team or a broader product portfolio.

• Process Improvement: Opportunity to lead initiatives for scaling research practices and integrating AI-supported workflows across the organization.

• Mentorship: Coach and mentor junior researchers or designers, developing leadership and teaching skills.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper insights into product management, design, and engineering processes, broadening overall product development understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "II" in the title suggests a progression path, and the responsibilities highlight opportunities for strategic leadership and process improvement. The role offers a chance to significantly shape product strategy and customer experience, providing substantial professional growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning candidates can work from their own location within Canada. There is no physical office requirement for this role.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, it is designated for individuals located within Canada. This may imply adherence to Canadian employment laws and tax regulations.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility: The remote setup offers significant flexibility in managing one's workday and work environment.

• Technology Dependent: Success in this role relies heavily on reliable internet access and personal productivity tools.

• Virtual Collaboration: The work environment will be highly collaborative through digital tools (e.g., video conferencing, collaborative whiteboards, project management software).

• Independent Work: A significant portion of the role will involve independent work, requiring strong self-discipline and time management skills.

Work Schedule: While the core responsibilities likely align with standard business hours (approximately 40 hours/week), the remote nature may allow for some flexibility in scheduling, provided core collaboration needs with teams across Canadian time zones are met. The emphasis on "fast-paced" and "ambiguous" environments suggests that adaptability and occasional flexibility might be required to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote aspect across Canada is a major feature. Candidates should be comfortable with virtual collaboration and possess the self-discipline required for independent work. The role implies a modern, flexible work environment that prioritizes results over physical presence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening (Jobgether AI): Your application will be processed by Jobgether's AI for initial matching against core requirements.

• Shortlisting: Top-fitting candidates will be shortlisted and their profiles shared with the hiring company.

• Hiring Company Review: The partner company's internal team will review shortlisted candidates.

• Interviews: Expect multiple rounds of interviews, likely including:

  • Hiring Manager Interview: To assess overall fit, experience, and strategic thinking.
  • Cross-functional Team Interviews: With Product Managers, Designers, and possibly Engineers to evaluate collaboration skills and research application.
  • Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session to walk through selected case studies, demonstrating research process, insights, and impact.
  • Potential Research Challenge: A take-home assignment or live exercise to assess practical research skills, analysis, and communication.

• Final Decision: Managed by the hiring company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong case studies that best represent your end-to-end research capabilities and impact. Tailor your selection to highlight skills most relevant to the job description (e.g., mixed-methods, influencing product strategy, AI integration).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your approach (methodology, rationale), your key findings, the recommendations you made, and, most importantly, the impact of your work. Quantify impact whenever possible.

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how you framed the research problem, how your research influenced product decisions, and how you navigated ambiguity or challenged assumptions.

• Showcase Methodological Breadth: Clearly explain why you chose specific methods and how you integrated qualitative and quantitative data.

• Prepare for AI Discussion: Be ready to discuss your experience or perspective on using AI in research, including its benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your process and decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Goal: If a research challenge is provided, thoroughly understand the objective and the context.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively to ensure you can complete all required components.

• Focus on Process & Rationale: Clearly articulate your research process, your methodological choices, and the reasoning behind them.

• Deliver Actionable Insights: Ensure your findings are translated into clear, actionable recommendations relevant to the problem statement.

• Presentation Clarity: Practice presenting your findings and recommendations in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes AI screening by Jobgether followed by a traditional hiring process by the partner company. The portfolio review is a key component, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just research skills but strategic impact and communication prowess. Preparation for discussing AI in research is also a crucial element.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools (Likely):

• Research Platforms: Tools for participant recruitment, scheduling, and potentially remote usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

• Survey Tools: For quantitative data collection (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms).

• Collaboration Tools: For remote work and team communication (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom).

• Whiteboarding/Diagramming Tools: For synthesis and ideation (e.g., Miro, Mural, Figma).

• Project Management Tools: To track research projects (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Platforms: To understand user behavior and supplement qualitative findings (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics).

• Data Visualization Tools: To present quantitative data (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) can be beneficial for understanding customer segmentation and journey.

• Data Analysis Software: Statistical software for quantitative analysis (e.g., R, SPSS, Python libraries like Pandas/NumPy).

AI-Supported Research Tools:

• AI Synthesis Tools: Platforms that assist in summarizing interviews, identifying themes, or generating insights from qualitative data.

• AI Planning Tools: AI assistants that can help draft research plans or generate participant screeners.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, the role's requirements imply proficiency with a broad range of research and collaboration tools. A strong candidate will be adaptable and capable of learning new tools, especially those related to AI in research.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user, ensuring their needs are at the forefront of product development.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing evidence and insights derived from research and analytics to inform strategic choices.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A belief in working closely with cross-functional teams (Product, Design, Engineering, Data) to achieve shared goals.

• Impact & Accountability: A focus on delivering measurable results and taking ownership of research outcomes and their influence on the product.

• Continuous Learning & Improvement: Embracing new methodologies, tools (like AI), and feedback to enhance research practices and personal growth.

• Pragmatism & Rigor: Balancing methodological integrity with the need for timely and relevant insights in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands seamless integration with Product Management and Design, acting as a key partner in the product development process.

• Evidence-Based Influence: Collaboration is built on presenting well-supported insights and recommendations that guide team decisions.

• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where research findings, challenges, and questions are shared openly.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to a shared understanding of the customer by disseminating research findings and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values a blend of analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and collaborative execution. The emphasis on AI suggests an openness to innovation and efficiency improvements. Candidates who can demonstrate strong communication and influencing skills within a team environment will thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Translating vague business objectives or customer problems into clear, researchable questions and plans.

• Prioritization: Managing multiple research requests and priorities from various stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

• Driving Impact: Ensuring research insights are not just delivered but actively understood and acted upon by cross-functional teams.

• Scaling Research: Developing and implementing scalable research practices that can be adopted across different teams and projects.

• AI Integration Nuances: Responsibly and effectively integrating AI tools into the research workflow, balancing efficiency with ethical considerations and maintaining research integrity.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong relationships and effective communication with distributed teams across different time zones.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specialized qualitative or quantitative research techniques.

• AI in Research: Gaining hands-on experience and potentially leading the adoption of AI-powered research tools and workflows.

• Industry Domain Expertise: Developing deep knowledge in specific sectors like fintech, entertainment, or payroll.

• Product Strategy Influence: Honing skills in influencing product roadmaps and strategic decision-making at a senior level.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Opportunities to mentor junior researchers or designers, developing leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior-level research role in a dynamic tech environment. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering paths for specialization, leadership, and staying at the forefront of research innovation with AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned the research strategy for a core product area. How did you prioritize learning opportunities and align them with business objectives?" (Preparation: Focus on strategic planning, roadmap development, and alignment with business goals.)

• "Walk me through a research project where you had to translate ambiguous business questions into a focused research plan. What methods did you choose and why?" (Preparation: Highlight problem framing skills, methodological justification, and adaptability.)

• "How have you used AI to accelerate your research process? What were the benefits and challenges, and how did you ensure research rigor and privacy?" (Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific AI tools or approaches, their impact, and your ethical considerations.)

• "Describe a situation where your research findings challenged existing assumptions or product direction. How did you present this information and influence stakeholders?" (Preparation: Focus on influencing skills, data storytelling, and handling pushback.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about this specific role and our partner company's domain (e.g., fintech, entertainment)?" (Preparation: Research the partner company's products, mission, and industry. Connect your interests to their work.)

• "How do you approach building relationships and collaborating with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers?" (Preparation: Emphasize partnership, communication, and integrating research into their workflows.)

• "How do you ensure your research has a measurable impact on product decisions and business outcomes?" (Preparation: Prepare examples of how your research led to tangible improvements or validated key decisions.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Research Question -> Methodology & Rationale -> Key Findings -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.

• Quantify Whenever Possible: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in feature adoption," "identified critical usability issues that were addressed, reducing support tickets by X%").

• Highlight Strategic Contributions: Emphasize your role in shaping strategy, identifying unmet needs, and driving product direction, not just executing studies.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, synthesis process, stakeholder interactions, and challenges faced.

• Showcase AI Experience: If you have relevant examples, weave them into your case studies or be prepared to discuss them separately.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, end-to-end ownership, strong communication, and the ability to drive impact. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with AI in research and tailor their portfolio to showcase relevant skills and achievements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Jobgether platform.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 6+ years of experience in user/product research, emphasizing end-to-end ownership, mixed-methods expertise, and demonstrated impact on product direction. Integrate keywords from the job description naturally.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that showcase your strategic approach, methodological diversity, and quantifiable impact. Be prepared to present these clearly and concisely.

• Research the Partner Company: Understand the partner company's industry, products, and mission. Identify how your research skills can contribute to their specific challenges and goals.

• Prepare for AI Discussion: Be ready to articulate your understanding and experience with AI-supported research tools and methodologies, including ethical considerations.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough and your answers to common interview questions, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating strategic thinking.

⚠️ 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.