Senior UX Researcher (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher (Contract)

Company: For People

Location: Arlington, VA (Remote)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: User Experience Research / Government Digital Services

Date Posted: 2026-05-27

Experience Level: 6+ Years

Remote Status: 100% Remote (US-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead primary user research initiatives to understand complex digital service ecosystems within government healthcare.

• Develop deep empathy and actionable insights for diverse user personas, focusing on vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.

• Synthesize qualitative data into clear, strategic recommendations that directly influence policy and funding decisions for critical public health infrastructure.

• Collaborate closely with a remote, mission-driven team to modernize government technology and improve citizen outcomes.

• Drive the discovery phase of a significant rural health transformation initiative, shaping its future direction through user-centered research.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on User Experience Research within the government and healthcare sectors, emphasizing the strategic impact of research on public policy and digital transformation. The "Contract" nature implies a project-based engagement with defined deliverables and a potential for extension based on performance and project needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive qualitative research plans, including stakeholder interviews, contextual inquiries, and user ethnography, within the Pennsylvania rural health data system.

• Develop detailed persona profiles for key rural healthcare providers (e.g., critical access hospitals, FQHCs) and other relevant stakeholders.

• Map existing data flows and identify critical breakpoints within the Health Information Organization (HIO), Managed Care Organization (MCO), and state Medicaid agency ecosystems.

• Analyze and synthesize complex qualitative data to define the "As-Is" state of healthcare data interoperability and identify key areas of user friction and unmet needs.

• Partner with cross-functional team members to translate research findings into a defined "Target-State" design, grounded in real user needs and organizational realities.

• Co-author and present key discovery deliverables, including research findings briefs, the target-state vision, and sequenced recommendations for directing federal Rural Health Transformation funding.

• Facilitate stakeholder workshops and interviews, effectively managing communication with potentially reluctant or time-constrained individuals.

• Effectively communicate complex research findings and strategic recommendations to a wide range of audiences, from frontline staff to executive leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on strategic research that directly informs policy and funding, particularly within the complex domain of healthcare data interoperability and rural health transformation. The role requires not just data collection but also significant synthesis, strategic thinking, and influential communication.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design Research, or a related field is highly beneficial and often implied for senior-level research roles.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of dedicated user research experience, with a strong preference for candidates who have worked within government, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries. Demonstrated experience in leading research initiatives from conception to actionable recommendations is essential.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in qualitative research methodologies, including stakeholder interviews, contextual inquiry, and persona development.

• Proven ability to conduct in-depth journey mapping and data synthesis to identify critical user pain points and opportunities for improvement.

• Strong experience in translating complex stakeholder realities and user needs into clear, actionable research deliverables.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present findings and strategic recommendations to diverse audiences, including executives and frontline staff.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage research projects effectively in a remote, collaborative environment.

• Familiarity with research and synthesis tools such as Dovetail, Mural, Miro, or FigJam for data organization and collaborative ideation.

Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience researching Medicaid, Health Information Exchanges (HIE), Health Information Organizations (HIO), or other healthcare interoperability environments.

• Familiarity with the nuances of rural health delivery systems, including critical access hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or county-based health programs.

• Experience contributing research findings to service blueprints and product roadmaps.

• Understanding of government digital service modernization initiatives and procurement processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical, hands-on qualitative research skills and experience in complex, regulated domains. The "preferred" skills point towards specific domain expertise that would significantly accelerate the candidate's ability to contribute to this particular project. The emphasis on values suggests a strong cultural fit is as important as technical skill.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of end-to-end qualitative research projects, clearly outlining the research objectives, methodologies employed, and key challenges faced.

• Case studies showcasing the development of detailed persona profiles and their impact on design or strategic decisions.

• Examples of user journey maps or process flow diagrams that highlight critical pain points and proposed solutions within complex systems.

• Evidence of data synthesis capabilities, illustrating how raw qualitative data was transformed into clear, actionable findings and strategic recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of your process for planning and executing qualitative research studies, including participant recruitment strategies and ethical considerations.

• Provide examples of how you document and synthesize research findings, demonstrating proficiency with tools like Dovetail, Mural, or Miro.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams (e.g., designers, product managers, policy analysts) to ensure research insights are integrated effectively into project deliverables.

• Present evidence of how you have effectively communicated research findings and strategic recommendations to diverse stakeholders, including executive-level audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role focused on discovery and strategy, the portfolio should highlight the ability to deliver concrete, actionable insights that directly influence decision-making. Emphasis should be placed on strategic outputs and the process of translating user needs into tangible recommendations for complex systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000 per year (for a 30-40 hour work week, equating to approximately $50 - $65 per hour based on standard 2080 hours/year for full-time, but adjusted for contract nature). The provided range of $90-$110 per hour aligns with this.

Benefits: As an independent contractor, standard employee benefits are typically not provided. However, the engagement offers:

• Flexible Work Schedule: The role averages 30-40 hours per week, allowing for considerable flexibility to manage personal commitments.

• Remote Work: 100% remote engagement within the United States, eliminating commute time and offering work-life balance.

• Meaningful Impact: Opportunity to contribute to significant government digital service modernization and rural health transformation initiatives.

• Project-Based Engagement: A defined six-month discovery sprint, offering clear project scope and deliverables.

• Potential for Travel Reimbursement: Paid travel to Pennsylvania (up to 10%) for necessary in-person engagements.

• Independent Contractor Status: Allows for potential tax advantages and business expense deductions.

Working Hours: Averaging 30-40 hours per week, with flexibility provided to accommodate work-life balance, such as picking up children from school or taking mid-day breaks. The contract is for a six-month discovery sprint.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided as a yearly estimate based on the hourly rate and expected hours, but candidates should focus on the hourly rate ($90-$110/hr) for contract negotiation. Benefits are typical for an independent contractor role, emphasizing flexibility and project impact over traditional employee benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Government Digital Services / Healthcare Consulting. For People specializes in improving government digital services, particularly for disadvantaged populations, by embedding technologists within agencies.

Company Size: Based on LinkedIn, For People appears to be a small to medium-sized business, likely a consultancy or specialized agency. This size often fosters a close-knit, agile, and collaborative team environment.

Founded: Information on the founding date is not readily available, but the company's mission suggests a focus on modernizing public services, indicating a relatively recent establishment or a strategic pivot towards this niche.

Team Structure:

• The team is entirely remote across the United States, fostering a distributed work culture.

• This specific engagement involves embedding within a state government agency (Pennsylvania) to drive a critical project.

• Collaboration is expected with a core For People team (likely including project managers, strategists, and potentially other researchers or designers) and various government stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The core methodology is rooted in user research and data synthesis to inform strategic decisions.

• User-Centric Design: A strong focus on understanding and representing the needs of end-users, especially vulnerable populations.

• Agile & Iterative: While this is a discovery sprint, the overall approach likely involves iterative development and continuous feedback loops.

• Embedded Consulting: Working directly within government agencies to foster collaboration and ensure practical implementation of recommendations.

Company Website: https://forpeople.us

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture prioritizes human-centric values, work-life balance, and making a tangible impact on public services. The remote-first nature and focus on government modernization are key cultural differentiators.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Researcher, indicating a lead contributor or subject matter expert level within the UX research discipline. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to guide research efforts.

Reporting Structure: As a contractor, the Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a Project Lead or Program Manager within For People. They will also work closely with government stakeholders in Pennsylvania, including agency officials and program managers, who will be key collaborators and recipients of research findings.

Operations Impact: The research conducted in this role will have a direct and significant impact on:

• Policy Decisions: Informing how Pennsylvania directs $50 billion in federal Rural Health Transformation funding.

• System Design: Shaping the future of healthcare data interoperability infrastructure for rural communities.

• Service Delivery: Improving the effectiveness and accessibility of healthcare services for Medicaid beneficiaries in rural areas.

• Public Health Outcomes: Contributing to better patient care and public health management through improved data systems.

Growth Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Deepen expertise in government digital services, healthcare interoperability, and rural health transformation, which are high-demand areas.

• Strategic Influence: Gain experience in influencing high-level policy and funding decisions based on research.

• Project Leadership: Potentially lead subsequent phases of the project or other similar initiatives if the contract is extended or leads to further engagements.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Enhance skills in working with diverse teams and stakeholders in complex public sector environments.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Develop compelling case studies showcasing high-impact research in a critical public sector domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: This contract role offers a unique opportunity for a UX Researcher to gain significant strategic influence and domain expertise in a critical area of public policy and technology modernization. The impact of the research is substantial, offering a strong growth trajectory for the individual's career portfolio.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a 100% remote position with no physical office. The work environment is entirely virtual, relying on digital collaboration tools.

Office Location(s): N/A (Fully Remote). The company is based in the US, and the project is in Pennsylvania, but the work is conducted remotely from anywhere within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Virtual Collaboration: The primary workspace will be digital, requiring a reliable internet connection and proficiency with remote collaboration tools.

• Independent Work: A significant portion of the work will involve independent research, analysis, and synthesis.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings will occur with the For People team and government stakeholders, requiring active participation and clear communication.

• Technology: Access to necessary research and synthesis tools (Dovetail, Miro, etc.) will be crucial.

Work Schedule: Flexible schedule averaging 30-40 hours per week. This allows for a balance between project demands and personal life, aligning with For People's emphasis on work-life balance. Occasional travel to Pennsylvania may be required for in-person workshops or site visits, which will be paid.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of this role requires self-discipline, strong time management, and excellent virtual communication skills. The emphasis on work-life balance suggests a supportive and understanding remote team culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role requirements.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely from For People) to delve deeper into your research experience, methodology, and approach to complex projects. This may include behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and managing stakeholders.

3. Team/Stakeholder Interview: An interview with members of the For People team and potentially key government stakeholders. This stage will assess your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and understand the nuances of the government/healthcare domain. You may be asked to discuss specific research challenges and how you've overcome them.

4. Portfolio Review/Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present a selected case study from your portfolio. This is a critical step to demonstrate your research process, synthesis skills, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodology, findings, and recommendations in detail.

5. Final Decision: Based on all assessments, a decision will be made.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select a Relevant Case Study: Choose a project that best demonstrates your experience in qualitative research within complex systems, ideally in healthcare, government, or a similarly regulated field.

• Highlight the "Why": Clearly articulate the research problem, objectives, and the business or policy context.

• Detail Your Process: Walk through your methodology step-by-step, explaining your choices (e.g., why you chose specific research methods, participant selection criteria).

• Showcase Synthesis: Present how you synthesized qualitative data, showing examples of raw data (anonymized) and how it led to key themes, findings, and insights.

• Emphasize Impact: Crucially, demonstrate the impact of your research. How did your findings influence decisions, design, strategy, or outcomes? Quantify impact where possible, or clearly articulate the qualitative influence.

• Address Challenges: Be ready to discuss challenges encountered (e.g., reluctant stakeholders, data limitations) and how you navigated them.

• Focus on Deliverables: Show examples of your actual deliverables (e.g., persona documents, journey maps, findings briefs, recommendations).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss hypothetical research scenarios related to healthcare data interoperability or government service delivery.

• Practice articulating complex research processes and findings concisely and clearly.

• Think about how you would approach understanding the needs of various stakeholders in the Pennsylvania rural health system.

• Be ready to discuss your familiarity with tools like Dovetail, Miro, or Mural and how you leverage them for synthesis and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process will heavily focus on your practical research skills, strategic thinking, and ability to translate complex findings into actionable recommendations for a high-stakes government project. Demonstrating domain interest and a clear understanding of the project's impact will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research & Synthesis: Dovetail (highly preferred), Mural, Miro, FigJam. Proficiency in at least one of these for organizing research data, affinity mapping, and collaborative synthesis is expected.

• Data Collection: Video conferencing tools for interviews (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), potentially survey tools for quick feedback or screening.

• Documentation: Standard office suite (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office) for creating reports, briefs, and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this research role, but an understanding of how research findings inform CRM strategies or automated workflows within government systems could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on tools that facilitate qualitative data organization, synthesis, and collaborative ideation. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their proficiency and preferred workflows using these tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: For People explicitly lists its core values:

• Passion: Deep commitment to improving digital services for vulnerable populations.

• Fun: Maintaining a positive and enjoyable work environment, even in challenging projects.

• Curiosity: A drive to deeply understand user needs and complex systems.

• Sustainability: Building lasting solutions and fostering healthy work-life balance.

• Humility: Approaching work with a sense of service and a willingness to learn from others.

• Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and treating all individuals with dignity.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote-First: Highly collaborative through digital channels, requiring proactive communication and engagement.

• Cross-Functional: Working closely with government agency staff and potentially other consultants (e.g., strategists, designers) to integrate research into broader project goals.

• User-Centered: All collaboration is geared towards ensuring the end-user's needs are at the forefront of decision-making.

• Transparent Communication: Emphasis on open sharing of findings, challenges, and progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and collaboration style align with For People's stated values. Empathy, a user-advocacy mindset, and a collaborative spirit are key indicators of cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Government Systems: Understanding and researching intricate, often bureaucratic, healthcare data systems and stakeholder landscapes.

• Engaging Reluctant Stakeholders: Working with individuals who may be time-constrained, resistant to change, or hesitant to share information.

• Synthesizing Disparate Information: Consolidating findings from numerous interviews and diverse sources into coherent, actionable insights.

• Translating Research into Policy Impact: Ensuring research findings are compelling enough to influence significant funding decisions and strategic direction.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in healthcare interoperability, rural health, and government digital transformation, which are critical and evolving fields.

• Strategic Research: Developing skills in conducting research that directly informs high-level policy and funding strategies.

• Government Sector Exposure: Understanding the unique dynamics and requirements of working within the public sector.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborating with a diverse team of technologists and strategists on complex problem-solving.

• Portfolio Impact: Building a strong portfolio with a high-profile project that demonstrates significant strategic influence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges but also immense opportunities for professional growth, particularly for researchers looking to make a substantial impact in the public sector and deepen their expertise in specialized domains.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to research a complex, regulated system with many stakeholders. How did you approach understanding the landscape and identifying key pain points?" (Focus on your systematic approach, stakeholder mapping, and method selection.)

• "How would you go about building personas for rural healthcare providers in Pennsylvania, given potential challenges in recruitment and access?" (Discuss your recruitment strategies, research methods suitable for rural/busy populations, and how you'd ensure personas are actionable.)

• "Imagine you discover a critical data interoperability issue that impacts patient care. How would you synthesize this finding and present it to state Medicaid officials to ensure it influences funding decisions?" (Highlight your synthesis process, ability to frame findings in terms of policy impact, and executive communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about For People's mission and our work with government digital services?" (Connect your passion to their mission and the impact on vulnerable populations.)

• "How do you prioritize work-life balance, and what are your expectations for a remote work environment?" (Align with their emphasis on sustainability and healthy expectations.)

• "Describe your experience working in a remote-first team. What strategies do you use to stay connected and collaborate effectively?" (Showcase your proactive communication and remote work skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Aim for a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role & Process -> Key Findings & Insights -> Recommendations & Impact.

• Visuals: Use anonymized screenshots of your deliverables (personas, journey maps, synthesis boards) to illustrate your work.

• Storytelling: Frame your case study as a story of discovery, problem-solving, and impact.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

• Quantify: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your research (e.g., "This insight led to X change," or "Our recommendations were adopted for Y initiative"). If not quantifiable, clearly articulate the qualitative influence.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to briefly discuss how you used tools like Miro or Dovetail in your process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, strong qualitative research execution, impactful synthesis, and excellent communication skills, all tailored to the specific context of government healthcare and rural populations. Showing genuine interest in the mission is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the For People careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Select 1-2 key projects from your portfolio that best showcase your experience in qualitative research within complex, regulated environments, ideally related to healthcare or government. Ensure these highlight your ability to conduct stakeholder interviews, develop personas, map journeys, and synthesize findings into strategic recommendations.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 6+ years of user research experience, specific qualitative methodologies used, experience with government/healthcare projects, and proficiency with relevant synthesis tools (Dovetail, Miro, etc.). Quantify achievements and impact where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, key findings, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your approach to stakeholder management, synthesis, and delivering actionable insights in a government context. Review For People's values and mission to articulate your alignment.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review For People's website (https://forpeople.us) to understand their mission, approach, and past projects. Research the context of rural health transformation in Pennsylvania and the challenges of healthcare data interoperability to demonstrate your understanding of the project's significance.

⚠️ 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. The role is for an independent contractor, and candidates should understand the implications of this employment type.