Senior UX Researcher, Labs, Generative Media

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher, Labs, Generative Media

Company: Google

Location: Mountain View, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Development

Date Posted: May 13, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute end-to-end UX research studies to inform the development of cutting-edge Generative AI products within the media and marketing space.

• Act as a critical voice of the user, translating complex user behaviors and motivations into actionable insights that shape product strategy and roadmap.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and other UX researchers, throughout the entire product lifecycle.

• Drive impact in a fast-paced, "0 to 1" product incubation environment, ensuring new Google products and capabilities are useful, usable, and impactful.

• Stay at the forefront of AI innovation by actively experimenting with and understanding generative AI tools and their potential alignment with user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Google's "Labs" group, focusing on early-stage product incubation and the application of new technologies. The emphasis on "Generative Media" and "0 to 1 product" development indicates a need for researchers who are comfortable with ambiguity, strategic thinking, and driving foundational user understanding for novel products. The "Senior" title implies a need for leadership in research design, execution, and influencing product direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, lead, and execute a comprehensive program of user research studies, leveraging a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies (e.g., field studies, interviews, diary studies, ethnography, surveys, usability testing, logs analysis).

• Partner closely with Labs Gen Media leads, Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineers across the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to launch and iteration.

• Proactively identify key strategic learning questions and design research plans to address them, ensuring the team meets crucial milestones by launching to learn.

• Cultivate and maintain a deep, informed point-of-view on how emerging generative AI capabilities can be effectively translated to meet user needs in the media and marketing domains.

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

• Contribute to defining and embodying the innovative culture of the Labs group, fostering a user-centric approach to early-stage product development.

• Independently manage research projects, including scope definition, timeline management, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Champion the voice of the user within the product team, advocating for user needs and ensuring that product decisions are data-informed and user-centric.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is on research execution, the emphasis on "influencing product strategy" and "0 to 1 product team" suggests that this role requires a strategic researcher who can not only gather data but also synthesize it into compelling narratives and recommendations that drive significant product direction. The responsibility for "defining and embodying the culture of Labs" points to a proactive and influential role beyond just research execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in an applied research setting (e.g., product UX research, academic research focused on user behavior), or similar.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience conducting UX research on consumer-facing products, with a proven track record of influencing product strategy and working with executive leadership (e.g., Director level and above).

• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing complex research projects, especially within large, matrixed organizations.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in a wide range of research methods, including but not limited to: usability studies, contextual inquiries, in-depth 1:1 interviews, unmoderated research studies, field studies, diary studies, and ethnography.

• Proficiency in designing and executing both qualitative and quantitative research studies, including surveys and basic logs analysis.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data from multiple sources into clear, actionable insights.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate research findings and their implications to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and cross-functionally with Product Managers, Engineers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders.

• Experience in product development lifecycle, contributing research insights at various stages.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the AI gaming or media space, with a nuanced understanding of user needs and behaviors in these domains.

• Experience working within large, matrixed organizations, navigating complex stakeholder landscapes.

• Familiarity with or a strong interest in Generative AI technologies and their application in media and marketing.

• Experience with strategic learning programs and defining research roadmaps for early-stage products.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across technical teams, understanding technical constraints and opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The minimum requirement of 6 years of experience combined with the preferred 5 years of executive leadership interaction and 3 years of project management in a large organization clearly defines a senior-level role. The emphasis on "0 to 1 product development" and "Generative AI" suggests a need for researchers who are not only skilled in traditional methods but also can adapt to rapidly evolving technological landscapes and product concepts.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 end-to-end research projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of research design, execution, analysis, and impact.

• For each project, clearly articulate the research problem, the methodologies employed, the key findings, and the concrete impact on product decisions or user experience.

• Highlight projects that involved influencing product strategy or informing "0 to 1" product development, demonstrating an ability to drive foundational insights.

• Include examples of how research was used to address user needs in emerging technology areas or novel product concepts.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of designing and executing strategic learning programs that guided product development.

• Showcase examples of research process documentation, including study plans, research protocols, and debrief summaries.

• Illustrate how research insights were integrated into product development workflows and decision-making processes.

• Include examples of how research findings were communicated and disseminated to cross-functional teams to drive alignment and action.

• Demonstrate experience in adapting research processes to the unique demands of fast-moving, early-stage product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Labs" and "0 to 1" nature of this role, portfolios that emphasize foundational research, strategic insight generation, and influencing early product direction will be highly valued. Candidates should be prepared to discuss not just what they researched, but why and how their research directly shaped the nascent product.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $159,000 to $231,000 per year.

• Methodology: This range is provided by Google based on the role, level, and location (Mountain View, CA). The identified range aligns with senior UX Researcher positions in high-cost-of-living areas like the San Francisco Bay Area, considering Google's compensation philosophy for experienced professionals.

• Regional Context: Mountain View, California, is a high-cost-of-living area, and this salary range reflects that. It is competitive for senior-level research roles in the tech industry in this region.

Benefits:

• Bonus: Performance-based bonus opportunities are provided.

• Equity: Stock options or grants are part of the total compensation package, aligning employee success with company growth.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with potential company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Parental Leave: Supportive policies for new parents.

• Professional Development: Access to learning resources, conferences, and internal training programs.

• On-site Amenities: Depending on the specific Google office, this can include cafeterias, fitness centers, and other conveniences.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week.

• While on-site presence is expected, Google often offers flexibility in daily work schedules, allowing for adjustments based on team needs and project demands. The focus is on impact and meeting project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary range is a base salary only. The inclusion of "bonus" and "equity" signifies a robust total compensation package typical for senior roles at major tech companies. The explicit mention of benefits and the link provided for more details are standard for Google job postings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Internet Services, Artificial Intelligence, Generative Media

Company Size: Google is a large, publicly traded company with tens of thousands of employees globally, categorized as a "Mega-size" organization. This scale offers extensive resources, opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies and projects.

Founded: Google was founded in 1998. The company's history is marked by continuous innovation, a user-centric philosophy, and a drive to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. This ethos is foundational to all its product development efforts, including those within Labs.

Team Structure:

• Labs Group: This is a specialized unit within Google focused on incubating early-stage, high-potential initiatives. It operates with a degree of autonomy, encouraging experimentation and rapid iteration.

• UX Research Community: Researchers at Google are part of a large, supportive community that offers mentorship, knowledge sharing, regular meetups, and access to exclusive internal tools and resources. This community fosters professional growth and best practice sharing.

• Product Team: The immediate team for this role is a fast-moving "0 to 1" product team within Generative Media. It includes Leads, Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineers, all working collaboratively towards defining and building new product experiences.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: Google's core philosophy, "Focus on the user and all else will follow," permeates all product development, with UXR playing a pivotal role in embedding user needs into design.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Research insights are critical for informing product strategy, feature prioritization, and design iterations.

• Agile/Iterative Development: The "0 to 1" environment necessitates rapid experimentation, learning, and iteration, with research providing the feedback loops for this process.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A strong emphasis is placed on tight collaboration between research, product, design, and engineering to ensure holistic product development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Labs" context implies a culture of innovation, risk-taking, and rapid development, contrasting with more established product lines. The emphasis on "Generative Media" suggests the team is working on novel applications of AI in content creation, distribution, or consumption.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior UX Researcher. At Google, "Senior" typically signifies a high level of individual contribution, the ability to lead complex projects independently, mentor junior team members, and significantly influence product direction. For a UX Researcher, this means owning significant research initiatives, shaping research strategy within a product area, and having a demonstrable impact on key product decisions.

Reporting Structure:

• The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a Lead UX Researcher or a Director/Manager overseeing the UX Research function within Labs or a related product area.

Operations Impact:

• The primary impact of this role is on shaping the direction and success of new, experimental Generative AI products in the media space.

• By ensuring these products are deeply aligned with user needs and behaviors, the researcher directly influences user adoption, engagement, and the overall value proposition of these nascent offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in Generative AI research methodologies, AI ethics in research, and specific applications within media and marketing.

• Leadership: Progress to Lead UX Researcher roles, managing a team of researchers, defining research strategy for larger product areas, or taking on more strategic advisory roles.

• Cross-functional Influence: Expand influence across broader product groups or into program management roles related to AI product development.

• Mentorship: Mentor junior researchers, contributing to the growth of the UX Research community at Google.

• Industry Contribution: Potentially contribute to external publications, conferences, or internal best practice development related to AI and UX research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "0 to 1" and "Labs" environment offers unique growth opportunities in shaping entirely new product categories. The focus on advanced AI technologies positions the researcher at the cutting edge of tech innovation, providing substantial career development potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, implying work within a Google office location. Google offices are known for their modern, collaborative, and amenity-rich environments designed to foster innovation and employee well-being.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Mountain View, California, at Google's main campus. This location offers state-of-the-art facilities and is a hub for many of Google's core product and research teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Google offices feature a variety of collaboration zones, meeting rooms, and open areas designed to facilitate spontaneous and planned teamwork.

• Tools & Technology: Researchers will have access to Google's internal research platforms, collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace), and potentially specialized hardware or software for AI experimentation.

• Team Interaction: Proximity to the core product team (PM, Eng, UX) fosters seamless day-to-day interaction, enabling rapid feedback loops and integrated problem-solving.

• Community Engagement: Being part of the broader UX Research community at Google allows for networking, knowledge sharing, and cross-pollination of ideas.

Work Schedule:

• While the role is full-time (approx. 40 hours/week), Google generally offers flexibility in daily start and end times, allowing researchers to structure their workday around personal needs and team collaboration requirements.

• The "0 to 1" nature of the Labs team might involve periods of intense focus and collaboration to meet critical development milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Mountain View suggests a highly integrated team environment where close collaboration with product and engineering is paramount. The office amenities are designed to support productivity and well-being, crucial for demanding roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

The interview process at Google is typically rigorous and designed to assess a candidate's skills, experience, and cultural fit. For a Senior UX Researcher role, expect a multi-stage process:

1. Recruiter Screen: Initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and interest.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into your research experience, project leadership, strategic thinking, and understanding of the role's requirements. This may include discussion of your portfolio.

3. Research Skills Interview(s): Focus on your approach to research design, methodology expertise, data analysis, and ability to generate actionable insights. You might be asked to walk through specific research projects.

4. Cross-functional Collaboration Interview: Assessment of your ability to partner effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and Designers, influencing their work and integrating research into their processes.

5. Product/Strategic Thinking Interview: Evaluation of your ability to understand product goals, identify strategic research questions, and contribute to product strategy. This is particularly crucial for a "0 to 1" role.

6. On-site (or Virtual On-site) Loop: Typically consists of several interviews covering the above areas, often including a portfolio review session.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your senior-level capabilities, especially those involving early-stage products, complex problems, or significant strategic influence.

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly outline:

  • The Problem/Opportunity: What was the core question or challenge?
  • Your Role & Responsibilities: What specific contributions did you make?
  • Methodology: Why did you choose these methods?
  • Process: How did you execute the research?
  • Key Findings: What were the most critical insights?
  • Impact & Outcomes: How did your research influence product decisions, strategy, or user experience? Quantify impact where possible.

• Highlight "0 to 1" Experience: If you have experience with products from conception or early validation, emphasize this. Discuss how you identified foundational user needs and informed initial product direction.

• Showcase Generative AI Relevance: If possible, include projects that touch upon emerging technologies or complex user interactions, even if not directly AI. Discuss your adaptability to new domains.

• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to dive deep into any aspect of your projects, from methodological choices to the nuances of your data analysis and the challenges you faced.

• Tailor to Google: Understand Google's user-centric philosophy and "Launch and Learn" approach, and frame your experiences accordingly.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Product Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical product or feature design challenge where you'll need to outline a research plan to validate its viability or identify user needs.

• Research Strategy Design: You might be asked to design a research strategy for a given product goal within a limited timeframe.

• Insight Synthesis: You may be presented with simulated research data and asked to synthesize insights and propose product recommendations.

• Collaboration Simulation: Practice articulating how you would collaborate with PMs and Engineers on a new product initiative.

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's interview process often includes behavioral questions tied to Google's values and leadership principles. Candidates should prepare examples demonstrating their ability to lead, take ownership, and collaborate effectively. The portfolio review is a critical component for UX roles, so preparation here is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Google's internal suite of research tools for study design, participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis.

• Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet) for documentation, collaboration, and presentations.

• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools used by UX designers (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to understand and critique prototypes.

• Data Analysis Software: Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS) or qualitative analysis tools (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Looker (Google's own), or similar for creating dashboards and reporting on research findings and product performance.

• Web Analytics: Understanding of web analytics principles and tools (e.g., Google Analytics) for interpreting user behavior data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how research can inform CRM strategies or automated user journeys is a plus.

• Familiarity with A/B testing platforms and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While Google has its own internal tools, the emphasis on general capabilities like data analysis, visualization, and collaboration software is important. For this role, the ability to understand and critically evaluate emerging technologies like Generative AI tools is paramount, even if specific tool names aren't listed.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Focus on the User: This is Google's foundational value. Every decision, especially in Labs, must be grounded in understanding and serving user needs.

• Innovation & Experimentation: The Labs environment thrives on pushing boundaries, trying new things, and embracing a "fail fast, learn faster" mentality.

• Data-Driven Insights: Decisions are informed by rigorous research and analysis, ensuring that product development is not based on assumptions but on evidence.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong partnerships across disciplines (UXR, PM, Eng, Design) are essential for building successful products.

• Impact & Ownership: Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their work and drive meaningful impact, especially in shaping new product initiatives.

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to understanding and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including Generative AI, to solve user problems.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Expect to work in tight-knit, cross-functional teams where collaboration is constant and organic.

• Open Communication: A culture of open dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing is encouraged.

• Proactive Partnership: Researchers are expected to proactively engage with PMs, Designers, and Engineers, integrating research into their workflows rather than operating in a silo.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: The "Launch and Learn" approach means continuous feedback and rapid iteration, requiring researchers to be agile and responsive.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of innovation, user focus, and collaboration are central to Google's culture, particularly within experimental groups like Labs. The ability to be a proactive, integrated team member is key to success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity in "0 to 1" Development: Navigating the inherent uncertainty of incubating entirely new products and defining their core value proposition.

• Rapid Pace of Innovation: Keeping pace with the fast evolution of Generative AI technologies and their potential applications.

• Balancing Exploration and Execution: Effectively scoping strategic learning programs while also meeting the immediate research needs of a fast-moving product team.

• Defining Novel User Needs: Identifying and validating user needs for product categories that may not yet exist or are poorly understood.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in on research findings and their implications across diverse technical and product stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge AI Research: Direct exposure to and research on state-of-the-art Generative AI applications in media and marketing.

• Strategic Product Influence: Opportunities to shape the foundational strategy and direction of new Google products.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior researchers and leaders for guidance and career development.

• Internal Workshops & Training: Continuous learning opportunities on research methodologies, AI trends, and product development best practices.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend and present at leading UX research and AI conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in being at the forefront of AI-driven product innovation. This role offers a chance to define the future of how users interact with Generative AI in media and marketing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define a research strategy for a completely new product or feature with significant ambiguity. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for scoping, methodology selection, and driving clarity.)

• "How would you approach researching user needs for a Generative AI tool aimed at content creators in the media space? What are the key considerations and potential pitfalls?" (Demonstrate your understanding of user needs in AI contexts and your ability to design for novelty.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Given Google's 'Focus on the user' mantra, how would you ensure this principle guides the development of a new Generative AI product in Labs?" (Connect your research philosophy to Google's core values.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to influence executive leadership with your research findings. How did you tailor your communication and what was the impact?" (Showcase your ability to communicate complex findings persuasively to senior stakeholders.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative with a clear beginning (problem), middle (your research process), and end (impact).

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the tangible results of your research (e.g., "led to a X% increase in user satisfaction," "informed a product pivot that saved Y development hours").

• Highlight Strategic Input: Emphasize how your research directly influenced product strategy, roadmap decisions, or the definition of key product features, especially for early-stage products.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Showcase your ability to adapt research methods to new domains or technologies, such as Generative AI.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodological choices, data analysis, challenges faced, and alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Google often uses a structured interviewing approach. Candidates should prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions and be ready to articulate their thought process clearly for strategy and design questions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position at Google:

• Submit your application through the official Google Careers portal via the provided link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in applied research, product development (especially "0 to 1"), and any familiarity with AI, media, or marketing technologies. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-5 of your strongest research projects that demonstrate senior-level impact, strategic influence, and ideally, experience with novel product concepts or emerging technologies. Ensure each project clearly articulates the problem, your role, methodology, findings, and impact.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on clear storytelling, quantifiable impact, and articulately explaining your research process and strategic contributions. Be ready for a deep dive into any aspect of your work.

• Research Google Labs & Generative Media: Familiarize yourself with Google's "Labs" mission, their approach to incubating new products, and the broader landscape of Generative AI in media and marketing. Understand Google's user-centric philosophy and "Launch and Learn" methodology.

⚠️ 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.