User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher

Company: Natural Cycles

Location: Stockholm, Sweden (Remote Friendly)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Research

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Remote Friendly (Hybrid encouraged for Stockholm-based team)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end user research initiatives to inform product strategy and design decisions within a fast-growing women's health company.

• Apply a diverse toolkit of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to uncover deep user needs and behaviors.

• Partner strategically with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts to embed user insights throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, compelling narratives to advocate for user-centered design across the organization.

• Evaluate user interaction with both digital products (app) and physical hardware, including considerations for medical device regulations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "User Researcher," its focus on informing product strategy, evaluating hardware, and working within a health/medical context suggests a strong overlap with product research, UX research, and even aspects of applied research within a regulated industry. The emphasis on partnering with product teams positions this as a critical, integrated role rather than a purely consultative one.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Research Leadership: Plan, execute, and manage comprehensive user research studies from inception to delivery, covering areas such as app experience optimization, hardware wearability, and new feature evaluation (e.g., in-app messaging).

• Methodological Expertise: Employ a robust mix of qualitative (user interviews, usability testing, diary studies) and quantitative (surveys, analytics triangulation) research methods, selecting the most appropriate approach for each research question.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a strategic partner to Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts, helping them develop and validate hypotheses and product ideas through user insights.

• Insight Communication & Advocacy: Synthesize research findings into actionable, compelling narratives and effectively present them to diverse stakeholders across the organization to champion user needs and drive data-informed decisions.

• User-Centered Design Champion: Proactively educate and influence team members on the value and application of user research, fostering a strong user-centric culture throughout Natural Cycles.

• Hardware & Wearability Evaluation: Collaborate with the Devices team to conduct studies evaluating user interaction with physical hardware, including device setup, long-term ergonomics, and wearability, with a keen eye on user experience and regulatory compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility of "Hardware & wearables" research, specifically mentioning "evaluate how users interact with our physical hardware" and "device setup, and the long-term ergonomics and wearability," indicates a need for research skills beyond typical software UX. This implies an understanding of physical product interaction, potentially including elements of industrial design research and user comfort over extended periods.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Minimum of 4 years of dedicated user research experience within a commercial product development environment. Experience in health-related products/services or medical devices is a significant plus.

Required Skills:

• User Research Expertise: Proven ability to lead and execute end-to-end research studies using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods.

• Methodological Proficiency: Deep understanding and practical application of user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and diary studies, with the ability to select appropriate methods for specific research objectives.

• Research Tool Proficiency: Experience with participant recruitment platforms (e.g., Maze, Prolific, UserInterviews) and a comfort level with analytics platforms (e.g., Mixpanel, Hotjar, Google Analytics) for data triangulation.

• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills, adept at building relationships and influencing cross-functional teams (Product, Design, Engineering, Data).

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to frame research questions that uncover deeper user needs and business opportunities, driving strategic product decisions.

• Professional English Fluency: Essential for communication within the international team and for documentation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in health-related products or services.

• Experience with usability testing for medical devices, particularly adherence to EN 62366 standards.

• Curiosity and willingness to learn about regulatory environments relevant to medical devices.

• Fluency in languages other than English.

• Familiarity with AI in research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Minimum of 4 years of experience as a user researcher in a commercial product setting" clearly defines this as a mid-level to senior role. The mention of "EN 62366 standards" is a critical differentiator for candidates, indicating a need to understand regulatory compliance in medical device usability, which is a specialized skill.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio showcasing a variety of research projects, detailing the research questions, methodologies employed, your role in the process, key findings, and the impact of your insights on product decisions.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations for product teams.

• Examples of how you have partnered with cross-functional teams (PMs, Designers, Engineers) to integrate user insights into the product development lifecycle.

• Evidence of your ability to select and apply appropriate research methods for different stages of product development and for varying research objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to planning and scoping research projects, including defining research objectives and timelines.

• Demonstrate your methods for participant recruitment and management, especially for specialized user groups or sensitive topics.

• Illustrate your process for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data to derive meaningful insights.

• Provide examples of how you have communicated research findings effectively to diverse audiences, using compelling storytelling and clear data visualization.

• Detail your experience in advocating for user-centered design principles and influencing product roadmaps based on research outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a User Researcher role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as direct evidence of their ability to conduct research, synthesize findings, and drive impact. The emphasis on "impactful projects," "strategic partner," and "advocate for user-centered design" means the portfolio needs to go beyond just showing what research was done, to demonstrating how it influenced product direction and business outcomes. The mention of "hardware & wearables" and "EN 62366" suggests that any portfolio examples related to physical products or regulated environments would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

For a User Researcher with 4+ years of experience in Stockholm, Sweden, the estimated salary range would be approximately 55,000 - 75,000 SEK per month (gross), or 660,000 - 900,000 SEK annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for UX/Product Researchers in major Swedish tech hubs, considering the company's startup nature and the specific skills required (including potential medical device experience).

Benefits:

• Flexible work arrangement, supporting effective collaboration and transparent communication regardless of physical location.

• Professional development opportunities, working alongside knowledgeable colleagues in a continuous growth and skill enhancement environment.

• Relocation support for candidates moving to Sweden.

• Opportunity to leverage innovative technologies and tools in an environment that empowers idea contribution and ownership.

• Involvement in groundbreaking projects that redefine industry standards and create tangible value in women's health.

• Commitment to quality and long-term product development within a dynamic and progressive organization.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility as indicated by the "Flexible work arrangement" benefit. The role is full-time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research into UX/Product Researcher salaries in Stockholm, Sweden, using sources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and local recruitment agency reports. The range accounts for variations in experience within the 4+ year bracket and potential specialization (e.g., medical device research). The provided benefits are directly extracted from the job description and highlighted for their relevance to operations and tech professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Women's Health Technology, Health & Wellness, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD). Natural Cycles operates at the intersection of technology, health, and regulated medical devices, pioneering digital health solutions.

Company Size: The description mentions "fast growing startup" and "millions globally" for user base. This implies a dynamic, agile environment with a significant user reach, likely in the range of 200-500 employees, growing rapidly. For operations professionals, this means opportunities for significant impact, potential for evolving processes, and a hands-on approach.

Founded: Natural Cycles was founded in 2013, bringing over a decade of experience in developing and scaling its core product. This maturity provides a stable foundation while still operating with startup agility.

Team Structure:

• The User Research team is integrated directly with Product teams, suggesting a collaborative, embedded model rather than a centralized, siloed research department.

• The role involves partnering with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts, indicating strong cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect of the daily workflow.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: The company emphasizes using research and data to inform product strategy and design.

• User-Centric Approach: A core tenet is to empower women with knowledge and create valuable, intuitive experiences based on user needs.

• Agile & Iterative: As a fast-growing startup, development is likely agile, with continuous iteration and improvement driven by user feedback and research insights.

• Regulatory Compliance: Given the nature of the product (birth control app, potential medical device classification), a strong emphasis on quality, safety, and adherence to regulatory standards (like EN 62366) is implied.

Company Website: https://career.naturalcycles.com (and likely https://www.naturalcycles.com for product information)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on women's health, a regulated medical device, and a global user base of millions suggests a professional, quality-conscious, and data-informed operational environment. For operations roles, this means a need for meticulousness, an understanding of compliance, and a desire to contribute to impactful health outcomes. The "fast growing startup" aspect implies a dynamic environment where processes are likely being refined and scaled.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior User Researcher (4+ years experience). It requires independent leadership of research projects and strategic partnership with product teams. The scope involves both digital and hardware products, offering a breadth of experience.

Reporting Structure: The User Researcher will "partner directly with our Product teams" and "Work closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and data analysts." While the direct reporting manager isn't specified, the emphasis suggests embedding within product squads, reporting to a Head of Research, UX Lead, or Product Lead, with significant autonomy in day-to-day research execution.

Operations Impact: The User Researcher's insights will directly influence product strategy, feature development, and user experience design for a product used by millions. This role has a tangible impact on user satisfaction, product adoption, and ultimately, the company's mission to pioneer women's health through empowering knowledge. The ability to influence decisions across product teams means a significant impact on the company's success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in medical device usability research, hardware research, or specific areas of women's health research.

• Leadership: Grow into a Senior User Researcher, Lead User Researcher, or potentially manage a User Research team as the company scales.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain experience in product strategy, data analysis triangulation, and working within regulated environments, enhancing overall product development acumen.

• Industry Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in the rapidly evolving field of digital health and women's health technology.

• Global Exposure: Work within an international team, gaining experience in diverse market needs and collaboration styles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4+ years" experience requirement and the expectation to "Lead the research" and act as a "strategic partner" clearly indicate a mid-to-senior level role. The growth opportunities are substantial, given the company's growth trajectory and the critical nature of user research in a health tech/medical device context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates with a "remote-friendly" policy but also "finds great value in being able to connect with our teams in person." The core User Research team is based in Stockholm. This suggests a hybrid model is preferred for those in Stockholm, with opportunities for in-person collaboration, team events, and spontaneous interactions. For remote employees, it implies a strong emphasis on digital collaboration tools and asynchronous communication.

Office Location(s): Stockholm, Sweden (primary team location), Geneva, Switzerland, and New York, USA. Remote employees are also part of the team.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on partnering with product teams and the hybrid/remote-friendly approach necessitates strong digital collaboration tools and a culture that embraces both synchronous and asynchronous communication.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Expect access to standard UX research tools (e.g., Maze, Prolific, UserInterviews), analytics platforms (Mixpanel, Hotjar, Google Analytics), and collaboration suites (Slack, Jira, Confluence, etc.).

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular virtual stand-ups, team meetings, and in-person gatherings (for Stockholm-based employees) will facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The "flexible work arrangement" suggests some autonomy over daily scheduling, provided work is completed effectively and collaboration needs are met. This is common in tech companies, especially those with international teams to accommodate different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-friendly" but "in-person connection value" points to a hybrid approach. For operations roles, this means a reliance on robust digital infrastructure for collaboration and process management, alongside potential for in-person strategic planning or team building. The Stockholm office location is key for those seeking hybrid opportunities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit CV and answer questions via the career site. Applications via email are not accepted due to GDPR.

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against role requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, motivation, and fit with the team and company culture. This often includes role-specific behavioral questions.

• Research Task/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home research exercise or present a case study from their portfolio. This assesses practical research skills, analytical thinking, and communication abilities.

• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Designers, or Engineers to evaluate collaboration skills, ability to integrate insights into product development, and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, VP of Engineering) to assess strategic alignment and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure & Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the methodology, key findings, and the impact. Use a clean, easy-to-navigate format.

• Showcase Impact: Don't just describe the research; demonstrate its influence. Quantify the impact where possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in feature adoption," "identified a critical usability issue that was resolved").

• Methodological Diversity: Highlight your proficiency in various qualitative and quantitative methods, explaining why you chose specific methods for particular problems.

• Problem Framing: Demonstrate your ability to translate business needs into research questions and to identify deeper user needs beyond surface-level requests.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Include examples of how you've worked with engineers, designers, and product managers, illustrating your communication and influence skills.

• Medical Device Context: If you have experience with EN 62366 or other medical device regulations, highlight these projects prominently. If not, express your enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with Natural Cycles' app and hardware. Understand their mission, target audience, and competitive landscape.

• Anticipate Research Questions: Think about potential research questions related to their current product, upcoming features, or user segments.

• Practice Presenting: Be ready to walk through a portfolio case study clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your process, decisions, and impact.

• Articulate Strategic Value: Be prepared to explain how user research drives business value and strategic decision-making, not just how to conduct studies.

• Regulatory Awareness: If a case study involves a regulated product, be prepared to discuss considerations for compliance and safety.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio showcasing a variety of research projects" and the requirement to "present your insights to stakeholders throughout the organization" means candidates must be prepared to articulate their work effectively. The specific mention of "hardware & wearables" and "EN 62366" suggests that any portfolio pieces touching on physical products or regulated environments will be highly scrutinized and valued.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Participant Recruitment & Management: Maze, Prolific, UserInterviews.

• Analytics & Behavioral Data: Mixpanel, Hotjar, Google Analytics.

• General Research & Collaboration: Standard productivity suites (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office), collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana), and potentially specialized UX research platforms.

• Hardware/Medical Device Research: While specific tools aren't listed, familiarity with methods for evaluating physical product interaction, ergonomics, and potentially prototyping tools would be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Triangulation: Experience in combining qualitative insights with quantitative behavioral data from analytics platforms to form a coherent understanding of user behavior.

• Reporting Tools: Proficiency in creating clear, compelling reports and presentations that synthesize research findings for diverse audiences.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly mentioned for the User Researcher role, understanding how user research insights can feed into CRM strategies or influence automated user journeys (e.g., in-app messaging) is a plus. Familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (like HubSpot) can provide context for how user insights translate into business actions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Maze, Prolific, UserInterviews, Mixpanel, Hotjar, and Google Analytics is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these specific tools and how they leverage them. The inclusion of "AI in research" as a plus suggests an openness to exploring new technologies in the research toolkit.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs and preferences in all product decisions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on research, user feedback, and analytics to guide strategy and development.

• Quality & Rigor: Particularly important given the health and potential medical device nature of the product, implying a focus on meticulous research and adherence to standards.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and strong partnerships across cross-functional teams are essential for success.

• Innovation & Impact: A drive to pioneer women's health solutions and create tangible value for users globally.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded within Product Teams: Working closely and continuously with PMs, Designers, and Engineers, fostering a shared understanding of user needs.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Actively seeking input from and providing insights to various departments, including Data Analysts and potentially Marketing or Device teams.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing research findings and best practices, likely through presentations, documentation, and informal discussions.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving feedback on research approaches and findings, and providing constructive feedback to colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in women's health and its position as a tech-enabled medical device company imply a culture that values both innovation and a high degree of responsibility and ethical consideration. For operations roles, this translates to a need for diligence, a commitment to quality, and a collaborative spirit to achieve impactful outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: Effectively advocating for user needs while understanding and navigating product roadmaps, technical limitations, and business goals.

• Integrating Research in a Fast-Paced Startup: Ensuring research insights are delivered in a timely manner to keep pace with rapid product development cycles.

• Researching Both Digital and Hardware Products: Adapting research methodologies to effectively evaluate both software interfaces and physical hardware, including wearability and ergonomics.

• Navigating a Regulated Environment: Understanding and adhering to relevant medical device regulations (e.g., EN 62366) in research design and reporting, especially for a product in the health sector.

• Triangulating Diverse Data Sources: Effectively combining qualitative insights, quantitative behavioral data, and potentially A/B test results to form comprehensive conclusions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Research Skills: Deepen expertise in areas like hardware usability, medical device research, or advanced quantitative methods.

• Product Strategy Influence: Gain experience in directly shaping product strategy and roadmaps through impactful research.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Learn from product managers, designers, engineers, and data analysts, broadening understanding of the product development ecosystem.

• Regulatory Landscape: Develop a strong understanding of the regulatory requirements for digital health and medical devices.

• Global Product Development: Contribute to products used by a diverse, international user base, understanding global market nuances.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexity of working in a health tech startup with both digital and hardware components, and within a regulated industry. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to develop specialized skills and gain broad product development experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision with research findings when there was resistance from stakeholders. How did you approach it?" (Focus on communication, persuasion, and data-driven advocacy.)

• "How would you approach researching a new feature for our app, like in-app messaging, to ensure it meets user needs and provides value?" (Assess your research planning, methodology selection, and user-centric approach.)

• "Imagine our hardware device is experiencing user complaints about comfort during extended wear. How would you design a research study to diagnose and address this issue?" (Tests your ability to handle hardware research, ergonomics, and problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Natural Cycles and our mission in women's health?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's purpose.)

• "How do you stay updated on best practices in user research, especially in health tech?" (Demonstrates continuous learning and industry awareness.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment. What are its pros and cons for a researcher?" (Shows adaptability and understanding of startup dynamics.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select High-Impact Cases: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research process, strategic thinking, and demonstrable impact. Prioritize projects relevant to health tech, digital products, or hardware if possible.

• Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative: the problem, your approach, your key discoveries, and the outcome/impact.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially if you worked in a team.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodological choices, participant recruitment, data analysis, and how you handled challenges.

• Connect to Natural Cycles: Where possible, draw parallels between your past work and the challenges or opportunities at Natural Cycles.

• Address Regulatory Aspects: If you have relevant experience (EN 62366), be prepared to discuss it in detail. If not, express your keen interest in learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on anticipating questions related to the specific responsibilities and context of Natural Cycles – health tech, hardware, regulatory environment, and startup pace. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes demonstrating impact and strategic thinking, crucial for a role that partners directly with product teams.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Researcher position:

• Submit your application directly through the Natural Cycles career site. Ensure all required fields are completed, and your CV is uploaded.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful user research projects to showcase. Focus on projects that demonstrate end-to-end research, strategic influence, and tangible outcomes. Tailor your portfolio to highlight experience relevant to health tech, digital products, and ideally, hardware or regulated environments.

• Optimize Your Resume/CV: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 4+ years of user research experience, proficiency in key methodologies (qualitative/quantitative), experience with relevant tools (Maze, Mixpanel, etc.), and any health/medical device experience. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through one of your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, your strategic contribution, and the impact of your research. Be ready to articulate how your skills align with Natural Cycles' mission and product challenges.

• Research Natural Cycles: Thoroughly understand Natural Cycles' product, mission, target audience, and the women's health landscape. Familiarize yourself with their app and any available information on their hardware. This will help you tailor your answers and ask insightful questions.

⚠️ 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.