User Researcher, Consumer (Part-Time Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher, Consumer (Part-Time Contract)

Company: Maven Clinic

Location: Remote (US-based)

Job Type: Part-Time Contract

Category: User Research, Product Operations, GTM Operations

Date Posted: August 12, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive critical product decisions through end-to-end user research for Maven Clinic's new direct-to-consumer business, focusing on areas like GLP-1 care and virtual clinic trust.

• Execute a full spectrum of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, from user interviews and usability sessions to survey design and analysis, to uncover actionable consumer insights.

• Collaborate closely with product and design teams to define research questions, scope studies, and translate complex data into clear, decision-ready recommendations.

• Contribute to the strategic development of research operations by shaping tooling, processes, and best practices as the consumer team scales.

• Operate with a high degree of autonomy as a contractor, managing the entire research lifecycle with minimal oversight and delivering impactful insights within fast-paced weekly ship cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Product Operations and GTM Operations due to its direct impact on product development strategy and go-to-market decision-making through user insights. The emphasis on "consumer business" and "direct-to-consumer" suggests a strong GTM component where understanding user acquisition, retention, and conversion funnels is crucial.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with product managers and designers to identify key user questions, define research objectives, and scope impactful qualitative and quantitative studies.

• Own the complete research lifecycle, including developing detailed research plans, managing participant recruitment (in-house or via third-party platforms), conducting interviews and usability sessions, and performing rigorous data analysis and synthesis.

• Design and implement robust surveys with sound methodology to gather quantitative data, complementing qualitative findings for a comprehensive understanding of user behavior and needs.

• Effectively communicate research findings and actionable insights through crisp readouts to the core working team and digestible takeaways for broader organizational stakeholders, influencing product strategy and roadmap prioritization.

• Proactively contribute to the evolution of research practices by evaluating and recommending tooling, defining standardized processes, and establishing best practices for the growing consumer team.

• Conduct research on sensitive consumer topics within healthcare and tele-health, ensuring ethical considerations and building trust through methodological rigor and empathetic engagement.

• Analyze user journeys and conversion funnels to identify friction points and opportunities for optimization within the direct-to-consumer offering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a researcher who can operate strategically, not just tactically. The emphasis on "decision-ready insights" and "influencing product strategy" indicates this role is crucial for shaping the direction of the new consumer business.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Market Research, or a related field is often preferred for User Researcher roles, providing a foundational understanding of research methodologies.

Experience: 5+ years of hands-on user research experience, with a significant portion focused on consumer-facing products. Experience in a contract or consulting capacity, demonstrating the ability to operate independently and manage research projects end-to-end with minimal oversight.

Required Skills:

• User Research Expertise: 5+ years of experience conducting user research for consumer products.

• Mixed-Methods Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to design and execute both qualitative (user interviews, usability testing, ethnography) and quantitative (surveys, A/B testing analysis) research studies.

• Survey Design & Methodology: Proven experience designing sound surveys, selecting appropriate sampling methods, and analyzing quantitative data to derive meaningful insights.

• Participant Recruitment: Skilled in recruiting target participants for research studies, utilizing various channels or third-party platforms effectively.

• Synthesis & Communication: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, concise, and actionable insights for diverse audiences.

• Independent Execution: Track record of managing the full research lifecycle autonomously, from scoping and planning to execution, analysis, and reporting.

• Agile Environment Acumen: Comfort and experience working in fast-paced environments with weekly product release cycles, adapting research timelines and methods accordingly.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to effectively collaborate with and influence product managers, designers, and other stakeholders through compelling presentations and data-driven storytelling.

• AI-Augmented Methods: Familiarity with AI-augmented research tools and techniques to enhance efficiency and insight generation.

Preferred Skills:

• Healthcare/Tele-health Experience: Prior experience researching in the healthcare, tele-health, or other trust-sensitive consumer sectors.

• Subscription Product Research: Experience researching subscription-based models, understanding user retention, churn, and value proposition.

• Conversion Funnel Optimization: Familiarity with analyzing and researching user conversion funnels to identify drop-off points and areas for improvement.

• Research Operations Setup: Experience in establishing or scaling research practices, tooling, or processes within an early-stage team or department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" requirement, combined with the expectation of independent execution and mixed-methods range, points towards a mid-to-senior level researcher. The preference for healthcare/tele-health experience and subscription product knowledge is highly relevant given Maven's industry and business model.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of user research projects demonstrating end-to-end ownership, from initial problem definition to actionable insights.

• Include examples of both qualitative and quantitative studies, clearly articulating the research questions, methodologies used, and key findings.

• Present case studies that highlight how your research directly influenced product decisions, design iterations, or business outcomes (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction).

• Demonstrate proficiency in participant recruitment strategies and the ability to manage recruitment timelines and participant quality.

• Detail your approach to data synthesis and how you translate raw data into clear, compelling narratives and decision-ready recommendations. Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Development: Showcase examples of well-structured research plans, outlining objectives, target users, methodologies, timelines, and anticipated deliverables.

• Methodology Selection Rationale: Clearly explain why specific qualitative or quantitative methods were chosen for particular research questions, demonstrating strategic thinking.

• Insight Synthesis Frameworks: Illustrate your approach to synthesizing research data, potentially including affinity mapping, thematic analysis, or other structured methods.

• Deliverable Formats: Provide examples of research deliverables, such as slide decks, reports, or interactive dashboards, tailored for different stakeholder needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role emphasizing independent execution, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly communicate the candidate's ability to deliver value and drive impact with minimal supervision. Highlighting ROI or direct business impact from past research is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90 - $120 per hour. This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for experienced contract User Researchers in the US, considering the specialized nature of healthcare technology and consumer products.

Benefits:

• Hourly Compensation: Competitive hourly rate of $90 - $120.

• Flexible Contract Term: Initial 6-month contract with strong intent for extension or expansion, providing a degree of project continuity.

• Fully Remote Work: Opportunity to work from anywhere within the US, offering significant flexibility.

• Direct Impact: Chance to significantly influence the direction of a new direct-to-consumer business line.

Working Hours: Approximately 10-20 hours per week. This part-time structure allows for flexibility and can be managed around other commitments, while still requiring consistent engagement to keep pace with weekly product cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation is provided as an hourly rate for a 1099 contractor. It's crucial for candidates to understand this is not a W-2 employee position and therefore does not include standard employee benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. The provided range aligns with typical senior contract UX research rates in the US tech/health sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Health Technology (HealthTech), Virtual Care, Women's and Family Health. Maven Clinic operates at the intersection of healthcare and technology, focusing on providing accessible, high-quality care through its virtual platform. This industry demands a strong emphasis on trust, data privacy, and patient outcomes.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated for the contract role, Maven Clinic is a well-established company with significant funding and recognition, suggesting a mid-to-large-sized organization. This implies established processes but also a dynamic environment as they launch new business lines.

Founded: 2014. Founded by CEO Kate Ryder, Maven has a history of innovation and growth, consistently being recognized for its mission and workplace culture. This suggests a company with a clear vision and a commitment to its values.

Team Structure:

• Consumer Team Focus: The role is embedded within a newly forming direct-to-consumer business unit, working closely with product and design.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, and potentially marketing and engineering teams to integrate user insights into product development and go-to-market strategies.

• Independent Researcher Role: As a contract User Researcher, you will likely be the primary or sole researcher for this specific consumer team, requiring self-direction and proactive engagement.

Methodology:

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Maven emphasizes using real user insights to inform product strategy and development, particularly for its new consumer venture.

• Agile Development: The mention of "weekly ship cycles" indicates an agile development process where research needs to be timely and iterative.

• User-Centricity: The core mission of Maven Clinic revolves around making healthcare work for women and families, underscoring a deep commitment to user-centricity in all aspects of their service.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission and recognition (TIME100, CNBC Disruptor 50) suggest a high-performing, mission-driven culture. The context of launching a new consumer business implies an entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment within a larger, established organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This contract role is at a Senior User Researcher level, demanding significant autonomy and the ability to manage complex projects independently. It's ideal for experienced researchers looking to apply their expertise to a specific, high-impact project.

Reporting Structure: The researcher will report to a lead within the consumer product team (likely a Product Lead or Head of Product), working closely with design counterparts. While part of a larger organization, the day-to-day interaction will be focused on the immediate product team.

Operations Impact: The User Researcher will have a direct and substantial impact on the success of Maven's new direct-to-consumer business. By providing critical user insights, they will shape product roadmaps, inform user acquisition strategies, optimize conversion funnels, and ensure the product meets the evolving needs of women and families, thereby driving revenue growth and market penetration.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in the rapidly growing women's and family health tech space, specifically within direct-to-consumer models.

• Strategic Influence: Gain experience in shaping a new business line from its early stages, influencing product strategy and user experience at a foundational level.

• Process Development: Contribute to building and refining research operations and tooling, which can be a valuable experience for future leadership roles in research or product management.

• Expanded Contract: Potential for contract extension or expansion into other research areas within Maven Clinic based on performance and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, "growth" is often defined by the depth of experience gained on the project, the strategic influence wielded, and the potential for future engagements. This role offers significant opportunity in shaping a new market offering.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This position is designed for individuals who thrive in a remote work setting, requiring self-discipline and effective virtual communication.

Office Location(s): Open to candidates anywhere in the US, with specific state listings provided (AZ, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, KS, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, and WI). This broad geographic reach allows access to a diverse talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• Independent Work: The role necessitates a dedicated home office setup conducive to focused research activities, including conducting interviews and analyzing data.

• Virtual Collaboration Tools: Expect to utilize a suite of virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, Miro) for communication, meetings, and collaborative work sessions.

• Team Integration: Despite being remote, the role emphasizes close integration with the product and design teams, fostering a collaborative spirit through regular virtual check-ins and discussions.

Work Schedule: Flexible part-time schedule (10-20 hours/week). While hours can be flexible, the researcher must be available for scheduled participant interviews and team syncs, and able to deliver insights in line with weekly product development cadences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on remote work and the specific US state list indicates compliance with local employment regulations for contractors. The success of this role hinges on the candidate's ability to manage their remote work environment effectively and maintain strong virtual communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A preliminary review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience and fit for the contract role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your user research experience, methodology, and approach to independent contract work, likely including behavioral questions.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your research process, insights, and impact. Expect detailed questions about your decision-making and problem-solving.

• Team/Stakeholder Interview: Potentially an interview with product and/or design team members to assess collaboration style, communication, and how you integrate insights into product development.

• Offer & Onboarding: If successful, an offer for the contract position will be extended, followed by onboarding procedures.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research capabilities, mixed-methods expertise, and impact on consumer products. Prioritize projects relevant to healthcare, subscription models, or conversion funnels if possible.

• Structure for Clarity: For each case study, clearly outline: the problem/opportunity, your research objectives, the methodology used (and why), your key findings, and the actionable recommendations you provided.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, highlight the measurable impact of your research. Did it lead to increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced churn, or inform a significant product pivot?

• Showcase Synthesis: Demonstrate your ability to distill complex data into clear, compelling narratives. Use visuals where appropriate to illustrate findings and recommendations.

• Highlight Autonomy: For this role, explicitly show how you managed projects independently, from scoping and recruitment to analysis and reporting.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Defense: Be prepared to articulate and defend your choice of research methodologies for hypothetical or past projects.

• Insight Articulation: Practice clearly and concisely explaining your research findings and their implications for product strategy.

• Stakeholder Communication: Consider how you would present findings to different stakeholders (e.g., product managers, designers, executives) and tailor your communication style.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach ambiguous research problems or situations with tight deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio deep dive and the need to demonstrate independent execution suggests that the interview process will heavily rely on validating practical skills and past performance through concrete examples.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Familiarity with platforms for participant recruitment and management (e.g., UserTesting.com, Respondent.io, User Interviews).

• Survey Tools: Proficiency in survey design and deployment tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics, Google Forms).

• Collaboration Suites: Experience with tools like Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for documentation and presentations.

• Whiteboarding/Diagramming Tools: Proficiency in tools like Miro, Mural, or Figma for collaborative synthesis and ideation.

• Video Conferencing: Expertise in platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams for conducting interviews and team meetings.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Basic Data Analysis: Ability to analyze quantitative data from surveys using spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) or basic statistical functions.

• Presentation Software: Strong skills in creating clear and impactful presentations using tools like Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Keynote.

CRM & Automation:

• While not direct CRM/automation tools, an understanding of how user research insights feed into product roadmaps and marketing efforts is beneficial. Familiarity with how consumer products manage user data and conversion funnels is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a User Researcher is primarily focused on research execution and communication. The mention of "AI-augmented methods" suggests an openness to exploring newer tools that leverage AI for research efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experiences.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Valuing evidence-based insights derived from rigorous research to inform strategic choices.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Openness to sharing findings, methodologies, and working closely with cross-functional teams.

• Agility & Adaptability: Ability to respond quickly to evolving business needs and iterate on research plans in fast-paced environments.

• Impact & Outcome Orientation: Focus on delivering research that leads to tangible improvements and business results.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership with Product & Design: Working as an integrated partner, co-creating research plans and collaboratively interpreting findings.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing updates, insights, and potential roadblocks with the team and stakeholders.

• Feedback Integration: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback on research approaches and deliverables.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share research best practices and learnings to elevate the entire team's understanding of user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Maven Clinic's mission-driven nature suggests a culture that values purpose, impact, and collaboration. The emphasis on being "mission-driven" and "award-winning" points to a positive and supportive, yet high-achieving, work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of a New Business: Keeping research pace with weekly product ship cycles for a new, rapidly evolving direct-to-consumer offering.

• Defining a New Practice: Contributing to the establishment of research processes and tooling for a nascent consumer business unit.

• Balancing Qualitative & Quantitative: Effectively integrating mixed-methods research to provide comprehensive insights within project constraints.

• Impact Measurement: Demonstrating the direct ROI and impact of research in a fast-moving startup-like environment.

• Contractual Constraints: Managing expectations and deliverables within a part-time, contract framework.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Knowledge: Deepen expertise in women's and family health tech, particularly in the DTC space.

• Strategic Research Design: Hone skills in scoping research for new product initiatives and influencing early-stage strategy.

• Process Improvement: Gain hands-on experience in shaping and implementing research operations and tooling.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Enhance skills in working with diverse product, design, and potentially marketing teams.

• Exposure to AI Research Tools: Opportunity to explore and integrate emerging AI-augmented research methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to launching a new business and working in a contract capacity. The growth opportunities focus on strategic development and domain expertise, aligning with the senior level of the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to scope research for a completely new product or feature with ambiguous requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for defining research questions and methodology.)

• "How do you balance the need for deep qualitative insights with the requirements for rapid, quantitative data in a fast-paced environment?" (Demonstrate your mixed-methods approach and prioritization skills.)

• "Imagine we're seeing a drop-off in our new user onboarding funnel. What research methods would you employ to understand the root cause, and how would you prioritize your approach?" (Showcase your problem-solving and analytical thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Maven Clinic's mission and our new direct-to-consumer venture?" (Research Maven's mission, values, and recent news.)

• "How do you approach building trust with participants, especially in sensitive areas like healthcare?" (Highlight your empathy, ethical considerations, and communication skills.)

• "Describe your experience working as a contractor. How do you ensure you integrate effectively with a client's team and deliver value autonomously?" (Focus on your independence, communication, and project management skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your journey (research process), the discovery (insights), and the resolution (impact/recommendations).

• Focus on "Why": Clearly articulate why you chose specific methods, why certain insights were significant, and why your recommendations were crucial.

• Visual Aids: Use your slides or shared screen effectively to showcase data, user quotes, and key takeaways. Avoid text-heavy slides; use visuals and speak to the details.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodology, data interpretation, and the impact of your work. Be ready to defend your decisions and elaborate on your thought process.

• Showcase Collaboration: Even if you worked independently, explain how you communicated findings and collaborated with stakeholders to ensure insights were understood and acted upon.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely probe for both research craft and the ability to operate effectively as an independent, impact-driven contractor in a dynamic, mission-oriented company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Greenhouse application link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience with consumer products, mixed-methods research, and end-to-end project ownership. Select 2-3 case studies that best demonstrate your ability to drive product decisions and impact, particularly in areas relevant to healthcare or subscription models.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of user research experience, emphasizing your ability to work independently as a contractor and your proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Use keywords such as "User Research," "Consumer Insights," "Mixed-Methods," "Survey Design," and "Product Strategy."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clarity of insights, and the measurable impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your approach to research in fast-paced environments and your experience working autonomously.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Maven Clinic's mission, values, and its new direct-to-consumer business. Understand their market position and the importance of trust in the healthcare technology space.

⚠️ 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.