UX Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer II – LeapSpace (AI Focused)

Company: Elsevier

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (Radarweg) / London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design, Product Design

Date Posted: May 21, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is for a UX Designer II focused on designing AI-powered experiences within Elsevier's LeapSpace product.

• Key responsibilities include translating user needs and research into intuitive, trustworthy AI-driven interfaces and contributing to a cohesive product experience.

• The position emphasizes strong visual craft, interaction design, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative, and experimental squad environment.

• Collaboration with other designers across squads to ensure consistency, contribute to design systems, and promote cross-team reuse is a critical aspect of this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "UX Designer II", the description strongly indicates a focus on product design with a significant emphasis on AI-driven user experiences. The role also requires a blend of interaction and visual design skills, aligning with modern Product Designer profiles. The "AI Focused" tag within the job title is a key differentiator.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate complex user needs and insights from user research into effective and intuitive design solutions for AI-assisted research.

• Design trustworthy and engaging AI-driven experiences that empower researchers to discover, analyze, and share knowledge efficiently.

• Create high-quality user flows, user journeys, and UI designs with a strong emphasis on visual craft and attention to detail.

• Balance the need for speed and experimentation with maintaining high interface quality in a fast-paced, agile development environment.

• Collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams (product, engineering, research) while constructively challenging ideas and communicating design rationale clearly.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of scalable design systems and patterns to promote cross-team reuse and ensure a consistent user experience.

• Proactively identify experience gaps, propose improvements, and drive initiatives that extend beyond immediate project ownership.

• Utilize research findings, product analytics, and user testing results to validate design decisions and iteratively improve user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to detail the specific UX design activities relevant to an AI-focused product like LeapSpace, emphasizing the translation of user needs, AI-specific design considerations, and the iterative nature of design in an agile setting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, interaction design, or product design, with a proven track record of delivering successful digital products.

Required Skills:

• Solid experience in UX and interaction design, with a strong understanding of user-centered design principles.

• Strong visual/UI design skills, demonstrating a keen eye for detail, typography, color theory, and layout.

• Proven ability to create high-fidelity prototypes and detailed design specifications.

• Proficiency with industry-standard design tools, with a specific emphasis on Figma.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively.

• Experience working in fast-moving, experimental environments and adapting to changing priorities.

• Comfort navigating ambiguity, asking insightful questions, and driving clarity.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing complex, data-intensive, or AI-powered applications.

• Familiarity with research methodologies and the ability to translate user research and data insights into design solutions.

• Experience contributing to or working with design systems.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and how design translates to code.

• Experience in the academic research, scientific publishing, or information services industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level has been refined to "Mid-Level (2-5 years)" based on the "UX Designer II" title and the expected responsibilities. Specific design tool proficiency (Figma) has been highlighted as per the input. Preferred skills are added to provide a more complete picture of an ideal candidate.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio showcasing a range of UX and UI design projects, demonstrating your process from problem identification to final solution.

• Projects should highlight your ability to translate user needs and business requirements into intuitive and visually appealing interfaces.

• Include case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and impact on user experience.

• Showcase examples of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have used user research, data analysis, and user feedback to inform and iterate on design decisions.

• Documentation of your contribution to design systems, pattern libraries, or style guides, illustrating your understanding of scalability and consistency.

• Case studies that detail your collaboration process with product managers, engineers, and researchers, emphasizing teamwork and communication.

• Evidence of your ability to work efficiently in fast-paced environments, potentially showcasing rapid prototyping or iterative design approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section has been tailored to emphasize the unique demands of a UX Designer role, particularly one involving AI and working within a product squad. The focus is on demonstrating process, collaboration, and impact through a portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands: Based on industry benchmarks for a UX Designer II with 2-5 years of experience in Amsterdam, the estimated annual salary range is €55,000 - €75,000. This range considers the cost of living and typical compensation for tech roles in the Netherlands.

• London, United Kingdom: For London, the estimated annual salary range is £50,000 - £70,000, reflecting the higher cost of living and compensation standards in the UK capital for similar roles.

Benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.

• Coverage by the Company’s pension and insurance scheme after 3 months of employment.

• Option of employer-paid internet services.

• Generous leave types, including paid time off and holidays.

• Access to Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for community and support.

• Access to extensive learning and development resources for continuous skill enhancement.

• Access to Well-Being & Employee Assistance Programs for health and support.

• RECARES days: 2 paid days per annum to volunteer for charitable causes.

• Access to employee offers and discounts.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week.

• The role emphasizes flexible working, allowing employees to adjust their daily work times to optimize productivity and fit personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges have been researched and estimated for both Amsterdam and London, considering the "UX Designer II" title, experience level, and location. Benefits are listed as provided in the input and expanded slightly for clarity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Services, Technology, Scientific Publishing, Health Science. Elsevier operates within the critical sector of providing scientific, technical, and medical information and solutions, playing a vital role in research and academic advancement.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (10,000+ employees globally). This indicates a structured organization with established processes, significant resources, and opportunities for career growth across various departments and regions.

Founded: 1880. Elsevier has a long and established history, suggesting stability, deep industry expertise, and a forward-looking approach to innovation.

Team Structure:

• Squad-Based Agile Teams: The design team operates within cross-functional squads, each focused on a specific product area (e.g., LeapSpace). This structure promotes autonomy, rapid iteration, and close collaboration.

• Reporting Structure: UX Designers typically report to a Design Manager or Lead within a broader Design or Product organization. They also work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within their squad.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Designers are integral members of the squad, working daily with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other stakeholders. Collaboration extends across design teams to ensure consistency and share best practices.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A strong emphasis on understanding user needs through research and feedback to drive design decisions.

• Agile & Experimental: The team operates in a fast-paced, experimental environment, valuing quick iteration, learning from user feedback, and adapting designs based on real-world usage.

• Data-Informed Design: Utilizing research, data analytics, and testing to validate design choices and measure impact.

• Design Systems & Reusability: A focus on creating and leveraging scalable design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been enriched with industry specifics, implications of company size and founding date for a designer, and a detailed breakdown of the team structure and methodologies relevant to a UX Designer role within an agile product squad.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a "UX Designer II," typically positioned at the mid-level. It signifies a designer who has moved beyond entry-level tasks and can independently manage moderate design projects, contribute significantly to design strategy, and mentor junior designers. The focus is on delivering high-quality design solutions and collaborating effectively within a team.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer II will report to a Design Lead or Manager. Within their product squad (e.g., LeapSpace), they will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads, forming a core part of the product development team.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer II directly influences the usability, efficiency, and adoption of Elsevier's AI-powered research workspace (LeapSpace). By creating intuitive and trustworthy AI experiences, they enable researchers to be more productive, leading to accelerated scientific discovery and knowledge sharing, thus directly impacting Elsevier's mission and business objectives in the academic and government sectors.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI UX, interaction design, visual design, or user research.

• Leadership within Squads: Potential to take on more design ownership within product squads, lead design initiatives, and mentor junior designers.

• Design System Contribution: Opportunity to become a key contributor to or owner of specific components or aspects of Elsevier's design system.

• Cross-Product Collaboration: Exposure to and involvement in design challenges across different Elsevier products and platforms.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or Design Manager roles, depending on performance, experience, and organizational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the career trajectory and impact for a UX Designer II, specifically within the context of Elsevier's product development and its focus on AI and research.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily on-site, implying a traditional office setting with designated workspaces for employees. However, the company also promotes flexible working, suggesting a hybrid model may be supported where employees can work from home on certain days.

Office Location(s): Amsterdam (Radarweg), Netherlands and London, United Kingdom. These are major European hubs, offering vibrant work environments and access to a diverse talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on squad work and close collaboration with product, engineering, and research means the workspace will be designed to facilitate teamwork, open communication, and brainstorming sessions.

• Tools and Technology: Designers will have access to modern design software (Figma is specified) and collaboration tools necessary for an agile, digital product development environment.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with team members within the squad and across the broader design community at Elsevier, fostering knowledge sharing and mutual support.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week is approximately 40 hours.

• Flexible working hours are a key benefit, allowing employees to adjust their start and end times to maximize productivity and accommodate personal commitments, while still ensuring team availability for collaborative activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description focuses on the collaborative and agile nature of the team, the tools available, and how flexibility is integrated into the on-site model.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates will typically present their portfolio, detailing 1-3 key projects. This will be followed by an interview covering design process, problem-solving, collaboration, and experience with AI/complex systems.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical design exercise or case study may be assigned, either take-home or conducted during an interview session, focusing on a specific problem relevant to LeapSpace or AI UX.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (other designers, product managers, engineers) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and technical skills.

• Final Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership or hiring manager to confirm fit and discuss the role in detail.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Your Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking, research methods, and problem-solving approach for each project.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., improvements in user satisfaction, task completion rates, adoption metrics). For AI products, focus on user trust, comprehension, and task success with AI assistance.

• Tailor to AI: Include at least one project that demonstrates your experience designing for complex systems, AI-driven features, or data-intensive applications. Explain how you addressed challenges like user trust, transparency, and control.

• Visual Craft: Ensure high-quality visuals, clean layouts, and well-designed prototypes that reflect your UI/visual design skills.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant and impactful work for this specific role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Research Elsevier, LeapSpace, and the challenges faced by academic researchers.

• AI UX Principles: Familiarize yourself with best practices in AI UX, including designing for learnability, transparency, explainability, and user control in AI systems.

• Problem-Solving Framework: Be ready to apply a structured approach to any design challenge, breaking down the problem, exploring solutions, and justifying your choices.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions about how you would handle specific design dilemmas, collaborate with difficult stakeholders, or navigate ambiguity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips have been specifically tailored for a UX Designer role, with an emphasis on AI and the product context of LeapSpace.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required proficiency. This will be the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's built-in capabilities, familiarity with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, ProtoPie) might be beneficial.

• Design System Tools: Experience with tools or platforms used to manage and distribute design system components (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook integrations).

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics).

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with how to access and interpret product analytics data (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions.

• Data Visualization Tools: Understanding of how data is presented, which can inform dashboard design and reporting interfaces.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, an understanding of how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and automation platforms impact user workflows can be indirectly helpful in understanding the broader product ecosystem.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with communication and project management tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section focuses on the design tools and related technologies relevant to a UX Designer, with a specific mention of Figma.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship: A high bar for quality in both UX thinking and visual execution. The team values thoughtful, intentional, and well-executed design.

• Collaboration & Low Ego: Open, respectful communication and a willingness to share work, give feedback, and support team members are paramount. Ego is left at the door, focusing on collective success.

• Experimentation & Learning: A fast-paced, experimental environment where learning from user feedback and iterating quickly is encouraged.

• User Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and meeting user needs to create impactful solutions.

• Efficiency & Reusability: A drive to create scalable design systems and patterns that promote efficiency and consistency across the product.

Collaboration Style:

• Squad-Centric: Primary collaboration occurs within cross-functional product squads, fostering tight integration between design, product, and engineering.

• Feedback-Rich: Designers actively share work, seeking and providing constructive feedback to elevate the quality of the product.

• Cross-Team Alignment: Regular interaction with other design teams to ensure a cohesive user experience across Elsevier products and to share best practices.

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct, transparent, and respectful dialogue to solve problems and drive progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are detailed from the perspective of a designer, highlighting how these principles translate into daily work and collaborative practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Trust and Transparency: Ensuring users understand how AI works, trust its outputs, and feel in control of the AI-assisted processes. This is a significant and evolving challenge in AI UX.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Navigating the demands of a fast-paced, experimental environment while maintaining a high standard of design craft and user experience.

• Cross-Squad Design Consistency: Collaborating with multiple squads to ensure a unified and cohesive user experience across the entire LeapSpace platform.

• Translating Complex Research Workflows: Designing intuitive interfaces for complex, data-intensive research tasks that are often highly specialized.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI UX Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for artificial intelligence, machine learning applications, and advanced data analysis interfaces.

• Design System Mastery: Contribute to and potentially lead aspects of the design system, enhancing skills in pattern definition, component design, and governance.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Grow understanding of product management and engineering processes, improving collaboration and impact.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and learn from experienced product and design leaders.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with the latest trends in UX design, AI, and the scientific research landscape through internal resources and potentially external conferences or training.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed specifically for a UX Designer working on an AI product within a large organization, providing actionable insights for career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex or AI-driven feature. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on your process, user needs, and how you ensured trust/transparency).

• "How do you balance the need for rapid iteration and experimentation with maintaining high-quality design and consistency?" (Highlight your understanding of agile methodologies and design systems).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Elsevier and the LeapSpace product specifically, especially concerning AI in research?" (Show you've researched the company and understand the product's mission).

• "How do you give and receive feedback within a design team? Describe a situation where feedback led to a significant improvement." (Demonstrate your collaborative and low-ego approach).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as narratives: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact.

• Focus on Process: For each project, clearly articulate your design thinking, research, wireframing, prototyping, and iteration steps.

• AI Relevance: Highlight projects that showcase your ability to design for complexity, data, or AI, explaining your strategic decisions related to user trust and comprehension.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals, clear annotations, and interactive elements where appropriate to demonstrate your UI skills and prototype functionality.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful work within the allocated time, focusing on quality over quantity.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to the specific role requirements, including AI UX, portfolio presentation, and company culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer II position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Elsevier Careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating your UX and UI design skills, especially any related to complex systems, data visualization, or AI-driven features. Tailor your case studies to highlight your problem-solving process, user-centric approach, and the impact of your designs.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, proficiency with design tools (especially Figma), and highlight achievements relevant to interaction design, visual design, user research, and collaboration within agile teams. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI UX, how you handle feedback, and your approach to collaborative work. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and situational questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Elsevier's mission, the LeapSpace product, and their commitment to AI in research. Understand their company values to better articulate your cultural fit during interviews.

⚠️ 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.