UX Designer / Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer / Researcher

Company: EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Location: Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time, Project-based (Initial 3-year fixed-term)

Category: Product Design & Research Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-13

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research and UX design for AI-powered search and complex data-heavy products within the Europe PMC platform, impacting millions of researchers globally.

• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from user discovery and research synthesis to wireframing, prototyping, and interaction design.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, engineers, and Machine Learning (ML) researchers, to deliver innovative solutions.

• Focus on building user trust in AI-driven features by clearly communicating model outputs and limitations, especially for audiences requiring transparency and reproducibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Designer / Researcher," the responsibilities and required skills clearly indicate a role focused on product development within a scientific research context. The emphasis on AI, data-heavy products, and cross-functional collaboration with ML researchers positions this as a specialized UX role. The "Operations" aspect comes from managing the research and design processes for a large-scale, critical scientific data platform.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead comprehensive user research initiatives targeting diverse audiences, including researchers, funders, and grant administrators, translating findings into actionable design recommendations.

• Plan, lead, and facilitate workshops with senior internal and external stakeholders to gather requirements and align on product vision.

• Design intuitive user interfaces and interaction models for AI-powered features, with a specific focus on natural language search, ensuring clarity and building user trust in AI outputs.

• Develop detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and interaction design specifications for complex, data-intensive applications.

• Establish and manage robust usability testing programs, leveraging data analytics to validate design decisions and iterate on product improvements.

• Contribute to the strategic planning and execution of UX initiatives within the GRIST program, ensuring transparency in UK life sciences funding.

• Actively maintain and enhance AI literacy within your practice, exploring AI tools for research synthesis, prototyping, and usability analysis.

• Collaborate with ML/data engineers to ensure user needs are integrated into the development of AI models and features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards user-centered design and research, with a strong emphasis on translating complex scientific data and AI outputs into usable interfaces. The "operations" aspect is inherent in managing research processes, stakeholder engagement, and the iterative design lifecycle for a large-scale platform.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in UX design and user research, with a proven track record of delivering user-centered solutions for complex digital products.

• Experience working within agile, cross-functional product development teams. Required Skills:

• User Research: Proven ability to plan, conduct, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative user research across diverse user groups.

• UX/Product Design: Proficiency in creating wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using design tools like Figma.

• Interaction Design: Strong understanding of interaction design principles for complex, data-rich applications.

• Usability Testing: Experience in planning, executing, and analyzing usability tests to inform design iterations.

• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and present research findings and design recommendations clearly.

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level skill in using Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Data-Heavy Product Experience: Experience designing for products involving complex data visualization, dashboards, or structured data interfaces.

• AI UX Interest/Experience: A strong interest in or prior experience designing for AI-powered features, focusing on user trust, transparency, and explainability.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including engineers and ML researchers.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a talent for presenting complex information to non-design audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Literacy: Actively developing AI literacy and following AI UX trends.

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with web analytics tools for understanding user behavior.

• Basic Web Technologies: Basic understanding of HTML and CSS.

• Remote Testing Tools: Experience with various remote user research and testing platforms.

• Scientific/Biomedical Domain: Familiarity with the biomedical research domain or open science platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of core UX/research skills with a specific focus on AI and data-intensive products, which is critical for this role. The "Mid-level" experience aligns with the expectation of leading research and design initiatives with some autonomy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 well-documented UX projects demonstrating the full design process from research to implementation.

• Projects should highlight experience with complex data-heavy products, AI-driven features, or scientific/research platforms.

• Clearly articulate your role, the problem statement, your research methodology, design decisions, and the impact of your solutions.

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

• Demonstrate your ability to present research findings and design rationale to stakeholders. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly outline the research methodology used (e.g., user interviews, surveys, usability testing).

• Detail the design process, including iterative prototyping and testing phases.

• Explain how user feedback and data were incorporated to refine designs and improve user experience.

• Showcase examples of how you've communicated complex technical or data-related concepts through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer/Researcher role, a portfolio is paramount. The requirements here are tailored to showcase their ability to handle complex data and AI, which is a key differentiator for this position. It emphasizes a structured approach to design and research, aligning with operational best practices in product development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Monthly salary starting at £3,861.91 after tax (excluding pension and insurance contributions).

• Annual equivalent: Approximately £46,343 (after tax, based on 12 months).

• Note: This figure represents take-home pay. Gross salary will be higher. The stated monthly salary is for Grade 6.

• Estimated Gross Annual Salary Range (based on UK market for similar roles): £55,000 - £75,000+ depending on experience and precise responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Financial: Pension scheme, monthly family/child allowances, annual salary review, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances.

• Health & Wellness: Private medical insurance (including prescriptions, generous dental & optical cover), subsidised on-site gym.

• Work-Life Balance: 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, flexible working arrangements (hybrid patterns), generous parental leave, 10 days child sick leave, holiday clubs on campus.

• Relocation & International Support: Relocation package including installation grant, visa exemptions, education grant for private schooling, financial support for travel to home country every second year, monthly non-resident allowance.

• Campus Perks: Free shuttle bus, on-site library, subsidised cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities.

Working Hours:

• Full-time role, assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided monthly "after tax" salary is a unique detail. The estimated gross range is provided to give a more standard industry benchmark. The extensive benefits package reflects EMBL's commitment to its international workforce and the scientific community.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Scientific Research & Bioinformatics

Company Size: EMBL is a large international organization with multiple sites and over 2,000 staff. EMBL-EBI specifically hosts over 1,400 employees.

Founded: EMBL was founded in 1974; EMBL-EBI was established in 1994.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer/Researcher will be embedded within the Europe PMC product team, reporting to a Senior Product Manager.

• They will work closely with engineers, ML researchers, and potentially other UX/UI specialists.

• Collaboration extends to senior internal and external stakeholders, including funders and grant administrators.

• The role is part of a broader scientific data dissemination and analysis mission at EMBL-EBI. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using research findings and analytics to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development: Work within cross-functional teams following agile methodologies.

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting the needs of diverse user groups within the scientific community.

• Transparency & Reproducibility: A core value for the platform, particularly relevant for AI-driven features and scientific data.

Company Website: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: EMBL-EBI is a world-renowned research institution. The culture emphasizes scientific rigor, collaboration, and innovation. The "operations" context here is about enabling scientific discovery through robust data platforms and user experiences.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-level UX Designer/Researcher. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of significant product areas, lead research initiatives, and influence product strategy.

Reporting Structure: Reports to a Senior Product Manager. This provides mentorship and guidance on product strategy and execution.

Operations Impact: The work directly impacts millions of researchers worldwide by improving access to and understanding of biomedical literature and funding information. The role plays a crucial part in shaping the future of AI-powered scientific discovery tools.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for AI, natural language processing (NLP) interfaces, and complex data visualization.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead research projects, mentor junior designers (if applicable), and influence product roadmaps.

• Domain Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of the biomedical research landscape and open science initiatives.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working closely with ML engineers and data scientists, enhancing understanding of AI development processes.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into Senior UX Designer, Product Designer, or UX Research Lead roles within EMBL-EBI or similar research organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX professional at an institution like EMBL-EBI is often tied to deepening domain expertise and leadership in specific product areas, especially those involving cutting-edge technology like AI.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working environment. The role is based at the EMBL-EBI campus in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, with flexibility for remote work.

Office Location(s): EMBL-EBI, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. This campus is a hub for life science research.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Campus: The Wellcome Genome Campus fosters a highly collaborative and inclusive environment with numerous research and biotech organizations.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design and research tools, likely including advanced collaboration platforms, research software, and potentially AI tools for design assistance.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for frequent interaction with a diverse, international team of scientists, engineers, and product professionals, both in person and remotely.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) with flexible hybrid working arrangements, allowing for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote focus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Wellcome Genome Campus offers a unique research-centric environment. The hybrid model is standard for many tech/research roles, balancing the need for in-person collaboration with individual focus time.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: CV and cover letter review, focusing on relevant UX/research experience, AI interest, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage where candidates present their work, demonstrating their design process, research insights, and problem-solving abilities. This will likely involve discussing specific case studies.

• Technical/Skills Interview: May involve design exercises, problem-solving scenarios related to data-heavy or AI products, and discussions on UX methodologies.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: Meeting with the Senior Product Manager, engineers, ML researchers, and potentially other team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (AI, data-heavy products, research, stakeholder engagement).

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation around the user problem, your process, your design decisions, and the impact/outcomes. Use clear visuals and concise explanations.

• Highlight AI/Data Focus: Explicitly discuss how you approached designing for AI limitations, user trust, and complex data.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, user satisfaction scores).

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, research methods, and how you handle ambiguity or complex requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be ready for a potential take-home assignment or a live design challenge focused on a specific problem related to scientific literature discovery or AI-powered search.

• Research Scenario: Prepare to discuss how you would approach researching a new feature for a scientific audience, considering their unique needs and workflows.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating complex UX concepts and design rationale to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for UX roles at research institutions often involves a strong emphasis on portfolio demonstration and problem-solving related to complex domains. The AI and data focus here means candidates should be ready to discuss those specific challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly proficient required). Other tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision may be relevant but Figma is explicitly mentioned.

• User Research: Tools for remote interviews (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms), and potentially specialized research platforms.

• Collaboration: Standard office suite tools, potentially Slack or Microsoft Teams for internal communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Matomo, or similar for understanding user behavior on the platform.

• Data Visualization: Experience with tools or methods for presenting research data and design performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable for this UX role, but understanding of how user feedback integrates into product management workflows is beneficial.

• Basic Web Technologies: Basic HTML/CSS knowledge is listed as a preferred skill, indicating potential for light front-end collaboration or understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is a core requirement. The mention of web analytics and basic HTML/CSS suggests an awareness of technical constraints and performance metrics, which is valuable for a UX professional in a software development environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Scientific Excellence: A commitment to rigorous research and high-quality data dissemination.

• Collaboration: Encouraging teamwork and knowledge sharing across diverse disciplines and international boundaries.

• Innovation: Fostering a culture that embraces new technologies and approaches, particularly in AI and bioinformatics.

• Open Science: Dedication to making scientific data and literature freely accessible to the global research community.

• User Focus: Prioritizing the needs of researchers and developers to facilitate scientific discovery.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with product managers, engineers, and ML researchers to achieve shared goals.

• Open Communication: Encouraging candid feedback and constructive dialogue among team members.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing insights, best practices, and learnings through presentations, workshops, and informal discussions.

• Inclusivity: EMBL is committed to diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at EMBL-EBI is deeply rooted in its scientific mission. The values emphasize precision, collaboration, and the impact of their work on global scientific advancement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Trust: Effectively communicating the capabilities and limitations of AI-powered features to build user confidence and manage expectations, especially in a scientific context where reproducibility is critical.

• Complex Data Visualization: Translating large, intricate datasets into clear, actionable insights for diverse research audiences.

• Diverse User Needs: Catering to a wide range of users, from expert researchers to potentially less technical stakeholders or developers, each with unique requirements and technical aptitudes.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing input and expectations from senior internal and external stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.

• Keeping Pace with AI: Continuously learning and adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its UX implications.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI UX Specialization: Opportunities to become a leader in designing for AI in the scientific domain.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in life sciences, biomedical literature, and research funding ecosystems.

• Advanced Research Techniques: Explore and implement cutting-edge user research methodologies.

• Professional Development: Access to training, workshops, conferences, and potentially certifications relevant to UX, AI, and data science.

• Mentorship: Guidance from senior product managers and experienced researchers within EMBL-EBI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the novelty of AI in UX and the inherent complexity of scientific data. The growth opportunities are focused on specialization and leadership within this niche.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a natural language search interface for biomedical literature, considering the need for accuracy and trust in AI outputs?" (Focus on research methods, AI explainability, and user feedback loops).

• "Describe a time you had to present complex research findings or design recommendations to senior stakeholders who were not designers. How did you ensure they understood and acted on your insights?" (Prepare a specific STAR method example).

• "Imagine you are designing a dashboard for UK life sciences funding. What key user needs would you investigate, and what UX challenges do you anticipate?" (Demonstrate user research planning and foresight into data visualization challenges). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about EMBL-EBI and the Europe PMC platform, specifically concerning its mission and user base?" (Research EMBL-EBI's mission, DORA principles, and Europe PMC's impact).

• "How do you see your UX skills contributing to a scientific research organization like ours?" (Connect your UX expertise to scientific discovery and data dissemination).

• "EMBL-EBI emphasizes open science and data transparency. How would you ensure these values are reflected in your UX designs for AI-powered features?" (Discuss ethical AI design and user trust in the context of open science). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), your key decisions, and the outcome/impact.

• Emphasize AI/Data: Dedicate specific slides or talking points to how you handled AI-specific challenges (transparency, trust) or complex data visualization.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, prototypes, user flows) extensively. Be ready to walk through interactive prototypes.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, research methodologies, and how you handled trade-offs.

• Connect to EMBL's Mission: Briefly explain how your past work or approach aligns with EMBL's goals in scientific research and data sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just UX skills but also an understanding of the scientific context, AI ethics, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to a diverse audience.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer / Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the EMBL online system by the closing date of Thursday, 27th August 2026.

• Customize Your CV & Cover Letter: Tailor your CV to highlight experience in user research, UX design for complex/data-heavy products, and any experience or strong interest in AI UX. In your cover letter, clearly articulate your transferable skills, your motivation for applying to EMBL-EBI, and your understanding of the role's impact on scientific discovery.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases relevant projects (AI, data-heavy, research platforms), and clearly outlines your process and impact. Be ready to present it effectively.

• Research EMBL-EBI & Europe PMC: Understand the organization's mission, values (especially DORA, open science), and the impact of the Europe PMC platform. Familiarize yourself with the GRIST program if possible.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough and prepare answers to common UX interview questions, focusing on examples related to AI, data, and stakeholder management.

⚠️ 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.