UX Junior Research

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Junior Researcher

Company: knowmad mood

Location: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-25

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct user research using a blend of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to gather actionable insights for digital products and business strategies.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including design, product, and business stakeholders, to translate research findings into informed decision-making.

• Design and execute user research studies, including interviews, surveys, usability tests, and field studies, to understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points.

• Analyze research data and synthesize complex information into clear, concise, and actionable insights for various audiences.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of digital products and services by identifying opportunities for enhancement based on user feedback and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "UX Junior Researcher," has strong overlaps with Product Operations and Revenue Operations by focusing on how user behavior and experience directly impact business decisions, product success, and potentially revenue streams. The emphasis on translating research into actionable business insights and collaborating with business stakeholders positions this role as a critical link between user understanding and strategic outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute exploratory and evaluative research studies, leveraging both qualitative (e.g., user interviews, field studies, workshops) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, analytics) methods.

• Conduct in-depth user interviews, surveys, usability testing sessions, and field studies to uncover user behaviors, needs, motivations, and pain points.

• Analyze and synthesize research data from various sources, identifying key patterns, trends, and user insights.

• Translate research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable recommendations for design, product, and business teams.

• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams (designers, product managers, engineers, business analysts) to ensure user-centricity throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Investigate user behaviors and needs to identify opportunities for product, service, and experience improvements.

• Participate in the analysis and redesign of processes from a data- and evidence-centric perspective, aiming to enhance both user experience and operational efficiency.

• Synthesize and communicate research findings in a structured manner, adapting the format and detail level for different audiences through reports, presentations, and visualizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of foundational UX research tasks and a more strategic application of those findings within a business context. The mention of "analysis and redesign of processes" and "improving operational efficiency" suggests a strong connection to Product Operations, where research directly influences workflow optimization and business outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related discipline. Experience:

• A minimum of 1 year of professional experience in UX Research within digital environments.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research for both solution validation and strategic analysis of behaviors, needs, and processes. Required Skills:

• Proficient in qualitative research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, ethnography, contextual inquiry, focus groups).

• Proficient in quantitative research methodologies (e.g., surveys, data analysis, A/B testing principles).

• Experience conducting usability testing (moderated and unmoderated).

• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate raw data into clear, actionable insights.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings effectively to diverse audiences.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including design, product management, and business stakeholders.

• Adaptability and ability to thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user research tools and platforms (e.g., survey software, usability testing platforms, analytics tools).

• Familiarity with design thinking principles and agile development methodologies.

• Experience with data visualization tools to present research findings.

• Understanding of business objectives and how UX research can drive business value.

• Basic understanding of front-end development principles to better understand technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The educational requirements are broad, indicating that knowmad mood values diverse perspectives. The 1-year minimum experience is typical for a junior role, but the emphasis on both validation and strategic analysis suggests they are looking for someone who can already connect research to broader business goals, not just functional testing.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 distinct UX research projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of the research process from initiation to insight delivery.

• For each project, clearly articulate the research objectives, methodologies employed, target audience, and the specific challenges addressed.

• Highlight how research findings influenced design decisions, product strategy, or business outcomes.

• Include examples of research deliverables such as interview guides, survey instruments, analysis summaries, and presentation decks.

• Quantify impact where possible, demonstrating how research led to measurable improvements in user satisfaction, engagement, or conversion rates. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an ability to document research processes clearly and efficiently, enabling reproducibility and knowledge sharing within the team.

• Provide examples of how research insights were translated into actionable recommendations and integrated into product roadmaps or design iterations.

• Show an understanding of how to manage research projects, including planning, participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio is crucial. It should emphasize the candidate's foundational understanding of the UX research lifecycle and their ability to communicate their process and impact. The focus on "process analysis" and "operational efficiency" in the job description means the portfolio should ideally include examples where research helped optimize workflows or user journeys that have operational implications.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Junior UX Researcher in Madrid, Spain, with 0-2 years of experience, the estimated salary range is €24,000 - €32,000 per year. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in Madrid, the specific experience level, and the hybrid work model. Benefits:

• Indefinite contract (Contrato Indefinido)

• Hybrid work model: 3 days in-office (Tres Cantos) and 2 days remote.

• Flexible working hours (Horario flexible): 8:00 AM - 5:45 PM L-Th, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Fri.

• Intensive Summer Schedule: June 15th - September 15th, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

• 26 days of paid time off (22 vacation days, 2 flexible days, Dec 24th & 31st as default holidays).

• Internal training and access to certifications.

• Flexible compensation plan including:

  • Health insurance
  • Transportation allowance
  • Childcare vouchers
  • Restaurant vouchers

• "Plan amigo" referral bonus program.

• Company events, meetups, and tech talks. Working Hours:

• Standard: 8 hours per day (40 hours per week) with flexible start/end times.

• Summer schedule offers a compressed work week with earlier finishing times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical junior roles in Spain's tech sector and cost of living in Madrid. The detailed benefits package, especially the flexible working hours and summer schedule, is a significant draw for work-life balance. The hybrid model is fixed at 3 days in-office, which is important for candidates to note.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Transformation & Technology Consulting. knowmad mood operates at the forefront of digital innovation, helping clients navigate technological advancements and implement sustainable digital strategies.

Company Size: Over 3,000 employees globally. This indicates a large, established organization with robust processes, extensive resources, and a wide network of professionals. For operations roles, this means potential for structured career paths, defined procedures, and opportunities for specialization.

Founded: The company's founding date is not explicitly stated, but its rapid growth to over 3,000 employees suggests a dynamic and expanding organization.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team likely operates within larger product development or design departments, collaborating closely with product managers, UX/UI designers, and potentially business analysts.

• Reporting structure would typically involve a Research Lead or Head of Design/Product, with junior researchers working under their guidance.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with researchers acting as liaisons between user needs and business/product objectives. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with research findings serving as the foundation for strategic choices.

• Emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development, aligning with the company's mission.

• Agile and user-centric methodologies are likely employed to ensure flexibility and responsiveness to market and user demands.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The large company size implies that processes are likely well-defined, which can be beneficial for junior roles seeking structured guidance. The company's focus on digital transformation and innovation suggests a forward-thinking environment where user insights are highly valued for driving business outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Junior UX Researcher. This role is an entry-level position focused on learning and applying foundational UX research skills under supervision. The role is expected to contribute to research projects and assist in data analysis and synthesis.

Reporting Structure: The Junior UX Researcher will report to a Senior UX Researcher, a UX Research Lead, or a Product Design Manager. This structure provides mentorship and direct guidance on research projects and career development.

Operations Impact: While junior, the role's impact is significant in ensuring that product and business decisions are informed by real user data. By translating user needs and behaviors into actionable insights, this role directly contributes to the success of digital products, enhancing user satisfaction and potentially driving business growth through improved user experiences and operational efficiencies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, learn new tools, and gain experience across diverse research types (e.g., generative, evaluative, strategic).

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in areas like service design research, accessibility research, or complex data analysis as experience grows.

• Leadership Potential: With consistent performance and demonstrated impact, progression to Senior UX Researcher is a common path, leading to opportunities to lead projects, mentor junior team members, and influence research strategy.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Exposure to product management, design, and business strategy can open doors to roles in those areas or in Product Operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, growth is typically defined by skill acquisition and increased project ownership. knowmad mood's emphasis on training and certifications suggests a commitment to employee development, providing a solid foundation for career progression within UX research or related operational fields.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. Employees are expected to work from the office 3 days a week and remotely for 2 days. The office is located in Tres Cantos, Madrid.

Office Location(s): Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain. This location offers a professional work environment with access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model fosters a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

• The office environment is likely designed to encourage teamwork, with collaborative spaces and meeting rooms.

• Access to necessary tools and technology will be provided to support research activities, whether in-office or remote.

• Opportunities for informal interactions with colleagues and team members will be present during in-office days, fostering a sense of community and knowledge sharing. Work Schedule:

• Standard: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM, with a flexible start and end time. Friday hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

• Summer Schedule: From June 15th to September 15th, the schedule becomes intensive, running from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily. This offers significant flexibility during summer months.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fixed hybrid structure (3 days in-office) is a key detail. Tres Cantos is a business hub outside central Madrid, so proximity and commute should be considered. The flexible hours and summer schedule are strong indicators of a work-life balance-focused culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and conduct a brief call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing 1-2 key projects in detail. This stage assesses research methodology, problem-solving skills, analytical abilities, and communication clarity. Expect questions about your process, challenges faced, and the impact of your research.

• Case Study/Practical Exercise: A take-home assignment or an in-interview exercise may be given to evaluate practical research skills, data analysis, and insight generation capabilities. This could involve analyzing a dataset, critiquing a user flow, or outlining a research plan for a given scenario.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager and potentially team members to assess technical depth, cultural fit, and long-term potential. This is also an opportunity for the candidate to ask in-depth questions about the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve, your approach, and the tangible outcomes or insights generated. Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "identified 3 key usability issues leading to a proposed redesign that could improve conversion by X%").

• Show Your Process: Walk through your research process step-by-step, explaining why you chose specific methodologies. Demonstrate critical thinking and adaptability.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation like a narrative: the challenge, your journey (research), and the resolution (insights and recommendations).

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that involved strategic analysis, understanding user needs for business impact, or process improvement, aligning with the job description's emphasis.

• Be Prepared for "Why": Be ready to explain your decisions, trade-offs you made, and how you handled ambiguity or unexpected findings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a case study, thoroughly understand the business problem and the target user.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your research plan logically, including objectives, target participants, methods, and key questions.

• Prioritize: For time-bound exercises, focus on the most critical aspects and demonstrate efficient decision-making.

• Articulate Assumptions: Clearly state any assumptions you are making and how they might impact your recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on both a portfolio review and potentially a practical exercise suggests knowmad mood wants to see both past experience and future potential. Candidates should be ready to discuss not just what they did, but why they did it and what the result was in business terms.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or similar platforms for conducting remote usability testing and gathering feedback.

• Survey Tools: Experience with survey platforms such as SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms, or Qualtrics for designing and distributing questionnaires.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools like Miro or Mural for virtual whiteboarding, affinity mapping, and collaborative workshops.

• Data Analysis Tools: Basic to intermediate skills in spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) for data organization and analysis. Familiarity with qualitative data analysis software (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) is a plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Basic understanding of web analytics principles and tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to interpret user behavior data on digital platforms.

• Reporting Tools: Ability to create clear and compelling reports and presentations using tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar presentation software.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for this role, a basic understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) might inform user segmentation or how product usage data is tracked could be beneficial.

• Experience with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello) is often helpful for managing research timelines and tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for UX research roles. The emphasis on "data analysis" and "converting results into clear and actionable insights" suggests a need for strong analytical skills, even if advanced statistical software isn't explicitly required for this junior position.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across teams to achieve common goals. For operations, this means seamless integration with design, product, and business functions.

• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to problem-solving, driving digital transformation and continuous improvement.

• Commitment: Dedication to delivering high-quality work and achieving client objectives.

• Fun: Fostering a positive and enjoyable work environment, recognizing that a happy team is a productive team.

• Trust: Building strong relationships based on reliability, transparency, and mutual respect.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers are expected to be active participants in multidisciplinary teams, bridging the gap between user understanding and strategic execution.

• Data-Driven Dialogue: Discussions and decision-making are grounded in evidence from user research and data analysis.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback to continuously improve processes, products, and team dynamics.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing learnings and best practices through internal meetups, presentations, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values (collaboration, innovation, commitment, fun, trust) are reflected in their emphasis on teamwork and creating a positive environment. For a UX Researcher, this translates to being an approachable, collaborative team player who can effectively communicate insights and work within a dynamic structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Rigor with Business Agility: Learning to conduct thorough research efficiently within fast-paced project timelines and evolving business priorities.

• Translating Insights into Action: Effectively communicating complex research findings to diverse stakeholders and ensuring they are understood and acted upon, especially when they challenge existing assumptions.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working with incomplete information or in new domains, requiring strong analytical skills and the ability to form hypotheses and test them.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Aligning research goals and outcomes with the expectations of various business units, each with potentially different priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Receiving guidance from experienced Senior UX Researchers and Leads on research methodologies, project management, and career development.

• Formal Training: Access to internal training programs and financial support for external certifications relevant to UX Research and related fields.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a variety of projects across different industries and product types, broadening research experience and skill sets.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to attend meetups, conferences, and tech talks to stay abreast of the latest trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for junior roles but are framed as opportunities for growth. knowmad mood's commitment to training and development is a key factor in helping individuals overcome these challenges and advance their careers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to persuade a stakeholder with your research findings. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, influence, and data-driven argumentation.)

• "How do you prioritize research questions when faced with multiple stakeholder requests and limited time?" (Demonstrates prioritization, scope management, and strategic thinking.)

• "Walk me through a research project where the results surprised you or led to unexpected insights. How did you handle it?" (Assesses adaptability, critical thinking, and analytical depth.)

• "Imagine you need to research user needs for a new feature. Outline your proposed research plan, including methods, target audience, and key questions." (Evaluates research design skills and methodological knowledge.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in UX Research at knowmad mood specifically?" (Show you've researched the company, its values, and its mission.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to our company's digital transformation goals?" (Connect your skills to the broader business objectives.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive collaborative culture." (Align your working style with knowmad mood's values.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Wisely: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills, cover different methodologies, and demonstrate impact.

Prioritize projects relevant to digital products and business strategy.

• Structure for Clarity: For each project:

  1. The Challenge/Goal: What problem were you trying to solve?
  2. Your Role & Methods: What did you do and why?
  3. Key Findings & Insights: What did you learn?
  4. Recommendations & Impact: How did your research influence decisions or outcomes?

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your process, tools, challenges, and the rationale behind your decisions.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows logically, is concise, and effectively communicates your contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will look for not just technical proficiency but also the candidate's ability to think strategically, communicate effectively, and integrate into the company's collaborative culture. Demonstrating an understanding of how UX research drives business value is critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Junior Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the knowmad mood teamtailor portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight specific UX research projects, methodologies used, and any quantifiable achievements. Ensure keywords from the job description (e.g., qualitative research, quantitative research, usability testing, data analysis, communication) are present.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong projects that showcase your research process, analytical skills, and ability to derive actionable insights. Prepare a clear narrative for each project focusing on the problem, your approach, findings, and impact.

• Prepare for the Interview: Research knowmad mood's mission, values, and recent projects. Practice articulating your experience, especially in response to behavioral and situational questions. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Understand the Hybrid Model: Be aware of the 3-day in-office requirement in Tres Cantos and ensure this arrangement aligns with your preferences and logistical capabilities.

⚠️ 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.