UX Research & Ideation (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research & Ideation (m/w/d)

Company: pub.tech

Location: München, Bayern, Germany / Remote (within Germany and select European countries)

Job Type: Festanstellung (Full-time)

Category: User Experience (UX) Research & Product Development Operations

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote Eligible

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive ideation processes for digital products and platforms by leveraging deep UX research expertise.

• Actively facilitate interdisciplinary teams through user-centered design and product development lifecycles.

• Structure complex problem spaces, transforming user needs into viable product ideas and solutions.

• Conduct and synthesize findings from qualitative and quantitative research methods to inform product strategy.

• Foster a collaborative environment where user insights are translated into actionable recommendations for product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits at the intersection of UX Research and Product Operations, focusing on the early stages of product development (ideation and concept validation). The emphasis is on facilitating innovation and ensuring user needs are central to product strategy, requiring strong collaboration with product, design, and engineering teams. The "m/w/d" designation indicates the role is open to all genders.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Actively drive and advance ideation processes through expert UX research methodologies and insights.

• Design, plan, and moderate workshops utilizing Design Thinking, creative methods, and other facilitation techniques.

• Structure complex problem spaces and guide interdisciplinary teams toward clear, user-validated solution approaches.

• Support solution finding through comprehensive field and desk research, gathering both qualitative and quantitative data.

• Collaborate with product teams to identify and select the most appropriate research methods for concepts and products.

• Conceive, plan, organize, and execute qualitative and quantitative tests and studies on concepts and products.

• Derive actionable insights and recommendations from research findings, creating clear research reports for stakeholder communication.

• Communicate user insights effectively to relevant stakeholders across product, design, and engineering teams.

• Contribute own ideas and take ownership of results, ensuring successful implementation of research-driven product concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of research execution, facilitation, and strategic thinking. The role requires not just conducting research but also actively driving the ideation process and enabling teams to act on insights. Emphasis on "ownership mindset" and "driving topics actively" suggests a proactive approach is highly valued.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for UX Research roles. Equivalent practical experience may also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in UX Research, with a proven track record in moderating and facilitating workshops and ideation sessions. Experience in concept development or innovation roles is also highly beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in UX Research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative).

• Proven ability to moderate and facilitate workshops, including Design Thinking and creative problem-solving sessions.

• Strong analytical and conceptual skills with a keen sense for product idea generation.

• Demonstrated ability to structure open problem spaces and guide teams towards clear solution approaches.

• Experience in ideation, concept development, or innovation processes.

• Structured work approach combined with cross-methodological thinking.

• High degree of empathy and excellent interpersonal communication skills.

• Strong sense of ownership and a proactive, results-oriented mindset.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with digital products and platforms, particularly in media or broadcasting industries.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Proficiency in creating compelling research reports and presentations.

• Experience with user-centered design principles and practices.

• Ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong foundation in UX research and facilitation, coupled with soft skills like empathy, communication, and ownership. The specific mention of "structured work approach combined with cross-methodological thinking" indicates a need for flexibility and adaptability in research methodologies. German language proficiency is a strict requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects from ideation to concept validation.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, research objectives, methodologies employed (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods), and the rationale behind method selection.

• Highlight your specific role and contributions within each project, especially in driving ideation and facilitating team collaboration.

• Present key findings, actionable insights, and the impact of your research on product direction or feature development.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to document and communicate complex research processes and findings clearly.

• Provide examples of how research insights were translated into structured product requirements or design recommendations.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams (product managers, designers, engineers) throughout the research and ideation process.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested, the nature of the responsibilities implies that candidates will be expected to present their work and process. The role requires demonstrating practical application of research skills, facilitation capabilities, and the ability to translate findings into actionable product strategies. For this role, demonstrating how you've facilitated ideation and structured problem-solving will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided information (Mid-Level, 2-5 years experience, Munich location, and "attractive, market-competitive salary"), a realistic salary range for a UX Researcher/Ideation specialist in Munich, Germany, would be between €55,000 to €75,000 annually. This range is influenced by the company's affiliation with public broadcasting organizations, which often offer stable employment and competitive packages, and the specific demands of the role in driving innovation.

Benefits:

• Unbefristeter Arbeitsvertrag (Permanent employment contract).

• 31 days of vacation per year.

• Attractive, market-competitive salary.

• Ample room for personal ideas and professional development.

• Commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

• Participation in further training and education tailored to personal interests and goals.

• Opportunity to work with talented, creative, and multicultural teams.

• Workplace located in the heart of Munich.

• Flexible working hours.

• Remote work options within Germany and in select European countries.

• Mobility subsidy.

• Job bike program.

• Benefits for health and wellbeing.

Working Hours: Standard full-time employment, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexible working hours offered to accommodate work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for UX professionals in major German cities like Munich, considering the listed experience level and the employer's affiliation. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing professional growth, work-life balance, and employee wellbeing, which are attractive to operations-minded professionals seeking stability and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Media, Public Broadcasting Services. pub.tech operates as a tech subsidiary for public broadcasting organizations (BR, SWR, HR, ARD), developing digital infrastructures and platforms. This context suggests a blend of innovation-driven technology with the values and mission of public service media.

Company Size: Approximately 100 employees. This indicates a medium-sized company where individuals can have a significant impact, with opportunities for cross-functional interaction and less bureaucracy than very large organizations.

Founded: pub.tech is a relatively new entity, established to drive digital innovation for public broadcasters. Its parent companies (BR, SWR, HR) have long histories. The company's founding is tied to the strategic need for public broadcasting to adapt to the digital age.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the UX Team, implying a dedicated group focused on user experience.

• Interdisciplinary teams are central to the company's approach, meaning this UX Researcher will collaborate closely with product managers, designers, developers, and potentially content strategists.

Methodology:

• User-centered design principles are paramount, with research directly informing product development.

• Design Thinking and creative methods are actively employed to foster innovation and problem-solving.

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative research, is expected.

• Transparency is maintained through mechanisms like the "pub.tech-Weekly" and regular team meetings.

Company Website: pub.tech

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a commitment to innovation within the public service media sector. The combination of a medium-sized, agile team with the backing of established public broadcasters offers a unique environment. Emphasis on "Hands-On and Heart," continuous learning, and regular communication highlights a supportive and engaging workplace.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX Researcher, typically requiring 2-5 years of dedicated experience. It involves significant autonomy in research design and execution, facilitation of team processes, and direct contribution to product strategy, moving beyond junior-level support tasks.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the role likely reports to a Head of UX, Senior UX Researcher, or a Product Lead who oversees the UX function. Collaboration is expected across various product development teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is critical in shaping the direction of digital products and platforms for major public broadcasting organizations. By ensuring user needs are understood and addressed, this role directly influences user satisfaction, engagement, and the overall success and relevance of digital offerings in a competitive media landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative techniques, large-scale quantitative studies, generative AI in research).

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior UX Researcher role, mentoring junior team members, leading larger research initiatives, or taking on product strategy ownership.

• Cross-Functional Development: Expand into Product Management or UX Strategy roles, leveraging research insights to drive broader product vision and roadmap planning.

• Skill Enhancement: Access to training, conferences, and workshops to stay abreast of the latest UX research tools, techniques, and industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation for a career in UX Research and Product Operations, particularly within the media technology sector. The emphasis on continuous learning and diverse team collaboration provides ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company maintains an office in the heart of Munich, which serves as a hub for in-person collaboration, team events, and occasional meetings. However, the work environment is strongly geared towards hybrid and remote work.

Office Location(s): Marsstraße 46, 80335 München, Germany. This location is central and accessible. Remote work is permitted within Germany and in some European countries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While remote work is encouraged, the company values in-person interaction for team events and exchanges, fostering a sense of community.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern UX research tools, design software, and collaboration platforms is implied, supporting efficient remote and hybrid work.

• Team Interaction: Regular communication through one-on-one meetings, specialized team meetings, and a "pub.tech-Weekly" ensures ongoing connection and knowledge sharing, regardless of physical location.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key benefit, allowing employees to manage their schedules effectively. This flexibility is crucial for operations roles that require focused analytical work and collaboration across different time zones or personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is designed to offer flexibility with a strong emphasis on remote and hybrid work, while still valuing face-to-face interaction. This hybrid model requires strong self-management and communication skills from employees, aligning well with the proactive and ownership-driven nature of operations roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application (cover letter, CV, certificates) to assess qualifications and fit. Expect a brief call to discuss your background and interest.

• Technical/Skills Interview: This stage will likely involve discussing your UX research experience, methodologies, and facilitation skills. Be prepared to elaborate on specific projects and your role in them.

• Case Study/Portfolio Presentation: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, detailing a research project, your process, insights, and impact. Focus on demonstrating your ability to structure problem spaces and drive ideation.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members and discuss how you collaborate, your approach to feedback, and your alignment with the company's values (e.g., ownership, empathy, innovation).

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, focusing on strategic thinking, problem-solving, and long-term fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your UX research and ideation facilitation skills. Prioritize projects where you had a significant impact.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your research approach, key findings, how you translated insights into actionable product ideas, and the resulting impact. Use visuals where appropriate.

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in driving ideation sessions and structuring problem spaces for teams.

• Demonstrate Process: Explain your methodology clearly, justifying your choices of research techniques and facilitation methods.

• Showcase Ownership: Emphasize how you took initiative, drove topics forward, and owned the outcomes of your research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you approach ambiguous problems and guide teams to solutions. Practice articulating your thought process.

• Ideation Techniques: Familiarize yourself with various ideation and creative problem-solving methods (e.g., brainstorming, SCAMPER, affinity mapping) and be prepared to discuss how you've applied them.

• User-Centered Design: Demonstrate a deep understanding of user-centered design principles and how to integrate them into product development.

• Communication: Practice articulating complex research findings and strategic recommendations concisely and persuasively, especially for a German-speaking audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is likely to be thorough, focusing on both technical UX research skills and the ability to facilitate innovation. A strong portfolio that highlights practical application of research in driving product ideas and problem-solving will be crucial. Preparation should focus on articulating your process, impact, and collaborative approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Tools: Proficiency with tools for qualitative research (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Dovetail, Maze for unmoderated testing) and quantitative research (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms, Hotjar for analytics).

• Workshop Facilitation Tools: Experience with digital whiteboarding tools like Miro, Mural, or similar platforms for remote collaboration and ideation sessions.

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision, as UX researchers often collaborate closely with designers and may contribute to early-stage prototyping.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Ability to analyze quantitative data using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or potentially statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, Python for more advanced analysis).

• Reporting & Presentation Tools: Expertise in creating clear, impactful reports and presentations using PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, or specialized data visualization tools.

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with web analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Matomo, or Adobe Analytics to understand user behavior on digital products.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for this role, an understanding of how user data is managed within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) or how automation tools (e.g., Zapier) can support research workflows might be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't list specific tools, the responsibilities imply a need for expertise in a range of UX research, facilitation, and analytics platforms. Proficiency in digital collaboration and whiteboarding tools is essential for a hybrid/remote environment. Familiarity with design tools is also advantageous due to close collaboration with design teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

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

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies, and research methods to push the boundaries of digital products.

• Collaboration & Ownership: A strong belief in teamwork, shared responsibility, and taking initiative to drive projects to successful completion.

• Transparency & Open Feedback: A culture that encourages open communication, honest feedback, and knowledge sharing across teams.

• Empathy & Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and heard.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Working closely with product, design, engineering, and potentially content teams in a highly collaborative manner.

• Facilitative Leadership: Guiding teams through processes, empowering them to find solutions, and fostering a shared sense of purpose.

• Active Communication: Regularly sharing insights, seeking input, and providing constructive feedback to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a culture of learning by sharing research findings, methodologies, and best practices within the team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture explicitly values a hands-on, collaborative, and user-focused approach. The emphasis on "ownership," "open feedback," and "empathy" aligns well with the expectations for a proactive and impact-driven operations professional. The hybrid work model necessitates strong collaborative skills and a commitment to transparent communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Remote & In-Person Collaboration: Effectively facilitating ideation and research processes across distributed and co-located team members.

• Translating Diverse Needs: Synthesizing insights from various user groups and stakeholders to inform product decisions for broad digital platforms.

• Driving Innovation in Public Sector: Fostering a culture of rapid experimentation and user-centric iteration within a large, established public broadcasting organization.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously adapting research methodologies and tools to keep pace with evolving user behaviors and technological advancements in the digital media landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Research Techniques: Opportunities to master specialized research methodologies and tools.

• Facilitation & Design Thinking Certification: Potential for formal training and certification in facilitation and Design Thinking.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into product management, engineering, and strategic decision-making within the media tech industry.

• Mentorship & Networking: Learning from experienced professionals within pub.tech and its parent organizations, as well as participating in industry events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex challenges in a dynamic industry. The company's commitment to professional development, combined with the inherent complexities of working with large digital platforms and evolving technologies, provides a fertile ground for continuous learning and career growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you facilitated an ideation session that led to a significant product improvement. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on structuring problem spaces, guiding teams, and demonstrating impact).

• "How do you approach identifying and prioritizing user needs when dealing with complex, multi-faceted digital products like those used in public broadcasting?" (Highlight your research planning, synthesis, and strategic thinking).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to working for pub.tech and its mission within public broadcasting?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent projects).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative and feedback-driven team environment, especially in a hybrid/remote setting?" (Align your answer with their stated values of collaboration and open feedback).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Craft a compelling narrative for each case study, emphasizing the problem, your journey, the insights discovered, and the tangible impact of your work on the product or user experience.

• Visual Aids: Use mockups, user journey maps, research data visualizations, and workshop outputs to make your presentation engaging and easy to understand.

• Process Demonstration: Clearly articulate your research and facilitation process, explaining why you chose specific methods and how you adapted them.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research and the resulting product changes (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, reduced user errors).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical application of UX research skills, strong facilitation capabilities, and an understanding of how to drive product innovation. Be ready to discuss your process, your collaborative approach, and your ability to translate user needs into actionable product strategies, using concrete examples from your experience.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Research & Ideation position:

• Submit your application via the provided link on the pub.tech careers page (karriere@pub.tech). Ensure your application includes a cover letter, CV, and relevant certificates.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight specific UX research and ideation facilitation experience relevant to digital products and complex problem-solving. If you have a portfolio, ensure it showcases case studies demonstrating your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your experience with UX research methodologies, workshop facilitation, Design Thinking, and your ability to drive ideation. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements whenever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, facilitation techniques, and how you translate user insights into actionable product strategies. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to discuss your portfolio.

• Company Research: Understand pub.tech's mission, its role within public broadcasting, and its commitment to innovation. Research their current digital products and platforms to tailor your application and interview responses effectively.

⚠️ 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.