UX Research Assistant (temporary)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research Assistant (temporary)

Company: Sago

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: TEMPORARY

Category: Market Research Operations

Date Posted: October 1, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support high-quality human participant research studies across various programs and emerging technology initiatives.

• Execute research protocols accurately, ensuring operational expectations and data quality standards are met.

• Coordinate participant activities, prepare study environments, and operate/maintain research equipment.

• Collect, validate, and organize research data, including biometric or other study-specific data.

• Collaborate with senior researchers and program managers to ensure seamless research experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for the operational success of human participant research studies, focusing on the meticulous execution of protocols and ensuring a positive participant experience. The temporary nature suggests a project-based need, likely for a specific research initiative or a period of high research volume.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute human participant research studies in strict accordance with approved protocols, study requirements, and operational standards.

• Prepare study environments, including equipment, documentation, and participant materials, to ensure smooth and consistent session delivery.

• Facilitate participant onboarding, check-in, and study activities, fostering a positive, professional, and comfortable participant experience.

• Monitor study sessions, meticulously documenting observations, progress, issues, and protocol deviations as required.

• Maintain accurate study records and proactively identify risks, escalate concerns, and assist with issue resolution to support project teams.

• Collect, validate, and organize diverse research data, such as biometric, physiological, behavioral, time-series, or sensor-based data, ensuring data integrity.

• Perform rigorous quality checks to uphold data integrity, accuracy, and completeness across all assigned studies.

• Assist with data preparation, formatting, documentation, and the creation of preliminary research summaries as requested.

• Utilize analytical thinking to identify potential data inconsistencies, missing information, or execution issues that could impact overall data quality.

• Set up, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot research equipment, lab tools, software platforms, and testing environments.

• Ensure laboratory spaces, testing rooms, equipment, and materials are clean, organized, operational, and fully prepared for scheduled research activities.

• Support inventory management, equipment tracking, and readiness checks for all study-specific tools and materials.

• Adhere to all safety procedures, privacy expectations, and operational standards to maintain a secure and professional research environment.

• Build and maintain ongoing knowledge of diverse research tools, platforms, and emerging technologies utilized across research programs.

• Share best practices, lessons learned, and operational observations with team members to drive continuous improvement in study execution.

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in response to evolving research priorities, protocols, and timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on operational role that bridges technical execution with participant interaction. Emphasis is placed on meticulous data handling and protocol adherence, crucial for the reliability of market research findings.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Psychology, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Data Science, or a closely related discipline is preferred. Equivalent hands-on research, lab, technical operations, or human participant study experience may be considered as a substitute for formal education.

Experience:

• Experience supporting human participant research, UX research, clinical studies, lab studies, or technical research operations is preferred.

• Experience coordinating participants, preparing study materials, or supporting recruitment and study scheduling activities is a plus.

• Exposure to biomechanical, physiological, behavioral, time-series, or sensor-based data collection methods is advantageous.

• Experience working in laboratory, research, academic, technology, or fast-paced operational environments is beneficial.

• A demonstrated interest in emerging technologies such as AR/VR, AI, wearable technology, HCI, or advanced user experience research is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• Exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to maintaining data quality.

• Curiosity and comfort working with emerging technology, human participant research, and technical study environments.

• Proven ability to follow complex protocols accurately and consistently.

• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and detailed documentation skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear interaction and reporting.

• A professional, participant-centered approach with a strong service orientation.

• Ability to remain composed, flexible, and solutions-focused in a fast-paced research environment.

• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with technical and cross-functional teams.

• Reliability, organization, proactivity, and the capacity to manage multiple study activities and deadlines efficiently.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.

• Familiarity with Google Docs, Sheets, Calendar, and related collaboration tools.

• Aptitude for quickly learning new research platforms, data tools, and technical workflows. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific research equipment, lab software, testing platforms, and participant tracking tools.

• Familiarity with data analysis techniques relevant to human participant research.

• Previous experience in a market research or user experience research support role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualification requirements emphasize a blend of technical aptitude, operational rigor, and interpersonal skills. The preference for degrees in HCI, Psychology, or Data Science, coupled with experience in research operations, indicates a need for candidates who can understand and execute complex research methodologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in Study Execution: Showcase examples of research studies where you were instrumental in successful execution, detailing your specific role in protocol adherence, environment preparation, and participant management. Highlight how you ensured smooth session flow and data integrity.

• Data Collection & Validation Examples: Provide evidence of your ability to collect, validate, and organize various types of data (e.g., biometric, behavioral). Demonstrate your process for quality checks and ensuring data accuracy and completeness.

• Technical Support & Troubleshooting Scenarios: Include examples of how you've set up, maintained, or troubleshooted research equipment, lab tools, or software platforms. Detail any instances where you identified and resolved technical issues impacting research.

• Process Improvement Contributions: If applicable, present instances where you contributed to improving study execution, data quality, or operational efficiency through your observations or suggestions. Quantify the impact where possible.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of understanding and contributing to the design or optimization of research workflows, from participant onboarding through data collection and preparation.

• Implementation & Automation Methods: Showcase any experience in implementing research protocols, setting up testing environments, or utilizing tools that automate or streamline research processes.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you track adherence to protocols, identify potential risks or deviations, and contribute to the overall quality and reliability metrics of research studies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an operations-focused role like this, a portfolio should demonstrate practical application of skills. Candidates should focus on showcasing their ability to execute processes flawlessly, manage technical aspects of research, and contribute to data quality and participant experience.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The hourly rate is anticipated to be $35/hour, dependent on candidate experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• As a temporary position, benefits may be limited. However, typical benefits for such roles can include:

• Paid time off accrued based on hours worked.

• Eligibility for specific project-based bonuses or stipends.

• Opportunities for professional development and networking within the market research industry.

• Exposure to cutting-edge research methodologies and technologies.

• Potential for extension or future temporary assignments based on performance and business needs.

Working Hours: Both full-time (approximately 40 hours/week) and part-time schedules are available, specifically on Fridays through Mondays during daytime hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The $35/hour rate is competitive for entry-level to mid-level operational support in the New York City market, especially for specialized roles like UX Research Assistance. The temporary nature implies a focus on project-specific compensation rather than a comprehensive benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sago operates within the Market Research and Data Solutions industry, a sector focused on gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to provide actionable insights for businesses. This is a dynamic field driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer behaviors.

Company Size: Sago is described as a global leader, suggesting a significant operational footprint. While specific numbers aren't provided, the scope implies a structured organization with established processes, likely ranging from several hundred to over a thousand employees globally.

Founded: The company's founding date is not specified, but its positioning as a "global leader" and its continuous innovation suggest a mature organization with a solid history in the market research space.

Team Structure:

• Research Support Team: This role is a core member of the Research Support Team, working closely with Senior UX Research Assistants.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires collaboration with researchers, program managers, onsite staff, and participants, indicating a need for strong interpersonal and communication skills to navigate different stakeholder needs and perspectives.

• Operational Focus: The team is likely structured to ensure the efficient and effective execution of research studies, with clear roles and responsibilities for managing the operational aspects of data collection and participant interaction.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Sago's mission is to connect human answers to business questions, emphasizing a data-driven approach to research.

• Innovation & Transformation: The company culture values innovation, problem-solving, and transforming the market research industry.

• Participant-Centered Research: A key methodology is ensuring high-quality human participant research with a focus on participant care and creating seamless research experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Sago's culture appears to be innovation-driven, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and empowering employees. The market research industry context means operations roles here are crucial for generating reliable data that informs business strategy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is at an Entry-Level to Junior Operations support level. It's designed for individuals with foundational knowledge in research support, data handling, and operational processes. The role is hands-on and focuses on executing established protocols rather than strategic design.

Reporting Structure: The UX Research Assistant reports to Senior UX Research Assistants and works closely with researchers and program managers. This structure provides guidance and oversight from experienced professionals, facilitating learning and development.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the quality and reliability of market research data. By ensuring accurate study execution, data collection, and participant experience, the assistant contributes to Sago's ability to provide meaningful insights to clients, thereby influencing business decisions and strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, data types (e.g., biometric, sensor data), and operational best practices within UX and market research.

• Technical Proficiency: Gain hands-on experience with a variety of research equipment, software platforms, and emerging technologies, enhancing technical skill sets.

• Project Experience: Accumulate experience supporting diverse research projects, which can be valuable for future roles in research operations, data management, or project coordination within the market research or technology sectors.

• Networking: Build professional relationships with researchers, program managers, and other industry professionals, opening doors for future opportunities.

• Potential for Extension: Given the temporary nature, strong performance could lead to contract extensions or consideration for future project-based roles within Sago.

📝 Enhancement Note: While temporary, this role offers significant practical experience in a specialized field. Growth is primarily through skill acquisition and project exposure, providing a solid foundation for further operations careers in research-intensive environments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Onsite within proximity to Penn Station, NYC," indicating a physical office or lab environment. This suggests a professional workspace designed for conducting human participant research.

Office Location(s): New York, New York, United States, specifically near Penn Station, offering accessibility via public transportation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with senior staff, researchers, and program managers