UX Research Operator (계약직)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research Operator (Contract)

Company: Coupang

Location: Seoul, South Korea

Job Type: Contract

Category: Operations / Research Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-19

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the Ads UX team by managing research panels, recruiting participants, and coordinating schedules for interviews and usability tests, ensuring seamless execution of user research initiatives.

• Maintain and operate research systems and equipment, guaranteeing the availability and functionality of tools essential for user experience research.

• Drive continuous improvement of UX research operational processes and environments to effectively monitor and resolve product and service UX issues.

• Facilitate clear and efficient communication between research participants, internal stakeholders, and the UX team to ensure all parties are aligned and informed.

• Contribute to the analysis of usability testing results by assisting with data aggregation and initial analysis, providing foundational insights for UX improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role title "UX Research Operator (계약직)" translates to "UX Research Operator (Contract)" and indicates a specific focus on operational support within the UX research function, rather than independent research design or deep analytical work. The responsibilities highlight a crucial support role for the UX team, emphasizing process management, participant coordination, and system upkeep. This is not a traditional UX Researcher role but a vital operational position that ensures research can be conducted efficiently and effectively.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end process of participant recruitment for user research studies, including outreach, screening, scheduling, and confirmation.

• Coordinate and schedule interviews, usability testing sessions, and other research activities, ensuring optimal participant and moderator availability.

• Oversee the operational aspects of research systems, including the setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of necessary equipment and software.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for research participants, providing clear instructions, managing inquiries, and ensuring a positive participant experience.

• Facilitate the administrative and logistical aspects of research, including participant compensation and reimbursement processes.

• Assist in the aggregation and initial analysis of usability testing data and feedback, preparing findings for review by UX researchers and designers.

• Identify opportunities to streamline and improve research operational workflows, proposing and implementing process enhancements for greater efficiency.

• Maintain organized records of research activities, participant data, and operational documentation.

• Communicate research logistics and updates effectively to internal stakeholders, researchers, and designers.

• Support the setup and execution of online and in-person research sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities provided clearly delineate this role as an operational support function within UX Research. The emphasis on "recruiting," "scheduling," "system operation," and "process improvement" points to a need for strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to managing research logistics. The mention of "usability evaluation moderating/result aggregation and analysis" suggests a potential for some direct involvement in research execution, but the primary focus remains on enabling the research process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a background in fields related to human-computer interaction, psychology, sociology, marketing, or a related discipline can be beneficial.

• A strong understanding of user research methodologies and principles, even at an introductory level, is advantageous. Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience in a role involving operational support, coordination, or administration.

• Experience in customer service (CS), customer experience (CX), or direct customer interaction roles is highly valued.

• Prior exposure to research operations, survey administration, or data collection processes is a plus. Required Skills:

• Logical and Structured Thinking: Ability to approach tasks systematically, break down complex processes, and identify logical steps for efficient execution. This is crucial for managing multiple research activities and participant groups.

• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact clearly and professionally with participants, internal teams, and stakeholders. This includes providing instructions, answering queries, and relaying information accurately.

• Adaptability and Flexibility: Capacity to quickly adapt to changing priorities, schedules, and research needs in a dynamic environment.

• Problem-Solving in Constraints: Ability to identify organizational goals and find the most effective ways to achieve them within limited resources or circumstances.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams and individuals to achieve common objectives.

• Microsoft Excel Proficiency (Intermediate to Advanced): Skilled in using functions, pivot tables, and data manipulation for tracking participants, managing schedules, and basic data aggregation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a market research or survey company, particularly in fieldwork execution.

• Experience in customer support (CS) or customer experience (CX) roles.

• Proficiency in SQL for database querying and data extraction.

• Familiarity with basic survey tools such as MS Forms, Opensurvey Form, or Qualtrics.

• Understanding of e-commerce services and the online retail landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section is heavily focused on soft skills like logical thinking and communication, alongside a critical technical skill in Excel. This aligns with an operator role where efficiency, organization, and clear execution are paramount. The "Preferred Skills" indicate a desire for candidates who can bring some foundational knowledge of research tools and the e-commerce domain, suggesting a potential for growth within the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• While a formal "portfolio" in the traditional sense might not be expected for this operational role, candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in managing processes and systems.

• Process Improvement Examples: Be ready to describe instances where you identified inefficiencies in a workflow and implemented changes to improve speed, accuracy, or participant experience. Quantify improvements if possible (e.g., "reduced scheduling time by X%").

• System Management Experience: Detail your experience with operating and maintaining systems or equipment, highlighting your ability to ensure smooth functionality and troubleshoot issues.

• Data Handling and Organization: Showcase your ability to manage and organize data, particularly participant information and research schedules, using tools like Excel.

• Communication Protocols: Provide examples of how you established and maintained clear communication channels with various stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly required to create process documentation, candidates should demonstrate an understanding of its importance.

• Workflow Design Awareness: Show an understanding of how research workflows are structured and how operational steps contribute to the overall success of a study.

• Implementation and Automation: Discuss any experience or ideas you have regarding making processes more efficient, potentially through automation or better tool utilization.

• Measurement and Analysis: While deep analysis isn't the primary focus, demonstrate an awareness of how operational efficiency can be measured (e.g., time to recruit, participant retention rates).

📝 Enhancement Note: For an "Operator" role, the portfolio focus shifts from showcasing strategic thinking or deep analytical work to demonstrating practical execution, process management, and problem-solving skills. Candidates should prepare to speak about their ability to manage operational tasks efficiently and contribute to process improvements, using their experience with tools like Excel and their communication skills as evidence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for contract roles in Seoul, South Korea, for an entry-level (0-2 years experience) operational support position, the estimated annual salary range would be approximately ₩25,000,000 to ₩35,000,000 KRW.

• This estimate considers the cost of living in Seoul and the typical compensation for contract positions that require specific administrative and operational skills. Benefits:

• Contractual Employment: This role is a contract position, offering a defined period of employment.

• Access to Cutting-Edge E-commerce Environment: Opportunity to work within Coupang, a leading e-commerce platform, gaining exposure to its innovative operations and technologies.

• Professional Development: While specific training programs may vary, contract employees often have opportunities to learn new processes and tools within the team.

• Team Collaboration: Be part of a dynamic Ads UX team, contributing to the improvement of a widely used service.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: Successful contractors may be considered for future roles within Coupang.

Working Hours:

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

• Specific daily schedules will be coordinated within the team to ensure research operations are covered effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a contract position, benefits are typically more limited than for full-time employees. The salary estimate is based on general market rates for similar roles in Seoul, South Korea, and the "contractor" employment type. The focus is on the experience gained rather than extensive benefits packages.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce / Retail Technology. Coupang operates at the forefront of the rapid evolution in the online retail space, leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

Company Size: Coupang is a large, publicly traded global company with a significant employee base, often described as having a "startup culture" within a large corporate structure. This implies a fast-paced, innovative environment where employees are empowered to take initiative.

Founded: Coupang was founded in 2010. Its rapid growth and expansion have established it as a major player in the e-commerce industry, driven by a mission to make customers' lives easier.

Team Structure:

• Ads UX Team: This role is part of the Ads UX team, which is dedicated to improving the user experience of Coupang's advertising products for advertisers.

• Reporting Structure: The UX Research Operator will likely report to a UX Researcher or a UX Research Manager, who oversees the overall user research strategy and operations.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with UX Researchers, UX Designers, Product Managers, and potentially engineers within the Ads product division to ensure research findings are integrated into product development.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Coupang emphasizes using data and customer insights to inform business and product decisions.

• Customer-Centricity: The company's core mission revolves around customer satisfaction and creating "wow" experiences.

• Agile and Iterative Development: The "startup culture" likely translates to agile methodologies and a continuous iteration approach to product development and improvement.

• Process Optimization: A focus on efficiency and continuous improvement is inherent in an e-commerce giant like Coupang, making operational roles critical.

Company Website: https://www.coupang.jobs/

📝 Enhancement Note: Coupang's description highlights a blend of startup agility and large-scale corporate operations. For an operations role, this means embracing a fast-paced environment, taking ownership, and contributing to scalable processes. The "customer-centric" mission is key; even operational roles need to understand how their work directly or indirectly impacts the end customer.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is positioned as an entry-level or junior operational role (0-2 years experience). It focuses on executing defined tasks within research operations, rather than strategic planning or independent research design.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a member of the UX Research team, likely a UX Researcher or Manager. This provides direct mentorship and guidance on research operations processes.

Operations Impact: The UX Research Operator plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in ensuring that user research can be conducted effectively. By managing participants, schedules, and systems, they directly enable the UX team to gather crucial insights that inform product decisions, ultimately contributing to a better customer experience and more effective advertising products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development in Research Operations: Gain hands-on experience in participant recruitment, scheduling, and managing research logistics, building a strong foundation in research operations.

• Exposure to UX Processes: Learn about the user research lifecycle, usability testing, and how UX insights are applied to product development within a major e-commerce company.

• Tool Proficiency: Develop expertise in essential operational tools like Microsoft Excel and potentially gain exposure to SQL and survey platforms.

• Internal Mobility: Successful performance in this contract role could lead to opportunities for full-time positions or other operational roles within Coupang, particularly within the Ads or broader UX teams, as the company values internal growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract, entry-level role, the growth is primarily focused on skill acquisition and exposure to industry practices. The "growth" here is about becoming a more proficient operational support specialist and understanding the broader UX and e-commerce landscape, rather than immediate advancement into senior research or management roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role requires physical presence at Coupang's offices in Seoul, South Korea, indicating a collaborative, in-person work environment.

Office Location(s): Seoul, South Korea. Specific office details would typically be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Working within the Ads UX team means being part of a dynamic group dedicated to improving user experience. Expect regular interaction with researchers, designers, and product managers.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to standard office equipment, computers, and potentially specialized research tools or software managed by the team. Proficiency in Excel and potentially SQL will be key.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for face-to-face meetings, team discussions, and direct collaboration with colleagues involved in the research process.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week is approximately 40 hours.

• While the role is on-site, the dynamic nature of research scheduling might require some flexibility to accommodate participant availability or urgent research needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a traditional office setting where in-person collaboration is valued. For an operations role, this often means being readily available to support team activities and manage logistics directly from the office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Document Screening: Initial review of submitted applications and resumes to assess qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• Phone Interview: A preliminary conversation, likely with an HR representative or a hiring manager, to discuss background, motivations, and basic fit. This is an opportunity to elaborate on your operational experience and communication skills.

• In-Person/Video Interview: A more in-depth interview, potentially with the hiring manager and team members. This stage will likely focus on behavioral questions, problem-solving scenarios related to operations, and assessing your Excel skills.

• Final Offer: Following successful interviews, a final offer will be extended.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process Management: Since this is an operator role, highlight your experience in managing tasks, schedules, and resources. Use specific examples from previous roles (even non-research related) that demonstrate your organizational abilities.

• Excel Proficiency Showcase: Be prepared to discuss your experience with Excel functions, pivot tables, and data organization. If you have any examples of spreadsheets you've created for tracking or reporting, be ready to describe them (without sharing confidential data).

• Communication and Collaboration Examples: Prepare anecdotes that illustrate your ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and collaborate towards a common goal.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about times you encountered an operational challenge (e.g., a scheduling conflict, a system issue) and how you resolved it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Excel-Based Task: It is highly probable that a practical exercise involving Microsoft Excel will be part of the interview process. This could involve data entry, formula application, pivot table creation, or data analysis based on a provided dataset. Practice common Excel functions and pivot table usage.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be ready to answer questions about how you would handle specific operational challenges, such as recruiting a large number of diverse participants within a tight deadline or troubleshooting a technical issue during a research session.

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for questions about your teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical skills and behavioral fit. For an operational role, demonstrating proficiency in core tools like Excel and the ability to manage processes efficiently is key. Expect a hands-on assessment of your Excel capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Excel: Essential for participant tracking, scheduling, data aggregation, and reporting. Intermediate to advanced proficiency is required, including functions, formulas, and pivot tables.

• Communication Platforms: Internal tools for team communication and collaboration (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams).

• Scheduling Software: Potentially internal calendar systems or dedicated scheduling tools for coordinating participant sessions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Survey Tools (Preferred): Familiarity with tools like MS Forms, Opensurvey Form, or Qualtrics is a plus for understanding how research data is collected.

• Database Querying (Preferred): Basic SQL skills for querying and extracting data from databases would be advantageous for participant data management.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, experience with any CRM or project management tools could be transferable, demonstrating an understanding of structured data management and workflow processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft Excel is highlighted as a critical tool. Proficiency here is non-negotiable. The preferred skills in SQL and survey tools suggest that exposure to data handling and research platforms is highly valued and could indicate future development paths within the team.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency and Optimization: A core value is to continuously improve processes to make research operations as efficient and effective as possible.

• Accuracy and Detail: Given the operational nature, meticulous attention to detail in participant management, scheduling, and data handling is paramount.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively with researchers, designers, and other team members to achieve shared research goals.

• Customer Focus: Understanding that the operational support provided directly contributes to gathering insights that improve the customer experience.

• Proactiveness and Initiative: Taking ownership of tasks and proactively identifying and addressing potential issues or areas for improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with various departments to ensure research runs smoothly, necessitating strong stakeholder management and communication.

• Feedback Exchange: An open environment for providing and receiving feedback on processes and operational effectiveness.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share best practices and learnings related to research operations with team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a practical, results-oriented approach to operations, focusing on efficiency, accuracy, and teamwork. Candidates should demonstrate how they embody these values in their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Participant Needs: Effectively recruiting and managing a wide range of participants with varying schedules, technical capabilities, and expectations.

• Balancing Multiple Research Projects: Juggling the operational demands of several concurrent research studies, each with its own unique requirements and timelines.

• Technical Troubleshooting: Addressing potential technical issues with research equipment or software during live sessions.

• Process Adaptation: Quickly adapting operational procedures to accommodate new research methodologies or changing project scopes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Hands-on Experience in UX Research Operations: Gain practical skills in managing the lifecycle of user research studies.

• Exposure to Industry Best Practices: Learn how a leading e-commerce company conducts user research and manages its operational aspects.

• Skill Enhancement in Data Management: Improve proficiency in Excel and potentially gain foundational knowledge in SQL and survey tools.

• Understanding E-commerce UX: Develop insights into the user experience challenges and opportunities within the e-commerce domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to operational support roles in fast-paced environments. The growth opportunities are focused on practical skill development and gaining valuable experience within a prominent tech company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operational Process Improvement: "Describe a time you improved an operational process. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?" Focus on your ability to identify inefficiencies and implement solutions.

• Participant Management Scenarios: "How would you handle a situation where a key participant cancels at the last minute?" or "How would you ensure a diverse group of participants for a study?"

• Excel Proficiency Demonstration: Be prepared for practical questions or tasks that require you to demonstrate your Excel skills, such as creating a pivot table from sample data or using specific functions.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why Coupang?": Research Coupang's mission, values, and recent news. Connect your interest to their customer-centric approach and innovative spirit.

• "How do you handle tight deadlines or unexpected changes?": This assesses your adaptability and problem-solving under pressure.

• "Describe your experience working in a team.": Highlight your collaboration skills and ability to support colleagues. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process and Execution: Since this is an operational role, emphasize your ability to manage tasks efficiently, organize information, and ensure smooth execution.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use numbers to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., "managed recruitment for X studies," "improved data organization efficiency by Y%").

• Highlight Excel Skills: Be ready to verbally walk through how you would use Excel for specific tasks related to participant tracking, scheduling, or basic data aggregation.

• Showcase Communication Examples: Be prepared to share instances where your clear communication prevented misunderstandings or ensured successful collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should center on demonstrating practical operational skills, particularly with Excel, and showcasing strong communication and problem-solving abilities. Be ready to provide concrete examples of how you manage tasks and contribute to team efficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Coupang Jobs portal.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with participant coordination, scheduling, data management (especially Excel), communication, and any customer-facing roles. Use keywords from the job description like "UX research," "participant recruitment," "scheduling," "Excel," and "communication."

• Excel Skill Preparation: Practice common Excel functions, pivot table creation, and data organization techniques. Be ready for a practical Excel assessment during the interview process.

• Prepare Operational Examples: Think of specific instances where you managed processes, resolved logistical challenges, or improved efficiency in a previous role. Use the STAR method to structure your answers for behavioral questions.

• Research Coupang: Understand Coupang's business, its customer-centric mission, and its position in the e-commerce market. This will help you articulate your interest and 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.

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