UX Research Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research Specialist

Company: Key Lime Interactive LLC

Location: United States

Job Type: Full Time

Category: UX Research & Design Operations

Date Posted: May 27, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4-5 Years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Requires some in-person research fielding)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on end-to-end User Experience (UX) research, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to drive product and service improvements.

• The UX Research Specialist will operate with a high degree of autonomy, independently managing research projects from conception through to delivery of actionable insights.

• A key aspect of this position involves deep, collaborative work with product teams and stakeholders during design sprints, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• This role is critical for informing design decisions and ensuring user-centered product development within a fast-paced agency environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is described as "Mid-Level" and requires 4 years of experience, aligning with a specialist role that is beyond entry-level but not yet senior management. The hybrid nature implies a need for flexibility and the ability to conduct in-person research, which is a crucial logistical consideration for candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive UX research strategies, including defining research objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies, and developing research plans.

• Conduct a wide range of qualitative research methods such as contextual inquiries, in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus groups, diary studies, and ethnographic research.

• Implement and analyze quantitative research methods, including surveys, card sorts, tree tests, eye-tracking studies, and competitive online studies, leveraging tools like Qualtrics, Optimal Sort, and Userzoom.

• Develop and present research findings, insights, and recommendations to cross-functional teams and stakeholders in a clear, compelling, and actionable manner, often within tight design sprint timelines.

• Collaborate closely with designers, product managers, and engineers to translate research insights into product design improvements and user experience enhancements.

• Plan and conduct in-person research fielding, ensuring ethical participant handling and data integrity.

• Facilitate UX research strategy workshops and participatory design sessions to foster stakeholder alignment and co-creation.

• Create and refine behavioral personas, journey maps, and other artifacts to represent user needs and behaviors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of required research methods and tools indicates a need for a highly skilled and versatile UX researcher. The emphasis on "end-to-end" research and "minimal to no direction" points to a senior specialist or junior lead capacity, where autonomy and proactive problem-solving are paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in a related field (e.g., Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors, Statistics, Marketing Research, Industrial Engineering).

Experience:

• Minimum: 4 years of experience in a User Experience (UX) research role.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in a comprehensive suite of qualitative UX research methods (e.g., Contextual Inquiries, IDIs, Focus Groups, Ethnographic Research).

• Expertise in quantitative UX research methods (e.g., Surveys, Card Sorts, Tree Tests, Diary Studies, Competitive Studies) and associated tools (Qualtrics, Optimal Sort, Userzoom).

• Proven ability to design and conduct usability testing, both in-lab and remotely.

• Skilled in developing user personas, journey maps, and defining user requirements.

• Experience with in-person research fielding and testing software and hardware.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and iteratively with stakeholders, designers, and product teams during design sprints.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Agile UX Design or Participatory Design methodologies.

• Familiarity with eye-tracking technology and analysis.

• Experience in a client-facing agency environment.

• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific tools like Qualtrics, Optimal Sort, and Userzoom, alongside a broad range of methodologies, suggests the need for a candidate who can hit the ground running with minimal ramp-up time. The preference for advanced degrees and 5 years of experience indicates a desire for depth of knowledge and strategic thinking.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX research projects, demonstrating the full research lifecycle from planning to insight delivery.

• Case studies that highlight the application of diverse qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to solve complex user problems.

• Evidence of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams, particularly designers and product managers, within agile or iterative development environments.

• Examples of how research findings directly influenced product design decisions, leading to measurable improvements or positive user outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a structured approach to UX research planning, including how research questions are framed, methodologies are selected, and participant recruitment is managed.

• Provide examples of how research data is analyzed, synthesized, and translated into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.

• Demonstrate experience in documenting and communicating research findings through compelling reports, presentations, and artifacts like personas and journey maps.

• Illustrate an understanding of agile research practices and how research integrates into fast-paced design sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Research Specialist role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly articulate not just the "what" (methods used) but the "how" (process followed) and the "why" (impact of the research). Emphasizing the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within design sprints is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance

• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance

• 401k Plan (eligibility after one year of employment)

• 14 Days Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 6 Sick Days

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be expected to accommodate research participant schedules or urgent project needs, especially given the hybrid and remote nature of some fieldwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for UX Research roles in the US. The benefits package is comprehensive and typical for a full-time position at an agency, offering health, financial, and time-off benefits. The mention of 401k eligibility after one year is a specific detail to note.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Customer Experience (CX) Consulting / Digital Design Agency. Key Lime Interactive serves Fortune 500 clients, indicating a focus on high-impact, strategic projects.

Company Size: As an LLC, the specific size isn't immediately clear, but the mention of "team" and "agency" suggests a medium-sized, specialized firm rather than a large corporation. The "world-class team" description implies a high-performing and experienced group.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company is described as "renowned," suggesting established expertise.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research Specialist will be part of a "world-class team" at Key Lime Interactive, likely comprising other UX researchers, designers, strategists, and project managers.

• Reporting structure is not explicitly detailed but is expected to be within a UX or Design practice, with close collaboration with Product Management and Engineering teams within client organizations.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is fundamental, with a strong emphasis on applying both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Agile and iterative approaches are likely employed, given the mention of "design sprints" and "fast-paced agency environment."

• A focus on understanding user needs and translating them into practical, impactful design solutions.

• The company values ("See the puzzle," "Open and Receptive," "Dynamic," "Do the Right Thing," "Put a Ribbon on It," "We Win Together") suggest a culture of problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, integrity, excellence, and teamwork.

Company Website: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=1eb079d3-bb50-438a-a731-eaa18a982193 (Note: This URL appears to be an ADP recruitment portal link, not a direct company website. A search for "Key Lime Interactive LLC" would yield their actual website.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as curious, fun-loving, and centered around personal integrity, problem-solving, and collaboration. The specific values provide insight into expected behaviors and work ethic. The agency context means candidates should expect client-facing work and project variety.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level UX Research Specialist. This role requires a solid foundation of practical experience (4+ years) and the ability to work autonomously, indicating a move beyond junior responsibilities into more independent project ownership and execution.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the role involves working within client project teams, reporting to project leads or design/research managers within Key Lime Interactive for project assignments and performance reviews. Collaboration with client product teams is integral.

Operations Impact: The UX Research Specialist has a direct impact on the success of products and services by ensuring they are user-centered, intuitive, and meet user needs. This influences user adoption, satisfaction, and ultimately, business outcomes for clients. Their work informs strategic design decisions and product roadmaps.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative techniques, complex quantitative analysis, generative research).

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior UX Researcher role, leading larger or more complex projects, mentoring junior researchers, and contributing to research strategy.

• Client Management: Develop skills in client relationship management, research consulting, and business development within the agency context.

• Cross-functional Development: Expand knowledge in related areas like UX design, product strategy, or service design through project exposure and internal training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX Researcher in an agency setting often involves increasing project complexity, client-facing responsibilities, and potentially leadership within research initiatives. The ability to work independently and influence stakeholders is key to advancing.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, meaning it combines remote work with in-person research fielding. This suggests a need for candidates who can be productive working from home while also being available for hands-on research activities when required.

Office Location(s): The job is listed as "US," with a derived timezone of "America/Chicago." While the remote aspect offers flexibility, the "in-person research fielding" implies that candidates may need to be located within a reasonable distance of potential research sites or be willing to travel for specific projects. The company's headquarters are not specified, but the ADP link suggests a US-based operation.

Workspace Context:

• The remote component allows for a flexible work environment, requiring self-discipline and effective time management.

• The in-person research component necessitates adaptability and the ability to work in various settings, potentially including client offices or dedicated research labs.

• Collaboration is a key aspect, suggesting opportunities to interact with colleagues and client teams, either virtually or in person.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time (40 hours/week). The hybrid nature and client demands may require some flexibility in working hours to accommodate participant availability or project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature is a critical detail. Candidates need to understand the balance between remote autonomy and the necessity of in-person fieldwork, which could involve travel or being near specific research locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• First Round Interview: Typically with a hiring manager or senior team member, focusing on your background, UX research experience, and understanding of methodologies. This may include behavioral questions.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: A dedicated session where you present selected UX research projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and how you collaborated with stakeholders.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a practical exercise or a deeper dive into specific research scenarios to evaluate your problem-solving skills and methodological approach.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or leadership to assess cultural fit and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 strong projects that best represent your end-to-end research capabilities, showcasing diverse methodologies and impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, the insights you uncovered, and the resulting outcomes or recommendations.

• Emphasize Process: Detail your research planning, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and synthesis methods.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, highlight the measurable impact of your research on product design, user satisfaction, or business goals.

• Show Collaboration: Illustrate how you worked with stakeholders, designers, and product teams, especially during design sprints.

• Address the "Hybrid" Aspect: If possible, include examples of managing both remote and in-person research components.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical research scenarios and how you would approach them, considering constraints like time, budget, and specific research goals.

• Prepare to articulate your understanding of the company's values and how your approach to research aligns with them.

• Practice presenting your portfolio projects concisely and engagingly, anticipating questions about your methodology and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end" research and "working side-by-side with stakeholders" means interviewers will look for candidates who can manage projects independently and communicate effectively within a team setting. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Tools: For conducting interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic studies (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, Lookback, UserTesting.com for remote, or potentially specialized in-person recording equipment).

• Quantitative Research Tools:

  • Survey Platforms: Qualtrics (explicitly mentioned), SurveyMonkey, Google Forms.
  • Card Sorting & Tree Testing: Optimal Sort (explicitly mentioned), UserZoom, Maze.
  • Usability Testing Platforms: Userzoom (explicitly mentioned), Maze, UserTesting.com, Lookback.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools: Excel, Google Sheets, dedicated qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail), statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS, if applicable to quantitative depth).

• Prototyping/Design Tools (for context): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (understanding these is helpful for collaboration).

• Collaboration & Project Management Tools: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for synthesizing and visualizing data (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio) may be used to present quantitative findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not core to UX Research, an understanding of CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide valuable context for B2B product research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Qualtrics, Optimal Sort, and Userzoom indicates these are key requirements. A candidate should be comfortable with a variety of digital tools for remote and in-person research, as well as for data synthesis and presentation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• See the Puzzle: A proactive and analytical approach to understanding complex user problems and business challenges.

• Open and Receptive: Willingness to embrace new ideas, feedback, and diverse perspectives from colleagues and users.

• Dynamic: Adaptability and agility in responding to changing project needs, client requirements, and research findings in a fast-paced environment.

• Do the Right Thing: Upholding ethical research practices, intellectual honesty, and integrity in all interactions and deliverables.

• Put a Ribbon on It: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished, and actionable research outputs that exceed expectations.

• We Win Together: A collaborative spirit, valuing teamwork and mutual support to achieve shared project and company goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Partner: Working closely and continuously with product teams (designers, PMs, engineers) throughout the design and development lifecycle, especially during design sprints.

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participating in team discussions, providing user insights to inform strategic decisions across disciplines.

• Feedback Exchange: Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve research processes and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a culture of learning by sharing research findings, best practices, and methodological expertise within the team and with clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's listed values are critical for cultural fit. Candidates should be able to articulate how they embody these values in their daily work and research practices, particularly in a client-facing agency context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Methodologies: Effectively integrating diverse qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a holistic understanding of user behaviors and needs.

• Working Autonomously: Managing end-to-end research projects with minimal direction requires strong self-management, prioritization, and proactive problem-solving skills.

• Stakeholder Management: Navigating differing opinions and priorities among stakeholders, and effectively communicating research findings to drive consensus and action, especially within tight design sprint timelines.

• In-Person Fielding Logistics: Coordinating and executing in-person research, which may involve travel, participant recruitment challenges, and ensuring a controlled research environment.

• Agency Environment Demands: Adapting to the fast-paced, client-driven nature of an agency, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and meeting demanding deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized or emerging UX research techniques.

• Client Consulting Skills: Developing skills in presenting research to senior client stakeholders and influencing strategic decisions.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining exposure to UX design, product strategy, and business consulting through diverse client projects.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior researchers or leaders within Key Lime Interactive, and to mentor junior team members as experience grows.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to professional development opportunities to stay current with UX research trends and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding these challenges allows candidates to prepare for potential hurdles and demonstrate their resilience and problem-solving capabilities. The growth opportunities highlight the potential for career advancement and skill enhancement within the firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX research project you led end-to-end. What was the problem, your approach, the key findings, and the impact?" (Prepare a detailed case study focusing on your autonomy and process.)

• "How do you decide which UX research methodology to use for a given problem? Provide an example." (Demonstrate your strategic thinking and understanding of trade-offs.)

• "Tell me about a time you had to present challenging research findings to stakeholders who disagreed. How did you handle it?" (Focus on communication, persuasion, and stakeholder management skills.)

• "How do you integrate qualitative and quantitative research to gain a comprehensive understanding of user behavior?" (Showcase your ability to connect different data types.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody our company values, such as 'See the Puzzle' or 'We Win Together'?" (Research the values and prepare specific examples from your experience.)

• "How do you collaborate with designers and product managers during design sprints?" (Highlight your experience as an embedded partner.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem/Objective -> Your Role & Approach -> Methodology -> Key Findings -> Impact/Recommendations -> Lessons Learned.

• Visuals: Use clear, concise slides that highlight key data points, user quotes, and artifacts (personas, journey maps). Avoid overwhelming text.

• Engagement: Be prepared to pause for questions and engage the interviewers in discussion about your work.

• Contextualize: Explain why you chose specific methods and how your research directly addressed the project's goals and stakeholder needs.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you worked with other team members and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing detailed answers for these types of questions, supported by specific examples from your portfolio, will be crucial for demonstrating your qualifications and cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the ADP recruitment portal link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate end-to-end UX research capabilities, proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative methods, and experience working collaboratively within design sprints. Prioritize case studies showing autonomy and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 4+ years of UX research experience, lists proficiency in key tools (Qualtrics, Optimal Sort, Userzoom), and quantifies achievements where possible. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects concisely and engagingly. Prepare to discuss your research process, methodological choices, and how you collaborate with stakeholders. Be ready to answer behavioral and situational questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Key Lime Interactive's values and client work. Understand the agency model and the importance of user-centered design in customer experience consulting.

⚠️ 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.