UX Researcher – AI Enablement

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher – AI Enablement

Company: Target

Location: 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-19

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative UX research to understand and improve AI-enabled and agentic experiences for technical and product practitioners.

• Apply established research methodologies to well-defined questions, contributing to larger programs and pilots with immediate impact.

• Collaborate with cross-functional partners, including UX, Product, Technology, Data Science, and Analytics, to inform product and experience decisions.

• Support responsible AI enablement within UX Research by testing new tools, documenting workflows, and organizing research knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Researcher," the focus on "AI Enablement" and the collaboration with "Product, Technology, Data Science, and Analytics" suggests a strong intersection with Product Operations and a need to understand how AI tools and processes impact internal users and the broader GTM strategy. This role will likely involve research into the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of AI-powered tools for Target's internal teams.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Apply established qualitative and quantitative research methods to investigate AI-enabled products, tools, and workflows for enterprise team members.

• Contribute to research planning, including the development of research plans, protocols, recruitment strategies, and study logistics, under the guidance of senior researchers.

• Execute straightforward research studies such as interviews, usability tests, and concept evaluations using standard practices and methodologies.

• Support various research initiatives, including surveys, UX metrics tracking, pilot programs, benchmarks, and longitudinal studies, through data collection, quality assurance, and basic analysis.

• Participate actively in the analysis and synthesis of research data, organizing evidence, and communicating clear, actionable findings to project partners and stakeholders.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners to define research methods, establish key measures, and contribute to decisions that directly impact immediate project work.

• Contribute research-backed evidence to the creation of foundational UX artifacts like personas, journey maps, and service blueprints, enriching shared research knowledge repositories.

• Assist in testing and documenting responsible AI-enabled research workflows, ensuring alignment with project goals, constraints, timelines, and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "enterprise team members" and "AI-enabled and agentic experiences" indicates a focus on internal tools and processes, which is a key area for Product Operations. The responsibilities suggest a need to not only gather user feedback but also to operationalize research findings into actionable insights for product development and process improvement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for UX Research roles.

Experience: 2+ years of relevant UX, product, academic, or applied research experience, or equivalent demonstrated skills.

Required Skills:

• 2+ years of relevant UX, product, academic, or applied research experience, demonstrating practical application of research skills.

• Working knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with the ability to discern appropriate methods for different research questions.

• Proven experience conducting straightforward interviews, usability tests, or similar user research studies, ideally with some guidance.

• Ability to organize and synthesize qualitative data and perform basic analysis of simple quantitative datasets.

• Clear and effective communication and collaboration skills, enabling productive interactions with peers and cross-functional partners.

• Capacity to work independently on well-defined problems, manage assigned tasks efficiently, and consistently meet project deadlines.

• Commitment to inclusive research practices, accessibility standards, participant privacy, ethical conduct, and maintaining high-quality research craft. Preferred Skills:

• Curiosity and a proactive willingness to build technical literacy, particularly concerning AI/ML concepts and applications.

• Prior experience or exposure to AI/ML research, tools, or enablement initiatives is considered a strong asset.

• Familiarity with developing user personas, journey maps, or service blueprints.

• Experience with UX metrics, A/B testing, or other quantitative research techniques for measuring user experience.

• Understanding of responsible AI principles and their application in research and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2+ years" experience level suggests an early to mid-career professional. The emphasis on "AI Enablement" and "AI/ML" indicates that candidates with an interest or foundational understanding in these areas will be highly valued, even if not strictly required. This points towards a role that bridges traditional UX research with the operationalization of new AI technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of research projects that led to tangible product or process improvements, demonstrating a clear impact on user experience and business objectives.

• Include case studies that detail the research process from planning and methodology selection to data analysis, synthesis, and the communication of findings.

• Highlight projects that involved the application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, illustrating versatility in approach.

• Demonstrate experience in documenting research findings and contributing to shared knowledge bases or design documentation. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of contributing to the documentation of research workflows, particularly those involving AI-enabled tools or new methodologies.

• Examples of how research findings were translated into actionable recommendations for product teams or stakeholders.

• Demonstrations of how research supported the development or refinement of user journeys, personas, or service blueprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, particularly one focused on AI Enablement, a portfolio should clearly articulate the research process, demonstrate analytical rigor, and showcase the impact of findings on product development and user experience. For this specific role, highlighting experience with internal tools, AI, and process documentation would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,400.00 - $135,700.00 Annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health benefits and programs, including medical, vision, and dental insurance.

• Life insurance coverage.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Employee discount on Target purchases.

• Short-term disability insurance.

• Long-term disability insurance.

• Paid sick leave.

• Paid national holidays.

• Paid vacation time.

• Access to financial and educational resources, and well-being programs.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is typical for a UX Researcher with 2-5 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Minneapolis, especially within a large retail corporation like Target. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting Target's commitment to employee well-being and financial security. The "Hybrid/Flex for Your Day" work arrangement implies flexibility but requires onsite presence at Target HQ MN.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Target employs over 400,000 team members globally).

Founded: 1902, Target Corporation has a long-standing history of innovation and guest service.

Team Structure:

• The Global UX team is comprised of practitioners and experts in design, content, research, and accessibility.

• This role is within the UX Research function, focusing on AI Enablement, suggesting a specialized sub-team or a dedicated focus area within the broader UX organization.

• Collaboration is expected across UX, Product, Technology, Data Science, and Analytics teams, indicating a cross-functional and integrated approach to product development. Methodology:

• Application of established qualitative and quantitative research methods to understand user needs and behaviors.

• Focus on improving digital experiences for guests, team members, and partners through tangible, inspiring, and impactful solutions.

• Emphasis on responsible AI enablement, including testing new tools and documenting effective workflows.

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging research findings to inform product and experience strategies.

Company Website: https://corporate.target.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's culture is known for its focus on guests, team members, and community. The Global UX team's mission to improve digital experiences aligns with this, and the AI Enablement focus indicates a forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology. The large company size offers stability and opportunities for impact, while the UX team structure suggests a collaborative and specialized environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an individual contributor, likely at an early to mid-career level (2-5 years of experience). It focuses on scoped projects with immediate impact at the project and team level, under the guidance of senior researchers.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to Lead and Director-level researchers within the Global UX team, indicating a clear hierarchy for mentorship and guidance.

Operations Impact: While primarily a UX Research role, the focus on "AI Enablement" and internal tools means the research will directly impact the efficiency, productivity, and user experience of Target's enterprise team members. This indirectly supports GTM operations by ensuring internal teams are well-equipped and supported by technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to deepen expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, particularly within the context of AI and enterprise tools.

• Specialization: Potential to become a subject matter expert in AI-enabled user experiences and responsible AI research practices.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Collaboration with diverse teams (Product, Tech, Data Science) provides broad exposure to different aspects of product development and technology implementation.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior UX Researcher roles, Lead Researcher positions, or specialize further in AI research or Product Operations-adjacent research functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a solid foundation in UX research with a forward-looking specialization in AI. Growth opportunities would likely involve taking on more complex projects, leading research initiatives, and potentially mentoring junior researchers. The connection to AI enablement also opens doors to roles focused on product operations, technology adoption, and internal process optimization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement. This means the role requires performing duties both onsite at the Target HQ in Minneapolis and virtually, depending on daily tasks and team needs.

Office Location(s): Target HQ, 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative environment: Interaction with UX, Product, Technology, Data Science, and Analytics teams is integral to the role.

• Access to tools and technology: Expected to utilize standard UX research tools and potentially new AI-enabled research platforms.

• Opportunities for team interaction: Regular collaboration with senior researchers and cross-functional partners is a key aspect of the work.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model, allowing for a balance between remote and in-office work as dictated by project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Hybrid/Flex arrangement at Target HQ in Minneapolis offers a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. This setup is common for roles that require both independent work and team interaction, allowing researchers to engage deeply with their work while remaining connected to their colleagues and the company culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about experience, motivations, and fit with the team's goals, focusing on research methodology and AI interest.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely present selected research case studies, demonstrating their process, findings, and impact. This is a critical stage to showcase research craft and problem-solving skills.

• Skills-Based Assessment: Potential for a research exercise or a deeper dive into specific methodologies, particularly related to AI or internal tools.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interviews: Interviews with peers or stakeholders from Product, Tech, or Data Science to assess collaboration and communication skills.

• Final Interview: May involve a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your UX research skills, particularly those involving qualitative and quantitative methods, problem-solving, and impactful outcomes.

• Highlight AI/Internal Tools: If possible, include projects related to internal tools, enterprise software, or AI/ML applications to demonstrate relevance to this specific role.

• Structure for Clarity: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the methodology used, key findings, and the resulting impact or recommendations. Use visuals where appropriate.

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your research process step-by-step, explaining your rationale for methodological choices and how you synthesized data.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your research (e.g., improvements in task completion rates, user satisfaction scores, reduction in support tickets).

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a research problem related to AI enablement for internal users.

• Methodology Discussion: Be ready to defend your choice of research methods and explain how they would yield actionable insights for AI tool development.

• Collaboration Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you have collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Data Science) to drive product decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for UX roles. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just their technical research skills but also their ability to translate insights into actionable product improvements, especially in the context of AI and internal enterprise tools.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Tools: Tools for conducting interviews and usability tests (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, specialized remote testing platforms).

• Quantitative Research Tools: Survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey), analytics tools for data collection.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools: Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets), qualitative data analysis software (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo), presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides).

• Collaboration & Documentation Tools: Confluence, Jira, Miro, Figma, Google Workspace.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with general analytics concepts and potentially tools like Google Analytics or internal data platforms for understanding user behavior and metrics. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user feedback and research findings integrate into product development pipelines, potentially managed through CRM or project management systems, is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role implies proficiency with standard UX research methodologies and the associated software for planning, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on user research. Given the AI enablement focus, familiarity with tools or platforms related to AI/ML experimentation or data science collaboration would be a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Guest Obsession: While this role focuses on internal users, the underlying principle of understanding and serving user needs (whether guests or team members) is paramount.

• Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by research findings and analytics, emphasizing a rigorous, evidence-based approach.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: A forward-thinking mindset, particularly in exploring and enabling new technologies like AI.

• Inclusivity & Ethics: Commitment to inclusive research practices, accessibility, and responsible AI development.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with UX designers, product managers, engineers, data scientists, and business stakeholders.

• Open to feedback and constructive criticism, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in research craft and product outcomes.

• Emphasis on clear, concise communication to ensure research insights are understood and acted upon.

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's established company values—guest obsession, accountability, innovation, inclusive community, and rewarding work—likely permeate the UX team's culture. For this role, the emphasis on "innovation" and "accountability" (through delivering actionable insights) will be particularly relevant, alongside a strong commitment to ethical research and responsible AI use.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Understanding Complex AI Systems: Researching AI-enabled and agentic experiences for technical practitioners requires understanding complex systems and user workflows.

• Balancing Internal and External Focus: While the role focuses on internal tools, the insights gained may have implications for guest-facing AI experiences.

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Keeping pace with advancements in AI technology and research methodologies in this fast-moving field.

• Translating Technical Insights: Effectively communicating complex technical user needs and AI performance feedback to diverse stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Research Specialization: Deepen expertise in researching AI/ML products and user experiences.

• Methodological Advancement: Learn and apply new research techniques relevant to AI and agentic systems.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Develop a stronger understanding of product management, engineering, and data science processes.

• Internal Tool Optimization: Contribute to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Target's internal technology stack.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability and continuous learning, particularly in the AI domain. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to shape the future of AI enablement at a major retail company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex AI-enabled system you've researched or would be interested in researching. What unique challenges would you anticipate?" (Focus on your understanding of AI, potential research methods, and problem-solving approach).

• "How would you approach researching the usability and effectiveness of a new AI tool designed for internal data analysts at Target?" (Demonstrate your ability to tailor research methods to specific user groups and technologies).

• "Explain a time you had to communicate complex research findings to a non-technical audience. How did you ensure they understood the implications?" (Highlight your communication skills and ability to translate data into actionable insights). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Target's approach to AI and its application in enterprise tools?" (Showcase your research into Target's strategy and your alignment with their innovation goals).

• "How do you ensure your research is inclusive and ethical, especially when dealing with AI technologies?" (Address your commitment to responsible research practices).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you maintain collaboration and productivity?" (Align with Target's work arrangement). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your research process, the key insights, and the tangible impact or recommendations.

• Methodology Justification: Be prepared to explain why you chose specific research methods and how they were best suited to answer your research questions.

• AI/Internal Tool Relevance: If you have relevant projects, prioritize those that touch upon internal tools, enterprise systems, or AI/ML concepts. If not, emphasize transferable skills in understanding complex user needs and driving product improvements.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Practice presenting your work within a set time limit, ensuring your narrative is clear, engaging, and easy to follow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong research foundation, a keen interest in AI and its practical applications, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a large enterprise. Emphasizing how your research skills can support the operationalization of AI for internal teams will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Target Careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods, AI/ML interest, and any experience with enterprise tools or internal process improvement. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong UX research case studies that demonstrate your methodology, analytical skills, and impact. Prioritize projects involving complex systems or internal tool research if available.

• Research Target's AI Initiatives: Understand Target's broader strategy around AI and technology to better articulate your interest and fit during interviews.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating the impact of your research.

⚠️ 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.

---