UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Certara (Chemaxon)

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research

Date Posted: August 13, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on understanding the needs and behaviors of scientists using complex B2B software tools, particularly in cheminformatics and biosimulation.

• Conduct diverse product research activities, including user interviews, usability testing, and journey mapping, to inform product development.

• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative research findings into actionable insights that drive product strategy and enhance user experience.

• Leverage AI tools to streamline research processes and maximize time spent on user engagement and insight generation.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional product teams, including UX designers, product owners, and domain specialists, to champion a research-informed culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between scientific domain expertise and UX research methodologies. The emphasis on domain knowledge over existing UX credentials, coupled with a structured onboarding program, suggests a company actively seeking to cultivate talent internally and leverage scientific backgrounds for deeper user understanding. The integration of AI tools for research efficiency is a significant aspect of the role's modern approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define research plans by collaborating with stakeholders to identify key research questions, objectives, and business value, aligning with overarching business goals.

• Plan and prioritize research studies, select appropriate methodologies (e.g., interviews, usability tests, journey mapping), and estimate realistic deadlines for delivering study results.

• Execute a range of product research activities, including competitor analysis, user interviews, usability testing, user journey mapping, co-creation workshops, and target audience segmentation.

• Analyze and synthesize both qualitative and quantitative research results to generate clear, actionable product insights.

• Communicate research insights effectively and transparently to the UX team, product teams, and broader company stakeholders.

• Act as a strong advocate for a research-based culture, promoting the value of user understanding across the organization.

• Utilize AI tools for various research stages, from tool and prototype creation to data analysis and pattern identification.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic planning, hands-on execution, and cross-functional influence. The expectation to "advocate a research-based culture" indicates a proactive role in embedding user-centricity within the company's product development lifecycle. The explicit mention of AI tools suggests an innovative approach to research operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a background in a scientific discipline (e.g., Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology) is highly valued, particularly for candidates transitioning into UX research. A degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is beneficial for experienced UX researchers.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience is targeted, with a strong emphasis on domain expertise in scientific research or drug development. Experience in a hands-on scientific role is preferred for those transitioning into UX research. For established UX researchers, experience with complex B2B tools is essential.

Required Skills:

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex findings clearly.

• Excellent attention to detail and patience, crucial for meticulous research and analysis.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams, including UX designers, product owners, and domain specialists.

• Demonstrated ability to distill complex research findings into actionable insights for product development.

• Experience with a broad range of user research methods (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys, journey mapping).

• Knowledge of when to apply specific techniques and how to combine them to address complex research questions.

• Basic understanding of agile development processes.

• High proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred Skills:

• Domain expertise in cheminformatics, biosimulation, or related life sciences.

• Experience with AI tools for research and data analysis.

• Ability to teach and mentor others in research methodologies.

• Experience with competitor analysis, co-creation workshops, and target audience segmentation.

• Familiarity with product prototyping tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "domain expertise plus curiosity and coachability" for transitioning scientists, and "interest in complex, data-heavy B2B tools" for experienced researchers, clearly defines the ideal candidate profile. This suggests the company is willing to invest in training and development for the right aptitude and foundational scientific understanding.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of research plans, detailing how objectives were defined, methodologies selected, and scope managed.

• Examples of research studies conducted, illustrating the application of various qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., interview transcripts, usability test reports, journey maps).

• Case studies demonstrating the synthesis of research findings into actionable insights and their impact on product decisions or user experience improvements.

• Evidence of clear communication of research insights to diverse stakeholders, potentially including presentations or reports.

• For experienced researchers, examples of how AI tools were integrated into the research process. Process Documentation:

• Research planning documents that outline clear objectives, hypotheses, and methodological approaches.

• Detailed research protocols for user interviews, usability tests, and other research activities.

• Synthesis frameworks or templates used to organize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.

• Communication artifacts (e.g., presentations, reports, dashboards) that effectively convey research insights and recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly mandated, the responsibilities imply the need to demonstrate a structured approach to research planning, execution, analysis, and communication. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their past projects and how they applied research methodologies to drive product improvements. The inclusion of AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to process documentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a UX Researcher with 2-5 years of experience in Budapest, Hungary, the estimated annual salary range is approximately €35,000 - €55,000 (HUF 13,000,000 - 20,000,000). This range is based on current market data for similar roles in Budapest, considering the company's industry (software/biotech) and the hybrid work arrangement.

Benefits:

• Hybrid work arrangement with 8 days per month of home office.

• Private health insurance through Medicover.

• Daily access to Life1 Fitness Clubs.

• Generous annual training budget for professional development (off-site training, international conferences, e-books).

• English lessons offered as part of professional development.

• Opportunity to attend yearly user conferences with social programs.

• Participation in innovation days.

• Exposure to working with global Top500 companies and leading academic institutions.

• Access to leisure and recreation areas, including a children's play corner.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, with a hybrid arrangement allowing for 8 days of home office per month. The specific daily schedule is likely flexible within a standard workday, accommodating agile development sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for UX Researcher roles in Budapest. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, negotiation, and the company's internal compensation structure. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on professional development and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Services, Life Sciences. Certara is a leader in biosimulation, and Chemaxon, its subsidiary, specializes in cheminformatics software for drug discovery and chemistry research. This industry context means working with complex scientific data and tools used by highly specialized professionals.

Company Size: Certara is a significant global organization. Chemaxon, as part of Certara, likely operates with a substantial number of employees, fostering a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration. The UX team itself is composed of eight members.

Founded: Chemaxon has been operating for over 20 years, establishing a strong foundation in cheminformatics. Its acquisition by Certara signifies a new phase of integration and growth.

Team Structure:

• The UX team consists of eight members, with a mix of UX researchers and UX designers.

• Team members primarily work within cross-functional product teams, collaborating closely with product owners, developers, and domain specialists.

• There are also horizontal UX operational tasks that the team collaborates on.

• The company culture is described as agile, innovative, and friendly, encouraging frequent collaboration and cross-training. Methodology:

• Emphasis on agile development processes.

• Research is an integral part of product operations, with a dynamic team that values user insights.

• Active use of AI tools across various UX research stages, from ideation to analysis.

• Focus on data-driven decision-making and user-centric product development.

Company Website: https://careers.certara.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The blend of a well-established cheminformatics company (Chemaxon) with a larger biosimulation leader (Certara) suggests a culture that values both deep scientific expertise and modern technological integration. The explicit mention of agility and innovation points towards a fast-paced and evolving work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Researcher (2-5 years experience). For individuals transitioning from a scientific background, it represents a significant career shift into a specialized research field, with ample opportunity for skill development and advancement within UX. For experienced UX researchers, it offers a chance to specialize in a niche, high-impact area within the life sciences technology sector.

Reporting Structure: The UX team has a mix of researchers and designers, and team members work within cross-functional product teams. The UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Lead or Manager within the Chemaxon/Certara structure, with direct collaboration with Product Owners and development teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's insights will directly influence the development of critical B2B software tools used by scientists in drug discovery and chemistry research. This role has a direct impact on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of scientific workflows, thereby accelerating the process of bringing new medicines to market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX research for complex scientific software and cheminformatics.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunity to mentor junior researchers or designers, and potentially lead research initiatives on specific product areas.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through a generous training budget, conferences, and exposure to cutting-edge AI tools and methodologies.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Potential to move into product management, design leadership, or broader operations roles within Certara.

• Domain Expertise Growth: Further develop understanding of the scientific domain, enhancing the ability to conduct impactful research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "structured onboarding program" for transitioning scientists is a key indicator of growth potential. This role is designed to develop individuals into proficient UX researchers within a specialized domain, offering a clear path for career progression and impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job posting mentions "Budapest, Váci Greens Office Park," indicating a modern office environment. The company offers a hybrid work arrangement, blending office-based collaboration with remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Budapest, Hungary, specifically within the Váci Greens Office Park. This location likely offers good accessibility and a professional business setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office space is likely designed to facilitate collaboration, with meeting rooms, common areas, and potentially open-plan workspaces.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary UX research tools, software, and importantly, AI tools that are integrated into the workflow.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with UX team members, product teams, and other stakeholders within the office setting. The hybrid model allows for focused work at home and collaborative sessions in the office.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours are expected. The hybrid model (8 days/month home office) provides flexibility, allowing for focused individual work and in-person collaboration as needed. This structure supports the dynamic nature of agile development and research cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and the mention of office amenities like a "leisure and recreation area" and "playing corner for children" suggest a company culture that values employee well-being and work-life integration, even within a professional office park setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of CV and cover letter, focusing on domain expertise or UX research experience and coachability.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion about background, motivation for the role, and understanding of UX research principles. For scientists, this will focus on their curiosity and willingness to learn UX. For experienced researchers, it will delve into their B2B software experience.

• Portfolio Review/Case Study: Candidates will be asked to present examples of past research projects, demonstrating their approach to planning, execution, analysis, and communication of insights. This is where the process improvement aspect will be key.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: Meeting with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Owner, UX Designer, Developer) to assess fit within the product team and collaboration style.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Focus on how your research led to tangible product improvements or business value. Quantify results where possible.

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your research process, from defining objectives to synthesizing findings. Explain why you chose specific methodologies.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: For scientists, showcase projects where you learned new skills or adapted to new challenges. For researchers, highlight experience with complex B2B tools and diverse user groups.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked with product teams and stakeholders to integrate research insights.

• AI Integration: If applicable, detail how you've used AI tools to enhance your research workflow.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a case study or a take-home assignment that involves analyzing a hypothetical user problem or a piece of product functionality.

• Practice articulating research insights and recommendations clearly and concisely.

• Research Certara and Chemaxon's products, particularly their cheminformatics software, to understand the user base and industry context.

• Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of UX research, agile development, and the specific challenges of B2B software for scientific users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "structured onboarding program" and valuing "domain expertise plus curiosity and coachability" means that candidates transitioning from science should be ready to articulate their learning agility and enthusiasm for UX. Experienced UX researchers should be prepared to discuss their experience with complex B2B tools and how they've driven impact in similar environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Tools: Expect to use a variety of tools for user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and data analysis. Specific tools are not mentioned, but common platforms like UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Typeform, and similar are likely.

• AI Tools: Explicitly mentioned as being used for creating custom research tools, prototypes, data analysis, synthesis, and pattern-finding. Candidates should be comfortable exploring and integrating AI into their workflow.

• Collaboration Tools: Standard project management and communication tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams) will be integral for working within cross-functional teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., thematic analysis software, AI-powered synthesis tools).

• Tools for analyzing quantitative data from surveys or usability metrics.

• Proficiency in synthesizing findings from various data sources into clear reports and presentations. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user feedback integrates into product development pipelines (often managed via CRM or product management tools) is beneficial.

• Familiarity with agile development workflows and tools like Jira is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI tools is a critical differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or willingness to learn and leverage AI for research efficiency and insight generation. This indicates a forward-thinking and technologically advanced UX team.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Agile & Innovative: Embracing iterative development and creative problem-solving.

• User-Centricity: A strong commitment to understanding and serving the needs of scientists.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve common goals.

• Data-Driven Insights: Relying on research and data to inform decisions and drive product strategy.

• Continuous Learning: Encouraging professional development and the adoption of new tools and methodologies, including AI.

• Scientific Curiosity: A willingness to learn and understand the complex domain of chemistry and drug discovery.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly within product teams, bridging the gap between research, design, product management, and engineering.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparency and constructive feedback within the UX team and with stakeholders.

• Proactive Advocacy: Actively promoting the value of UX research and user insights throughout the company.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A supportive environment where team members share knowledge and help each other grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of scientific rigor and modern tech-industry practices, emphasizing agility, collaboration, and a user-focused approach, particularly for a specialized scientific audience. The integration of AI suggests a culture that embraces technological advancement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging the Domain Gap: For those transitioning from science, mastering UX research methodologies while gaining a deep understanding of user needs in a B2B software context.

• Working with Complex Data: Researching users who work with intricate scientific data and tools requires a high level of analytical and contextual understanding.

• Influencing Product Roadmaps: Effectively translating research insights into actionable product changes within an agile development cycle.

• Advocating for Research: Continuously championing the importance of UX research in a company that may have varying levels of UX maturity across different product lines.

• Integrating AI: Staying abreast of and effectively integrating rapidly evolving AI tools into the research workflow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Structured Onboarding: A dedicated program for transitioning scientists to learn UX research fundamentals.

• Advanced Training: Generous annual budget for external training, conferences, and learning resources.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced UX researchers and designers within the team.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Tech: Hands-on experience with AI tools for research.

• Industry Insights: Gaining deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries through interaction with clients and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in the unique positioning of this role: leveraging scientific background for UX research. The company actively supports this transition and development, making it a significant growth area.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to learn a new domain quickly to conduct effective research. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (For transitioning scientists: focus on your learning process; for experienced researchers: focus on how you tackled unfamiliar B2B domains.)

• "How do you prioritize research questions when faced with multiple stakeholder requests and limited resources?"

• "Walk us through your process for synthesizing complex qualitative and quantitative data into actionable insights."

• "How do you ensure your research findings are understood and acted upon by product teams?"

• "Describe a situation where your research led to a significant change in product strategy or design. What was your role, and what was the impact?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Certara and Chemaxon, and specifically about researching tools for scientists?"

• "How do you see AI tools enhancing the UX research process, and what's your experience or interest in using them?"

• "How would you contribute to fostering a research-based culture within a product team?"

• "Describe your experience working in an agile development environment. How do you integrate UX research into sprints?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the methodology used, key findings, recommendations, and the impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the value of your research (e.g., improved usability scores, increased task completion rates, reduced support tickets).

• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight how you worked with other team members (designers, product managers, engineers) and stakeholders.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, data analysis techniques, and how you handled challenges.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: If transitioning from science, emphasize your curiosity, learning agility, and how you've applied analytical skills in past roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their approach to research in a scientific B2B context, highlighting both methodological rigor and the ability to translate complex findings. Emphasizing adaptability and a proactive learning mindset will be crucial, especially for those transitioning from scientific roles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Certara careers page.

• Tailor your resume: Emphasize transferable skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, domain knowledge (if applicable), and communication. For scientists, highlight any experience involving user interaction, data analysis, or presenting complex information. For experienced researchers, focus on B2B software, scientific user bases, and impact metrics.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your research process, from planning to insights and impact. Be ready to discuss your role, methodologies, and how your work influenced product decisions. If you have experience with AI tools, highlight it.

• Research Certara and Chemaxon: Understand their mission, products (especially the chemical drawing tool), and the scientific industries they serve. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses.

• Practice your narrative: Be ready to articulate why you are interested in UX research (or this specific role if you are an experienced researcher) and how your background aligns with the company's needs, particularly the emphasis on domain expertise and coachability.

⚠️ 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.