UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Kalshi

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Insights

Date Posted: November 4, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end UX research initiatives, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and emotions within the innovative prediction markets space.

• Drive product strategy and innovation by partnering with product and design teams from the earliest stages of concept development, framing problems, testing hypotheses, and facilitating workshops.

• Triangulate research findings with behavioral and business data to provide a holistic view of user interactions and inform product decisions, working closely with data science teams.

• Translate complex research insights into clear, actionable narratives and compelling stories that influence product direction and business strategy across a fast-growing financial technology company.

• Develop a profound empathy for traders of all skill levels, co-creating solutions that address their unique workflows, motivations, and pain points in a rapidly evolving financial market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "founding member of the UXR team," implying a significant opportunity to shape research processes, methodologies, and the overall research culture at Kalshi. The emphasis on "0→1 environments" and "navigating ambiguity" suggests a need for proactive, self-directed individuals who can establish and scale research functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute mixed-methods research studies throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial problem identification and concept validation to post-launch performance measurement and iteration.

• Collaborate with Product Managers and Designers to define research objectives, select appropriate methodologies (e.g., user interviews, surveys, usability testing, diary studies, A/B testing analysis), and ensure research efforts align with strategic business goals.

• Integrate quantitative data analysis (e.g., user analytics, survey data, market trends) with qualitative findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of user behavior and market dynamics.

• Synthesize research findings into compelling reports, presentations, and workshops, effectively communicating actionable insights and strategic recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders, including executive leadership.

• Actively participate in product strategy discussions, contributing a user-centric perspective to inform roadmap prioritization, feature development, and market expansion initiatives.

• Develop and maintain deep empathy for Kalshi's diverse user base, including traders with varying levels of experience, understanding their motivations, pain points, and unmet needs.

• Leverage AI tools and techniques to accelerate research synthesis, hypothesis generation, and insight discovery, while also understanding their limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "shape what's next" and "push toward new bets" indicates that this role is not just about incremental improvements but also about identifying and validating entirely new product opportunities and market directions, requiring a strong strategic and entrepreneurial mindset.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Statistics, or a related field is typically expected for this level of UX research experience.

Experience: 7+ years of dedicated experience in User Experience (UX) Research within an industry setting, with a proven track record of conducting end-to-end research projects.

Required Skills:

• Mixed-Methods Research Expertise: Demonstrated mastery in designing and executing a wide range of qualitative (e.g., in-depth interviews, focus groups, ethnographic studies) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, data analysis) research methodologies.

• Product Lifecycle Research: Proven ability to conduct research across all stages of the product development lifecycle, from early discovery and problem framing to concept testing, usability testing, and post-launch evaluation.

• Data Fluency & Analysis: Strong capability to interpret and leverage behavioral data, business metrics, and market trends to inform research questions, validate insights, and connect research outcomes to measurable business impact.

• Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication: Excellent ability to partner effectively with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and business leaders, translating complex research findings into clear, actionable, and compelling narratives.

• AI-Native Research Application: Proficiency in utilizing AI tools for research synthesis, hypothesis generation, and insight discovery, with a critical understanding of their capabilities and limitations.

• User Empathy & Advocacy: A deep-seated passion for understanding users, championing their needs, and bringing their voice into product development processes.

• 0→1 Environment Agility: Proven experience thriving in fast-paced, ambiguous, "0 to 1" environments, demonstrating the ability to be scrappy, resourceful, and decisive.

• Ownership & Initiative: A strong sense of ownership, proactivity, and self-direction, with a demonstrated ability to identify research needs and drive programs forward independently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the FinTech or financial markets industry, with an understanding of trading platforms, financial instruments, or market dynamics.

• Familiarity with statistical analysis tools and techniques.

• Experience facilitating workshops and co-creation sessions with cross-functional teams and users.

• Knowledge of advanced qualitative analysis techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "7+ years doing UX research in industry" combined with the "founding member" status suggests a leadership potential within the role, where this individual will not only execute research but also help define the strategic direction and operational framework for UX research at Kalshi.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies Demonstrating End-to-End Research: Showcase detailed case studies that illustrate your ability to manage research projects from initial problem definition through to actionable recommendations and impact measurement.

• Mixed-Methods Application: Provide examples that clearly demonstrate your strategic application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, explaining why specific methods were chosen for particular research questions.

• Impact Measurement & ROI: Include evidence of how your research insights directly influenced product decisions, led to measurable improvements in user experience, or contributed to key business outcomes (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, retention).

• Stakeholder Communication Examples: Present examples of how you have distilled complex research findings into clear, concise, and persuasive narratives for diverse audiences, including executive-level presentations or workshop outputs.

• Experience in Ambiguous Environments: Highlight projects conducted in "0 to 1" or highly ambiguous settings, demonstrating your ability to define research objectives and execute effectively with limited prior structure.

Process Documentation:

• Research Design & Planning: Showcase your ability to document research plans, including clear objectives, hypotheses, participant criteria, methodological approaches, and timelines.

• Synthesis & Insight Generation: Demonstrate your process for synthesizing large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data into coherent themes, insights, and actionable recommendations.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Workflows: Illustrate how you collaborate with product, design, engineering, and data science teams throughout the research process, including feedback loops and integration points.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "founding member" aspect and the emphasis on shaping research, portfolios that demonstrate not just execution but also the strategic design and scaling of research processes will be highly valued. Evidence of establishing research frameworks or best practices would be a significant plus.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $200,000 to $250,000 annually.

This range is specified for New York City, reflecting the local market conditions for a highly experienced UX Researcher in the FinTech sector. The compensation also includes equity and benefits, further enhancing the total compensation package.

Benefits:

• Equity: Opportunity to receive stock options, aligning your success with the company's growth and financial performance.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage to support employee well-being.

• 401(k) Plan: Retirement savings plan to help employees plan for their future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday policies.

• Professional Development: Support for continuous learning, including potential for conferences, training, and certifications relevant to UX Research and the financial markets industry.

Working Hours: The role is advertised with a standard 40-hour work week. However, given the startup environment and the "work really hard" culture mentioned, flexibility and a commitment beyond standard hours may be expected, especially during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to New York City. For other potential on-site locations, this range would need to be adjusted based on local cost of living and market compensation data. The inclusion of equity is a significant component of total compensation in a high-growth startup environment like Kalshi.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (FinTech), specifically focused on Prediction Markets. Kalshi operates in a unique, category-defining space that bridges financial markets with event-based outcomes, aiming to bring more truth to the world through market mechanisms.

Company Size: Kalshi is described as having a "relatively small" team, suggesting a startup environment where individual contributions have a significant impact. The culture values "really talented people," "working really hard," and "enjoying the climb."

Founded: While the exact founding date isn't provided, the description implies Kalshi has been operating for long enough to have "fought for years" to legalize prediction markets in the US, indicating a history of determined growth and market-making.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team is nascent, with this role being a "founding member." This implies an opportunity to establish research infrastructure and best practices.

• The role requires close partnership with Product and Design teams, suggesting a highly collaborative and integrated product development process.

• Collaboration with Data Science is also explicitly mentioned, indicating a data-informed approach to product development.

• The culture emphasizes "minimal hierarchy and few titles," suggesting a flat organizational structure where direct communication and impact are prioritized. Methodology:

• User-Centric Development: Kalshi builds by understanding user needs, behaviors, and emotions, making UX research a critical input.

• Data-Driven Insights: Research findings are triangulated with behavioral and business data, indicating a strong emphasis on quantitative validation.

• Agile & Iterative: The "fast-moving 0→1 environments" and focus on iterative improvement suggest an agile development methodology.

• Meritocracy & Ownership: The culture values individuals who take initiative, demonstrate ownership, and contribute significantly to the company's vision.

Company Website: https://kalshi.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on being a "category-defining company" and "building the next generation of financial markets" highlights a high-growth, ambitious environment. This role offers the chance to be part of a company that is fundamentally innovating in the financial space.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior-level UX Researcher, likely considered a Principal or Lead UX Researcher given the 7+ years of experience requirement and the responsibility to "shape how research works here." It's a foundational role for building out the UX Research function.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a founding UX Researcher would typically report to a Head of Product, VP of Product, or potentially a Head of Design. The role will involve close collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, and Data Scientists.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher will have a direct and significant impact on Kalshi's product strategy and GTM success by ensuring that product development is deeply informed by user needs and market understanding. Their insights will guide the creation of intuitive, effective, and engaging financial products that drive user adoption and market growth. The ability to "bring the customer's perspective into the room before direction is set" underscores this strategic influence.

Growth Opportunities:

• Building the UXR Function: The primary growth opportunity is to establish and scale the UX Research practice at Kalshi, defining methodologies, hiring future researchers, and setting the standard for user-centricity.

• Strategic Influence: As a founding member, there's potential to influence broader product strategy and company direction, moving beyond pure research execution to strategic product leadership.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen expertise in prediction markets and financial technology, becoming a subject matter expert in a rapidly evolving and unique industry.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a leadership role, managing a team of researchers and overseeing all user research initiatives as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "founding member" status is a critical differentiator. This role offers not just a research position but an opportunity to shape the future of how Kalshi understands its users and develops products, providing a unique career growth trajectory for an experienced researcher.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site" in New York City. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration, spontaneous discussions, and team cohesion are prioritized. Kalshi's culture, emphasizing "working really hard," likely translates to a dynamic and focused office atmosphere.

Office Location(s): New York City, NY. This is a major hub for FinTech and offers access to a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a highly collaborative setting, working closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Scientists. The culture values "talented people" and "figuring things out," suggesting an environment where teamwork and problem-solving are paramount.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard UX research tools, analytics platforms, and potentially AI-assisted research tools will be available. The company's focus on data and innovation implies a modern tech stack.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for frequent interaction with the broader Kalshi team, fostering a sense of shared mission and collective effort towards building the "largest financial market on the planet."

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is indicated, but the culture of "working really hard" suggests that flexibility and dedication beyond these hours may be necessary to meet project deadlines and company goals, particularly in a startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement in NYC suggests that candidates should be prepared for a structured work environment that values in-person collaboration and team synergy, a common trait in fast-paced, high-growth FinTech startups.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will assess your background, experience, and alignment with the role's core requirements, particularly your experience in fast-paced environments and with mixed-methods research.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interviews: Expect interviews with the hiring manager (likely Head of Product or similar) and potentially key collaborators (Product Managers, Designers). These will delve into your research philosophy, methodology, experience with ambiguity, and ability to drive impact.

• Portfolio Review & Case Study Presentation: A critical stage will involve presenting your portfolio, likely focusing on 1-2 detailed case studies that showcase your end-to-end research process, strategic thinking, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodology choices, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved.

• Take-Home Challenge (Potential): Some companies at this level may assign a take-home research exercise to evaluate your approach to a specific problem or your ability to synthesize information.

• Final Round/Executive Interview: Potentially an interview with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and alignment with Kalshi's long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business impact of your research. Quantify outcomes whenever possible (e.g., "led to a X% increase in user retention," "informed a feature that improved conversion by Y%").

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Go beyond simply describing what you did; explain why you made certain methodological choices, how you framed research questions, and how your work influenced product strategy.

• Highlight Ambiguity Navigation: For this role, emphasize projects where you had to define research direction in unclear circumstances, demonstrating your proactivity and ability to generate structure.

• Data Integration: Showcase instances where you effectively combined qualitative insights with quantitative data to create a more robust understanding and stronger recommendations.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Present your case studies clearly and concisely, focusing on the most critical aspects of your work and its outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate "0→1" Scenarios: Think about how you would approach research questions where there is little existing data or established user understanding.

• Practice Storytelling: Be ready to narrate your research journey, highlighting your problem-solving skills and ability to translate complex findings into compelling stories.

• Understand Kalshi's Business: Research Kalshi's product, market position, and mission. Prepare to discuss how your UX research skills can contribute to their unique goals in prediction markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on "founding member" and "shaping research," be prepared to discuss not just how you do research, but how you would build and scale a research function, including defining processes, tools, and best practices.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Tools: Proficiency with tools for user interviews (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), and potentially tools for thematic analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo).

• Quantitative Research Tools: Experience with survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics), A/B testing frameworks, and potentially experimental design tools.

• Collaboration & Synthesis Tools: Familiarity with tools like Miro, FigJam, or similar for collaborative whiteboarding, affinity mapping, and workshop facilitation.

• AI-Powered Research Assistants: Experience leveraging AI tools for tasks such as transcript analysis, theme identification, survey question generation, or summarizing research findings.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or similar to analyze user behavior, track key metrics, and inform research questions.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret and potentially create dashboards using tools like Tableau, Looker, or internal company dashboards to present research findings and track impact.

• Data Science Collaboration: Understanding of how to work with data scientists and interpret statistical outputs.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed within a CRM or similar system (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or internal databases) could be beneficial for identifying research participants and understanding user segmentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI-native research" suggests that familiarity with and a proactive approach to using AI tools in the research workflow will be a significant advantage, potentially even a requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Obsession: A deep-seated belief in the power of understanding people and a commitment to regularly engaging with customers to inform product decisions.

• Ownership Mindset: Taking initiative, proactively identifying needs, and driving research programs forward without waiting for direction, embodying a "figure it out" mentality.

• Meritocracy: Valuing talent, hard work, and results, with opportunities for growth based on contribution and capability.

• Ambition & Vision: A drive to "dream big" and contribute to Kalshi's mission of building the largest financial market on the planet and bringing more truth to the world.

• Speed & Agility: Excelling in fast-moving "0→1" environments, demonstrating the ability to execute research quickly and effectively while navigating ambiguity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: A strong emphasis on working collaboratively with Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering teams, integrating research seamlessly into the product development lifecycle.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: A culture where research insights are valued and triangulated with data to drive informed decisions.

• Direct Communication: In a "minimal hierarchy" environment, expect open, direct communication and a willingness to challenge ideas constructively to achieve the best outcomes.

• Shared Mission: A collective focus on Kalshi's vision and mission, fostering a team environment where everyone is working towards common goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Kalshi appears to be a blend of high-performance startup energy with a strong intellectual foundation in financial markets and a deep commitment to user understanding. Candidates who are proactive, data-curious, and comfortable with ambiguity will likely thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Research Infrastructure: As a founding member, you'll face the challenge of building and scaling the UX research function from the ground up, defining processes, tools, and best practices.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a "0→1" environment means dealing with evolving priorities, undefined problems, and a lack of established research frameworks, requiring significant adaptability and initiative.

• Balancing Speed and Rigor: The need for "speed in execution" in a fast-moving startup must be balanced with maintaining research rigor and quality to ensure reliable insights.

• Bridging Qualitative and Quantitative: Effectively integrating diverse data sources (user interviews, surveys, analytics, market data) into cohesive insights can be complex.

• Educating Stakeholders: Potentially needing to educate internal teams on the value and application of UX research, especially in a company that may be new to formalizing this function.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Foundational Role Impact: The significant opportunity to shape the UX research practice at Kalshi, defining its future direction and methodologies.

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gaining unparalleled insight into the prediction markets and FinTech industry, a rapidly growing and innovative sector.

• Strategic Product Influence: Moving beyond pure research execution to have a substantial impact on product strategy and company vision.

• Leadership Growth: Potential to build and lead a research team as Kalshi scales.

• Continuous Learning: Exposure to cutting-edge financial products and technologies, fostering ongoing professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the growth opportunities. Successfully navigating these challenges will provide a unique and accelerated path for career development within Kalshi.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to establish a research program or process from scratch. What were the key steps you took, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses ability to build research functions).

• "How do you approach research in a '0→1' or highly ambiguous environment? Walk us through your process for defining research questions and methodologies when there's little precedent." (Evaluates comfort with ambiguity and strategic framing).

• "Tell us about a complex research finding that was difficult to communicate. How did you distill it into actionable insights for different stakeholders, and what was the impact?" (Tests storytelling and stakeholder management skills).

• "How do you balance the need for speed in research with the need for methodological rigor? Provide an example." (Assesses prioritization and practical execution).

• "Describe your experience integrating qualitative insights with quantitative data. What tools or approaches do you use, and how do you ensure the combined insights are robust?" (Probes data fluency and triangulation skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Kalshi and the prediction markets space?" (Assesses motivation and understanding of the business).

• "How do you see UX research contributing to Kalshi's mission of 'bringing more truth to the world through the power of markets'?" (Connects research to company vision).

• "Describe your ideal collaborative relationship with Product Managers and Designers." (Evaluates teamwork and partnership approach).

• "How do you apply AI tools in your research workflow, and what are your thoughts on their role in future UX research?" (Tests AI-native research capability). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly define the Problem, your Approach (methodology, role), Key Insights, and the resulting Impact (decisions made, outcomes achieved).

• Emphasize Your Role: Be clear about your specific contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Quantify Outcomes: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research.

• Tell a Story: Narrate the research journey, highlighting challenges, key decisions, and the learning process.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, data analysis, and how you handled unexpected findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "founding member" aspect, be prepared to discuss your vision for a UX research team and your approach to building a user-centric culture within a fast-growing company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of UX research experience, emphasizing your expertise in mixed-methods research, end-to-end project execution, and experience in fast-paced, ambiguous environments. Use keywords like "qualitative research," "quantitative research," "product lifecycle," "data analysis," "user empathy," and "0→1 environments."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 1-2 strong case studies that best demonstrate your ability to tackle complex problems, apply mixed methods strategically, integrate data, drive impact, and communicate effectively with stakeholders. Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your process and results.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and research philosophy, focusing on how you can contribute to Kalshi's unique mission and culture. Be ready to discuss your approach to building research functions and working in a startup environment.

• Research Kalshi: Thoroughly understand Kalshi's product, mission, market position, and company culture. Prepare thoughtful questions about their current research practices, product strategy, and user base.

⚠️ 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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