UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Nacar Careers

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience Research / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-6 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design and execution of comprehensive user research strategies to deeply understand user needs and business objectives within client projects.

• Lead end-to-end research initiatives, applying a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover actionable insights into user behavior and product usability.

• Translate complex research findings into clear, compelling reports and presentations for diverse stakeholders, fostering a data-driven and empathetic decision-making culture.

• Champion user-centered thinking and advocate for research best practices across product development teams, contributing to the continuous improvement of user experience.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, UI Designers, and fellow UXRs in a dynamic environment to identify and address user-centered opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a "creative partner" agency (Nacar) that serves external clients, meaning the UX Researcher will be embedded within client projects, requiring adaptability to different project contexts and client needs. The emphasis on "solution-first" and "measurable value" suggests a pragmatic approach to research, focused on driving tangible business outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and refine research strategies aligned with specific project goals, client business needs, and the product development lifecycle.

• Plan, execute, and manage qualitative and quantitative research studies, including user interviews, surveys, usability testing, heuristic evaluations, and contextual inquiries.

• Analyze research data to identify patterns, insights, and key user pain points, synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations.

• Develop and present comprehensive research reports, personas, journey maps, and other deliverables to internal teams and client stakeholders.

• Facilitate workshops and ideation sessions to translate research insights into product features, service improvements, and strategic decisions.

• Advocate for user needs and promote user-centered design principles throughout the product development process, ensuring accessibility and inclusive design considerations.

• Contribute to the evolution of Nacar's user research processes, methodologies, and best practices, and mentor junior team members.

• Maintain strong relationships and effective communication with cross-functional teams and client representatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Shape and evolve our user research processes and best practices" indicates a need for a proactive individual who can contribute to the internal development of Nacar's UX research capabilities, not just execute research tasks. This implies an expectation of thought leadership and process ownership.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level of experience.

Experience:

• 3 to 6 years of hands-on experience conducting user research for digital products or solutions.

• Proven experience across the entire user research lifecycle, from strategy and planning to execution, analysis, and reporting. Required Skills:

• Expertise in designing and executing a variety of qualitative user research methods (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, ethnographic studies, diary studies).

• Proficiency in applying quantitative user research methods (e.g., surveys, A/B testing analysis, statistical analysis of user data).

• Demonstrated ability to translate business needs into effective research strategies.

• Strong analytical skills for synthesizing complex data and identifying actionable insights.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish.

• Ability to lead and facilitate workshops, ideation sessions, and product/service definition exercises.

• A strategic mindset, capable of balancing user needs with business objectives and identifying revenue-generating opportunities.

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• A high sense of ownership and initiative in driving research outcomes.

• Commitment to accessibility and inclusive design principles.

• Proven ability to be a strong team player and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a design agency or consulting environment.

• Familiarity with design thinking methodologies.

• Experience with remote research tools and platforms.

• Knowledge of data visualization tools for reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for both English and Spanish fluency is crucial for this role, given the Barcelona location and Nacar's international presence, as well as their client-facing nature. The mention of "client ecosystems" suggests experience in understanding and navigating diverse business environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of end-to-end user research projects, showcasing your ability to define research objectives, select appropriate methodologies, execute studies, and deliver actionable insights.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your research process, the challenges encountered, and the impact of your findings on product decisions or business outcomes.

• Examples of research deliverables such as detailed reports, personas, journey maps, usability findings, and workshop outputs.

• Evidence of how you have influenced product strategy, design decisions, or business objectives through your research.

• Documentation of your approach to accessibility and inclusive design within your research projects. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to design and document research plans, including methodology selection, participant recruitment strategies, and data collection protocols.

• Provide examples of how you have analyzed and synthesized qualitative and quantitative data to generate insights.

• Illustrate your process for communicating research findings to various stakeholders, including product managers, designers, engineers, and executives.

• Demonstrate your experience in shaping and evolving research processes and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on evolving processes and evangelizing user-centered thinking, the portfolio should highlight instances where the candidate has proactively improved research methodologies or trained others. Demonstrating a "strategic mindset" and ability to identify "new revenue streams" through research will be particularly valuable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on the experience level (3-6 years) and location (Barcelona, Spain), a competitive salary range for a UX Researcher typically falls between €35,000 and €50,000 per year. This estimate considers the cost of living in Barcelona, industry benchmarks for UX research roles in Spain, and the hybrid work model.

Benefits:

• Permanent contract.

• Competitive salary.

• Hybrid working model: Option to work from home or from their Barcelona studio, which features free coffee and a garden.

• Dynamic international community: Opportunity to join a team of over 15 nationalities and participate in team-building activities.

• Nacar Academy: Access to a training program focused on personalized career path development.

• Generous Paid Time Off: 26 paid vacation days per year.

• Home Office Support: Monthly allowance for internet costs and a budget for work-from-home materials.

• Health Insurance.

• Flexible working hours.

• Perks: Free tickets for the Palo Alto Market.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible working hours offered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for this role and location. It's important for candidates to note that the actual salary may vary based on specific experience, skills, and negotiation. The inclusion of WFH allowances and flexible hours reflects a modern, employee-centric approach, aligning with Nacar's stated values.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Creative Services / Design Consulting / Product Development Services. Nacar operates as a "solution-first creative partner," blending strategic consulting with design and product development expertise for ambitious organizations.

Company Size: 130+ employees ("Nacarians"), indicating a mid-sized agency with established operations and a global footprint.

Founded: Nacar has a history of over twenty years, with roots in Palo Alto and studios in Barcelona, Bilbao, Guadalajara, Porto Alegre, and China. This longevity suggests stability and a deep understanding of the design and innovation landscape.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will likely be part of a broader Design or Product team, collaborating with other UX Researchers, UI Designers, Industrial Designers, Strategists, and Product Managers.

• Within Nacar, there's a cross-disciplinary approach, uniting professionals from strategy, research, industrial design, digital design, brand, service, and engineering.

• The role is client-facing, meaning collaboration will also extend to client teams, requiring adaptability to different organizational structures and working styles. Methodology:

• Data-Driven & Empathetic Decision-Making: Nacar emphasizes using data and research to inform decisions while maintaining empathy for users.

• Connecting Craft with Systems: A core philosophy is building solutions that not only look good but also perform, scale, and generate measurable value.

• Solution-First & Creative Excellence: The focus is on delivering practical solutions that address client needs effectively, underpinned by rigorous creative processes.

• Hybrid Work Model & Flexible Hours: Promoting a culture of communication, collaboration, and ownership with flexibility.

Company Website: nacardesign.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Nacar's description highlights a strong emphasis on tangible results ("real solutions," "measurable value") and a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. The "Nacarian" profile (Criteria, Adaptability, Ownership) is key to understanding their desired culture fit.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Researcher role is positioned at a mid-level, requiring 3-6 years of experience. It involves significant autonomy in research design and execution, as well as influencing stakeholders and contributing to process improvement. It's a role that expects a solid foundation in research methodologies and the ability to operate independently on projects.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will likely report to a Lead UX Researcher, Head of Design, or a similar senior role within Nacar's structure. They will also work closely with client-side Product Managers and Project Leads.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's primary impact is on product success and client satisfaction by ensuring products and services are user-centered, useful, and usable. This directly influences adoption rates, user satisfaction, and ultimately, the client's business objectives, potentially leading to "new revenue streams" as mentioned in the requirements.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced quantitative analysis, generative AI in research) or focus on particular industries or product types.

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

• Process Improvement: Take ownership of refining and standardizing Nacar's UX research processes and best practices.

• Client Management: Develop stronger client relationship management skills and contribute to strategic client consultations.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to other design disciplines within Nacar, fostering a holistic understanding of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nacar Academy training program" and the emphasis on "personalized career paths" suggest a structured approach to employee development. The opportunity to "build" the organization indicates potential for rapid growth and impact for ambitious individuals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, offering flexibility to work remotely or from their Barcelona studio. The studio is described as "beautiful" with amenities like free coffee and a garden, suggesting a pleasant and collaborative physical workspace.

Office Location(s): Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. This studio serves as a hub for local and potentially client-facing activities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The studio is likely designed to foster collaboration, with shared spaces and resources. The hybrid model implies a need for strong remote collaboration tools and practices.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard UX research tools, design software, and communication platforms will be provided. The specific stack is detailed in a later section.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous interaction and planned meetings with fellow Nacarians and client teams, both in-person and virtually.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours within a standard 40-hour work week, allowing individuals to manage their schedules effectively while ensuring project needs and team collaboration are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the Barcelona studio as "beautiful" with amenities like a "great garden" and "free coffee" aims to attract talent by highlighting a positive and supportive physical work environment, even within a hybrid setup.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, motivations, and understanding of UX research principles.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: You will likely be asked to present one or two key projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, insights, and impact. This will be a crucial part of assessing your practical skills and communication abilities.

• Skills-Based Exercise/Workshop: Potentially a short exercise or a simulated workshop scenario to evaluate your research design, analysis, or facilitation skills.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interview: Meeting with other UXRs, designers, PMs, or engineers to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to work within a team.

• Final Interview: Possibly with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research capabilities, diverse methodologies, and impact. Tailor your selection to highlight strengths relevant to digital products and client-facing work.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role and approach, the methodologies used, key findings, challenges, and the tangible outcomes or impact achieved. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or evidence demonstrating how your research influenced product decisions, improved user metrics (e.g., conversion rates, task success), or contributed to business goals.

• Highlight Process Evolution: If you have examples of how you've improved research processes or mentored others, be sure to include them, as this role values process ownership.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handle conflicting feedback, your approach to difficult stakeholders, and how you balance user needs with business constraints.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Design: Be prepared to outline a research plan for a hypothetical product or feature, considering objectives, target users, and appropriate methodologies.

• Data Synthesis: Practice synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to explain complex research findings and their implications to non-research audiences.

• Problem-Solving: Think about how you would approach ambiguous research problems or situations where data is limited.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "design the research strategy" and "end-to-end experience" means interviewers will be looking for strategic thinkers who can own the research process from inception to impact, not just execute predefined tasks.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Typeform, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding Tools: For remote workshops, ideation, and synthesis (e.g., Miro, Mural, FigJam).

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers to understand prototypes and design iterations (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Data Analysis Tools: For quantitative data analysis (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis) and qualitative data synthesis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, affinity mapping tools).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: For creating clear and impactful reports and dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio).

• Web Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics to interpret user behavior data on digital platforms.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for a UX Researcher, familiarity with how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) or product analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) can inform research or be influenced by research findings would be beneficial.

• Understanding of project management tools for tracking research tasks and timelines (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello).

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's requirements point to a need for proficiency in a broad range of UX research and collaboration software. The emphasis on "quantitative research methods" suggests a need for analytical tools beyond basic survey platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Criteria, Adaptability, Ownership: These are the core tenets of being a "Nacarian." Candidates are expected to apply rigorous standards (Criteria), be flexible and responsive to change (Adaptability), and take full responsibility for their work and its outcomes (Ownership).

• Solution-First: A practical, results-oriented approach where creativity is applied to solve real problems and deliver value.

• Data-Driven & Empathetic: Decisions are informed by both objective data and a deep understanding of user needs and perspectives.

• Collaboration & Communication: Openness in sharing ideas, feedback, and progress is essential, especially in a hybrid and client-facing environment.

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality work and creative rigor.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Nacarians come from diverse disciplines and work together, requiring effective communication and mutual respect across specialties like strategy, design, and engineering.

• Client Partnership: Collaborative engagement with clients to co-create solutions and ensure alignment.

• Process-Oriented: A culture that values refining workflows and methodologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of learnings and best practices across the team, supported by initiatives like the Nacar Academy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nacarian" profile (Criteria, Adaptability, Ownership) is central to the company's culture and likely a key focus during interviews. Demonstrating these traits will be critical for a successful application.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Client Dynamics: Adapting research strategies and communication styles to diverse client needs, expectations, and organizational cultures.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Finding solutions that satisfy both user desires and client business objectives, which can sometimes be in conflict.

• Rapidly Changing Environments: Working in fast-paced settings where project requirements and priorities can shift quickly, requiring agility and adaptability.

• Synthesizing Diverse Data: Integrating insights from various qualitative and quantitative sources to form a cohesive understanding.

• Evangelizing Research: Continuously educating stakeholders on the value of user research and embedding user-centered thinking across teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Nacar Academy: Access to structured training programs designed for personalized career path development, likely covering advanced research techniques, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Opportunities to work alongside professionals from various disciplines (strategy, industrial design, service design, engineering), fostering broad skill development.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior researchers or leaders within Nacar, and to mentor junior team members, enhancing leadership and coaching abilities.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of evolving UX research methodologies, tools, and emerging technologies through internal knowledge sharing and potential external training/conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for agency-side roles serving external clients, emphasizing the need for strong communication, adaptability, and strategic thinking to navigate diverse project environments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a research strategy from scratch for a new product or feature. What was your process, and what key decisions did you make?" (Focus on your strategic thinking, methodology selection, and alignment with business goals.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives when research findings conflict with business priorities? Provide an example." (Demonstrate your ability to negotiate, advocate for users, and find practical compromises.)

• "Imagine you're working with a client who is skeptical about user research. How would you evangelize its value and build their confidence in the process and findings?" (Highlight your communication, persuasion, and stakeholder management skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on our website and this job description, what do you see as Nacar's core strengths and how do you see yourself contributing to them?" (Show you've researched Nacar and understand their "solution-first" and "measurable value" ethos.)

• "How do you embody 'Criteria, Adaptability, and Ownership' in your work?" (Be ready with specific examples for each of these core values.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment. What strategies do you use to ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Address your ability to thrive in Nacar's flexible work model.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, use a clear structure: Problem/Context -> Your Role & Objectives -> Research Process & Methods -> Key Findings -> Impact/Recommendations -> Learnings.

• Highlight Your "Why": Explain the rationale behind your methodological choices and how they addressed the specific research questions and business needs.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, quotes, diagrams, anonymized data summaries) to illustrate your process and findings.

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the tangible outcomes of your research – how it influenced design decisions, improved user metrics, or contributed to business success. Quantify where possible.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methods, data analysis, and how you handled challenges or unexpected results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strategic mindset" and identifying "new revenue streams" means interviewers will be looking for candidates who can connect research insights directly to business impact, not just user satisfaction.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

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

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful UX research projects that showcase your end-to-end process, diverse methodologies, and measurable results. Tailor your selection to highlight experience with digital products and client-facing work.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3-6 years of experience, proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research, and specific achievements. Use keywords from the job description like "research strategy," "user-centered design," "stakeholder management," and "accessibility."

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and demonstrating the impact of your research. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your methodology and decision-making.

• Research Nacar: Understand Nacar's "solution-first" philosophy, their core values (Criteria, Adaptability, Ownership), and their client-centric approach. Prepare to discuss how your skills and values align with their culture.

⚠️ 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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