UX Researcher, CareerSG (6 month contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher, CareerSG (6-month contract)

Company: Open Government Products

Location: Singapore, Singapore

Job Type: Full-Time (Contract)

Category: UX Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: March 19, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level to Senior (5-10 years implied)

Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for remote work within Singapore)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research initiatives to generate actionable insights that inform product roadmap decisions for the CareerSG suite of products.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, designers, engineers, and product operations teams to address complex research challenges.

• Design and execute a variety of research methodologies, balancing rigor with scrappiness to understand user needs and validate hypotheses.

• Advocate for users by clearly communicating research findings and their implications to guide product development and enhance empathy within the team.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research processes and potentially propagate best practices to other government agencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title specifies "UX Researcher," the responsibilities, particularly around informing product roadmaps, collaborating with product ops, and the work on the ATS pilot and scaling, suggest a strong overlap with Product Operations and GTM strategy support. The role requires not just user research but also an understanding of operationalizing insights for product adoption and change management. The contract duration of 6 months indicates a project-based need, likely focused on accelerating the ATS rollout and optimizing user experience across the CareerSG platform.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct end-to-end user research studies, from defining research questions to synthesizing findings and presenting actionable recommendations.

• Develop and implement research strategies for new feature development, product enhancements, and problem-solving initiatives across the CareerSG products (Salary Calculator, Orion CV Screener, Jobs Portal, ATS).

• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for internal teams and external government agencies on research methodologies and user-centric design principles.

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to identify user pain points, unmet needs, and opportunities for improvement in digital maturity and user onboarding.

• Support the operational research needs for the ATS pilot and scaling phase, including agency readiness profiling and training material development.

• Translate complex user behaviors and feedback into clear, compelling narratives and deliverables for product teams and stakeholders.

• Collaborate with product managers and designers to prioritize research efforts based on product goals, business impact, and user needs.

• Continuously optimize personal research processes and explore innovative methods to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Contribute to building and maintaining a strong user empathy culture within the product teams and across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities are heavily weighted towards applied research that directly supports product development and operational rollout. The emphasis on "understanding varying digital maturity, processes, and organisational contexts" and "track adoption quality and surface emerging issues" points to a need for research that bridges user needs with organizational change management and operational effectiveness, a key aspect of GTM and Product Operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5-10 years of experience in user research, product research, or a similar role with a strong portfolio demonstrating research impact.

• Proven experience leading research initiatives from conception to execution.

Required Skills:

• User Research Methodologies: Deep expertise in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g., user interviews, surveys, usability testing, contextual inquiry, diary studies, card sorting, heuristic evaluation).

• Data Synthesis & Insight Generation: Ability to synthesize complex data from multiple sources into clear, actionable insights that drive product decisions.

• Experimental Design: Skill in designing and conducting experiments and tests to validate hypotheses and measure the impact of product changes.

• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present research findings effectively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

• Product Strategy Influence: Demonstrated ability to influence product roadmaps and strategic decisions through user-centered insights.

• Empathy & User Advocacy: A deep-seated passion for understanding and advocating for user needs.

• Problem Solving: Ability to tackle large, ambiguous problem spaces and break them down into researchable components.

Preferred Skills:

• Government/Public Sector Experience: Familiarity with government digital services, public sector operations, or working within a large bureaucratic organization.

• Change Management Research: Experience researching user adoption challenges and informing change management strategies.

• Agile/Scrum Environment: Experience working in fast-paced, iterative development environments.

• Quantitative Analysis Tools: Proficiency with statistical analysis and data visualization tools.

• Research Operations (R&D Ops): Understanding of how to scale research operations and build research capabilities.

• Workshop Facilitation: Experience designing and facilitating effective workshops for ideation, problem-solving, or training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The implied experience level suggests a need for a researcher who can operate with significant autonomy and potentially mentor others. The emphasis on "propagating practices to other government agencies" and "optimizing own research processes" points to a need for strategic thinking and operational efficiency in research execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio showcasing at least 3-5 significant research projects that demonstrate your end-to-end research process and impact.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your research approach and methodologies, key findings, and the tangible impact of your insights on product decisions, user experience, or business outcomes.

• Evidence of understanding trade-offs between different research methods (e.g., scrappy vs. rigorous) and how you applied them contextually.

• Examples of how you translated research findings into actionable recommendations for product roadmaps and design.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrated ability to document research plans, methodologies, and findings in a clear, organized, and accessible manner.

• Examples of how you have contributed to or improved research documentation standards within a team or organization.

• Evidence of understanding and applying research operations best practices to streamline research workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should highlight projects that involved understanding complex user contexts, informing strategic product direction, and potentially supporting operational rollouts or change management. Projects that demonstrate an ability to work with diverse stakeholders and drive measurable outcomes will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• As a contract position, benefits may differ from full-time employees but typically include:

• Competitive contract rate.

• Opportunity to work on high-impact public sector projects.

• Flexible work arrangements.

• Exposure to cutting-edge technology and innovative government initiatives.

• Professional development opportunities (e.g., access to learning resources, potential for knowledge sharing).

Working Hours:

• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

• Flexible work arrangements are offered, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on publicly available market data for UX Researcher roles in Singapore with 5-10 years of experience, adjusted for contract positions. Specific compensation will be determined by OGP based on candidate qualifications and the project's scope.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Technology / Public Sector Innovation

Company Size: Open Government Products (OGP) operates as a startup within the larger Government Technology Agency (GovTech) of Singapore. While GovTech is a large agency, OGP maintains a dynamic, agile, and flat-hierarchy environment akin to a startup, focusing on rapid prototyping and user-centric innovation for public good.

Founded: Open Government Products was founded in 2018. The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) was established in 2016.

Team Structure:

• OGP operates with a flat hierarchy and cross-functional teams composed of engineers, designers, product managers, and researchers.

• The CareerSG team is a dedicated product team within OGP, focusing on transforming recruitment within the Singapore Public Service.

• Researchers collaborate closely with Product Managers (PMs), Designers, and Engineers, forming integrated product teams.

Methodology:

• Rapid Prototyping & Iteration: Prioritizing testing ideas quickly to identify problems and possibilities, fostering a "fail-fast" approach to accelerate innovation.

• User-Centric Design: Deeply caring about users, understanding their needs, and advocating for what's best for them.

• Open Source & Collaboration: Embracing open-sourced principles and fostering a collaborative environment.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using data and research insights to inform product roadmap decisions and guide development.

• Agile Development: Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with flexible work arrangements.

Company Website: https://www.open.gov.sg/

📝 Enhancement Note: OGP's culture is a significant draw for individuals who thrive in innovative, mission-driven environments with less bureaucracy than traditional government roles. The "startup within government" ethos means a focus on impact, speed, and user needs, which is crucial for operations professionals looking to make tangible improvements.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level to Senior UX Researcher, with specific expectations for more senior individuals to contribute to external capabilities building and process optimization. It's a hands-on research role but with opportunities to influence strategy and practice.

Reporting Structure: Researchers typically report into a Research Lead or Product Lead within OGP, working day-to-day within dedicated product teams. The flat hierarchy encourages direct collaboration with PMs, designers, and engineers.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is directly tied to improving the user experience and adoption of critical government digital services, particularly the CareerSG suite. This includes influencing product roadmaps to better serve citizens and public agencies, ensuring smooth onboarding of new systems like the ATS, and contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of public service recruitment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in various research methodologies and apply them to complex public sector challenges.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Gain exposure to product management, design, engineering, and product operations within an innovative government context.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to optimizing research processes and potentially influence best practices across government agencies.

• Leadership Potential: For senior researchers, there's an opportunity to mentor junior researchers, lead research initiatives, and contribute to building research capabilities externally.

• Mission Impact: Grow by contributing directly to initiatives that improve the lives of Singapore citizens and the efficiency of public services.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a contract role, the opportunity for growth lies in the breadth of experience gained, the impact on significant public services, and the potential to shape research practices within a unique organizational setting. Demonstrating leadership in research execution and insight communication can pave the way for future opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Open Government Products operates with a hybrid work model, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The environment is designed to be dynamic, innovative, and conducive to cross-functional teamwork.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Singapore. Specific office details would be provided upon engagement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: OGP emphasizes collaboration, with open spaces and team-based work structures designed to encourage interaction and knowledge sharing.

• Technology & Tools: Access to modern technology and tools necessary for effective UX research, product development, and collaboration.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, stand-ups, and informal discussions foster a strong sense of team cohesion and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week with flexibility to manage work hours, supporting the balance between project demands and personal well-being. This flexibility is crucial for researchers who may need to schedule interviews outside of typical business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible working arrangements are key features for operations roles, allowing for focused individual work alongside essential team collaboration and user engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess research experience, methodology knowledge, and alignment with role requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion around research experience, approach to research problems, and collaboration style. Expect questions on past projects and how you've handled specific research challenges.

• Practical Exercise/Case Study: A potential take-home assignment or in-interview exercise to assess your ability to design a research plan, synthesize data, or present insights. This will likely focus on a problem relevant to the CareerSG products.

• Final Round: Discussion with senior members of OGP or product leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role and contract duration.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the "so what?" of your research. How did your insights lead to tangible product improvements, better user experiences, or strategic shifts?

• Showcase Process: Detail your research process for each project – from problem definition and participant recruitment to methodology selection, data analysis, and synthesis.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of diverse research methods used and explain why each was appropriate for the specific context.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased user satisfaction by Y%", "informed prioritization of Z features").

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that involved understanding complex user needs, informing product strategy, or dealing with operational/adoption challenges, as relevant to the CareerSG context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Design: Be prepared to outline a research plan for a given ambiguous problem space, including defining objectives, target users, methodologies, and key questions.

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

• Communication: Prepare to present your research findings and recommendations concisely and persuasively, anticipating stakeholder questions.

• Understanding OGP: Research OGP's mission, products, and approach to innovation. Consider how your research skills can specifically benefit public sector digital transformation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "propagating practices" and "optimizing processes" suggests that interviewers will be looking for candidates who can not only execute research but also think strategically about how research is done and shared within an organization.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for managing studies, participant recruitment, and data collection (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Hotjar).

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers and PMs for creating and sharing prototypes (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Experience with tools for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and quantitative data (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).

• Dashboarding Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for visualizing research insights and tracking key metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): While not directly a user of an ATS for research, familiarity with how ATS platforms function and the user journeys involved in recruitment processes is highly relevant given the CareerSG focus.

• Survey Tools: Tools for creating and distributing surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms).

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role requires a researcher who is adept at using standard UX research tools and can adapt to new platforms. Familiarity with tools used in product development and data analysis is also beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of citizens and public agency users.

• Public Good: A strong drive to create impactful solutions that benefit society and improve the lives of Singaporeans.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas, rapid prototyping, and a "fail-fast" approach to drive continuous improvement.

• Collaboration: Working effectively in cross-functional teams, valuing diverse perspectives, and sharing knowledge openly.

• Ownership & Autonomy: Taking initiative, voicing opinions, and having the freedom to drive projects forward.

• Efficiency & Effectiveness: Continuously seeking ways to optimize processes and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Researchers are integrated into product teams, working closely with PMs, designers, and engineers from ideation through launch.

• Open Communication: Encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing across disciplines.

• Data-Driven Discussions: Research findings are used to ground discussions and drive consensus on product decisions.

• Mentorship & Learning: A culture of continuous learning where team members share knowledge and support each other's growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of OGP align strongly with operational excellence: a focus on measurable impact, efficiency through innovation, and user-centricity that translates to effective service delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Public Sector Complexity: Understanding the diverse needs, digital maturity levels, and operational contexts of various government agencies.

• Balancing Rigor and Speed: Adapting research methodologies to deliver timely insights in a fast-paced, iterative environment while maintaining research integrity.

• Driving Adoption: Researching and supporting strategies for effective user adoption of new systems (like the ATS) across a wide range of users with varying technical proficiencies.

• Communicating Complex Insights: Translating nuanced user needs and research findings into clear, actionable guidance for diverse stakeholders.

• Contract Duration: Working within a 6-month timeframe requires a focused and efficient approach to research delivery.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Public Sector Digital Transformation: Gain firsthand experience in how technology is used to improve government services.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Development: Enhance collaboration and communication skills by working alongside engineers, product managers, and designers.

• Methodology Expansion: Opportunity to explore and apply a wide array of research techniques to real-world problems.

• Process Optimization: Contribute to refining and improving research workflows and potentially influence research best practices.

• Networking: Build connections within the Singapore government tech ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are primarily operational and strategic in nature, requiring adaptability, strong communication, and a results-oriented mindset, all critical for successful operations professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research with limited time or resources. How did you prioritize and what trade-offs did you make?" (Assesses scrappiness and prioritization)

• "Walk us through a research project where your insights significantly changed the direction of a product or feature. What was your process, and how did you communicate your findings?" (Assesses impact and communication)

• "How would you approach understanding the varying digital maturity of different government agencies to inform the onboarding of a new ATS?" (Assesses strategic research planning for operational context)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working on public sector products at Open Government Products?" (Assesses mission alignment)

• "How do you stay user-focused in a complex organizational environment with multiple stakeholders?" (Assesses user advocacy and stakeholder management)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your methodology, your key findings, and the impact. Use a consistent story arc.

• Highlight Actionability: Emphasize how your research translated into concrete actions or decisions that improved the product or user experience.

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

• Showcase Your Impact: Quantify results where possible and explain the "so what?" of your findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can demonstrate not only strong research skills but also strategic thinking, adaptability, and a clear understanding of how research drives product and operational success within a public sector context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight experience in user research, product strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and any experience relevant to government services or complex system rollouts. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your research process, methodologies, key insights, and demonstrated impact on product development or user experience. Focus on projects that align with the responsibilities outlined.

• Prepare for Interview Questions: Practice articulating your research approach, problem-solving skills, and how you drive user insights into actionable product decisions. Be ready to discuss your experience with ambiguity and stakeholder management.

• Research OGP: Familiarize yourself with Open Government Products' mission, their portfolio of projects, and their unique culture. Understand how your research expertise can contribute to their goal of building impactful public services.

⚠️ 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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