UX Researcher Senior

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher Senior

Company: Arizona State University (ASU)

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience Research (UXR) / Product Research

Date Posted: September 04, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site presence required in Scottsdale, AZ)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end user research initiatives, employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, to inform product strategy and enhance digital learning experiences for ASU EdPlus.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including designers, engineers, UX writers, data analysts, and product managers to translate user insights into actionable product improvements.

• Drive user-centered research to identify pain points, uncover opportunities, and support the development of impactful digital experiences within higher education.

• Mentor student researchers, coordinate research operations, and contribute to the continuous growth and improvement of the UX Research practice at ASU EdPlus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is designated as hybrid, requiring regular on-site presence in Scottsdale, AZ, rather than being fully remote. The emphasis on "enterprise initiatives" and supporting "millions of learners" suggests a significant scale and impact, aligning with senior-level responsibilities in user research operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic UX research partner to product, design, engineering, and cross-functional teams, driving user-centered insights to inform product strategy and key decision-making processes.

• Plan, execute, and lead generative and evaluative research using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, such as user interviews, surveys, usability testing, contextual inquiry, and analysis of existing user data (e.g., analytics).

• Develop well-scoped research plans that align research goals with critical business and user questions, ensuring methodological rigor and efficient execution.

• Analyze and synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable insights, delivering compelling research artifacts, reports, presentations, and dashboards to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership.

• Facilitate various in-person and remote research activities, including user interviews, focus groups, participatory workshops, and co-design sessions, ensuring effective participant engagement and data collection.

• Manage multiple, concurrent research initiatives within an agile development environment, adapting to shifting priorities, timelines, and resource constraints while maintaining high-quality output.

• Provide mentorship and day-to-day guidance to UX research student employees, fostering their professional development and ensuring high standards in their research contributions.

• Partner with the UX Research Director to coordinate broader research initiatives, refine team processes, and contribute to scaling the UX Research practice across ASU EdPlus.

• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of UX research methodologies, tools, and best practices, sharing knowledge and advocating for user-centered approaches.

• Assume or coordinate other duties or projects as assigned or directed, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to support team and organizational objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of hands-on research execution, strategic partnership, and operational leadership within the UX research function. The mention of "enterprise initiatives" and "millions of learners" indicates a need for scalability and robustness in research approaches. Mentoring student employees and coordinating initiatives points to a senior individual contributor role with leadership potential.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field such as Psychology, Social Sciences, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience (UX), or a comparable discipline. Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in leading end-to-end UX research initiatives, with a strong focus on both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.

• Demonstrated experience in planning and executing complex research projects from initial discovery through synthesis and final reporting.

• Proven track record of effectively translating research findings into actionable insights that have influenced product strategy, design decisions, or business outcomes.

• Experience working collaboratively within agile development environments, partnering with cross-functional teams. Required Skills:

• User Research Methodologies: Expertise in designing and conducting a wide range of qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, contextual inquiry, ethnographic studies, focus groups) and quantitative methods (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, analytics review, usability testing).

• Research Planning & Execution: Ability to translate research questions into robust research plans, select appropriate methods, manage logistics, and execute studies efficiently.

• Data Synthesis & Insight Generation: Skill in analyzing and synthesizing large datasets (qualitative and quantitative) to identify key themes, patterns, and actionable insights.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex research findings compellingly to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, through reports, presentations, and dashboards.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to partner effectively with product managers, designers, engineers, data analysts, and other stakeholders to integrate research into product development cycles.

• Agile Environment Proficiency: Experience working in fast-paced, agile settings with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and deliver results under tight deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• UX Design Principles: Demonstrated knowledge of core UX design principles and processes; hands-on UX design experience is considered a plus.

• Research Tools Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency with industry-standard UX research tools such as Qualtrics, UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Google Analytics, or similar platforms for data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Experience mentoring or supervising junior researchers, interns, or student employees, with a proven ability to coach others and support their professional growth.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive interest in contributing to the growth of a UX Research team through process improvement, knowledge sharing, and advocating for best practices.

• Portfolio Development: Ability to curate and present a strong portfolio or work samples that clearly demonstrate research impact on product, design, or business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Desired Qualifications" directly translate into preferred skills, highlighting specific tool proficiencies and leadership potential. The requirement for a portfolio is a critical component for demonstrating impact and strategic thinking in a UX research context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Impactful Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies that clearly illustrate your end-to-end UX research process, from defining research objectives to delivering actionable insights.

• Methodological Diversity: Demonstrate experience with a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, explaining why specific methods were chosen for each project.

• Insight-to-Action Traceability: Clearly articulate how your research findings directly influenced product decisions, design iterations, or strategic pivots, providing concrete examples of impact.

• Stakeholder Communication Artifacts: Include examples of research reports, presentations, or dashboards that effectively communicate complex findings to various audiences, including executive-level stakeholders.

• Problem Definition & Solution Orientation: Highlight your ability to identify user pain points and business challenges, and how your research provided the foundation for effective solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Examples: Provide examples of well-structured research plans that outline objectives, target participants, methodologies, timelines, and anticipated deliverables.

• Synthesis & Reporting Frameworks: Demonstrate your approach to synthesizing research data and structuring reports to ensure clarity, conciseness, and actionability of insights.

• Tool Utilization Evidence: Briefly explain how you leverage specific UX research tools (e.g., Qualtrics, UserTesting.com, analytics platforms) within your research process to enhance efficiency and data quality.

• Ethical Considerations & Best Practices: Briefly touch upon your understanding and application of ethical research practices, including participant privacy and informed consent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly mentions that a portfolio or work samples may be required. This section outlines what such a portfolio should contain, focusing on demonstrating impact, methodological rigor, and effective communication – key aspects for a senior research role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $75,000 - $85,000 per year, depending on experience (DOE). Benefits:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Access to robust health insurance plans.

• Financial Security: Programs designed to support financial well-being.

• Retirement Planning: Opportunities for retirement savings and investment.

• Family Resources: Support services for employees and their families.

• Tuition Reduction: Significant educational benefits for eligible ASU employees, their dependents, and spouses.

• Employee Discounts: Access to various discounts on goods and services.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is hybrid, flexible work options and alternate work schedules may be available, subject to approvals per ASU policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided. The benefits listed are standard for a large university system like ASU, with a notable emphasis on tuition reduction, which is a significant perk for employees in an educational institution. The "hybrid" nature implies a structured work schedule with on-site requirements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education Technology & Digital Learning Solutions. ASU EdPlus operates at the intersection of education and technology, focusing on designing and delivering digital teaching and learning models.

Company Size: Arizona State University is a large public research university, with EdPlus being a significant central enterprise unit. This implies a large organizational structure with substantial resources and a wide reach.

Founded: Arizona State University was founded in 1885. ASU EdPlus, as a unit, has evolved to support ASU's mission in the digital age.

Team Structure:

• Product and User Experience Team: This role is part of the Product and User Experience team within ASU EdPlus.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The UX Researcher Senior will work closely with designers, engineers, UX writers, data analysts, and product managers, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated team environment.

• Reporting: The role involves reporting to the UX Research Director and potentially coordinating/mentoring student researchers.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: The core methodology emphasizes understanding and serving learners through data-driven research to inform product design and strategy.

• Agile Development: Research initiatives are conducted within an agile framework, requiring adaptability and iterative processes.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Insights derived from qualitative and quantitative research are used to guide product development and strategic decisions.

Company Website: https://edplus.asu.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: ASU EdPlus's mission focuses on innovation in digital education. The culture is described as curious, risk-taking, and valuing diversity. The scale of ASU means significant opportunities for impact and professional development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Researcher position, indicating a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role. It requires leading complex research initiatives, strategic partnership, and mentorship, signifying a level of autonomy and influence beyond entry-level or standard researcher roles.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the UX Research Director. There's also a component of providing guidance and mentorship to student researchers, suggesting a potential for informal leadership and development of others.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is directly tied to improving the digital learning experiences for millions of learners. By informing product strategy and design, this role contributes significantly to student success, accessibility in higher education, and the overall mission of ASU EdPlus. Research findings are expected to influence product development and business decisions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or emerging research techniques within the digital learning space.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a lead researcher role, manage larger research programs, or take on more formal team leadership responsibilities, including formalizing mentorship programs.

• Cross-functional Influence: Opportunities to expand influence across product, engineering, and strategic planning teams, becoming a key voice in the product development lifecycle.

• Contribution to Practice Growth: Play a role in shaping and scaling the UX Research practice at EdPlus, contributing to process improvements, tool adoption, and team development.

• Higher Education UX Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge and a strong reputation within the UX research community in higher education technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title, coupled with mentorship and coordination responsibilities, suggests a clear path for growth into leadership or specialized expert roles within UX Research at a large institution like ASU.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is based at the SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. This is described as a beautiful, cutting-edge, and collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and interdisciplinary connections.

Office Location(s): ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, Scottsdale, AZ. This is the primary on-site location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The Innovation Center is designed to house a diverse business community, encouraging interaction and knowledge sharing.

• Technology & Tools: As a university unit focused on digital learning, expect access to modern technology and UX research tools necessary for conducting high-quality research.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person collaboration with designers, engineers, product managers, and fellow researchers within the EdPlus Product and User Experience team.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time role. While it is not fully remote, ASU EdPlus supports flexible work options, including alternate work schedules and hybrid remote work schedules, subject to management approval and ASU policy. The expectation is regular on-site presence in Scottsdale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the "cutting-edge" and "collaborative" nature of the SkySong Innovation Center suggests a modern, dynamic work environment. The hybrid policy indicates a balance between on-site collaboration and individual flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, likely including a screening of resumes and cover letters for minimum qualifications and alignment with role requirements.

• Cover Letter Questions: Applicants are required to address specific questions in their cover letter, demonstrating interest, fit, and research impact. This is a critical first step.

• Portfolio Review: A key component will be the review of the candidate's portfolio or work samples, assessing the depth, impact, and clarity of their research contributions.

• Interviews: Expect multiple rounds of interviews, likely including discussions with the hiring manager, potential team members (designers, PMs, engineers), and possibly senior leadership or the UX Research Director. These interviews will assess research expertise, collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

• Potential Skills Assessment: A case study or research exercise might be part of the process to evaluate practical research skills and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and methods, the key findings, and, most importantly, the impact of your research on product decisions, user experience, or business outcomes. Use metrics where possible.

• Showcase Process: Demonstrate your systematic approach to research, from defining objectives and planning to execution, synthesis, and communication.

• Tailor to EdPlus: Frame your examples to resonate with the context of higher education, digital learning, and ASU EdPlus's mission.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly explains your contributions without excessive jargon.

• Address Prompt Questions: Ensure your cover letter directly answers the questions about interest in the role and a specific impactful project, using your portfolio as supporting evidence.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Research Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach research challenges specific to EdPlus's context (e.g., researching diverse learner populations, evaluating complex digital platforms, measuring long-term learning outcomes).

• Methodology Justification: Be ready to defend your choice of research methods for hypothetical or past projects, explaining the rationale behind your decisions.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating research insights and recommendations clearly and persuasively, considering different stakeholder perspectives and priorities.

• Mentorship Approach: Prepare to discuss your philosophy and experience in mentoring junior researchers or students, outlining how you foster growth and ensure quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of cover letter questions and the need for a portfolio highlights key areas candidates must focus on during their application. The interview process is likely structured to assess both technical UX research skills and the ability to integrate into a collaborative, mission-driven team.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualtrics: Likely used for survey design, distribution, and data analysis.

• UserTesting.com (or similar): For remote usability testing, unmoderated testing, and participant recruitment.

• Google Analytics (or similar web analytics): For understanding user behavior on digital platforms, identifying trends, and informing research questions.

• Survey Platforms: Beyond Qualtrics, other tools for creating and deploying surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• Collaboration Tools: Standard enterprise tools like Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, and potentially project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Proficiency in tools for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, or manual coding techniques) and quantitative data (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, or statistical functions within survey platforms).

• Visualization Tools: Experience creating clear and impactful data visualizations for reports and presentations (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or advanced features within Excel/Google Sheets).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM/automation role, understanding how user data is captured and managed within educational platforms or CRMs (if applicable to student success tracking) could be beneficial. Familiarity with how research findings can feed into product roadmaps managed through such systems is also relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Desired Qualifications" specifically mention Qualtrics, UserTesting, and Google Analytics, making these key tools to highlight proficiency in. Broad experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis tools is also expected for a senior role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: A fundamental value driving the exploration of user needs and emerging trends in digital education.

• Risk-Taking: Encouragement to experiment with new research methods and approaches to uncover novel insights.

• Respect & Value: ASU EdPlus fosters an environment where employees are valued, respected, and encouraged to be their authentic selves.

• Innovation: Driving outcomes through creative problem-solving and a refusal to accept the status quo.

• Service to Learners: A core mission-driven value focused on improving student success and reducing barriers to education.

• Excellence & Boldness: Striving for high-quality outcomes and embracing ambitious goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers work closely with product, design, and engineering teams, fostering a collaborative spirit where insights are shared and integrated throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are guided by evidence and research, encouraging a culture of objective discussion and analysis.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: An emphasis on supporting the growth of junior team members and sharing best practices within the UX Research team.

• Agile & Iterative: The team likely embraces agile principles, meaning collaboration is continuous, iterative, and responsive to feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (curiosity, risk-taking, innovation) directly inform the expected work style and approach to research within the EdPlus team. Collaboration is highlighted as a key aspect of how the team operates.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Research: Effectively scaling research operations to serve millions of learners and numerous digital products requires efficient methodologies and robust processes.

• Diverse User Needs: Researching a wide spectrum of learners, including those with varying technical proficiencies, accessibility needs, and educational backgrounds, presents unique challenges.

• Balancing Priorities: Managing multiple research projects with competing deadlines and stakeholder demands in an agile environment requires strong prioritization and time management skills.

• Translating Insights into Action: Ensuring that research findings are not just delivered but are understood, adopted, and acted upon by product teams requires strong communication and influence skills.

• Measuring Long-Term Impact: Quantifying the long-term impact of UX research on student success and educational outcomes can be complex.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Research Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge research methodologies, potentially including mixed-methods approaches, advanced analytics, or specialized qualitative techniques.

• Higher Education EdTech Domain Expertise: Deepen understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the educational technology landscape.

• Mentorship & Leadership Skills: Develop skills in guiding and mentoring junior researchers, potentially leading to formal leadership roles.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Mastery: Enhance ability to influence product strategy and decision-making across diverse teams.

• Professional Development: Access to conferences, workshops, and internal training to stay current with UX research best practices and industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges helps candidates prepare for the realities of the role. The growth opportunities are framed around developing expertise, leadership, and strategic influence within the specialized field of educational technology UX research.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used both qualitative and quantitative research to solve a complex product problem. What were the challenges, and how did your findings lead to a specific outcome?" (Focus on synthesis, impact, and methodology).

• "How would you approach researching the needs of a new student demographic for ASU EdPlus's online learning platforms?" (Focus on adaptability, strategic planning, and understanding diverse users).

• "Imagine a product team is resistant to user feedback. How would you advocate for user research and ensure your findings are considered?" (Focus on influence, communication, and stakeholder management). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about this UX Researcher Senior role at EdPlus and how does it align with your experience and career goals?" (Be specific about ASU EdPlus's mission and your passion for educational technology).

• "How do you stay current with UX research trends and best practices, especially in the context of higher education?" (Showcase continuous learning and industry engagement).

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior researchers or students. What is your approach to fostering their growth?" (Demonstrate leadership potential and a collaborative spirit). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, structure your presentation like a narrative: the problem/opportunity, your approach (methods, rationale), the key findings, the recommended actions, and the ultimate impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your research (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased user satisfaction scores by Y%", "informed a feature that led to Z% adoption").

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially if you worked in a team. Use "I" when describing your actions and "we" when discussing team efforts.

• Visual Aids: Use visuals (screenshots, journey maps, personas, charts) to make your findings and process more engaging and understandable.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, data analysis, and the rationale behind your decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on common senior UX research interview themes: demonstrating impact, strategic thinking, methodological expertise, and collaborative/mentorship capabilities, all tailored to ASU EdPlus's context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher Senior position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required attachments are included.

• Cover Letter Customization: Craft a compelling cover letter that directly addresses the two specific questions posed in the job description, showcasing your interest in ASU EdPlus and detailing a significant research project with clear impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly demonstrates your 5+ years of relevant experience, highlighting specific UX research methodologies, project leadership, and contributions to product strategy. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Curation: Prepare a strong portfolio or work samples that showcase your end-to-end UX research process, methodological breadth, and quantifiable impact on product and business outcomes. Be ready to present this during the interview process.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research ASU EdPlus, its mission, its digital learning platforms, and its culture. Understand the context of higher education technology and how your UX research skills can contribute to their goals.

• Practice Articulation: Rehearse discussing your portfolio projects and answering potential interview questions, focusing on clear, concise, and impactful communication of your research expertise and leadership potential.

⚠️ 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.