UX Researcher (TEMP)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher (TEMP)

Company: User Research International

Location: United States

Job Type: TEMPORARY

Category: User Experience Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead comprehensive, end-to-end benchmark and usability research studies for complex technical products, including AI/ML tools, cloud platforms, and developer-facing interfaces.

• Evaluate and measure the efficiency, usability, and overall developer experience within intricate technical workflows.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, data scientists, and ML practitioners, to identify and address workflow friction points.

• Translate technical user feedback and research findings into clear, actionable product recommendations that drive strategic improvements.

• Manage multiple research projects concurrently with a high degree of autonomy, delivering high-quality insights and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Researcher," the responsibilities heavily lean into a Product Operations or GTM Operations function, focusing on the efficiency and usability of technical tools for developers and data scientists. The role requires a deep understanding of technical workflows and the ability to translate complex feedback into actionable product improvements, which is a core tenet of operations roles. This is a temporary position, emphasizing the need for immediate impact and self-sufficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently plan, design, execute, and report on benchmark and usability studies, covering the entire research lifecycle from initial protocol design to final insight synthesis.

• Conduct in-depth evaluations of AI/ML tools, APIs, Command Line Interfaces (CLIs), and cloud-based developer platforms to identify areas for enhancement.

• Partner with engineering, data science, and ML teams to gain a deep understanding of user workflows and pinpoint sources of friction or inefficiency.

• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from technical user feedback into concise, actionable product recommendations for stakeholders.

• Deliver high-quality, impactful research findings and insights, demonstrating strong project management skills and the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.

• Design and implement measurement frameworks to quantify usability, efficiency, and developer experience metrics for technical products.

• Communicate research outcomes effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through compelling reports and presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end" studies and "minimal oversight" suggests a need for a highly organized and proactive researcher who can manage projects independently. The focus on "technical feedback" and "workflow friction" points towards a role that requires more than just standard UX research; it requires an operations mindset to identify and solve systemic issues impacting user efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Computer Science, Information Science, or a related field.

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant field is a plus. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of dedicated UX research experience, with a proven track record of independently leading benchmark or structured usability studies.

• Demonstrated experience in researching and understanding developer tools, ML workflows, APIs, CLIs, or cloud platforms.

• Experience in a consulting research environment is highly beneficial, given the company's specialization. Required Skills:

• Proficient in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) principles and methodologies.

• Strong expertise in study design, research protocol development, and quantitative measurement frameworks.

• Proven ability to evaluate complex technical products like AI/ML tools, cloud platforms, and APIs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of articulating technical findings to diverse audiences.

• Highly organized, self-directed, and adept at managing multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.

• Experience in synthesizing technical feedback into actionable product recommendations.

• Familiarity with data analysis techniques relevant to user research. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with machine learning concepts, data workflows, or software engineering practices.

• Experience with A/B testing and experimental design.

• Knowledge of specific cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) or ML frameworks.

• Experience working within Agile development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience and independent study ownership indicates a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on technical environments and developer tools suggests that candidates with a background in B2B SaaS or enterprise software, particularly those with a focus on developer experience (DevEx), will be highly competitive.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies of independently led benchmark or structured usability studies, emphasizing your role in planning, execution, analysis, and reporting.

• For each case study, clearly articulate the research objectives, methodology employed, key findings, and the actionable recommendations provided to product teams.

• Demonstrate experience in evaluating technical systems, such as APIs, cloud platforms, or developer tools, highlighting your ability to understand and research complex workflows.

• Include examples of how your research directly influenced product decisions or led to measurable improvements in usability, efficiency, or user satisfaction.

• Present data synthesis and reporting examples that clearly convey complex technical feedback to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of research protocols, study plans, or questionnaires you have developed for complex technical evaluations.

• Showcase your approach to synthesizing and documenting technical user feedback, including methods for identifying common themes and translating them into actionable insights.

• Illustrate your process for collaborating with engineering and data science teams to validate findings and refine product recommendations.

• Demonstrate your ability to manage the end-to-end research process efficiently, including timelines, participant recruitment (if applicable), and stakeholder communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on technical products and developer experience, the portfolio should strongly emphasize quantitative findings and the impact of research on product efficiency and usability. Case studies detailing how the researcher identified and helped resolve specific "workflow friction" points will be particularly valuable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55 - $70 per hour.

Benefits:

• Employer-paid Health, Vision, and Dental insurance.

• 401(k) plan.

• Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Paid Holidays. Working Hours:

• This is a temporary position, likely full-time (40 hours per week), with the possibility of flexible scheduling within US time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate of $55-$70 for a temporary UX Researcher with 5+ years of experience specializing in technical products is within the typical market range for experienced contract professionals in the US, especially for remote roles requiring specialized skills in AI/ML and developer tools. The benefits package is standard for contract roles, with employer-paid insurance being a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: User Experience (UX) Consulting / Market Research. User Research International specializes in usability testing and market research, working with cutting-edge technologies.

Company Size: The provided LinkedIn data indicates a company size of 51-200 employees. This suggests a mid-sized consulting firm that is established but still agile enough for rapid project turnarounds and a rich variety of client engagements.

Founded: The company was founded in 2016, indicating nearly a decade of experience in the UX consulting space.

Team Structure:

• The UX research team likely consists of experienced researchers who specialize in various methodologies and industries.

• As a consulting firm, researchers often work on client-specific project teams, collaborating with client-side stakeholders (product managers, engineers, designers) and potentially other consultants from User Research International.

• The culture is described as collaborative, valuing both people and technical skills, suggesting an environment where teamwork and technical acumen are equally important. Methodology:

• Data-driven approach to understanding customer needs and product usability.

• Focus on structured evaluations, benchmarking, and usability studies to provide measurable insights.

• Emphasis on translating technical feedback into actionable product recommendations.

• Fast-paced environment with quick turnarounds, requiring efficient research processes and strong project management.

Company Website: https://uriux.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "cutting-edge technologies" and its specialization in UX consulting for brands implies a client roster that includes innovative tech companies. For a UX Researcher, this means exposure to diverse and challenging projects, particularly in emerging fields like AI/ML. The collaborative culture and emphasis on both people and technical skills are key indicators for potential candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a Mid-Senior level UX Researcher, functioning with a significant degree of autonomy. While not a traditional "operations" role, the focus on measuring efficiency, identifying workflow friction, and providing actionable product recommendations aligns with the problem-solving and process optimization aspects of GTM or Product Operations.

Reporting Structure: As a temporary researcher, you will likely report to a Project Manager or a Senior UX Lead within User Research International, who oversees client engagements. You will also work closely with client-side product managers, engineers, and data scientists.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact lies in improving the usability and efficiency of complex technical products, directly contributing to better developer experience (DevEx), higher adoption rates, and ultimately, client product success. This indirectly supports the client's revenue and operational efficiency by ensuring their tools are effective and user-friendly.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in researching AI/ML tools, cloud platforms, and developer workflows, becoming a sought-after specialist in this niche.

• Project Diversity: Gain exposure to a wide range of clients and technologies, broadening your understanding of the tech landscape and different product development cycles.

• Consulting Acumen: Develop stronger client management, presentation, and strategic recommendation skills, which are transferable to leadership roles in UX or operations.

• Temporary to Permanent: While this is a temporary role, exceptional performance could lead to opportunities for longer-term contracts or even full-time positions within User Research International or with their clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: For candidates looking to transition into or strengthen their operations background, this role offers a unique opportunity to apply research methodologies to operational efficiency problems within technical product development. Success in this role could pave the way for future roles in Product Operations, GTM Operations, or specialized UX roles within tech companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, allowing you to work from anywhere within the United States.

Office Location(s): User Research International is based in Kirkland, Washington, but the role is remote.

Workspace Context:

• You will be working in a remote, home-office environment.

• Collaboration will primarily occur through digital channels, including video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management tools.

• Access to necessary research software and tools will be provided or expected to be managed by the contractor.

• You will be part of a dynamic consulting environment, interacting with diverse client teams and internal project leads. Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week.

• While remote, adherence to project deadlines and availability for meetings during core business hours (likely EST, CST, or PST depending on client needs) will be crucial.

• The temporary nature of the role implies a need for focused productivity and efficient time management.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a remote contractor, establishing a dedicated workspace and maintaining effective communication channels will be key to success. The ability to self-manage time and tasks is paramount in this flexible yet deadline-driven environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call to assess your background, experience, and fit for the role, likely with an HR representative or recruiter.

• Technical Interview: A more in-depth interview focusing on your UX research methodologies, experience with technical products (AI/ML, cloud, developer tools), and problem-solving skills. Expect questions about study design, data analysis, and how you handle complex technical feedback.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 detailed case studies from your portfolio. This is crucial for demonstrating your ability to lead end-to-end studies and deliver actionable insights. Be prepared to discuss your process, challenges, and the impact of your work.

• Stakeholder/Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview to assess your cultural fit, collaboration style, and overall suitability for the team and client engagements. This may involve discussing your approach to working with engineers and data scientists.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Technical Case Studies: Prioritize projects where you researched developer tools, APIs, cloud platforms, or AI/ML applications.

• Quantify Impact: Clearly articulate how your research led to measurable improvements. Use metrics related to usability, efficiency, task completion rates, or user satisfaction.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Detail how you identified workflow friction and translated complex technical feedback into concrete, actionable recommendations.

• Structure Your Presentation: Use a clear narrative for each case study: Problem -> Your Role/Process -> Solution/Methodology -> Results/Impact -> Recommendations.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your understanding of HCI principles, study design validity, and data analysis techniques for technical users.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical research scenarios related to AI/ML tools or developer platforms.

• Prepare to articulate your approach to measuring developer experience (DevEx) or the usability of complex APIs.

• Practice explaining technical concepts and research findings clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "benchmarking" and "structured evaluations" suggests that candidates should be prepared for questions that probe their understanding of quantitative research methods and their ability to establish baseline metrics for product performance.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Tools: Proficiency in standard UX research tools for qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Data Analysis & Visualization: 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).

• Collaboration & Communication: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace for team communication and collaboration.

• Project Management: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for tracking research project progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience in creating clear and compelling reports and presentations using tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, or specialized reporting software.

• Ability to use data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) to present research findings effectively. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user research feeds into product development pipelines and potentially CRM data for user segmentation or feedback loops is beneficial. Familiarity with how data is managed and utilized within product development workflows is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the focus on technical products and developer workflows, familiarity with tools used in software development environments, such as Jira for bug tracking and issue reporting, or Git for version control (though not directly used, understanding its context is helpful), could be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A core value, emphasizing the use of empirical evidence from research to inform product strategy and development.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A strong focus on identifying and reducing workflow friction, improving task completion rates, and enhancing overall user efficiency.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership: Valuing close working relationships with engineers, data scientists, and product managers to ensure research insights are integrated effectively.

• User Advocacy: Championing the needs and experiences of users, particularly developers and technical professionals, to ensure products are usable and valuable.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to ongoing learning and refinement of research methodologies and product offerings based on user feedback and performance data.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking out opportunities to collaborate with engineering and data science teams to understand their challenges and gather insights.

• Clear Communication: Maintaining transparent and frequent communication with all stakeholders, ensuring alignment on research goals and findings.

• Feedback Integration: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback within research projects and team interactions.

• Team-Oriented: Working collaboratively to achieve shared project objectives, even in a remote or temporary capacity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "people skills and technical skills" suggests a culture that values both interpersonal effectiveness and domain expertise. For operations-minded individuals, this implies that demonstrating strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, coupled with excellent communication and teamwork, will be highly regarded.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Researching Highly Technical Domains: Gaining a deep enough understanding of AI/ML, cloud technologies, and developer workflows to conduct meaningful research and provide credible recommendations.

• Synthesizing Complex Feedback: Translating nuanced technical feedback from expert users into clear, actionable insights that product teams can implement.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Balancing the needs and expectations of various client-side teams (engineering, product, data science) on concurrent projects.

• Demonstrating ROI for Research: Clearly articulating the value and impact of UX research, especially in terms of efficiency gains and product improvement, within a temporary engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI/ML and Cloud Tech: Gaining significant practical experience and knowledge in these rapidly evolving fields.

• Mastering Developer Experience (DevEx) Research: Becoming an expert in understanding and improving the tools and environments used by software developers.

• Consulting Skills Enhancement: Developing advanced client management, project leadership, and strategic recommendation skills.

• Networking: Building relationships within User Research International and with client organizations, potentially leading to future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The temporary nature of the role is both a challenge and an opportunity. It demands immediate high performance but also allows for rapid skill acquisition and exposure to diverse projects without long-term commitment, ideal for professionals seeking to build a specialized portfolio.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a benchmark study for a complex technical product. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on your end-to-end ownership and ability to measure performance.)

• "How would you approach evaluating the usability of an API for a new set of developers? What metrics would you track, and what methodologies would you employ?" (Demonstrate understanding of DevEx and quantitative measurement.)

• "Imagine you uncover significant workflow friction for ML practitioners using a new cloud platform. How would you synthesize this feedback and present actionable recommendations to both engineering and product management teams?" (Highlight your ability to translate technical feedback into product strategy.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about User Research International and our focus on cutting-edge technologies like AI/ML and cloud platforms?" (Show you've researched the company and are excited about their niche.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and data scientists who may have different priorities or perspectives?" (Emphasize your people skills and ability to bridge technical gaps.)

• "Given this is a temporary role, how do you ensure you can quickly ramp up and deliver high-impact insights with minimal oversight?" (Highlight your self-direction, organizational skills, and proactive approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select High-Impact Technical Case Studies: Choose projects that best showcase your experience with developer tools, AI/ML, or cloud platforms, and where you demonstrated end-to-end ownership.

• Quantify Your Findings: For each case study, clearly present the metrics you used (e.g., task success rates, time on task, error rates, satisfaction scores) and the measurable impact of your recommendations.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation to clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the insights you uncovered, and the actionable recommendations you provided.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, be prepared to discuss specific frameworks for measuring developer experience (DevEx) or the usability of technical interfaces. Demonstrating an understanding of how to quantify the "efficiency" of technical workflows will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the User Research International careers page.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with UX research for technical products, AI/ML, cloud platforms, APIs, and developer tools. Emphasize your ability to lead end-to-end studies and deliver actionable insights with minimal oversight.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies showcasing your experience in benchmark and usability research for complex technical workflows. Ensure these examples demonstrate your quantitative analysis skills and the impact of your recommendations.

• Research User Research International: Familiarize yourself with their client base, specialization areas, and company culture. Understand their mission to help clients build in-depth customer understanding.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and the ability to articulate technical findings and their impact effectively.

⚠️ 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.