Design Researcher

Overview

**Aquent is partnering with a global leader in its industry to find a highly skilled and passionate Design Researcher to join their innovative team.** This is an exceptional opportunity to make a profound impact, shaping the digital experiences that millions of users interact with daily, and contributing directly to the evolution of design research within a forward-thinking organization.

**About Our Client:**
Our client is a prominent global institution, dedicated to becoming an industry leader in delivering exceptional digital experiences. They place strategy, rigorous research, sound design principles, and cutting-edge technical innovation at the heart of everything they do. This commitment ensures that every digital interaction is meaningful and impactful for their users.

**Unleash Your Expertise as a Digital Product Designer**
As a Design Researcher, you will be instrumental in shaping the user experiences across a diverse portfolio of digital products. You’ll thrive in a collaborative environment, working hand-in-hand with designers, product managers, and developers. Your expertise will drive critical decisions, from identifying research needs and proposing methodologies to conducting fieldwork, analyzing findings, and socializing key implications across the team. This role is for a proactive individual who believes research is a dynamic, integrated process, not a standalone function, and who is eager to ensure insights are woven into every stage of product development.

**Here’s how you’ll make an impact:**

Drive Design Research Strategy:
* Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders across design and business units.
* Provide essential support to designers and business stakeholders in prioritizing potential research activities.
* Develop comprehensive fieldwork approaches, both moderated and unmoderated, that directly address critical business and design objectives.
Execute and Analyze Research:
* Design and implement research activities to evaluate prototypes, deepen understanding of current user contexts, and uncover evolving user needs.
* Skillfully moderate live sessions with users and internal stakeholders, navigating high-complexity or sensitive topics with empathy and precision.
* Clearly communicate core themes and strategic implications derived from your research to the design team and broader stakeholder groups.
* Design and facilitate engaging ideation sessions and collaborative work activities that foster innovation.
Shape the Future of Digital Experiences:
* Contribute to solutions that will be used by millions, directly influencing customer experience and maintaining the organization’s status as a global digital leader.
* Push the boundaries of digital product design, continuously striving to improve the lives of people and communities.
* Play a pivotal role in shaping Design Research as a practice within the organization, influencing peers and setting new standards.

**Must-have Qualifications:**

* BA/BS degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Design (e.g., interaction, graphic, visual communications, product, industrial), Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science (CS), or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
* A minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in research.
* Demonstrated technical understanding of design research theory and proficiency with design research tools.
* Working knowledge of a diverse range of design research methodologies.
* Proven experience collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.

**Nice-to-have Qualifications:**

* MA/MS degree or certification in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Design (e.g., interaction, graphic, visual communications, product, industrial), Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science (CS), or a related field.
* A strong appreciation for the potential of ‘design thinking’ principles.
* Experience operating within a large organizational structure and an agile development environment.
* Prior experience contributing to the successful launch of a digital product.

**About Aquent Talent:**
Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.
Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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