UX Design Researcher

C$63.75 hr W2 + benefits + matching 401K

Start Date: 04.28.2025

Our leading financial client based in Toronto is looking for a talented UX Design Researcher to join their team!

Are you ready to join a distinguished financial institution that is committed to empowering clients and communities? Our client is a leading provider of banking and financial services, renowned for its customer-centric approach and innovative solutions. With a rich history of success and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, our client is dedicated to building a better future for all. Join us in our mission to make a positive impact and drive meaningful change.

You’ll work with a cross-functional group of designers, product managers, and developers. Embedded in a product, journey, or channel, you will identify upcoming decisions that need research inputs, propose methodologies, carry out fieldwork, analyze, and socialize the implications.

We believe that research is not to be a silo or a black box that outputs ‘insights’. If you believe this as well, we can achieve this together by working closely with the rest of the team to ensure they are participating along each step of the way.

What You’ll Do:

• Design Research Strategy
  • Build relationships with key stakeholders within and outside of the design team
  • Support designers and business stakeholders in prioritizing potential research activities
  • Develop research fieldwork approaches (moderated or unmoderated) which address business and design objectives
• Research and Testing (Execution, Synthesis, Analysis)
  • Moderate live sessions with users and people covering high-complexity or sensitive topics
  • Communicate core themes and implications from your research activities to the design team and other stakeholders
  • Design and facilitate ideation sessions and collaborative work activities
  • Develop research activities to evaluate prototypes, improve understanding of current context, or to generate new understanding of changing user needs

What You’ll Bring:

• 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 experience in research
• Technical understanding of design research theory/design research tools
• Working knowledge of a variety of design research methodologies
• Experience working on cross-functional teams

Ideal Candidate:

• 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
• Appreciation for the potential of ‘design thinking’
• Experience working within a large organization and within an agile environment
• Experience contributing to the launch of a digital product

The target hiring compensation range for this role is C$53.75 to C$63.75 an hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

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Client Description

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. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium.

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.