Senior UX Researcher, Handshake Al

Apply; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in a fast-growing company

401(k) match and financial coaching

Paid parental leave and fertility benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and wellness stipend

$2,000 learning stipend

Free lunch and gym in SF office

Flexible PTO and holidays

Team outings and referral bonuses

Job summary

Apply is looking for a strategic UX Researcher based in San Francisco to help shape the next frontier of human data. You'll lead research to support platforms used by experts to generate data for AI models at top labs.

The role demands a strong understanding of AI systems, experience leading UX research, and the ability to drive impactful insights. We offer equity, competitive benefits, and professional growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end UX research for human data products.
• Track user sentiment and usability across systems.
• Extract insights from qualitative research.
• Run evaluative and generative research throughout the lifecycle.
• Deliver rapid, actionable insights to improve user experience.
• Recruit participants and manage logistics independently.
• Produce clear research deliverables and maintain insights repository.
• Align research with strategic goals by collaborating across teams.
• Champion user-centered practices across product and operations.

Skills

Understanding of AI systems and LLM development workflows

Experience leading UX research for complex platforms

Ability to deliver fast, high impact insights

Experience conducting research to improve services

Understanding of usability and design principles

Experience using lean research methods

Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative inputs

Collaborative work with cross-functional teams

Track record of influencing product direction

Embedding user-centered practices

Job description

The Role

Handshake AI is rapidly building a new generation of human data products—from expert annotation platforms to AI interviewers and seamless payout infrastructure—all designed to accelerate research and improve model performance. As AI models become more sophisticated, the demand for specialized human input continues to grow—and Handshake is uniquely positioned to meet it. We power career platforms at 92% of the top U.S. universities, giving us direct access to verified expert talent across a wide range of domains.

We're hiring a strategic, impact-driven UX Researcher to help shape the next frontier of human data. In this role, you'll support the development of platforms used by real human experts to generate data for LLMs at top AI labs.

• Lead end-to-end UX research that powers Handshake AI's human data products including expert onboarding, annotation workflows, evaluation tools, and the internal operations systems that power and scale these experiences
• Track and measure user sentiment, usability, and efficiency across systems to drive continuous improvement
• Extract insights from qualitative research and product analytics to inform design and strategy
• Plan and run evaluative and generative research throughout the product lifecycle—from early concepts to live tools
• Deliver rapid, actionable insights that improve fellow experience, product quality, and operational performance
• Recruit participants independently and manage logistics with minimal overhead
• Produce clear, timely research deliverables and maintain a centralized repository of insights and recommendations
• Deliver actionable insights that directly impact product improvements
• Track how research influences key outcomes such as OKRs, engagement, task quality, throughput, and business impact
• Build deep partnerships with cross-functional stakeholders to align research with strategic goals
• Champion evidence-based, user-centered practices across product, engineering, design, and operations
• Prioritize your own research initiatives with design operations and design leadership input

You Have

• Strong understanding of AI systems, LLM development workflows, and the role of human-in-the-loop data in model training and evaluation
• Demonstrated experience leading UX research for complex, high-impact platforms—ideally across both consumer-facing and internal operations tools
• Proven ability to deliver fast, high impact insights that accelerate product development and drive measurable impact
• Experience informing content strategy, design, and workflows through research
• Experience conducting research that directly improves overall services delivered to external users and operational workflows
• Deep understanding of usability and design principles, and how UX research directly improves system clarity and efficiency
• Experience using lean research methods—delivering insights in days, not weeks
• Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative inputs, including product analytics, to tell a compelling user story
• Highly collaborative, with a history of effective cross-functional work across product, design, engineering, operations, marketing, and leadership
• Track record of influencing product direction by grounding teams in user needs, pain points, and research-backed opportunities
• Experience embedding user-centered practices in fast-moving, iterative environments

We Offer

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported and thrive at work and in life. (The below benefits are for full-time US employees.)

• Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company
• Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching
• Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching
• Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, $500 wellness stipend
• Growth: $2,000 learning stipend, ongoing development
• Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office
• Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days
• Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.