UX Research Assistant (temporary) - New York

Sago; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

Sago is seeking a UX Research Assistant for a three-month temporary engagement near Penn Station, NYC. The role supports high‑quality human participant studies, coordinating activities, preparing environments, and ensuring data quality and operational reliability. Onsite with full-time and part-time options.

You’ll work with Senior Research Assistants, researchers, program managers, and onsite staff to deliver seamless research experiences while upholding safety and privacy standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Psychology, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Data Science, or a related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent hands‑on research, lab, technical operations, or human participant study experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Execute human participant research studies in accordance with approved protocols, study requirements, and operational expectations.
• Prepare study environments, equipment, documentation, and participant materials to ensure sessions run smoothly and consistently.
• Support participant onboarding, check-in, and study activities creating a positive, professional experience.
• Monitor study sessions and document observations, progress, issues, and deviations as required.
• Maintain accurate study records and support project teams by identifying risks and assisting with issue resolution.
• Set up, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot research equipment and lab tools.
• Ensure spaces, rooms, equipment, and materials are ready for scheduled activities.
• Support inventory management and readiness checks for study tools and materials.
• Follow safety, privacy, and operational standards to maintain a secure research environment.
• Share best practices and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Demonstrate flexibility as priorities and timelines change.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data quality

Emerging tech curiosity

Protocol adherence

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in HCI, CS, CE, Psychology, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Data Science, or related discipline

Equivalent hands-on research or lab experience

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Teams

MS Outlook

Google Docs

Google Sheets

Google Calendar

Lab software

Job description

Sago is a global leader in market research and data solutions, committed to connecting human answers to business questions. The world is transforming, and Sago is continuously reaching new heights, redefining our solutions beyond our clients' wildest expectations, and making it smarter, faster, and easier to gain insights that matter.

We're a team of innovators, strategists, and problem-solvers, passionate and inspired thinkers, who celebrate our wins. We are vibrant leaders who empower our colleagues and innovate the Market Research industry - curious learners constantly finding new ways to transform. We are bold thinkers and authentic team members who show up to work every day being ourselves, never afraid of new ideas or opinions, because we believe they matter.

We are currently seeking UX RESEARCH ASSISTANTS for a temporary position anticipated to last three (3) months, with the possibility for extension.

Location: Onsite within proximity to Penn Station, NYC

Schedule: Friday through Monday (daytime hours) - Full-time and Part-time schedules available

Pay rate: Hourly rate is anticipated to be $35/hour dependent on candidate experience and qualifications.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The UX Research Assistant is a core member of the Research Support Team, supporting high-quality human participant research studies across programs and other emerging technology initiatives.

This role supports the successful delivery of research by coordinating participant activities, preparing study environments, operating and maintaining research equipment, collecting and validating study data, and ensuring study procedures are executed accurately and consistently.

The UX Research Assistant works closely with Senior UX Research Assistants, researchers, the program managers, and onsite staff and participants to create seamless research experiences while maintaining strong standards for data quality, participant care, and operational reliability.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Study Execution & Participant Experience

• Execute human participant research studies in accordance with approved protocols, study requirements, and operational expectations.
• Prepare study environments, equipment, documentation, and participant materials to ensure sessions are ready to run smoothly and consistently.
• Support the facilitation of participant onboarding, check-in, and study activities while creating a positive, professional, and comfortable experience.
• Monitor study sessions and document observations, study progress, issues, and protocol deviations as required.
• Maintain accurate study records and support project teams by identifying risks, escalating concerns, and assisting with issue resolution.

Data Collection & Quality Management

• Collect, validate, and organize research data, including biometric, or other study-specific data as required.
• Execute data collection protocols accurately and consistently, ensuring outputs are complete, organized, and ready for review or downstream analysis.
• Perform quality checks to support data integrity, accuracy, and completeness across assigned studies.
• Assist with data preparation, formatting, documentation, and research summaries as needed.
• Use analytical thinking to identify potential inconsistencies, missing information, or study execution issues that may affect data quality.

Lab Operations & Technical Support

• Set up, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot research equipment, lab tools, software platforms, and testing environments.
• Ensure laboratory spaces, testing rooms, equipment, and materials are clean, organized, operational, and ready for scheduled research activities.
• Support inventory management, equipment tracking, and readiness checks for study-specific tools and materials.
• Follow safety procedures, privacy expectations, and operational standards to support a secure and professional research environment.
• Build ongoing knowledge of research tools, platforms, and emerging technologies used across research programs.
• Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Share best practices, lessons learned, and operational observations with team members to improve study execution.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability as research priorities, protocols, and timelines evolve.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality.

• Curiosity and comfort working with emerging technology, human participant research, and technical study environments.
• Ability to follow complex protocols accurately and consistently.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Professional, participant-centered approach with strong service orientation.
• Ability to remain composed, flexible, and solutions-focused in a fast-paced research environment.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively with technical and cross-functional teams.
• Reliable, organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple study activities and deadlines.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Psychology, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Data Science, or a related discipline preferred.

• Equivalent hands‑on research, lab, technical operations, or human participant study experience may be considered.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience supporting human participant research, UX research, clinical studies, lab studies, or technical research operations.

• Experience coordinating participants, preparing study materials, or supporting recruitment and study scheduling activities.
• Exposure to biomechanical, physiological, behavioral, time-series, or sensor-based data collection methods.
• Experience working in laboratory, research, academic, technology, or fast‑paced operational environments.
• Interest in emerging technologies such as AR/VR, AI, wearable technology, HCI, or advanced user experience research.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.

• Google Docs, Sheets, Calendar, and related collaboration tools.
• Research equipment, lab software, testing platforms, and participant tracking tools.
• Ability to quickly learn new research platforms, data tools, and technical workflows.