UX Research Scientist

Meta; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a UX Research Scientist to explore the intersection of human behavior and technology. This role involves conducting cutting-edge research in virtual and augmented reality, focusing on user experience and safety. You will develop methodologies to assess human interactions with technology, analyze complex data, and communicate insights that drive product development. Join a team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences and shaping the future of connection. If you are passionate about understanding human cognition and are eager to make a measurable impact, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Bonus

Equity

Comprehensive Benefits

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in experimental design and behavioral analysis.
• PhD in relevant scientific or engineering field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop ergonomic and psychological research studies using experimental design.
• Analyze behavioral analytics and develop metrics for AR/VR tasks.

Skills

Experimental Design

Behavioral Analysis

Inferential Statistics

Human Perception

Cognitive Science

Motor Control

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field

PhD in Perceptual/Cognitive/Experimental Psychology or related field

Tools

Eye Tracking

Motion Tracking

Kinematics Analysis

Job description

At Meta Reality Labs (RL), we are inventing the future. We bring together a team of researchers, developers, & engineers to build the future of connection within virtual and augmented reality. You will be leveraging a background in human perception, cognition, motor control and movement (or related) to define, assess and enhance the form, function and dynamics of our hardware and software. You must be a data enthusiast, and creatively develop metrics for investigating novel challenges in a variety of areas, including sensors, displays, wearable device form factors, etc. You will break down ambiguous problems and master research methods, including but not limited to, design of experiments, critical literature reviews, psychophysics & threshold detection, visual and cognitive attention paradigms, biomechanics & ergonomics, and safety research approaches. You will prove highly effective at driving insights into actionable product engineering & development outcomes and metrics and collaborate closely with cross functional partners to help shape critical product and technology decisions across the product design and development life cycle. You will work across multi-disciplinary hardware and software teams to push the boundaries of RL products while enhancing the value users get from these products. Ultimately, your expertise and ingenuity in research must do more than just contribute to knowledge and assessment – you must also be skilled at driving measurable impact on the user experience of our products.

UX Research Scientist Responsibilities

In Reality Labs, the focus areas of UX Research Scientists can vary from health & safety to visual perception to biomechanics & ergonomics. Regardless of the focus area, the primary responsibility is to develop frameworks that clearly define the trade space between user variables and technology variables, and to develop methodologies for investigating novel challenges.

1. Develop ergonomic, perceptual, or psychological research studies by utilizing appropriate methods, which may include experimental design.
2. Conduct critical literature reviews.
3. Utilize psychophysical and attentional paradigms.
4. Perform motion tracking and kinematics analysis.
5. Analyze behavioral analytics and relevant applied research approaches for ergonomics and user safety.

Develop and track subjective and objective metrics for quality of performing fundamental AR/VR tasks across a variety of use contexts, such as inside the home, walking in public spaces, or driving.

Investigate effects of human multisensory interactions, attention, and control dynamics on performance and safety of AR/VR tasks.

Analyze rich and multidimensional data, develop descriptive and analytical models, and shape actionable insights from research findings.

Effectively communicate outcomes and insights from studies, support decision-making and specifications development for RL hardware and software products, and drive measurable impact on the user experience.

Create close partnerships with a variety of leadership, research and product stakeholders to ensure a broad understanding of the product needs and priorities while driving UX goals.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
2. PhD in Perceptual/Cognitive/Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Science, Kinesiology, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction or a closely related scientific or engineering field.
3. Demonstrated scientific background in human perception, cognition, or motor control, with experience applying such knowledge in analyzing and interpreting relevant human behaviors associated with novel systems.
4. 5+ years of experience in experimental design, behavioral analysis, literature review, and proficiency with inferential statistics.
5. Proven track record of rigorous scientific research, including development of metrics and novel scientific approaches.
6. Demonstrated track record of clear and concise communication, demonstrated experience translating technical concepts to drive understanding and buy-in from audiences, and proven experience of successfully building effective partnerships.
7. Demonstrated experience in understanding humans’ performance and limitations to directly influence product design.

Preferred Qualifications

1. 2+ years of experience in conducting research for novel products headed to market.
2. Experience in research for emerging consumer technologies, AR/VR/MR or wearable technology, or driver assistive technologies.
3. Experience in research across the full product life-cycle.
4. Experience evaluating product safety, quality or usability across realistic use contexts.
5. Training and experience in both basic and applied research techniques, such as psychophysical judgment tasks, perception-response time paradigms, eye tracking, body motion tracking, postural stability measures, and human motor control and kinematics analysis.

The right candidate will be an effective communicator, interested in understanding people, and curious about the evolving complex relationship between humans’ sensorimotor and cognitive systems and the novel hardware and software technologies in development at RL.

For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information.

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

$147,000/year to $208,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, fill out the Accommodations request form.

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