UX Researcher - Contractor (Chicago)

AnswerLab, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UX research firm is seeking a contract UX Researcher in Chicago. The ideal candidate will have over 4 years of experience, lead end-to-end research studies, and collaborate closely with clients to deliver impactful insights. You'll thrive in a dynamic team environment while advocating for user-centered design solutions.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on experience conducting qualitative research.
• Experience in leading consulting engagements with clients/stakeholders.
• Ability to present results and recommendations to clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead UX research studies end-to-end.
• Analyze research findings and craft recommendations.
• Build trusted relationships with clients.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Qualitative Research

Project Management

Education

Undergraduate or advanced degree in Experimental Psychology

Degree in Human-Computer Interaction

Tools

Zoom

WebEx

GoToMeeting

Job description

AnswerLab is looking for contract UX Researchers. Must be comfortable conducting in-person sessions.

Who We Are

AnswerLab is a UX research and experience strategy firm that partners with the world’s boldest brands to create experiences people love. We don’t just deliver insights—we shape product direction, influence strategy, and accelerate innovation at companies like Amazon, American Express, Google, and Meta.

As a team of experience strategists, we uncover the “why” behind user behavior and transform it into clarity, direction, and momentum for our clients. Whether advising on AI, accessibility, or emerging technologies, we help design solutions that drive measurable business impact and build better futures for users.

What makes us successful is simple: the people who work here. We’re a team of intelligent, curious, and collaborative professionals who care deeply about solving problems and making a difference. At AnswerLab, you’re empowered to lead, grow, and have a real impact—supported by teammates who value thoughtful work, cross-functional collaboration, and yes, even a good laugh along the way.

Who You Are

You are passionate about research: you love to learn new methods, test out new tools and technologies, and think deeply about the human-centered issues we face as researchers. You also see yourself as a partner to stakeholders and clients, bringing them into the research experience and listening deeply to their needs as you conduct studies that address their business questions. You’re proactive, adaptable, and organized: you’re ready to explore creative solutions to challenges as they arise, and you have the time management skills to keep everything moving forward.

Ideal candidates have at least 4 years of hands-on experience leading research studies, with experience partnering with stakeholders or clients during the research process. We are open to candidates from a range of consulting and research backgrounds (e.g., UX research, market research, academia, public health, etc.).

The qualified candidate will be responsible for:

• Building trusted relationships with clients, including providing consultative guidance and proactively recommending/implementing solutions to drive the research process forward
• Leading UX research studies end-to-end, including:
  • Consulting on research methodology or project scope, as appropriate
  • Developing moderator guides
  • Consulting with clients on the development of prototypes for testing
  • Moderating remote and in-person (when safe) user experience research studies or conducting interviews in the field
  • Analyzing the research findings, delivering insights that address the stated research questions
  • Crafting recommendations in alignment with research findings for potential next steps in product development
  • Developing presentations (written deliverables and/or slide decks) to communicate findings and recommendations
  • Collaborating with clients to ensure the report meets their business needs
  • Presenting to client teams
• Exploring creative solutions to research challenges, such as providing recommendations to improve internal processes or establish best practices with our clients
• Continuing to develop your research and consultative skills, leveraging these skills to create research experiences that our clients, participants, and colleagues love while delivering impactful results
• Keeping projects on schedule and within scope and budget
• Contributing to AnswerLab’s knowledge library: documenting best practices and contributing your expertise to internal initiatives and learning experiences as appropriate.

We understand that outstanding candidates can come from a variety of backgrounds. While specific experience is important, we are ultimately looking for candidates who have the personal characteristics to thrive in a growing client-focused business.

The qualified candidate will have experience in and meet most of the criteria listed below:

• 4+ years of hands-on experience conducting qualitative research, either in the UX space or a related research field.
• Leading consulting engagements with clients/stakeholders -- either in research specifically or with a management consulting firm that uses analytical data to support conclusions
• Designing and writing discussion guides, screeners, test protocols, and final reports
• Using online/remote tools for conducting research (e.g., Zoom, WebEx, GoToMeeting, etc.)
• Conducting presentations with senior-level business managers and executives
• Demonstrated ability to 1) work independently and drive towards deadlines, 2) produce high-quality deliverables for clients, and 3) think creatively and solve problems
• Ability to engage with business and research managers in Fortune 500 companies
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to facilitate discussions
• Ability to work in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment, manage competing priorities, and be an independent problem-solver
• Presentation skills, including building slide decks and presenting results and recommendations to clients
• Undergraduate and/or advanced degree – preferably an educational background in Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, or other related disciplines with a solid foundation in research-based design using qualitative methods

In addition to expertly meeting the requirements outlined above, your success will be measured on our eight Core Values:

AnswerLab's Core Values:

1. Build trust
2. Provide amazing service
3. Support and Encourage Inclusivity
4. Jump in to help others
5. Handle change with flexibility
6. Innovate our products and processes
7. Explore creative solutions to challenges
8. Make AnswerLab a great place to work

Physical Requirements:

• Overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.
• Sitting for extended periods.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects.

No staffing/recruiting agencies, please.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States, however, we are not able to sponsor visas at this time.

At AnswerLab, our mission is to create experiences people love. This means we strive to make our company a great place to work for people from all walks of life. Hiring people from a wide variety of backgrounds makes our company stronger and helps us achieve our mission.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.