Lead UI/UX Researcher

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Flexible remote work

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead UI/UX Researcher to guide research initiatives from a remote setting. You will mentor junior researchers and collaborate with designers, product managers, and engineers to translate insights into actionable design recommendations for intuitive digital products.

The role emphasizes expertise in qualitative and quantitative methods, user advocacy, and shaping product strategy for a global audience from a home office.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in UX research across qualitative and quantitative methods.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct user research studies including usability testing, interviews, surveys, and ethnographic research.
• Analyze data to identify key user pain points, needs and behaviors.
• Translate findings into actionable insights for product and design teams.
• Create personas and journey maps to represent user needs and experiences.
• Collaborate with UX/UI designers to iterate on designs based on research findings.
• Mentor and guide junior UX researchers.
• Present findings to stakeholders at all levels.
• Champion user-centered design throughout the product lifecycle.
• Stay updated with latest UX research methodologies.

Skills

UX research

Qualitative methods

Quantitative methods

User testing

Stakeholder comms

Mentoring

Leadership

Figma

Adobe XD

Education

HCI / related field

Tools

UserTesting

Qualtrics

SurveyMonkey

Figma

Adobe XD

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading innovator in user experience design, is seeking a Lead UI/UX Researcher to join their esteemed team. This role is central to understanding user needs and behaviors, translating insights into actionable design recommendations that shape intuitive and engaging digital products. While based in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**, the company embraces a flexible work environment, offering this position as a fully remote opportunity. You will guide research initiatives, mentor junior researchers, and collaborate closely with designers, product managers, and engineers. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and a passion for advocating for the user. This is an exciting chance to influence product strategy and contribute to creating exceptional user experiences for a global audience from the convenience of your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct user research studies, including usability testing, interviews, surveys, and ethnographic research.
• Analyze research data to identify key user pain points, needs, and behaviors.
• Translate research findings into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for product and design teams.
• Create user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts to represent user needs and experiences.
• Collaborate with UX/UI designers to iterate on designs based on research findings.
• Mentor and guide junior UX researchers, fostering their professional development.
• Present research findings and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Champion user-centered design principles and advocate for the user throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Stay current with the latest UX research methodologies and best practices.
• Contribute to the development of research frameworks and best practices within the organization.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in UX research, with a proven track record of conducting and analyzing user studies.
• Mastery of a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear insights.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience mentoring or leading a team of researchers.
• Proficiency with research tools and platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).
• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles and software (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Information Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects concurrently in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and significant opportunities for professional growth within a leading UX design firm.
• This fully remote position provides exceptional work-life balance and flexibility.
• Employees enjoy generous paid time off, performance-based incentives, and access to ongoing training and development programs.
• The company fosters a collaborative and inclusive remote culture, encouraging innovation and knowledge sharing.
• Join a team that is passionate about understanding users and creating impactful digital experiences.
• This role offers a chance to make a substantial contribution to product strategy and user experience.