Lead UX Researcher (Remote)

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,928,000 - 2,892,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses & stock options

Fully remote

Health insurance

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead UX Researcher to spearhead our user research initiatives within a fully remote team. You will plan, execute, and analyze qualitative and quantitative studies to uncover user needs and inform product strategy, working across design and product teams.

You will mentor junior researchers, advocate for user-centered design, and ensure research quality across projects, helping the organization push the boundaries of user experience innovation in a global,

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in HCI, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or related field.
• 5+ years in UX research with a strong portfolio.
• Experience leading research projects and mentoring others.
• Proficient with qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct user research studies (usability testing, interviews, surveys, ethnographic).
• Analyze findings to produce actionable insights for product, design, and engineering.
• Develop personas and journey maps to represent user needs.
• Advocate for user-centered design to stakeholders at all levels.
• Mentor and guide junior UX researchers and ensure research quality.
• Collaborate with product managers and designers to define research questions.
• Stay current with UX research methodologies, tools, and best practices.

Skills

UX Research leadership

Qualitative & quantitative methods

Mentoring junior researchers

Stakeholder communication

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in HCI / related field

Tools

Research tools & platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and insightful Lead UX Researcher to spearhead their user research initiatives within a fully remote team structure. You will be responsible for planning, executing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative research to uncover user needs, behaviors, and motivations that inform product design and strategy. This pivotal role involves mentoring junior researchers, collaborating closely with design and product teams, and advocating for user-centered design principles across the organization. You will play a critical role in ensuring our client builds products that truly resonate with users, working in a flexible, collaborative remote environment dedicated to pushing the boundaries of user experience innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct a variety of user research studies, including usability testing, interviews, surveys, and ethnographic research.
• Analyze research findings to generate actionable insights and clearly communicate user needs, pain points, and opportunities to product, design, and engineering teams.
• Develop user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts to represent user needs and inform product development.
• Advocate for user-centered design by presenting research findings and recommendations compellingly to stakeholders at all levels.
• Mentor and guide junior UX researchers, fostering their professional development and ensuring research quality.
• Collaborate with product managers and designers to define research questions and integrate user insights throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Stay current with the latest UX research methodologies, tools, and best practices.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in UX research, with a strong portfolio showcasing research methodologies and impact.
• Expertise in planning and conducting both qualitative and quantitative research studies.
• Proficiency with research tools and platforms for data collection and analysis.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence product decisions.
• Proven ability to lead research projects and mentor team members in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Industry-leading salary with generous performance-based bonuses and stock options.
• Fully remote position offering exceptional work-life integration and global team collaboration.
• Premium health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Significant budget for conferences, training, and professional development.
• A culture of innovation, intellectual curiosity, and deep user empathy.