Senior UX Researcher - Product Innovation

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work arrangements

Professional development & conferences

Generous paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior UX Researcher in Polokwane, Limpopo, to advance research initiatives across the product lifecycle. You will lead diverse studies, translate findings into actionable design guidance, and collaborate with UX designers, product managers, and engineers to ensure user-centered outcomes.

The role requires a master's/PhD in a related field, 5+ years of UX research experience, and a compelling portfolio.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of UX research experience.
• Portfolio of research projects showing impact is required.
• Experience in agile development environments is preferred.
• Proficiency with a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct user research studies using interviews, surveys, usability testing, and field studies.
• Analyze data to identify user needs, behaviors, and pain points; synthesize insights.
• Communicate findings with clear recommendations for product design and strategy.
• Collaborate with design, product management, and engineering to integrate research into development.
• Create personas, journey maps, and other artifacts to communicate insights.
• Present findings to stakeholders at all levels and advocate for user perspectives.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Storytelling

Presentation skills

Data synthesis

Education

Master's/PhD in HCI/Psych/Soc/Anthro

Tools

Qualitative/quantitative tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm focused on user-centric product development, is seeking a highly skilled Senior UX Researcher to drive their research initiatives. Located in Polokwane, Limpopo , this role is pivotal in ensuring that our client's products are intuitive, accessible, and meet the evolving needs of their users. You will conduct a variety of research studies, from generative exploration to evaluative testing, to uncover user behaviors, motivations, and pain points. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to translate research findings into actionable design recommendations. You will collaborate closely with UX designers, product managers, and engineers to champion the user's perspective throughout the product lifecycle. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape user experiences for innovative products and contribute to a user-focused culture within the growing region of Polokwane . Our client offers a dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct user research studies using a variety of methods (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing, field studies).
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative research data to identify user needs, behaviors, and pain points.
• Synthesize research findings into actionable insights and clear recommendations for product design and strategy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (design, product management, engineering) to integrate research findings into the product development process.
• Develop user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts to communicate user insights.
• Present research findings and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels.
• Stay current with best practices and emerging trends in UX research.
• Advocate for the user throughout the product lifecycle.
• Manage research timelines and resources effectively.
• Contribute to the development of research methodologies and best practices within the team.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in UX research.
• Proven experience conducting a wide range of user research methodologies.
• Strong understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Proficiency in research tools and techniques for data collection and analysis.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate findings clearly and concisely.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills.
• Experience working in agile development environments.
• A portfolio showcasing research projects and their impact is required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and conference attendance.
• Collaborative and innovative work environment in Polokwane .
• Be part of shaping groundbreaking digital products.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements.
• Generous paid time off.
• Retirement savings plan.