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CanonicalSenior Design Researcher - User Science
Canonical is looking for a Senior Design Researcher to join its Design Team and contribute to a newer discipline called User Science. The job is full-time…
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About This Role
Canonical is looking for a Senior Design Researcher to join its Design Team and contribute to a newer discipline called User Science. The job is full-time and remote, based in EMEA, and reports to the User Science Manager. The team's remit goes past conventional UX research: it aims to weave user needs into development workflows and quality benchmarks across the entire company. The researcher carries out studies and turns them…
Job Description
Canonical is looking for a Senior Design Researcher to join its Design Team and contribute to a newer discipline called User Science. The job is full-time and remote, based in EMEA, and reports to the User Science Manager. The team's remit goes past conventional UX research: it aims to weave user needs into development workflows and quality benchmarks across the entire company.
The researcher carries out studies and turns them into insights in several formats, then makes sure user needs are spotted and defended in every product area. Findings must be communicated clearly, through presentations and written material that fit each audience. The role blends advocacy with organizational learning, so the researcher also argues for research to shape choices.
Close work with process, product and engineering groups is central. The researcher helps build a culture that relies on data by placing findings inside the decisions those groups already make. Research operations is also part of the post: the researcher maintains the tooling behind research and makes core methods easier to reach, apply and reuse.
Building a learning culture is another duty. The researcher helps define what User Science means through user-centered training, reusable resources and outreach across the organization.
Applicants should have a strong academic background, with a bachelor's or master's qualification in design, HCI or engineering, or a persuasive account of a different route. Solid command of qualitative and quantitative methods is needed, covering interviews, usability tests, A/B tests and surveys, with real depth in one of the two. A portfolio showing research that changed product direction or organizational practice is required.
Responsibilities
- Carry out user studies and turn them into insights in varied formats
- Spot and advocate for user needs across product areas
- Present findings concisely through talks and clear documentation
- Partner with process, product and engineering groups to fold research into their decisions
- Maintain research tooling and make key methods repeatable
- Contribute training, resources and outreach that grow a learning culture
Requirements
- Strong academic background from school and university
- Bachelor's or master's qualification in design, HCI or engineering, or a convincing alternative route
- Command of qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews, usability tests, A/B tests and surveys
- Substantial depth in one of qualitative or quantitative research
- Curiosity about open source culture and comfort discussing technical subjects
- Skill at storytelling and at working with others
- Careful organization, turning scattered findings into structured knowledge
- A portfolio of research that shaped product design, strategy or organizational change
Qualifications
- Proficiency in visual or information design
Core Skills
Benefits
- Fully remote setup with in-person team sprints
- Yearly USD 2,000 allowance for personal skill development
- Yearly pay review and recognition awards
- Paid annual leave and parental leave
- Confidential employee support program
- Chances to visit new cities and meet teammates in person
- Priority Pass access and upgraded seats on long-haul company trips
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Is this Senior Design Researcher role remote?
Yes. The posting says it is remote and placed in EMEA.
Who does the role report to?
It reports to the User Science Manager within the design team.
What must a candidate show?
The posting asks for deep research expertise in qualitative or quantitative methods and a portfolio of projects that influenced product or organizational change.
Does the posting state a salary?
No salary is listed. The posting says base pay depends on location, experience, knowledge and skills.
Sample Interview Questions
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