Remote opportunity at
InstacartStaff User Researcher - Consumer
Instacart operates an essential service that connects millions of customers with grocery and household delivery, while also providing flexible earning opportunities for personal shoppers. The company…
Career Tools
About This Role
Instacart operates an essential service that connects millions of customers with grocery and household delivery, while also providing flexible earning opportunities for personal shoppers. The company employs a flexible remote model allowing staff to choose their workspace while maintaining connection through periodic in-person gatherings. The consumer innovation group focuses on reimagining household food experiences through new product features centered on meals, nutrition, and health. The position centers on leading research…
Job Description
Instacart operates an essential service that connects millions of customers with grocery and household delivery, while also providing flexible earning opportunities for personal shoppers. The company employs a flexible remote model allowing staff to choose their workspace while maintaining connection through periodic in-person gatherings.
The consumer innovation group focuses on reimagining household food experiences through new product features centered on meals, nutrition, and health. The position centers on leading research that examines how and why people alter their food habits.
As a Staff User Researcher specializing in consumer products, the professional will independently direct the research roadmap for the consumer innovation workstream. Collaborating with product development, design, data science, and engineering leaders, the researcher will uncover strategic opportunities and guide early-stage innovations. The ideal candidate blends qualitative and quantitative methodologies with behavioral science frameworks to translate deep human insights into actionable product strategies. Responsibilities include shaping generative discovery, overseeing mixed-methods studies, and communicating compelling narratives to stakeholders across the organization. This high-visibility role suits an experienced researcher who thrives in early-stage product exploration and rigorous validation alike.
Responsibilities
- Manage and direct the research roadmap for the consumer innovation workstream
- Partner with product, design, data science, and engineering leadership to guide strategy
- Conduct generative research into consumer motivations, mental models, and behavioral triggers regarding food and health
- Apply behavioral science frameworks such as habit loops and nudge theory to research questions
- Perform mixed-methods studies combining qualitative methods and quantitative techniques
- Turn research findings into actionable narratives for stakeholders spanning early-stage framing to launch validation
- Maintain living knowledge bases, personas, and journey maps representing the consumer
- Mentor less-experienced researchers and contribute to organizational research standards
- Advocate for the customer across the organization to influence product roadmaps
Requirements
- Minimum of eight years of experience conducting UX or consumer research within a product organization
- Demonstrated background in early-stage innovation or new product development
- Familiarity with behavioral psychology, behavioral economics, or related habit-formation fields
- Proficiency across qualitative methods including interviews, ethnography, diary studies, and usability testing
- Proficiency across quantitative methods including survey design, behavioral data interpretation, and experimental design
- Experience leading foundational generative research to define opportunity spaces and shape product strategy
- Storytelling ability to align stakeholders at all organizational levels
- Experience collaborating with data science teams to triangulate usage data with qualitative findings
- Track record of influencing product roadmaps
- Experience utilizing AI tools to accelerate iterative research cycles
Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Psychology, Behavioral Science, Cognitive Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Anthropology, or a related field
- Experience working in marketplaces, e-commerce, grocery, CPG, or subscription products
- Research background on consumer surfaces such as home feeds, personalized browse, and merchandising placements
- Experience researching onboarding, activation, and retention journeys
- Familiarity with AI-powered, agentic, or conversational product experiences
- Ability to influence multi-team initiatives without direct authority
- Familiarity with meal planning, nutrition, health goals, or dietary restriction management
Core Skills
Benefits
- Market-competitive compensation package
- New hire equity grant
- Annual equity refresh grants
- Flexible remote work arrangement through a Flex First policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the location and remote work policy for this position?
This is a remote position utilizing Instacart's Flex First policy, which allows employees to choose whether they work from home, an office, or another location while staying connected through regular in-person events.
What is the employment type for this role?
This is a full-time position.
What is the salary range for this position?
The base pay range varies by location for US-based candidates: $227,000 to $239,500 for CA, NY, CT, and NJ; $218,000 to $230,000 for WA; $208,000 to $219,500 for OR, DE, ME, MA, MD, NH, RI, VT, DC, PA, VA, CO, TX, IL, and HI; and $189,000 to $199,500 for all other states.
Are there additional financial benefits beyond base pay?
Yes, this role is eligible for a new hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants.
What education level is required?
An advanced degree in a relevant field such as Psychology, Behavioral Science, Cognitive Science, Human-Computer Interaction, or Anthropology is preferred, while a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required.
Sample Interview Questions
AI-generated questions tailored to this specific role — a preview of the full practice set.