How to write a UX researcher job description

Many candidates think UX (user experience) research means simply conducting user surveys and interviews to make design decisions. 

However, there’s much more to it. The role of UX researcher requires a highly specialized skill set and it can be frustrating to receive a high volume of inexperienced or unqualified applicants when hiring for this position.

A lot of this comes down to generic and unrefined job descriptions. A good UX researcher job post will be concise, specific, and clearly outline the key skills required for the role so you can attract the right talent. 

In this guide, we explain how to write an effective UX researcher job description and also provide a free template to help you get started.

What is a UX researcher?

A UX researcher investigates users’ experiences, needs, and preferences with a digital product, like an app or website. They employ various research methods, such as surveys, usability tests, and interviews to gather data, generate customer personas, and map user journeys. 

Their insights contribute to how a product is designed and developed, ensuring that it’s user-friendly and aligns with customer expectations. 

Key skills to look for in UX researchers

While the exact skills required will be specific to your company’s needs, there are general skills and qualities that all good UX research candidates should possess. 

Technical abilities:

• Conducting usability testing, questionnaires, user interviews, A/B testing, eye-tracking, card sorting, and other research methodologies 

• Analyzing, interpreting, and deriving actionable insights from qualitative and quantitative user data

• Familiarity with UserZoom and UsabilityHub, Lookback, or other UX research tools 

• Experience with prototyping and wireframing platforms, such as Figma and Sketch

• Arranging and structuring information and crafting user-centric navigation systems and content hierarchies 

Soft skills:

• Strong communication and collaboration – for relaying information to UI or UX designers 

• Empathy and intuition for understanding users’ needs and perceptions 

• Critical thinking to generate unique research ideas and derive effective solutions for design issues

How to write an effective UX researcher job description

These best practices can help you write a well-thought-out UX researcher job description. 

Tailor it to your company’s needs 

An effective job description will be concise and specific to your company’s needs. Identify skills gaps you want to bridge and any other factors that are required for the role. For instance, if you’re looking for someone experienced with Lookback, add this to the job description.

Specify the non-negotiables 

Discussing the required skills and qualifications isn’t enough. You should be clear about which requirements are non-negotiable. If you need someone who can travel frequently for field research, for instance, you should clearly add “involves regular travel,” so candidates know this is a key consideration for the role. 

Collaborate with the hiring manager and key stakeholders 

The best way to refine your job description is by speaking to hiring managers and other stakeholders. For example, consider talking to your design team to understand more about what types of traits and attributes they’re looking for in their UX research partners. This can help you select candidates who’ll be a better culture fit for the role. 

UX researcher job description template

Use this UX researcher job description template and tailor it to your specific needs and requirements. 

Company introduction 

Introduce your company, including its name and vision. You can also briefly touch on what exactly the company does, such as selling HR management software. Importantly, talk about your company culture and values so candidates can consider whether they resonate with them. 

Benefits of working with [your company] 

Mention your company’s employee benefits or perks. This could be monetary benefits, like health insurance or retirement plans, or non-monetary benefits, such as flexible working, or extra paid time off. 

UX researcher job brief

[Company Name] 

Write your company name. If you’re a subsidiary or sit under an umbrella organization, mentioning the name of the umbrella company might also bring you some extra brand value. 

[Job Title]

Share what the job title and level would be, for example, Senior Manager, UX research

Reports to: [Job title of hiring manager], for instance, Chief Marketing Officer or Head of Product.

Location: [City, on-site, hybrid, or remote]

Position type: [Full-time/part-time/contractor status] 

Job Overview 

[Brief description of the candidate’s role and how it fits into company goals.] An example is provided below. 

As a [UX researcher job title] at [company name], you will play a crucial role in enhancing our products' design and user experience. A successful candidate will uncover valuable user insights, guide our design and development teams, and create user-friendly, effective solutions, thus contributing to our mission of delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Responsibilities and Duties

[Key responsibilities for the UX researcher role.] Here are some examples: 

• Conduct surveys, user interviews, usability tests, and other research methods to gather qualitative and quantitative data on user behavior, preferences, and pain points

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as designers and product managers to determine research objectives and inform the design process through concise reports and presentations

• Create user personas and customer journey maps to provide insight into user-centered design decisions

• Analyze and interpret research findings to provide actionable recommendations that can improve our product’s usability and functionality

• Develop and execute A/B tests to validate design hypotheses

• Incorporate industry practices, emerging trends, and new technologies into our UX research practices

• Promote objective research practices, check that design principles are inclusive and accessible, and ensure our product can be used by a diverse set of customers

Qualifications

[Required education level]

For example, a bachelor’s degree in human-computer interaction, psychology, or a related field.

[Required experience] 

Here are some examples: 

• Minimum two years of experience working in UX research or a related field 

• Strong grasp of different research methodologies, including questionnaires, user interviews, card sorting, and usability testing 

• Robust knowledge and expertise in information architecture, prototyping, and wireframing 

• Prior experience working with Qualtrics, UserZoom, and Figma

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish

[Preferred education level]

For instance, a master’s degree in human-computer interaction, psychology, or a related field.

[Preferred experience] 

Such as:

• [Industry] experience is preferred

• Background in ethnographic field studies is a plus  

• Knowledge of user interface (UI) design principles is optional but recommended

Three things to avoid when writing a job description for UX researchers

Avoid falling into these common traps when you’re writing a UX researcher job description.

Ignoring the importance of soft skills and personality traits 

UX research requires specialized skills and experience with technical tools. However, certain soft skills and traits are also critical to succeeding as a UX researcher, such as communication skills for conducting user interviews.

Not using relevant keywords 

If you don’t use certain SEO keywords to help your open role get visibility online, it may be lower down in Google or Bing searches than other UX research-related content on the internet, including jobs posted by competitors.

Forgetting to sell the role

UX research is a niche role so you need to stand out in the competitive hiring landscape. If you don’t tell candidates about who you are, what you stand for, and why your company is a great place for UX researchers, they may proceed with another company that sells the role better. 

Next steps: Attracting and assessing UX researchers

Good job descriptions can help you attract the right talent. But you also need to assess skilled applicants thoroughly to prevent mis-hiring.

TestGorilla has more than 300 online tests, so you can create a tailored assessment for any role using just one platform. Consider using these tests to select the most qualified UX researcher candidates: 

• UX/UI design, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and other UX researcher skills tests can help ensure that candidates have the technical abilities required for the role

• Enneagram, DISC, or other types of personality tests can check for traits like empathy and adaptability 

• Communication, reading comprehension, and verbal reasoning tests help evaluate a candidate's ability to communicate effectively

• Critical thinking and situational judgment tests determine a candidate’s ability to evaluate information and make sound decisions

• Culture-add and motivation tests examine if candidates will fit in with your employees and work environment 

• One-way video interviews provide a structured evaluation of your candidates’ backgrounds and qualifications 

FAQs

What salary details should I include in my UX researcher job description? 

It’s optional to include salary details in the role description. You can mention a fixed number, range, or a starting salary. According to Glassdoor, the average UX researcher's salary in the US is $115,000. Consider saying “competitive salary” if you don’t want to specify a number.

How can I attract diverse UX researcher candidates?

Refrain from using biased or discriminatory language in your UX researcher job description. For instance, say, “the ideal candidate will bring fresh perspectives,” rather than, “the ideal candidate will bring young ideas.” You can also consider adding an equal opportunities statement to the end of your job description – indicating that candidates from all backgrounds are welcome to apply. 

Hiring the best UX researchers with TestGorilla

Selecting an ineffective UX researcher can result in a sub-par product, poor user experience, and a loss of customers and sales. Therefore, you need a strong hiring process in place for this role – starting with a robust job description that clearly outlines the hard and soft skills required for UX research. 

Additionally, incorporating a multi-measure assessment approach that combines online testing with interviewing, is the best way to assess applicants for the role. With TestGorilla, you can roll out skills-based tests, personality assessments, and cognitive ability tests with one-way video interviews to gain a complete picture of candidates before hiring them. 

Start with a free plan, schedule a live demo, or take a product tour today.