User Experience Researcher Senior

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) at the University of Michigan seeks an experienced UX Researcher to join us in studying the tools and platforms we create and helping us continue advancing the future of learning. Our growing user experience research (UXR) team partners with CAI colleagues across domains who design 10 educational technology products and hundreds of online learning experiences used by learners in Ann Arbor and around the world. You will collaborate with user experience and learning experience designers, software developers, program and project managers, faculty, students, and other stakeholders to identify both tactical and strategic research opportunities and conduct research. You will also use your excellent communication skills to share research findings with team members, with a particular eye toward actionable and compelling insights. Learn more about the software and online learning experiences we create on our website. The UX Researcher will report to a senior research scientist who leads qualitative and user research efforts within the Research and Analytics Team. Responsibilities Plan and manage a variety of discovery and feedback-oriented methodologies to inform software development and learning experience design. Conceptualize and conduct end-to-end user research projects, including protocol development, recruitment, data collection and analysis, and communicating findings. Develop and facilitate workshops and focus groups for discovery and feedback purposes. Validate new designs through ad-hoc or formalized user feedback sessions with residential students and global learners. Hire, mentor, and supervise student research fellows. Lead implementation of new research operations (e.g., panel management) and/or data gathering (e.g. in-app survey) systems. Produce and communicate insights and artifacts, including presentations and reports for multiple audiences (e.g., leadership, designers, software developers, external stakeholders). Collaborate with project teams from discovery to implementation, helping translate operational and design questions into feasible research solutions. Qualifications Master’s degree in a relevant field such as information science, computer science, human-computer interaction, or higher education. 5-6 years of experience conducting research on user interfaces, user experience design, and human-computer interaction. Those with experience conducting UXR related to educational technologies used in post secondary settings are encouraged to apply. Comprehensive experience using UXR methodologies spanning generative and evaluative approaches and attitudinal and behavioral data gathering strategies. Experience analyzing across qualitative and quantitative data to identify meaningful insights. Experience collaborating with software developers, interface designers, and others who will inform research goals and implement findings. Excellent analytical, organizational, and presentation skills. Working knowledge of tools such as Dovetail, Figma, Qualtrics, Miro, and Notion. Modes of Work The mode of work for this position is Hybrid. The work requirements for this position allow both onsite and offsite work and you will have an expected regular and recurring onsite presence. On occasion, you may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by our center’s policy and domain leadership or by your job requirements. This is a 5-year, term limited position. J-18808-Ljbffr