Design

UX Researcher Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

UX researchers generate the user insights that prevent costly product mistakes — and the best researchers choose companies where their findings actually shape product strategy, not just validate decisions already made. Includes 2026 US salary benchmarks and ATS-optimized formatting.

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Job Title: UX Researcher [Mid-Level / Senior] Department: Design / Product / User Research Location: [City, State] / Remote / Hybrid Reports To: Head of Design / VP Product / Research Lead Employment Type: Full-Time About [Company Name] [Company Name] is a [stage/sector] company building [product description]. Our [X]-person design team is embedded in product squads and operates with full access to users for research. We believe in building from deep user understanding — research findings are presented at product reviews, influence quarterly roadmap planning, and are tracked against outcome metrics. About the Role We're looking for a UX Researcher to lead research initiatives across [product area / all product teams]. You will use a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to develop deep understanding of user needs, mental models, and pain points, and translate those insights into actionable product direction. Your work will directly influence feature prioritization, design decisions, and product strategy. Key Responsibilities • Plan and execute qualitative research: user interviews, contextual inquiry, diary studies, moderated/unmoderated usability tests • Design and analyze quantitative research: surveys, card sorting, tree tests, first-click studies, behavioral data analysis • Collaborate with product and design partners to identify the highest-value research questions for each product cycle • Recruit research participants that accurately represent target user segments; manage participant panels • Synthesize findings into clear, evidence-based reports and presentations for product, design, and engineering audiences • Maintain a research repository (Dovetail / Aurelius / Notion) for findable, reusable insights across the org • Track whether research insights are acted upon; measure the downstream impact of key research projects • Contribute to the development of a research practice: standards, templates, ethical guidelines, and participant privacy compliance (GDPR, CCPA) • Facilitate generative research workshops (Jobs-to-be-Done mapping, affinity diagramming) with cross-functional teams • Educate and coach product and design partners on foundational research literacy Required Qualifications • [3]+ years of UX research experience in a product or design team context • Mixed-methods fluency: strong qualitative skills and working quantitative capabilities (survey design, stats, behavioral analysis) • Experience moderating usability tests remotely and in-person with diverse user populations • Proficiency with research tooling: [UserTesting, Maze, Optimal Workshop, Qualtrics, Dovetail — specify your stack] • Ability to synthesize complex findings into actionable, prioritized insights for busy product stakeholders • Strong written and verbal communication — portfolio of research reports and presentations required Nice to Have • Experience with accessibility research and inclusive design practices • Quantitative skills: SQL, Python for data analysis, or experience with product analytics platforms (Amplitude, Mixpanel) • Background in cognitive science, human factors, anthropology, or social science • Experience running participatory design workshops (co-design sessions, design sprints) What We Offer • Competitive salary: $[low]–$[high]/year (see benchmarks below) • Equity: [X]% stock options / RSUs • Health, dental, and vision insurance (100% employer-paid for employee) • Flexible PTO + [X] company-wide holidays • Remote-friendly / home office stipend of $[X] • Research participant incentive budget managed by the role • Learning & development budget: $[X]/year including conference attendance (UXPA, CHI) • [Additional perk — wellness stipend, etc.] Salary Range: $85,000–$150,000/year (US, 2026 benchmark; exact offer commensurate with experience) [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

How to customize this UX researcher job description

1. State the qualitative/quantitative balance

Some researchers are deeply qualitative (user interviews, ethnographic studies) while others are primarily quantitative (survey research, behavioral analytics). The balance matters — a pure-qual researcher may struggle in a heavily quant environment and vice versa. Be precise about what you actually need.

2. Describe research's influence on product decisions

Senior UX researchers evaluate the company's research culture before applying. Does research influence roadmap prioritization? Are insights presented to executives? Is there a research repository? Demonstrating that research genuinely shapes decisions attracts the most experienced candidates.

3. Clarify embedded vs. centralized research model

Is this researcher embedded in a single product squad, or a central resource supporting multiple teams? The operating model affects the pace, variety, and depth of research work — candidates have strong preferences and will ask about this in the first interview.

4. Include participant recruitment and panel ownership

One of the biggest operational challenges in UX research is recruiting the right participants quickly. If the researcher is responsible for building and maintaining a participant panel, state that. It significantly affects workload and is a meaningful part of many research roles that JDs typically omit.

UX Researcher salary benchmarks (US, 2026)

Level Experience Salary Range
Junior 0–2 years $85,000 – $100,000
Mid-Level 3–5 years $100,000 – $130,000
Senior 6–10 years $130,000 – $150,000
Staff / Research Lead 10+ years $150,000 – $195,000+

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor 2026 data. Ranges reflect US national median; adjust +20–30% for San Francisco/NYC markets.

Frequently asked questions

What should a UX researcher job description include? +

A strong UX researcher JD clarifies the qualitative/quantitative balance, product scope, how research connects to decisions, toolchain, and a salary range. Top researchers evaluate whether the company has a mature research practice with dedicated ops support and whether insights actually drive product strategy.

What is the average UX researcher salary in the US in 2026? +

UX researcher salaries range from $85,000 entry-level to $150,000 for senior roles. Mid-level researchers (3–5 years) earn $100,000–$130,000. Senior UX researchers with mixed-methods expertise command $130,000–$150,000. Staff research leads managing research practices earn $150,000–$195,000+.

How do I write a UX researcher job description that attracts top candidates? +

Describe how research findings drive decisions. Top UX researchers want to know whether product leadership values research and whether insights are tracked for impact. Show that research has a seat at the product planning table and that the company invests in participant recruitment and research ops infrastructure.

Can I use this template in my ATS? +

Yes. This template works in any ATS including Treegarden, Greenhouse, Lever, and Workable. In Treegarden, paste it into the job wizard to auto-format for your career page and publish to connected job boards with a single click.

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