At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research to uncover customer needs and shape future product directions.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on innovative design and user experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual cash incentive, and opportunities for travel.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing product development through customer insights.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 1-3 years of research experience.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
This role leads exploratory and generative research to uncover unmet customer needs, shape opportunity spaces, and inform future product direction. The researcher works across UX Research and Design Research practices to investigate customer contexts, workflows, and systems—often before solutions are defined. This role is primarily focused on Horizon 2 research, helping teams move beyond known problems toward future opportunities. Anticipate up to 25% travel.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead exploratory, generative, and mixed‑method research to identify customer needs and opportunity areas.
- Frame and refine research questions in ambiguous or emerging problem spaces.
- Plan and conduct contextual field research, including customer interviews and on‑site observational studies.
- Analyze end‑to‑end workflows, journeys, and enterprise systems to surface patterns, tensions, and unmet needs.
- Synthesize findings into themes, implications, and opportunity areas that inform product and portfolio direction.
- Partner with product, design, and business stakeholders to shape hypotheses and downstream initiatives.
- Influence roadmap discussions, prioritization, and longer‑term investment decisions.
- Help teams align around customer‑centered problem definitions before solution development begins.
- Conduct field‑based research and customer visits, including travel (up to 25%), to support contextual inquiry, observational research, and needs‑finding efforts.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, HCI, Human Factors, Anthropology, Sociology, Cognitive Psychology, or related field.
- 1‑3 years of experience conducting applied research, including needs‑finding or exploratory work.
- Demonstrated ability to independently frame, plan, and deliver research in ambiguous contexts.
- Strong skills in synthesis, sense‑making, and communicating implications to varied stakeholders.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% to support research activities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a related discipline.
- Experience combining UX Research and Design Research methods (H2).
- Familiarity with service design, systems thinking, or enterprise/frontline work contexts.
Incentive Compensation
In addition to base pay, this role offers an annual cash incentive equal to 10% of base pay, in accordance with applicable incentive plan terms.
L2 Design Researcher employer: Zebra Technologies Corporation
As a leading employer in the design research field, we foster a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Our commitment to meaningful research allows you to explore customer needs and shape future product directions while enjoying competitive benefits, including an annual cash incentive. With opportunities for travel and engagement with diverse teams, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.
Contact Details:
Zebra Technologies Corporation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land L2 Design Researcher
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your research skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially any exploratory or generative research projects. This will give hiring managers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s products and user experiences. Think about how your research could shape their future direction and be ready to share your insights during the chat.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace L2 Design Researcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the L2 Design Researcher role. Highlight your relevant experience in exploratory research and how it aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can contribute to uncovering customer needs!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate your skills! Use specific examples from your past work that showcase your ability to conduct mixed-method research and synthesise findings. We love seeing how you’ve tackled ambiguous problems before.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who fits well with our team culture at StudySmarter, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and what drives you in your research journey.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zebra Technologies Corporation
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you’re well-versed in both UX and Design Research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these techniques in past projects, especially in ambiguous contexts. This will show your potential employer that you can lead exploratory research effectively.
✨Frame Your Questions
Before the interview, think about how you would frame research questions in uncertain situations. Prepare examples of how you’ve tackled similar challenges before. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate ambiguity and shape opportunity spaces.
✨Showcase Your Synthesis Skills
Be prepared to talk about how you synthesise research findings into actionable insights. Bring examples of how your analysis has influenced product direction or stakeholder discussions. This will highlight your ability to communicate implications clearly.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role involves partnering with various stakeholders, so be ready to discuss your experience working in cross-functional teams. Share specific instances where you’ve aligned teams around customer-centred problem definitions, as this will showcase your collaborative spirit.
