At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research to uncover customer needs and shape future product directions.
- Company: Join Zebra, a community of innovators dedicated to redefining work for tomorrow.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with travel opportunities and a focus on collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing product development through customer insights.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in relevant fields and 1-3 years of applied research experience.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges. Being part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organizations, their employees, and those they serve. You’ll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward-thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about—locally and globally. Come make an impact every day at Zebra.
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.
- Familiarity with service design, systems thinking, or enterprise/frontline work contexts.
Incentive Compensation: In addition to base pay, Zebra offers this role the opportunity to earn a performance-based annual cash incentive, at a target equal to 10% of base pay, in accordance with the terms of the applicable incentive plan.
L2 Design Researcher in London employer: Zebra Technologies Corporation
At Zebra, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, where every employee is valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact. Our commitment to personal and professional growth is evident through our supportive work environment and opportunities for continuous learning, all while working in a vibrant location that encourages creativity and forward-thinking. Join us to be part of a community that not only pushes boundaries but also cares deeply about the causes you are passionate about, both locally and globally.
Contact Details:
Zebra Technologies Corporation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land L2 Design Researcher in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Zebra's culture! Before your interview, dive into their values and mission. This way, you can show how your skills and experiences align with their innovative spirit and community focus.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the team. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if Zebra is the right fit for you. Remember, it’s a two-way street!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice articulating your research experience clearly. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled ambiguous problems and what methods you've used to uncover customer needs. We want to hear your story!
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining Zebra Nation!
We think you need these skills to ace L2 Design Researcher in London
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 Zebra's mission to uncover customer needs.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate your skills in synthesis and sense-making. Use examples from your past work to show how you’ve tackled ambiguous research contexts and delivered valuable insights.
Be Authentic:Zebra values unique perspectives, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for research and how you can contribute to a culture of caring and innovation.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our official website. This ensures your application is processed correctly and keeps you in the loop about the next steps in the hiring process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zebra Technologies Corporation
✨Know Your Research Methods
Familiarise yourself with various research methods, especially those relevant to exploratory and generative research. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these methods in past projects and how they can uncover customer needs.
✨Understand Zebra's Culture
Dive into Zebra's values and culture of innovation and collaboration. Show that you resonate with their mission by sharing examples of how you've worked in teams to push boundaries and solve challenges.
✨Prepare for Contextual Field Research
Think about how you would approach conducting field research and customer interviews. Prepare some questions or scenarios that demonstrate your ability to frame and refine research questions in ambiguous contexts.
✨Synthesis is Key
Be ready to discuss how you synthesise research findings into actionable insights. Highlight your experience in communicating implications to stakeholders and how this has influenced product direction in your previous roles.