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: Performance-based incentives, competitive salary, and a culture that values your voice.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for travel and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by exploring uncharted territories in design research.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field 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.
What We’re Looking For
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
Qualifications
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 employer: Zebra Technologies
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 forward-thinking location that encourages creativity and exploration. 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land L2 Design Researcher
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Zebra and its culture! Before your interview, dive into their values and recent projects. This way, you can show how your skills align with their mission and demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in being part of Zebra Nation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you can frame your past research experiences to highlight your problem-solving skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! This shows your curiosity and helps you understand if Zebra is the right fit for you. Ask about their current projects or how they define success in this role—this will also give you insights into their work culture.
✨Tip Number 4
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 and ready to contribute to their innovative community.
We think you need these skills to ace L2 Design Researcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Curiosity:When you're writing your application, let your curiosity shine through! We love seeing candidates who are eager to explore and understand customer needs. Share examples of how you've approached research in the past and what you discovered.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in applied research. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of L2 Design Researcher. Don’t just list your skills; explain how they’ve helped you tackle ambiguous problems in previous projects.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experiences and insights. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your passion for the role comes through!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, the best way to apply is through our website! This ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to explore more about Zebra and what we stand for before you hit 'submit'.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zebra Technologies
✨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 previous roles, especially in ambiguous contexts. This will show that you can lead exploratory research effectively.
✨Understand Zebra's Culture
Familiarise yourself with Zebra's values and mission. They emphasise innovation and collaboration, so think about how your personal experiences align with their culture of caring and curiosity. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
✨Prepare for Contextual Research Questions
Since the role involves conducting field research and customer interviews, be prepared to discuss your approach to these activities. Think of examples where you’ve successfully identified customer needs through observational studies or interviews, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Synthesis is Key
Highlight your ability to synthesise findings into actionable insights. Prepare to explain how you’ve turned complex data into clear themes and implications that have influenced product direction. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your value to the team.
