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 opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with up to 25% travel for field research.
- 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.
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 in London 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 in our supportive work environment, which encourages exploration and creativity while addressing real-world challenges. With opportunities for travel and engagement in diverse research contexts, joining Zebra means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to redefining the future of work.
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! Dive into their values and mission. When you understand what makes them tick, you can tailor your conversations to show how you fit right in.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Zebra employees on LinkedIn. Ask about their experiences and get insider tips that could give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how your past research experiences align with the role. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills in exploratory and generative research.
✨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 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 innovate and solve customer challenges.
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 framed and delivered research in ambiguous contexts, as this is key for the role.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. Zebra values a culture of caring and collaboration, so share your unique perspective and how you can contribute to their innovative community.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our official website. This ensures your application is processed correctly and keeps everything secure. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
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 past projects, 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 Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to frame and refine research questions or analyse workflows. Prepare examples from your experience where you’ve tackled similar challenges. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work in uncertain environments.
✨Showcase Your Synthesis Skills
Be ready to discuss how you synthesise research findings into actionable insights. Bring examples of how your research has influenced product direction or stakeholder decisions. This will highlight your ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.
