Lead UX Researcher

Summary

Join SandboxAQ's AI Generation Engine (SAIGE) team as a Lead User Experience Researcher and play a critical role in shaping the user experience of novel AI-driven products. Lead and execute end-to-end user research projects, championing a deep understanding of user needs related to quantitative AI. Partner with product managers, engineers, and business developers to identify research opportunities and embed user-centered thinking throughout the product development lifecycle. Develop and implement various research methods, translating complex findings into actionable insights. Contribute to establishing UXR best practices and proactively scan for emerging trends. Foster a culture of learning from both successful and unsuccessful prototypes. This role requires a seasoned researcher who can navigate ambiguity and work with emerging technologies.

Requirements

• +8 years of experience in User Experience Research, with a significant portion dedicated to complex software, enterprise solutions, or emerging technologies
• Proven ability to independently plan, execute, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative research, delivering impactful insights that drive product decisions
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate research findings and their implications to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience working in fast-paced, agile environments and comfort with ambiguity and iteration
• Passion for understanding user needs and advocating for the user in product development
• Experience in AI / ML space (e.g., agents, LLMs)

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute end-to-end user research projects, from defining research questions and methodologies to synthesizing findings and delivering impactful recommendations
• Champion a deep understanding of user needs, pain points, and behaviors related to quantitative AI and its applications in new domains (e.g., finance, agriculture, nuclear fusion)
• Partner closely with product managers, engineers, and business developers & strategists to identify research opportunities and embed user-centered thinking throughout the technology and product development lifecycle
• Develop and implement a variety of research methods, including but not limited to user interviews, usability testing, surveys, contextual inquiries, and diary studies, adapting approaches for rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles
• Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives that inform product strategy, design decisions, and feature prioritization
• Contribute to the establishment of UXR best practices within this team and potentially across SandboxAQ
• Act as a key player in identifying and validating new high-potential and longer-term use cases for AI products
• Proactively scan the horizon for emerging UXR trends and methodologies relevant to AI and rapidly evolving tech landscapes
• Foster a culture of "Fail Smart, Learn Fast" by designing research that embraces experimentation and extracts valuable learnings from both successful and unsuccessful prototypes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting research and/or product development in the following domains: life sciences, finance, drug discovery, energy, agriculture
• Significant UXR experience for AI-first products, including but not limited to LLM-based products and interfaces
• Experience establishing or scaling UXR practices within a team or organization
• Experience working with geographically distributed teams
• Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in a relevant field

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision
• Family planning/fertility
• PTO (summer and winter breaks)
• Financial wellness resources
• 401(k) plans
• Competitive salaries
• Stock options depending on employment type
• Generous learning opportunities