Remote Experience Researcher

A home is the biggest investment most people make, and yet, it doesn’t come with a manual. That’s why we’re building the only app homeowners need to effortlessly manage their homes —  knowing what to do, when to do it, and who to hire. With Thumbtack, millions of people care for what matters most, and pros earn billions of dollars through our platform. And as one of the fastest-growing companies in a $600B+ industry — we must be doing something right.

We are driven by a common goal and the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing our work supports local economies, helps small businesses grow, and brings homeowners peace of mind. We’re seeking people who continually put our purpose first: advocating for pros and customers, embracing change, and choosing teamwork every day.

At Thumbtack, we’re creating a new era of home care. If making an impact and the chance to do good inspires you, join us. Imagine what we’ll build together.

Thumbtack by the Numbers

• Available nationwide in every U.S. county
• 85 million projects started on Thumbtack
• 11 million 5-star reviews and counting
• Pros earn billions on our platform
• 1000+ employees
• $3.2 billion valuation (June, 2021)

Researchers at Thumbtack are embedded within product teams, serving as advocates for both customers and pros. As a mixed methods Experience Researcher, you will be responsible for conducting both qualitative and quantitative research to provide actionable insights that drive key product decisions. You’ll work cross-functionally to scope, plan, and execute research projects in a fast-paced environment, contributing to the development of user-centric solutions that improve our platform.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research Planning & Execution: Scope and conduct mixed-method research projects, ranging from strategic exploratory studies to tactical usability tests and surveys.
• Collaboration: Partner closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and data scientists to identify high-impact research opportunities and ensure insights translate into actionable product changes.
• Synthesize & Share Insights: Turn qualitative and quantitative data into compelling insights through reports and presentations that influence product direction at all levels of the company.
• Methodology Selection: Choose the right research methods for the problem at hand, whether through in-depth interviews, surveys, usability tests, or other methods.
• User Advocacy: Champion the needs and experiences of both pros and customers, ensuring that their voices are heard throughout the product development lifecycle.

What You’ll Need

If you don’t think you meet all of the criteria below but still are interested in the job, please apply. Nobody checks every box, and we’re looking for someone excited to join the team.

Education & Experience:

• BA/BS with 5+ years of experience in applied research roles.
• Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Experimental Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Science, Computer Science, related fields, or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including when and how to apply them in various product phases.

Research Expertise:

• Experience designing and conducting research using a variety of methods, including usability studies, in-depth interviews, and surveys.
• Ability to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, including conducting basic statistical analysis (e.g., t-tests, correlations) using statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS).
• Experience using a variety of research tools (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, Ethnio) and familiarity with recruiting and analytics suites.

Collaboration & Influence:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Experience working with diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Proven track record of influencing product and design decisions based on research insights.
• Ability to clearly communicate findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and product managers.

Bonus Points If You Have

• Advanced degree (MA/MS/PhD) in one of the above fields with 3+ years of experience in user research.
• Experience with accessibility research.
• Experience with SQL or other basic data querying skills.
• Familiarity with experimental design and longitudinal studies.
• Knowledge of home services, marketplaces, or small business platforms.

Thumbtack is a virtual-first company, meaning you can live and work from any one of our approved locations across the United States, Canada or the Philippines.* Learn more about our virtual-first working model here.

#LI-Remote

Benefits & Perks

• Virtual-first working model coupled with in-person events
• 20 company-wide holidays including a week-long end-of-year company shutdown
• Library (optional use collaboration & connection hub)in San Francisco
• WiFi reimbursements
• Cell phone reimbursements (North America)
• Employee Assistance Program for mental health and well-being

Learn More About Us

• Life @ Thumbtack Blog
• Virtual First Working Model
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Meet the pros who inspire us

Thumbtack embraces diversity. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, state, or local law. We also will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with applicable law.

Thumbtack is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability during any part of the application process, please contact: [email protected].

If you are a California resident, please review information regarding your rights under California privacy laws contained in Thumbtack’s Privacy policy available at https://www.thumbtack.com/privacy/ .