Senior User Researcher

About Us 

Academia.edu is a venture-backed, for-profit, and profitable company based in San Francisco. We are recognized as the world’s leading platform for researchers and scholars to share work, discover research, and connect with academics globally. Our bold vision is to democratize and accelerate the world's research, enhancing the speed of scientific discovery and technological progress for the benefit of everyone. We imagine a world where accessing academic papers is effortless, keeping track of cutting-edge research is seamless and collaborating with researchers is easier than ever before. Our platform empowers millions of scholars worldwide to push the boundaries of human understanding. We believe that academic research is a lever that improves the progress of humanity, and our commitment to this mission drives everything we do.

Join us as we continue to redefine what's possible in the world of research. Discover careers that challenge, inspire and propel you toward a future where your ideas can truly change the world. At Academia.edu, we're not just shaping the future of research—we're shaping the future of possibilities.

Please note that this role is in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Our office comes alive on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays! Three times a week, our Bay Area team gathers in our office located in San Francisco's Financial District (580 California St) for All Hands meetings, collaborative sessions, innovation-driven brainstorming, and events that bring us closer together. Our space has everything we need—from cozy rooms for 1:1 mentoring and focused work to larger rooms designed for team activities.

At the forefront of product thinking at the company, the User Research team not only carries out research, but actively contributes to product strategy, ideation, and planning.

As a Senior User Researcher you will work embedded on one or more teams, or on special projects with broad impact. Our 2024 research roadmap includes foundational research, new product development, onboarding and activation, and improving established features. You will work with PMs to define the research priorities and roadmap for your team, plan and execute both quantitative and qualitative research, and engage in strategy and data discussions with PMs, analysts, and leadership. You’ll use your storytelling skills to present your insights and recommendations to your teams and to senior leadership. You will guide non-researchers in conducting user research and work to increase the company’s user empathy and UX maturity. If you’re excited to build products that deliver value to our users and business, help level-up the research function, and build user empathy, apply now! We look forward to hearing from you. 

Core Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end foundational and tactical user research leveraging mixed methods to generate insights and clear product recommendations, not just findings
• Collaborate with product and leadership to identify questions, risks, and opportunities at the nexus of user needs and business objectives
• Triangulate insights across diverse data sources – ranging from user interviews to quantitative analytics to customer support data – to uncover patterns and opportunities
• Develop foundational artifacts, such as user personas, journey maps, and Jobs To Be Done 
• Advocate for users and build user empathy through creative presentations and workshops
• Support PMs and Designers in conducting research while maintaining rigor and reliability

Requirements

• B.A. in social or behavioral science, Human Computer Interaction, or another field with a human-focused research component
• Minimum 5 years of post-graduation, industry experience on digital consumer tech products. We invite those with both in-house and agency experience to apply
• Demonstrated knowledge of end-to-end research, from planning to execution, using multiple qualitative and quantitative methods, including the ability to interpret large-scale behavioral data and apply it within a consumer digital tech product
• Ability to plan and execute research quickly and independently, and manage tight deadlines
• Ability to distill findings into actionable insights and impactful recommendations
• Strong storytelling skills, including demonstrated experience presenting to executives
• Enthusiasm for and demonstrated experience with working in a fast-paced environment with high uncertainty

Preferred Qualifications

• M.A. or Ph.D. degree in a human-focused research discipline
• Strong quantitative data skills
• Direct experience with academic research
• Strong design sensibility
• Experience at both large and small or mid-sized companies

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Benefits

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents

Generous Time Off: 21 paid vacation days, 12 paid company holidays, and unlimited sick days; paid parental leave and other leaves for life’s needs; 6-week paid sabbatical every 4 years

Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible daily schedules within a hybrid work environment, annual remote-office budget, and monthly WFH internet stipend

Competitive Compensation: Competitive salary, 401k plan, and stock options

Mission-Driven Company: Join a mission-driven company to accelerate and democratize the world’s research

Learn more on our Careers Page!

Academia is a proud equal-opportunity employer and we are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.