Evidence is one of our core organizational values, and this role is crucial in enabling us to utilize data to drive decisions. This User Researcher’s role is to support the planning and execution of a variety of hypothesis-driven research activities. Working collaboratively with stakeholders and team members, you will help to generate research findings that bring new functions, features, and products to life. ITHAKA is a partner with academic libraries, helping institutions amplify and safeguard their special collections. In the User Researcher role, you will craft research approaches and analyses that inform solutions for collection management, discovery, and preservation.

The Role

We are looking for a User Researcher to join ITHAKA, a highly-successful non-profit with a mission to expand access to knowledge and education around the world. ITHAKA’s brands include Artstor, Ithaka S+R, JSTOR, and Portico. This is a 6 month fixed-term position working 40 hours per week.

As part of the User Insights team, you will partner with researchers and analysts to enhance organizational knowledge of user needs, goals, and pain points within academic collections management. This team provides information that leads to deeply engaging and delightful products. This role works extensively with Product Managers, Product Designers, and Developers within Discovery teams to test and validate new and existing product concepts. The User Researcher supports teams to define research goals, choose appropriate methodologies, plan, execute, and evaluate research studies. 

Responsibilities

• Create tests to validate various product hypotheses, using a broad range of methods including in-depth interview, survey, prototype testing, usability, observational, A/B, card sort, click test, etc.
• Work hand-in-hand with product teams, analysts, and fellow researchers to scope, prioritize, and execute research opportunities in a dynamic environment.
• Partner with designers throughout the discovery and development process to craft elegant and innovative UI solutions, ensuring research learnings result in measurable user impacts. 
• Communicate research findings across the organization, leveraging a variety of communication strategies.

Experience and Skills

• Advanced degree or bachelor’s degree plus extensive experience in social sciences, HCI, or related field.
• Familiarity with user-centered research and evaluation.
• Experience with a varied set of qualitative and quantitative research methods including user interview, survey, prototype testing, A/B, and ethnography. 
• Understanding of when to use qualitative and quantitative data. 
• Experience with common online research and survey tools such as Optimal Workshop, Qualtrics, and Ethnio.
• Ability to facilitate research from planning to execution and communicate insights to a multidisciplinary audience.
• Ability to learn quickly, work independently, and take personal initiative to complete tasks.
• Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to handle competing priorities and successfully manage several projects simultaneously.
• Experience in an Agile environment is desirable.
• Knowledge of higher education libraries, special collections, and/or preservation is desirable. 

Work Authorization and Sponsorship 

ITHAKA is not currently considering candidates who require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States.

Compensation and Benefits

At ITHAKA we believe in openness and equity. Part of living those values is our commitment to clarity about salary ranges, so candidates know what to expect. The starting salary for this position ranges from $75,404 - $94,000 per year. Starting pay may vary with job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. At present, our total compensation package for benefits-eligible employees includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer-paid 10% retirement contribution, paid parental and caregiver leave, 22 days of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, up to 12 sick days, wellness benefits, and more. Please note that ITHAKA, at its discretion, may make changes to its benefits programs from time to time.

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