UX Researcher

The position is anticipated to be short-term, and not expected to exceed 12 months. Please note that there is no guaranteed duration of the position, and your employment will be at will and for no fixed duration. As such, it can be terminated by you or the organization at any time, with or without notice or cause, for any reason not otherwise prohibited by law.

*This position is fully remote/home based. Applications will be accepted from candidates based in the following US states: FL,GA, MA, MD, NY, PA, VA, VT.

Role Summary

PLOS is a nonprofit, Open Access publisher empowering researchers to accelerate progress in science and medicine by leading a transformation in research communication.

As a UX Researcher, you'll play a key role in shaping our products and services. Grounded in a deep understanding of our consumer' needs, you'll uncover valuable user insights and turn them into practical strategic recommendations using a range of both qualitative and quantitative data. Your findings will directly inform our product roadmaps, design choices, and growth plans. 

Management Responsibilities 

• Not applicable 

Responsibilities 

• Work closely with product teams to identify and oversee a range of UX research initiatives using both qualitative and quantitative methods to identify user experience challenges and guide mid to long term product strategy. 
• Establish, implement and oversee a research program. 
• Conduct in-depth interviews, surveys, ethnographic studies, usability testing, and other research methods to gather valuable insights. These insights will inform UX and design direction and help address potential issues. 
• Synthesise and analyse research findings to generate actionable insights that both fuel ideation and evaluate product experiences. 
• Promote user-centred design principles throughout the product development cycle, ensuring that research-driven insights inform product roadmaps and strategic decision-making. 
• Communicate findings and present recommendations in engaging and innovative ways. 
• Mentor designers in conducting independent research and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. 
• Work closely with designers to contribute to the emerging design system. 

 Knowledge and Skills 

• Expertise in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, with proven ability to apply them effectively across diverse situations. 
• Knowledge of scholarly publishing and/or scientific research would be desirable. 
• Ability to work independently. 

 Qualifications 

• Related degree is preferred.
• Previous experience and a strong portfolio are required. 

 Physical Requirements and Work Environment 

• Prolonged periods stationary at a desk and working on a computer 
• Some national and international travel will be required 
• Some flexibility to work across time zones 

The base salary range we’ve established for this position is $85,000 - $100,000. PLOS also offers a comprehensive benefits package that will be shared with candidates in the interview process.

The Organization:

PLOS is a non-profit, Open Access publisher empowering researchers to accelerate progress in science and medicine by leading a transformation in research communication. PLOS journals propelled the movement for OA alternatives to subscription journals. We established the first multi-disciplinary publication inclusive of all excellent research regardless of novelty or impact and demonstrated the importance of open data availability. As we continue to lead the way in making research content more open, we need to make it a system that's open for everyone. We are intentionally spreading our roots deeper, globally. 

We believe in pushing the boundaries of 'Open' to create a more equitable system of scientific knowledge and understanding—it’s core to who we are, inside and out. Beyond accepting distinct perspectives, we seek and support divergent backgrounds among our staff because we know differences strengthen our teams, our work, and our communities. We’re ever-evolving in our journey for representation and equity, and strongly encourage applicants of diverse identities to apply: you’ll find a group of critical thinkers eager to challenge the status quo and learn with you as we continue breaking barriers to open science.

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