Lead UX Researcher

Updated: 11 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 28 Apr 2023

90603BR

Campus: Tempe

Lead UX Researcher


Job Description

ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed. At Enterprise Technology (ET) we advance this mission through innovative technology products and the people and processes that make ASU’s innovation possible. On the ET UX Research Team, you will have the opportunity to directly impact and improve the experiences of the hundreds of thousands of learners through your research findings and insights. This role will focus on a suite of credit mobility and degree planning products that aim to empower and enable all students in creating an optimal, personalized path to graduation that meets their unique needs and goals.

As with everyone on the ET team, our intentional focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as well as culture and communications are core responsibilities in this role. With an increased emphasis on authenticity, compassion, and inclusivity, this position strives to embody and advance our ET Positive Core .


Job Family

Information Technology


Full-Time/Part-Time

Full-Time


VP Code

ASU Enterprise Technology


Grant Funded Position

This is not a grant funded position and is not contingent on future grant funding.


Salary Range

$95,000 - $103,000 per year; DOE


Essential Duties

Take responsibility for fostering culture, advancing our values, and championing engagement in all its forms -- collaborating across our teams as well as participating in ET/ASU events and programs. Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.  Advances our ET Affirmative Pledge .

As a Lead UX Researcher, you will:

  • Promote an inclusive, human-centered culture through research initiatives
  • Collaborate with product managers, designers, data scientists, engineers, and stakeholders to identify research needs, align on priorities, and influence product and organizational decisions and direction
  • Design and deliver research studies using qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews, usability tests, surveys, and data analysis
  • Synthesize data in a way that can inform and inspire decision making and strategic direction through well-communicated, actionable insights
  • Use your extensive domain knowledge to help foster the learning and growth of the ASU community across many departments and organizations
  • Seek ways to continuously learn and improve your craft and the craft of others
  • Create a collaborative and engaging environment with cross-functional partners to keep teams focused on customer value and impactful outcomes 

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in a related field (e.g.behavioral science, social psychology, HCI, CS, UX) AND eight (8) year of industry experience OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.


Desired Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
You have extensive domain knowledge and possess strong research-backed and experience-backed opinions. Team members and stakeholders often turn to you for your knowledge and insights. You know how to develop strong relationships and use your influence to cultivate stronger product teams that can deliver great outcomes for learners and for ASU.

  • Inclusive research: Know how to include all kinds of users in appropriate research activities to help teams deliver inclusive, accessible products and services. Know how to identify and suggest projects that will advance ASU’s charter as an inclusive university. 
  • Methods: Understand and have experience with a range of user research methods. Can choose appropriate methods for different stages of the product life cycle and situations. Know how to apply methods correctly.
  • Analysis and synthesis: Turn research data into clear findings that inform decisions. Know how to involve colleagues in analysis and synthesis to increase consensus and challenge assumptions.
  • Strategic thinking: Can take an overall perspective on issues, events, and activities and can see their wider implications and long-term impact. Know how to focus on outcomes rather than solutions and activities.
  • Communication and collaboration: Able to communicate well with those around you with sensitivity to timeliness, medium, brevity, and tone. Comfortable facilitating meetings and workshops with cross-functional project teams. Communicates complex concepts, with ability to influence strategy and decision making.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

  • Ability to model empathy, compassion and emotional intelligence
  • Experience hiring in a values-led organization, emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
  • Ability to help foster a safe psychological space for all teammates where everyone can thrive
  • Ability to stimulate changes in individual, institutional, and corporate behaviors to create a more sustainable environment
  • Ability to lead by example in communicating, participating and encouraging support of the institution’s sustainability programs

Working Environment

  • Activities are performed in a climate-controlled environment.
  • This is a flexible hybrid role of in-person and remote.

Department Statement

Enterprise Technology (ET) embraces its role as both an enabler and catalyst for advancing the vision and work of the New American University.  We are a values-driven organization.  Our commitments are reflected in all of the work we do in pursuit of operational excellence, the experience and delight of our community, and our strategic and innovation initiatives. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Join the team that sparks human-centered innovation
ET is a rapidly reconfigurable and entrepreneurial organization at ASU that prioritizes and executes to meet the needs of our community of learners, faculty, researchers and staff. Our work emphasizes autonomy, flexibility and distributed decision-making to leverage the strengths of individuals. Together, we embrace a culture that nurtures, engages and embraces diverse voices with a shared lens of positive community impact and expanded opportunities for collaboration.
Why join us?
Mission oriented. Everything we do is to advance ASU’s charter -- measuring who we include and how they succeed. We are staunch champions of learner success and put people first.
Flexibility. Our hybrid work environment prioritizes personal autonomy and trust around how work gets done. Staff touch base in person a  few times per week with freedom to decide how, when and where.
Culture forward. We embrace a Positive Core culture: Belonging, Relational, Authentic, Visionary and Empowered. The ET fabric weaves together diversity, equity and inclusion applied in our daily work and interactions.
Scale of impact. Our work changes the world. With 180k+ learners, faculty, researchers and staff, working with ET means you have the capacity to improve many lives and entire communities.
World-class, low cost education. Our professional development is built in! ET encourages staff to seek additional certificates and degrees via ASU’s top ranked programs with major tuition breaks.
Exposure to industry giants. ET partners with Amazon, Apple, Cox, Verizon, Salesforce, Alteryx and a diversity of technology companies to enhance our innovations and deepen their  impact.

About the ET UX Research candidate evaluation process:
Resume review: We read every resume and look for well-written resumes that are easy to read, well-formatted, and demonstrate how your skills and experience match the job description. We prefer one-page resumes for candidates with less than 10 years of experience, and one-page or two-page resumes for candidates with 10 more years of experience.

Cover letter review: We read every cover letter and appreciate cover letters that tell a story about how your background will benefit ASU. We look for cover letters that are enthusiastic about the opportunity and exhibit clear communication skills. You can use “Dear Hiring Team,” in your cover letter introduction to address our UX Research hiring team.

Portfolios are not required for this position, but 

Our interview process:
We will send interview invites within 3 business days after the position closes.

Candidates will either be invited to an interview or they will receive an automated email informing them we are not moving forward with their candidacy.

Our interview process includes two interviews. After the first interview, candidates may be invited to a second interview where they will have the opportunity to present a previous research project. We do not have take-home assignments.

We would like the person hired for this role to start sometime in May 2023.


ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/relocation-services .


Employment Verification Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.


Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.


Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.


Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.



Similar Positions