Design Researcher

Overview

Join a leading financial institution dedicated to becoming an industry leader in exceptional digital experiences. This organization is committed to putting strategy, research, design principles, and technical innovation at the core of everything it does, serving millions of people and communities with a focus on customer experience.

Are you passionate about shaping impactful digital experiences and seeing your research come to life? We’re seeking a talented individual to join a dynamic team that’s pushing the boundaries of digital product design. In this pivotal role, you’ll be at the forefront of understanding user needs, translating insights into actionable design, and directly influencing the digital products that millions rely on daily. Your expertise will not only enhance customer interactions but also contribute to the evolution of design research as a practice within a globally recognized company.

This is a hybrid role, working 4 days per week onsite in our client’s Montreal office.

**What You’ll Do:**

* Work collaboratively within a cross-functional team of designers, product managers, and developers.
* Identify critical decisions requiring research input within product, journey, or channel contexts.
* Propose appropriate research methodologies and execute fieldwork to gather essential data.
* Analyze research findings and effectively communicate their implications to stakeholders.
* Ensure research is an integrated, collaborative process, working closely with the team at every step.
* Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across design and business functions.
* Support prioritization of potential research activities based on business and design objectives.
* Develop comprehensive fieldwork approaches for both moderated and unmoderated research.
* Design and conduct research activities to evaluate prototypes, deepen understanding of current user contexts, and uncover evolving user needs.
* Moderate live user sessions, including those covering complex or sensitive topics.
* Communicate core themes and implications from research to design teams and other stakeholders.
* Design and facilitate ideation sessions and collaborative work activities to foster innovation.

**What You’ll Bring:**

**Must-have:**
* BA/BS degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Design (e.g., interaction, graphic, visual communications, product, industrial), Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science (CS), or equivalent practical experience.
* A minimum of 3 years of experience in research.
* Technical understanding of design research theory and tools.
* Working knowledge of a variety of design research methodologies.
* Experience working effectively on cross-functional teams.

**Nice to have:**
* MA/MS degree or certification in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Design (e.g., interaction, graphic, visual communications, product, industrial), Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science (CS), or a related field.
* Appreciation for the potential of ‘design thinking’.
* Experience working within a large organization and an agile environment.
* Experience contributing to the successful launch of a digital product.

**What’s in it for you:**
You’ll thrive in a supportive culture where designers are included, valued, and heard, surrounded by peers who are experts in their fields. You’ll contribute to solutions used by millions, shaping the customer experience for a global digital leader. This role offers the chance to help define and advance Design Research as a practice, both within the organization and across the industry.

**About Aquent Talent**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.
Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.  More information on our awesome benefits!
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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