User Researcher

Summary: Microsoft is a leading technology company seeking a User Researcher to join their Human Centered Design team within Windows and Devices. The role involves supporting and executing human-centered research to inform the design of devices and experiences, collaborating closely with various stakeholders to ensure research insights drive product decisions. Responsibilities: - Support mixed-methods research studies, including interviews, usability testing, surveys, diary studies, and evaluative research across devices and experiences - Assist with in-lab and in-field research, including preparation of study materials, session support, data capture, and participant coordination - Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data, identifying patterns and translating findings into clear, actionable insights - Communicate research outcomes through presentations, reports, short videos, and internal readouts for cross-functional partners - Collaborate closely with designers, product managers, engineers, and human factors partners to ensure research insights inform product decisions - Apply ethical research practices, including participant privacy, consent, accessibility, and inclusive research considerations - Leverage AI-powered tools to accelerate research workflows such as study planning, transcription, note synthesis, tagging, analysis, and insight generation under guidance from senior researchers Required Qualifications: - Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 1+ year(s) User Experience Research experience - OR Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 2+ years User Experience Research experience - OR equivalent experience Preferred Qualifications: - Experience supporting research on hardware, devices, or complex end-to-end experiences - Exposure to Human Factors or ergonomics methods - Experience using AI-assisted tools for research tasks (e.g., transcription, coding, synthesis, insight summarization) - Basic familiarity with data analysis tools such as R, Python, or similar - Effective storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to explain research findings clearly to non-research audiences Required Skills: User Experience Research, Human-Computer Interaction, AI-assisted research tools Important Skills: Data analysis tools Nice-to-Have Skills: Effective storytelling, Human Factors methods, Communication skills Benefits: Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.