Junior UX Researcher

Junior User Researcher About Wavytalk At Wavytalk, we believe hair is more than just style—it's a language of self-expression. We're an expression-first hair brand creating innovative tools that empower everyday appearance artists to experiment, evolve, and look and feel their best with confidence. We are on a mission to design intuitive hair tools that make styling effortless, joyful, and safe—protecting hair health while unlocking every possibility. Whether straightening, curling, or adding volume, our tools are engineered for versatility, performance, and care without compromise. We're looking for a passionate Junior User Researcher to join our dynamic team. As we scale UX department and product offerings, understanding our users deeply—their aspirations, their routines, their frustrations, and their moments of joy—is critical to creating tools that truly empower self-expression. Position Overview The Junior User Researcher is responsible for participant recruitment, qualitative research execution, and research process support and optimization , providing high-quality and actionable user insights to the Product, Design, and Marketing teams. The ultimate goal is to enhance product experience, user satisfaction, and market fit, while building a solid foundation for future growth into a Senior User Researcher or Research Lead role. This role will report to the U.S. Senior UX Researcher. Work Environment This is a hybrid role requiring 4 days per week in-office and 1 day remote . Travel: Occasional domestic and travel (approximately 10-15% of time) Goals & Objectives Short-Term Goals (6-12 months) 1. Establish and optimize an efficient user recruitment process and participant pool for the U.S. market (or designated region) 2. Independently assist with or lead several small- to medium-scale qualitative research projects (e.g., interviews, focus groups, usability tests) and deliver clear summary reports 3. Support senior researchers in cross-functional collaboration , including project scheduling, coordination, data organization, and insight synthesis Mid- to Long-Term Goals (1-2 years) 1. Develop into a strong candidate for a Senior User Researcher , capable of conducting end-to-end qualitative research --- from study design, recruitment, and execution to analysis and actionable outcomes 2. Propose and implement improvements to the user research system , including methodologies, toolsets, and workflow architecture 3. Expand recruitment channels and diversify participant sources to support rapid validation and fine-grained research initiatives Key Responsibilities User Recruitment & Participant Pool Management Write recruitment criteria and screeners for each study Design and distribute recruitment ads or invitations Coordinate with participants, handle incentive arrangements, and manage scheduling and attendance for in-person or online sessions Plan, build, and maintain a U.S.-based target user database covering diverse cities, age groups, backgrounds, and usage scenarios Establish long-term recruitment partnerships and channels Qualitative Research Execution Support Support interview, usability test, focus group, and prototype evaluation sessions by coordinating logistics, taking notes, transcribing, tagging recordings, and assisting with session documentation Participate in designing qualitative research processes, optimize sampling and recruitment bias control, refine research cadence, and continuously improve efficiency and quality Data Organization & Preliminary Insight Synthesis Under guidance from senior researchers or PMs, create and organize data tables, visual charts, user quotes, and prepare presentation materials (slides or written summaries) Take on preliminary analysis tasks in select projects (qualitative coding, thematic grouping, matrix comparison, user journey mapping, etc.) and assist in generating insights and recommendations Process, Tool, and Standard Optimization Conduct regular process retrospectives after projects, identify bottlenecks and improvements, and draft process documentation, tool usage guides, and internal training materials Drive standardization, modularization, and tool-based optimization of the end-to-end research process (from intake to delivery) Develop templates, guidelines, knowledge bases, and sharing mechanisms Cross-Functional Coordination & Project Management Collaborate with Product, Design, Engineering, Marketing, Customer Support, and Data teams to align on research needs, schedule sessions, track progress, collect feedback, and maintain communication records Serve as project coordinator across multiple research initiatives, managing timelines, milestones, resources, and budgets to ensure on-time delivery Qualifications: Education Background Bachelor's degree or above in any discipline (preferred majors include Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, or Communication) Additional training or certifications in User Research, Human Factors Engineering, UX, HCI, or Market Research are a plus Work Experience Requirements - 3-5 years of relevant experience in user research, research operations, market research, or UX-related roles - Experience conducting or supporting research in consumer electronics, smart hardware, wearables, or IoT products is highly preferred - Prior experience in user recruitment, qualitative studies, or cross-cultural research for the U.S. or international markets is a plus - Experience working in mature product teams, fast-paced agile environments, or internet/smart hardware companies is desirable - Background in industry-leading, well-known, or research-mature organizations is advantageous Skills & Competencies Technical / Professional Skills Proficient in qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, usability testing, card sorting, user journey mapping, and emotion mapping Familiar with common user research tools and platforms, including Zoom, UserTesting, Lookback, Dovetail, Aurelius, Notion, Miro, Figma, and transcription software Capable of interpreting qualitative data with basic coding, synthesis, and thematic analysis skills Skilled in questionnaire and screener design, as well as sample segmentation, representativeness control, and bias reduction Competent in Excel and spreadsheet management for organizing participant information and screening results Native-level English proficiency (both spoken and written), able to conduct interviews, write reports, and communicate fluently Soft Skills Excellent communication and collaboration skills; able to work effectively within cross-functional teams Highly proactive and execution-driven, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously Strong logical thinking and organizational skills, with the ability to structure findings and present insights clearly Detail-oriented, patient, and resilient, able to handle complex logistics and unexpected changes during studies Deep empathy and user-centric mindset, always considering problems from the user's perspective Effective time management and resource coordination to ensure timely project delivery Fast learner with curiosity for new tools, methods, markets, and user trends Preferred Qualifications Ability to independently conduct research from planning and recruitment to execution, analysis, and reporting Experience in operations, recruitment, community building, marketing, or participant pool management Skilled in data visualization, reporting, and presentation design (charts, dashboards, slides) Familiar with or interested in building or optimizing research platforms/tools (e.g., recruitment systems, participant management databases) Experience in project management, resource coordination, or process optimization Why Wavytalk At Wavytalk, you'll be part of a fast-growing, creative team reshaping how people experience hair/beauty tools. We celebrate creativity, innovation, and community, and believe great products are built by people who care deeply about the impact of their work. Here, you'll have the chance to: Shape the future of hair styling tools at a brand built on expression-first values Collaborate with exceptional talent across design, engineering, supply chain, and brand See your work come to life in the hands of people worldwide who use it to feel confident and express themselves Join a team that values bold ideas, fast execution, and joyful experimentation Grow your UX research skills in a supportive, high-impact environment with clear paths to advancement Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage, 401k Paid maternity and paternity leave Employee product discount Grow fast with a brand that's scaling even faster A culture where creativity isn't just welcomed — it's expected Wavytalk Values: Open & Growth — We stay receptive to change and never stop evolving Passion — We care deeply and create boldly in everything we do Results-Driven — We dream big and find the most efficient path to deliver Teamwork — Shared goals, diverse strengths, and zero finger-pointing Joining Wavytalk means joining a team that is aligned, ambitious, and genuinely excited about what we're building together. #J-18808-Ljbffr