Mixed Methods UX Researcher

About the Role:
BayOne is seeking a highly skilled and strategic UX Researcher with a strong Mixed Methods background and a demonstrable foundation in technical capabilities (ideally with a Computer Science background) to join our team supporting innovative XR User Experience initiatives. This role is for a seasoned researcher who can hit the ground running, bringing a wealth of experience in understanding complex consumer behaviors and needs, particularly within the nascent and evolving landscape of Extended Reality (XR) technologies.

You'll be instrumental in shaping the future of XR products by conducting foundational and evaluative research that directly informs design and product strategy. We're looking for someone who loves to ask the right, strategic questions when navigating the inherent ambiguities of net new product development in a rapidly evolving domain like XR. Your ability to lean in with insightful questions will be crucial in minimizing the lift from our full-time partners.

Beyond traditional usability testing, you'll leverage a broad range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including robust moderation skills for in-depth qualitative work, and strong experience partnering with data science for quantitative analysis. This role requires a researcher who can not only perform deep mixed-methods analysis but also has the technical acumen to understand complex systems, leverage data, and is ready to lead qualitatively-oriented work as needed, ensuring comprehensive user understanding. This role is ideal for a research professional who embraces feedback, thrives in fast-paced, cross-functional environments, and is passionate about delivering impactful user insights for consumer-facing XR products.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute end-to-end consumer research studies tailored for XR, utilizing a diverse range of mixed methods, from in-depth interviews and advanced usability testing on Client XR hardware/software to robust surveys and supporting behavioral log analysis.

• Apply a strong technical understanding to identify and leverage new data sources (e.g., telemetry, log data) and develop custom analytical approaches for complex XR systems.

• Proactively identify and frame critical research questions specifically for nascent XR product spaces, such as "What are the core user needs for a hypothetical spatial computing product?" or "How do consumers interact with new haptic feedback systems?"

• Apply robust moderation skills to conduct in-depth qualitative research with XR users, uncovering nuanced needs, motivations, and behaviors related to new form factors and non-standard interfaces. Be prepared to lead or significantly contribute to qualitative research efforts as project needs dictate.

• Collaborate closely with XR designers, product managers, engineers, and content strategists, leaning in with strategic questions to integrate user insights seamlessly into the XR product development lifecycle.

• Develop comprehensive research roadmaps for XR features or products and align with internal sponsors, clearly defining objectives, scope, and timelines to ensure maximum impact.

• Manage all operational aspects of XR research activities, including participant recruitment (especially for non-standard consumer segments interacting with emerging tech), script development for Client interactions, facilitation, and comprehensive reporting.

• Translate complex mixed-methods research findings into actionable interface and interaction design recommendations specifically for XR environments, identifying critical gaps and innovative opportunities in spatial computing experiences.

• Deliver compelling and influential reports written, visual, and in-person that drive decision-making among diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership within the XR organization.

• Champion a user-first approach in XR product planning, reviews, and strategic discussions, always advocating for the consumer voice in emerging technology.

• Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture, embracing feedback and sharing knowledge to foster continuous improvement.

Core Strengths & Skills (Framework):

• Mixed Methods Expertise: Strong practical experience with a wide array of qualitative and quantitative research techniques (e.g., in-depth interviews, usability testing, surveys, A/B testing support, behavioral analytics understanding), applied to consumer products.

• Technical Acumen & Data Fluency: Demonstrated ability to understand complex technical systems, leverage large datasets (e.g., using SQL, Python, R), and integrate technical insights into research findings.

• Consumer Research Acumen for Emerging Tech: Proven experience in understanding and researching diverse consumer segments, particularly within products that may not have preset interaction standards, such as XR (VR, AR, MR).

• Strategic Questioning & Minimizing Lift in Ambiguity: A natural curiosity and ability to ask the right, strategic questions, especially when defining research for ambiguous or net new XR product concepts. Proactive in identifying needs and delivering insights that reduce the burden on full-time employees.

• Strong Qualitative & Moderation Capabilities (Flexibility): Demonstrated excellence in moderating qualitative research sessions, eliciting rich, insightful data from participants, especially in the context of Client XR interactions. Proven ability to lead significant qualitative work streams when needed.

• Beyond Evaluative Testing: While skilled in usability, a demonstrated ability to conduct foundational and strategic research that goes beyond evaluative testing to uncover deeper user needs and motivations for new XR experiences.

• Experience & Impact: A robust portfolio showcasing 6+ years of applied UX research experience with clear, demonstrated impact on consumer products, particularly those involving new technologies. Ready to hit the ground running and contribute immediately.

• Product Questions in New Spaces: Exceptional ability to frame and answer critical research questions for entirely new product categories or experiences, especially in the context of emerging technologies like XR where user interaction patterns are still evolving.

• Collaboration & Influence: Proven success working alongside PMs, designers, engineers, and data scientists in agile teams. Adept at tailoring communication to technical and non-technical audiences, including director-level stakeholders, to embed research findings into product and business strategies for XR.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Proficiency in synthesizing complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable recommendations. Familiarity with relevant tools (e.g., Qualtrics, dScout, Usertesting.com, SQL, Python/R for analysis).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in HCI, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, Statistics, or a related field or equivalent practical experience.

• 6+ years of experience in applied UX research with a strong portfolio demonstrating impact on consumer products.

• Hands-on experience with mixed-method research and end-to-end research operations, including robust qualitative moderation and experience with survey design and analysis.

• Demonstrated technical aptitude with experience analyzing quantitative data using tools like SQL, Python, or R.

• Ability to independently manage study logistics, participant recruitment (including for Client interactions/experiences), and research execution.

• Experience communicating research insights to a broad range of stakeholders, including senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master s or PhD in a relevant field (e.g., HCI, Vision Science, Behavioral Science, Computer Science).

• Direct experience with XR-specific user research (e.g., VR, AR, MR), particularly in understanding how consumers interact with new form factors and non-standard interfaces, and analyzing related telemetry/log data.

• Strong background in data analysis, statistical concepts, and experimental design, with a focus on consumer behavior in emerging tech.

• Experience working with executive stakeholders, influencing product vision or roadmap decisions in a consumer context.

• Familiarity with working in large, matrixed organizations and collaborating across multiple product areas focused on consumer XR experiences.