Experience Researcher

Thumbtack • San Francisco, CA

1d • $136,900 - $207,900

About The Position

Researchers at Thumbtack are embedded within product teams and serve as advocates for both customers and pros. As a mixed-methods Experience Researcher, you'll scope and run qualitative and quantitative studies end to end — from foundational discovery to tactical evaluation — and turn them into insights that drive product decisions. You'll join a pod focused on bringing a recent acquisition into the Thumbtack ecosystem on the pro-facing side of our marketplace — helping build the tools pros need to run successful businesses. So you'll be learning a new product and user base fast, structuring ambiguity, and standing up research where little exists yet. And you'll do it in an AI-forward practice: we expect you to use AI fluently across the research lifecycle, and to build lightweight AI tools that accelerate how the team learns.

Requirements

• 5+ years in applied research roles, with a degree in a behavioral or social science field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Experimental Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Science, Economics) or equivalent practical experience; advanced degree a plus.
• Strong command of both qualitative and quantitative methods — knowing when and how to apply each across product phases — and able to design and run studies end to end (in-depth interviews, usability studies, surveys, concept testing).
• Analyzes qualitative and quantitative data, including basic statistical analysis (e.g., t-tests, correlations); proficient with research tools (e.g., Qualtrics, dscout, Sprig, Rally). SQL or other data-querying skills a plus.
• Demonstrated, hands-on use of AI to accelerate and scale research, paired with the judgment to evaluate outputs critically and apply them responsibly.
• Evidence of building — not just using — lightweight AI tooling such as agents, workflows, or prototypes that made research faster or better. (You'll be asked to show one.)
• Strong communication and presentation skills, a track record of influencing product and design decisions through research, and comfort operating independently in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Nice To Haves

• experience standing up research in a new or fast-changing area (0-to-1, integrations, or post-acquisition)
• experience researching AI-powered products
• knowledge of home services, marketplaces, or small business platforms

Responsibilities

• Independently scope and run mixed-method studies — from strategic, exploratory work to tactical usability tests and in-product surveys — within your product area.
• Build a deep understanding of pros and the tools they need to run successful businesses.
• Get up to speed quickly on an unfamiliar product, market, and user base, and turn loose problem spaces into clear research questions and plans.
• Use AI tools across the research lifecycle (e.g., synthesis, analysis, instrument and guide drafting, reporting) to work faster and at scale — and build lightweight AI artifacts (e.g., agents, workflows, automations, prototypes) that speed up learning for you and your partners. Critically evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias.
• Partner closely with product, design, engineering, and data science to identify high-impact research opportunities and ensure insights translate into action.
• Turn qualitative and quantitative data into compelling, trustworthy stories — through reports and presentations that influence product direction.
• Choose the right method (or combination) for the problem — interviews, surveys, usability tests, concept tests, and more.

Benefits

• Thumbtack embraces diversity. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, state, or local law. We also will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with applicable law.
• Thumbtack is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability during any part of the application process, please contact: [email protected].
• If you are a California resident, please review information regarding your rights under California privacy laws contained in Thumbtack’s Privacy policy available at https://www.thumbtack.com/privacy/.
• We put as much craftsmanship into candidate safety as we do into the hiring experience itself. While scammers may try to impersonate our team, we’ll never ask you for money, banking info, or SSNs during hiring. Check out our blueprint on how to spot the fakes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior