User Researcher

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

You will join the Human Centered Design (HCD) team within Windows and Devices at Microsoft, a multidisciplinary group of researchers, designers, and human factors specialists working across Surface, Windows experiences, Xbox, and future hardware and AI-enabled device explorations. Our team brings together diverse perspectives to push beyond convention, shaping devices and experiences that meaningfully improve people’s lives.
As a User Researcher, you will support and execute human-centered research that informs the design of devices and end-to-end experiences. Working closely with senior researchers, designers, product managers, and engineers, you will help plan, run, synthesize, and drive impact with qualitative and quantitative studies across the product lifecycle, from early concept exploration to usability validation. This opportunity will allow you to accelerate your research craft, build fluency in device-focused research, and develop practical experience with AI-enabled research workflows. This is a hybrid role with regular on-site collaboration in Redmond.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees, we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

What This Job Offers

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