User Researcher [Contract]

Blenderbox

64d•Remote

About The Position

We maintain a roster of trusted, experienced contractors we collaborate with across projects. This role is part of that ongoing talent pool, and qualified candidates may be contacted for future engagements as project needs arise. Blenderbox is seeking a Contract UX Researcher to support discovery and evaluative research across complex digital products and services, primarily in the public sector. This role plays a critical part in ensuring our work is grounded in real user needs, organizational realities, and actionable insight. You’ll partner closely with UX strategists, product designers, project managers, and technical leads to plan and execute research, synthesize findings, and translate learning into clear direction for design and product teams. This is a hands-on role centered on thoughtful research, clear synthesis, and practical outcomes.

Requirements

5–8+ years of experience conducting UX research for digital products or services
Strong qualitative research skills with experience leading research independently
Demonstrated ability to synthesize ambiguity into clarity and communicate insights effectively
Excellent facilitation skills, particularly in remote and cross-functional settings
Strong writing and presentation skills for client-facing deliverables
Comfort working in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
Experience collaborating closely with designers, project/product managers, and technical teams
U.S.-based availability required
Must be a US Citizen or authorized to work in the US.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in public-sector, education, nonprofit, or regulated environments
Familiarity with accessibility and inclusive research practices
Experience supporting research efforts that span multiple phases of a project or evolve over time

Responsibilities

Plan and conduct qualitative research using a range of methods, including one-on-one interviews, group-based research, contextual inquiry, and evaluative usability testing
Engage stakeholders and users across multiple roles and teams to understand needs, workflows, constraints, and opportunities
Collaborate with project teams to define research goals, user groups, and the questions, assumptions, and risks to be explored through research
Develop research plans, discussion guides, and supporting documentation
Adapt research approaches as project scope, constraints, or timelines evolve
Analyze research inputs to identify patterns, themes, risks, and opportunity areas
Incorporate findings from content audits, UX audits, workflow reviews, accessibility audits, and existing documentation as inputs to research synthesis
Triangulate qualitative findings with other available inputs (e.g., surveys, audits, operational data) to strengthen insights and recommendations
Translate research into clear, actionable insights that inform strategy, design decisions, and prioritization
Design and facilitate workshops or working sessions to validate findings, explore opportunities, or align stakeholders
Prepare materials, support facilitation planning, and synthesize outcomes
Partner closely with UX designers and project managers to ensure research insights translate into meaningful next steps
Prepare and contribute to key research outputs, including: Findings and insights documentation Research readouts and presentation decks Opportunity framing and early directional recommendations Clear articulation of research-informed next steps
Present research findings to client teams, including facilitating readouts and supporting leadership discussions
Work closely with UX designers, product managers, and technical partners to integrate research into active project workflows
Review and contribute feedback on research artifacts, synthesis, or findings as part of collaborative team work