Staff User Researcher

Who are we?

We believe Ethereum has the potential to solve some of humanity’s most crucial coordination issues. Since our initial inception as a research group, we have sought to scale both its technology and values.

At present, the most pressing bottleneck to the growth of Ethereum is its performance and scalability. We are building the most elegant solution to this problem. We do this in the open (under an MIT open source license) because we believe in open source innovation and its ability to accelerate growth.

OP Labs contributes to the Optimism protocol, an extension to Ethereum that scales both its technology and values. Optimism enables orders of magnitude of improved performance and scalability to Ethereum while doubling down on its commitment to public goods.

The Optimism Collective leads the blockchain protocol landscape, dedicated to fostering a scalable and sustainable ecosystem. Optimism’s ethos, in sync with Ethereum's vision, tackles pivotal coordination challenges of the digital age. Optimism’s goal is to harmonize private incentives with public good, shaping a resilient future for the Internet. Optimism’s scope spans diverse areas like Gaming, DeFi, NFTs, and Enterprise.

Position Overview:

OP Labs is looking for a full-time Staff User Researcher with a focus on the developer experience across our platforms and tooling.

At OP Labs, our Data Team is pioneering a new vision for blockchain intelligence. We fundamentally believe that data serves as a public good and that robust analytical capabilities are a powerful strategic differentiator for Optimism blockspace. We're building a Superchain Data Collective hub that harnesses the power of open, community-driven data to fuel decentralized intelligence and decision-making across the entire Collective - directly supporting developers and stakeholders with the insights they need as we scale from today's interconnected chains toward a seamless network of hundreds or thousands. Our multidisciplinary team brings together expertise across data engineering, data science, developer insights, and ecosystem intelligence - all working in concert to transform raw blockchain data into actionable intelligence. By democratizing access to high-quality analytics, we empower builders, governance participants, and ecosystem partners to make informed decisions that strengthen the entire Optimism ecosystem.

What are the role responsibilities?

• Building and leading the User Research function for our Developers at OP Labs, working in close partnership with the Product, Design, and DevRel teams - from large strategic initiatives to tactical, and investigative quick improvements

• Design and implement comprehensive research programs utilizing mixed-methods research - from in-depth developer interviews and usability sessions to targeted surveys and fieldwork at conferences and Hackathons as needed

• Transform abstract business objectives into concrete, actionable research questions that drive meaningful product improvements

• Pioneer innovative approaches to democratize feedback collection, empowering team members to gather valuable developer insights independently

• Translate complex research findings into compelling narratives and clear recommendations that shape the evolution of Optimism's developer experience

• Build a rich and comprehensive research database with robust data collection systems in collaboration with the data engineers and data scientists on the team

What skills do you bring?

• Demonstrated track record with 6+ years in user research, including experience leading research initiatives for complex product areas with diverse stakeholder needs

• Proven ability to build research capacity across organizations, mentoring and equipping cross-functional teams to conduct effective research independently

• Substantial experience researching developer-focused products, with an understanding of technical user needs and pain points

• Strong foundation in research methodology including experimental design principles, bias mitigation, and specialized UX research techniques

• Exceptional leadership qualities balanced with collaborative mentorship skills, guiding stakeholders at all levels through the research process

• Outstanding communication abilities, effectively translating technical concepts into strategic insights that influence product direction

• Skilled at independently managing competing priorities and nurturing relationships across multiple stakeholder groups

• Proficiency with both moderated research sessions and self-directed testing approaches

• Naturally collaborative mindset with a genuine commitment to team success and personal growth

• Enthusiasm for learning and applying constructive feedback

• Curiosity about blockchain technology, Layer 2 solutions, and broadly crypto ecosystems

What will you like about us?

• We take care of our employees. Competitive compensation, fully paid medical, dental, and vision, and a 4% 401K match—learn more about our benefits, culture, and all recruiting FAQ here.

• We take pride in the accomplishments of our teammates and support each other in doing the best work of our careers.

• Our team is a diverse group of people from varied backgrounds. We cherish our eclecticism and consider it a great strength.

• We’re fully remote, deeply engaged, highly skilled, and like to have fun.

• We think long-term. Our founders have been scaling Ethereum since 2015.