Staff Product Designer, Publishing

About Us

At Academia.edu, we're on a mission to accelerate global research. Based in the vibrant hub of San Francisco and backed by venture support, we have dedicated the past 15 years to building the world's largest online network for the sharing and discovery of academic research. With over 260 million users, and almost half of the world's scholars relying on our platform each month, our product team is crafting innovative solutions that cater to the diverse needs of academics and researchers worldwide.

Your Role: Staff Product Designer on the Publishing Team

As a Staff Product Designer on the Publishing Team, you will play a pivotal role in designing the entire article publishing service for all of Academia’s journals. You will create intuitive workflows for a range of user segments, including Academic Authors, Peer Reviewers, and Editors. Collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers, you will define and implement innovative product strategies, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as AI. The projects you’ll engage with are complex and substantial in scale, offering ample opportunities to make a significant impact and advance your design skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Leadership & Strategy

- Proactively identify and champion product opportunities for the Publishing business and user segments (academic authors, peer reviewers, and editors).

- Advocate for user-centric design principles, UX frameworks, and best practices within the Publishing Team and the broader organization.

- Mentor and guide junior designers, nurturing their growth within the field of Product Design.

Design Execution

- Design and optimize end-to-end workflows for the article publishing service.

- Create designs that effectively address user needs and that are highly optimized to move key metrics. Utilize AI and other advanced technologies to enhance user experience and streamline processes.

- Conduct quantitative A/B tests and iterate on designs based on test results.

- Solicit feedback from the Product Manager and the Design Team to refine and improve design iterations.

- Conduct user interviews to gather valuable feedback and insights on designs and user experiences.

Collaboration

- Partner closely with the Product Manager and cross-functional teams to align on the product roadmap and UX requirements.

- Collaborate with Data Analysts to analyze user data and test results, translating findings into actionable insights to inform design decisions.

- Work closely with Engineers to ensure the smooth implementation of design solutions.

- Engage in regular design feedback sessions with the Design Team, fostering a culture of collaboration and improvement.

- Contribute to the refinement of design tools and processes, optimizing productivity and effectiveness.

• At least 8 years of overall design experience.
• Proven end-to-end design ability (UX strategy and design execution)
• Proven ability to design large complex products with positive results. 
• Solid understanding of design patterns, usability principles, and ethical design practices.
• Proven ability to conduct user research and gather feedback to inform design decisions and iterate on solutions.
• Experience with quantitative A/B testing methodologies and optimization strategies.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in leading design initiatives within cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to adapt and evolve team processes as the organization grows and learns.
• A strong portfolio showcasing your exceptional design work, with a particular emphasis on end-to-end product design.

• Mission-Driven Company: Join a company that is mission-driven but that is also financially secure and stable. 
• Product Innovation: Work on cutting-edge projects, such as redesigning the author experience and developing innovative tools powered by AI.
• Leadership: Lead the definition and implementation of entire product lines.
• Impact: Make a significant contribution to the user experience, driving growth and enhancing user satisfaction.
• Career Growth: Explore opportunities for career advancement, whether you opt to further develop as an individual contributor or transition into a design management role.
• Kind Company Culture: Work for an organization that values kindness, fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture.
• Competitive Compensation: Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Join us at Academia.edu and help us propel research into the future while making a profound impact on the academic community worldwide.

Note: We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.