Staff User Experience Researcher, AI Developer Tools, Education

As a Staff User Experience Researcher for AI Developer Tools at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, your primary responsibilities will include leading complex mixed-methods studies, designing the AI developer tools research strategy, mentoring junior researchers, and collaborating with AI engineers to ensure seamless integration of technology. You'll also work closely with senior leadership to align your research initiatives with the overarching company strategy, making a profound impact on education technology.

To qualify for the Staff User Experience Researcher role at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, you should possess 8-10 years of progressive user research experience, particularly within the educational technology or nonprofit sectors. You need extensive product research experience that has driven impactful outcomes, and familiarity with AI concepts will be an advantage. A strong understanding of developers' workflows and challenges is also beneficial, along with the ability to innovate and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

At the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, we prioritize the professional growth of our Staff User Experience Researchers through mentoring opportunities, collaboration with senior leadership, and access to a wide range of resources for continuous learning. We encourage an iterative work process, allowing you to hone your skills and adapt during the research phases, while also providing a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives and innovative thinking.

The work culture for a Staff User Experience Researcher at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is collaborative, inclusive, and centered around innovation. The team values diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring a respectful workplace where everyone feels valued. It offers flexibility in working arrangements and encourages employees to engage in projects that reflect their passions, such as volunteering and pursuing personal development opportunities.

The Staff User Experience Researcher role at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative plays a critical part in shaping educational technology. By leading research initiatives and translating complex findings into user-friendly solutions, you will help ensure that AI tools effectively meet the needs of educators and students. Your work will not only enhance the usability of our products but also support the broader mission of creating equitable and high-quality learning experiences across diverse educational settings.

In your response, highlight a specific project where you faced obstacles, detailing the methodologies you employed, the insights you gathered, and the outcomes achieved. Emphasize how your efforts contributed to the overall product development and the user experience improvements made.

Outline your process for identifying research questions by considering user needs, business goals, and technical capabilities. Explain how you balance immediate needs with long-term strategic objectives to ensure that your research initiatives align with organizational priorities.

Discuss a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods that you've found effective, such as interviews, surveys, usability testing, and ethnographic studies. Provide examples of how these methods have helped uncover valuable insights in past projects.

Emphasize the importance of fostering open communication and collaborative workflows. Discuss how you involve engineers and designers in the research process, share findings transparently, and iterate based on feedback to drive a user-centered design approach.

Explain your approach to translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Highlight techniques such as storytelling, visualizations, and user personas that help convey the value of your research to stakeholders.

Share a specific instance where new insights required you to change your research focus. Describe how you assessed the situation, adjusted your approach, and the impact of that pivot on the project's overall goals.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning through attending conferences, engaging with professional organizations, reading relevant publications, and participating in online communities. Share specific examples of how this knowledge has been applied in your previous work.

Detail your understanding of ethical considerations in user research, especially in educational contexts. Discuss how you ensure participant consent, data privacy, and the responsible use of insights gained from your research.

Describe metrics or KPIs you use to evaluate the impact of your research. This could include user satisfaction scores, usability testing results, or the adoption rate of proposed solutions, and how you communicate these results to stakeholders.

Share your enthusiasm for the transformative capabilities of AI in personalizing learning experiences, streamlining administrative tasks, and enhancing access to resources. Discuss your vision of how AI can empower educators and students to reach their full potential.