Design Researcher

Our client, who is one of Canada's largest financial services organizations, is hiring a Design Researcher. This is a full-time contract for a minimum of 12 months in duration with the potential to convert to full-time permanent. The team works three days in the office (Toronto) and two days from home.

THE ROLE: Design Researchers shape the experiences we create through each of our digital products. You’ll work with a cross-functional group of designers, product managers, and developers.

Embedded in a product, journey, or channel, you will:

1. Identify upcoming decisions that need research inputs.
2. Propose methodologies, carry out fieldwork, analyze, and socialize the implications.
3. Collaborate closely with the team to ensure participation along each step of the research process.

Design Research Strategy:

1. Build relationships with key stakeholders within and outside of the design team.
2. Prioritize potential research activities with designers and business stakeholders.
3. Research fieldwork approaches (moderated or unmoderated) that address business and design objectives.

Research and Testing (Execution, Synthesis, Analysis):

1. Conduct research activities to evaluate prototypes, improve understanding of current context, or generate new insights on changing user needs.
2. Facilitate live sessions with users and internal stakeholders covering high-complexity or sensitive topics.
3. Core themes and implications from your research activities to the design team and other stakeholders.
4. Facilitate ideation sessions and collaborative work activities.

THE REQUIREMENTS:

Must-have:

1. Degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Design (e.g., interaction, graphic, visual communications, product, industrial), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science (CS), or a related field or equivalent practical experience.
2. Minimum of 3 years of experience in research.
3. Understanding of design research theory and tools.
4. Knowledge of a variety of design research methodologies.
5. Experience working on cross-functional teams.

Nice to have:

1. Degree or certification in relevant fields.
2. Experience with 'design thinking'.
3. Experience working within a large organization and within an agile environment.
4. Contributing to the launch of a digital product.

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