User Researcher [Contract]

Job description

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. What You’ll Do User Research & Stakeholder Engagement 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 Synthesis & Insight Development 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 Workshops & Collaborative Sessions 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 Discovery & Evaluation Deliverables 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 Cross-Functional Collaboration 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 What We’re Looking For 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 Nice to Have 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 Tools & Ways of Working Experience working with tools such as: Figma / FigJam Miro Zoom-based remote facilitation Google Workspace Standard research documentation and synthesis workflows Engagement Details Contract role; duration and commitment vary by project Remote; U.S.-based availability required Part-time to full-time depending on project needs Competitive hourly rate based on experience and scope About Us Blenderbox is a human-centered design and technology agency. We work with governments and organizations to improve complex digital products and services through thoughtful research, design, and collaboration. How to Apply If this seems like a good fit for you, and you would like to be considered for future projects, please submit your résumé and any work samples you wish to share. Apply using the link. Must be a US Citizen or authorized to work in the US. No recruiters, please.