Job Title: User Design Specialist
Location: Reston, VA (Remote)
Pay Rate: $75/hr
Employment Type: W2 Contract (Temporary)
About the Role
Join a forward-thinking innovation lab focused on transforming education. We’re seeking a strategic and innovative User Design Specialist to lead participant recruitment, advise on best-in-class research strategies, and help build inclusive, scalable research operations. This is a remote, temporary position based in Reston, VA.
Key Responsibilities
- End-to-End Recruitment for Research:
Lead participant recruitment efforts, including crafting screeners, consent forms, and communication materials.
- Support and Advise Researchers:
Act as a thought partner to user researchers and service designers, offering guidance on ethical practices and inclusive recruitment strategies.
- Streamline and Standardize Research Operations:
Identify and implement lightweight, scalable processes to support qualitative and quantitative research across diverse teams.
- Lay the Groundwork for Long-Term Research Infrastructure:
Develop documentation, templates, and internal workshops to enable sustainable research practices.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of experience in research operations, UX research, or related program management roles.
- Proven experience in research enablement, including documentation and training.
- Deep understanding of the research lifecycle, including participant panel management and study matching.
- Experience supporting qualitative and quantitative methods across multiple teams.
- Strong knowledge of ethical research practices and user data privacy.
- Skilled in evaluating research tools and vendor platforms.
- Comfortable conducting screening conversations and developing inclusive recruitment frameworks.
Must-Haves
- Experience with consent and communication materials
- Crafting effective screeners
- Inclusive recruitment strategy development
- Advisory experience in recruitment and research
- Familiarity with research tools and operations
- Ability to support researchers as a strategic partner
Nice-to-Haves
- Experience creating inclusive research frameworks and protocols
- Background in creative visual storytelling to communicate research insights
- Prior work with mission-driven organizations, public education, or nonprofits
- Experience conducting research with youth, families, or vulnerable populations
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated success in mission-driven environments
- Experience with inclusive and ethical research involving vulnerable groups
- Interest or background in visual storytelling and design thinking
Job Types: Contract, Temporary
Pay: Up to $75.00 per hour
Expected hours: 20 per week
Experience:
- UX research: 5 years (Required)
- Recruitment: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: Remote
