How to Apply
A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how you will align with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).
What You'll Do
The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) at the University of Michigan seeks an experienced UX Researcher to join us in studying the tools and platforms we create and helping us continue advancing the future of learning. Our growing user experience research (UXR) team partners with CAI colleagues across domains who design 10 educational technology products and hundreds of online learning experiences used by learners in Ann Arbor and around the world. You will collaborate with user experience and learning experience designers, software developers, program and project managers, faculty, students, and other stakeholders to identify both tactical and strategic research opportunities and conduct research. You will also use your excellent communication skills to share research findings with team members, with a particular eye toward actionable and compelling insights. Learn more about the software and online learning experiences we create on our website. The UX Researcher will report to a senior research scientist who leads qualitative and user research efforts within the Research and Analytics Team.
Who We Are
About the Center for Academic Innovation
Through curricular innovation, tools for student success and equity, and educational research, the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation is building the future of education. Our vision is a future in which education connects and empowers learners everywhere to reach their full potential throughout their lives. To accomplish our vision, we make it our mission to collaborate across campus and around the world to create equitable, lifelong educational opportunities for learners everywhere.
About the Research & Analytics Team
CAI's Research & Analytics Team is an interdisciplinary group of researchers and data science experts who work together to understand the impact of CAI's products and services. We study how the experiences CAI creates and the data the University generates contribute to advances in learning, equity, access, and the future of higher education. Using our range of methodological and content expertise, we ensure a core CAI principle - being research-driven - is realized. The team carries out its own mission-aligned research agendas and consults with colleagues to design and conduct studies that support their work.
For more information, please visit our website: Academic Innovation.
Responsibilities*
- Plan and manage a variety of discovery and feedback-oriented methodologies to inform software development and learning experience design
- Conceptualize and conduct end-to-end user research projects, including protocol development, recruitment, data collection and analysis, and communicating findings
- Develop and facilitate workshops and focus groups for discovery and feedback purposes
- Validate new designs through ad-hoc or formalized user feedback sessions with residential students and global learners
- Hire, mentor, and supervise student research fellows
- Lead implementation of new research operations (e.g., panel management) and/or data gathering (e.g. in-app survey) systems
- Produce and communicate insights and artifacts, including presentations and reports for multiple audiences (e.g., leadership, designers, software developers, external stakeholders)
- Collaborate with project teams from discovery to implementation, helping translate operational and design questions into feasible research solutions
Required Qualifications*
- Master's degree in a relevant field such as information science, computer science, human-computer interaction, or higher education.
- 5-6 years of experience conducting research on user interfaces, user experience design, and human-computer interaction. Those with experience conducting UXR related to educational technologies used in post secondary settings are encouraged to apply.
- Comprehensive experience using UXR methodologies spanning generative and evaluative approaches and attitudinal and behavioral data gathering strategies.
- Experience analyzing across qualitative and quantitative data to identify meaningful insights.
- Experience collaborating with software developers, interface designers, and others who will inform research goals and implement findings.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and presentation skills
- Working knowledge of tools such as Dovetail, Figma, Qualtrics, Miro, and Notion.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Please Note: This is a 5-year, term limited position.
The mode of work for this position is Hybrid. The work requirements for this position allow both onsite and offsite work and you will have an expected regular and recurring onsite presence. On occasion, you may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by our center's policy and domain leadership or by your job requirements.
Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States.
The salary for this position will be based on your education and experience.
Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/
Salary Information
The general salary range for this position is $75,000-$85,000. You can expect to be paid a great compensation package. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience and knowledge for the position and internal equity within the unit. You are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor agreement and transparency throughout the recruiting process.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is committed to inclusion in our organizational work, culture, climate, and the products we create. We aim to recruit a diverse team as a reflection of our commitment to our work designing equitable and inclusive learning and work environments that are necessary for the university community to make progress on solving societal challenges. CAI draws on each of our team member's unique backgrounds and experiences to guide our everyday work in the center, and our team collaborates with students, staff, and faculty on projects that center our commitment to DEIJ work. All interested applicants, including those from groups historically marginalized by educational privilege, are encouraged to apply.
Organizational Statement on Harassment
We believe all individuals deserve to be treated with respect and have the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and a safe space for collaboration. Any concerns shared with Individuals with Reporting Obligations in the Center for Academic Innovation will be reported to the Equity, Civil Rights, & Title IX Office to be reviewed and addressed, and the Center for Academic Innovation encourages reporting of any forms of harassment including sexual and gender-based harassment.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Decision Making Process
Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
