User Experience Research Lead Job Vacancy Technology and Innovation

Position:

User Experience Research Lead

Company:

Google South Africa

Location:

Durban, South Africa

Experience:

5+ years of UX research experience, preferably in technology companies

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cognitive Science, or related field

Employment Type:

Full-time

Industry:Technology and Innovation

Department:

User Experience Research

Salary:

R800,000 – R1,200,000 per annum

Vacancies:1

Google South Africa is a leading global technology company that empowers individuals and businesses through innovative digital solutions. With a strong commitment to fostering a culture of creativity, inclusivity, and continuous learning, Google South Africa has become a magnet for top talent across the continent. The Durban office serves as a hub for product development, data analytics, and user experience initiatives, contributing to the broader mission of organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful.

As part of Google’s expansive ecosystem, employees enjoy access to cutting‑edge tools, collaborative work spaces, and a vibrant community that encourages experimentation and impact. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of user experience for millions of South Africans while advancing your career in a world‑class environment.

The User Experience Research Lead will spearhead strategic research initiatives that inform product design, improve user satisfaction, and drive data‑backed decision making across Google’s suite of consumer and enterprise products. Reporting to the Head of UX Research, you will collaborate closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and data scientists to uncover deep insights into user behavior, motivations, and pain points. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that Google’s products are intuitive, accessible, and culturally relevant for South African users.

For more information about Google’s mission and values, visit the main website:

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• Lead end‑to‑end qualitative and quantitative research studies, including ethnographic fieldwork, usability testing, surveys, and diary studies.
• Translate research findings into actionable recommendations, personas, journey maps, and design guidelines that influence product roadmaps.
• Mentor and manage a small team of UX researchers, fostering a culture of curiosity, rigor, and ethical research practices.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to prioritize research opportunities aligned with business goals and user needs.
• Develop and maintain a research repository that ensures knowledge sharing across product lines and locations.
• Advise on inclusive design principles to ensure products meet accessibility standards for diverse South African audiences.
• Present insights to senior leadership and stakeholders using compelling storytelling techniques.

• Expertise in mixed‑methods research, with a strong portfolio demonstrating impact on product decisions.
• Proficiency in research tools such as User Testing, Lookback, Optimal Workshop, and statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of influencing senior executives.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to synthesize large data sets into clear insights.
• Deep understanding of South African cultural contexts, language diversity, and digital adoption trends.
• Leadership experience, including coaching junior researchers and managing project timelines.

A Bachelor’s degree in Human‑Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, or a related discipline is required. A Master’s degree or PhD is highly desirable and will be considered an advantage.

Minimum of five years of professional UX research experience, preferably within a technology company or digital product environment. Demonstrated experience leading research teams and delivering insights that have directly influenced product success is essential.

The role offers a competitive salary range…