Senior UX Researcher

Founded in 1999 in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Cadre5 provides innovative technical solutions to our customers locally and nationally. Our Cadre5 Lab Partners division has partnered with the Information Technology Services Directorate (ITSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to recruit a highly skilled and self‑directed Senior UX Researcher to join their team. In this role, you will independently plan, execute, and synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative research to inform product strategy and design decisions.

You will serve as a trusted research partner to product, design, and engineering teams, translating user insights into clear, actionable recommendations that improve user experience and business outcomes across our applications, websites, and services.

ORNL delivers scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in energy and national security and provides economic benefit to the nation. This premier research institution located near Knoxville in Oak Ridge, TN, addresses national needs through impactful research and world‑leading research centers.

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* Please note:

The first step in the interview process requires candidates to join a Microsoft Teams meeting with the video turned on.**

This is a full‑time, permanent position that can telecommute. Occasional travel to the Oak Ridge facility may be required.

• Working with highly talented team members
• Excellent medical insurance, including employer‑paid benefits

• Independently plan, design, and execute end‑to‑end user research studies, from problem definition through synthesis and recommendations.
• Select and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods, including usability testing, interviews, surveys, diary studies, and mixed‑method approaches.
• Analyze and synthesize complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that influence product direction, design decisions, and prioritization.
• Partner closely with UX designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into product development.
• Proactively advocate for user needs, balancing user insights with technical constraints and business goals.
• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to cross‑functional stakeholders and leadership with clarity and confidence.
• Contribute to the evolution of research practices, standards and documentation across the organization.
• Stay current on UX research trends, tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies, and apply them thoughtfully to your work.

• A BS degree in user experience, human–computer interaction, psychology, or a related field, with a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of aligned professional experience.
• Master’s and PhD degree holders in the same fields are encouraged to apply:
  • Master’s degree holders should have a minimum of four (4) to six (6) years of relevant, aligned experience.
  • PhD degree holders should have up to three (3) years of relevant, aligned applied research experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead user research efforts that inform UX and product decisions in software or application development contexts.
• Deep proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, including study design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proven ability to turn ambiguous problem spaces into clear research plans and insights.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with experience presenting findings and recommendations to cross‑functional teams and stakeholders.
• Experience working within agile or iterative product development environments.
• Working knowledge of UX design principles and familiarity with Figma is a plus.

Cadre5 offers excellent pay and benefits, to include full medical, dental, and vision coverage coupled with 401K match, 15 days PTO, and 10 holidays.

Cadre5 is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. Cadre5 is an E‑Verify Employer.