User Research Specialist

User Research Specialist – Boston, MA

Location:

Needham, Massachusetts, United States (On-site, 5 days/week)
Type:
Independent Contractor (Consulting Services Agreement)

Position Overview:

This role is execution-focused and does not involve UI/UX design or visual deliverables. The role applies both qualitative and quantitative research methods to identify user pain points, frustrations, and unmet needs when interacting with smart home appliances, providing clear, actionable evidence to guide product refinements. /p>

Key Responsibilities

• Independently conduct in-depth interviews, contextual inquiries, usability testing (in-person and remote), surveys, and heuristic evaluations
• Observe users interacting with products in lab settings or home environments; document behaviors, errors, and usability barriers
• Synthesize raw data into structured research reports, including issue lists, severity ratings, and user verbatim quotes
• Recruit, screen, and schedule qualified participants (existing or potential Shark & Ninja product users)
• Coordinate study logistics, including session scheduling, equipment setup, and environment preparation
• Manage participant incentive distribution (gift cards / cash reimbursements) and maintain accurate records
• Maintain research documentation, participant databases, and study records to ensure data integrity and traceability
• Work closely with Shark & Ninja product managers, engineers, and marketing teams to define core research questions for each study cycle
• Deliver concise oral readouts to client teams, clearly communicating user problems and their business implications
• Translate research insights into easy-to-understand summary briefs for non-research stakeholders

• Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Marketing, Design (non-visual track), Communications, Computer Science, or a related field with coursework in research methods /li>

• Minimum 1 year of experience in user research, market research, usability testing, or research operations (internships, academic projects, or full-time roles accepted)
• Experience in consumer electronics, smart home, or appliance industries is a plus /li>

• Familiarity with at least two research methodologies (e.g., in-depth interviews, usability testing, surveys, heuristic evaluation, diary studies)
• Basic data analysis skills (e.g., Excel statistics, simple coding/thematic analysis)
• Experience with participant recruitment and onsite test coordination is a plus /li>

• Detail-oriented and patient, with strong observation and note-taking skills
• Clear communicator, able to present complex findings in simple, actionable terms
• Comfortable with on-site work at client side
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple research tasks simultaneously

• Bilingual fluency in both Chinese and English (written and spoken), with the ability to write professional research reports and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams in both languages