Principal Design Researcher

Job description

Job Title: Principal Design Researcher

Location: London, UK (3 days a week Work from the office.)

Job Type: Permanent

Mandatory: Our client is looking for local British Citizens only.

Experience:

Role Overview:

As a Principal Design Researcher, you will lead the integration of design and research to shape the next generation of AI-powered products.

You will champion user-centered discovery, ensuring that every design decision is informed by deep insights into user behavior, psychology, and context.

This role requires a thought leader who can blend design excellence with rigorous UX research, driving company-wide initiatives that make the Descrial product ecosystem smarter, more intuitive, and more valuable for users.

You will focus on guiding product lifecycle strategies—activation, retention, and expansion—through evidence-based design research, experimentation, and system thinking.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic UX research programs across product lifecycles (activation, retention, renewal) to uncover unmet user needs.
• Proactively identify opportunities where research insights can transform user experience and business outcomes.
• Design and execute mixed-method research (qualitative and quantitative) including interviews, usability testing, surveys, ethnographic studies, and behavioral analytics.
• Translate research findings into actionable design strategies, user journeys, and product recommendations.
• Partner with Product Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to embed research into product development.
• Develop scalable research frameworks, playbooks, and systems that ensure repeatable excellence.
• Establish style standards and design principles informed by user evidence.
• Maintain an iterative mindset—continuously testing, learning, and refining.
• Advocate for the voice of the user across the organization, backing opinions with strong logic and data.
• Review product requirements and technical documents to provide meaningful, research-driven feedback.

Prerequisites:

• Deep expertise in UX research methodologies (qualitative & quantitative).
• At least 3 years of leadership experience in UX research, guiding teams and influencing product strategy.
• Strong knowledge of human interaction design and usability principles.
• Balanced mindset regarding functional, aesthetically pleasing, and evidence-based design.
• Proficiency with design and research tools (Figma, Adobe Suite, UserTesting, Dovetail, Optimal Workshop, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience in technology product design and research.
• Experience working in Agile product environments.

Experience:

• 10+ years in UI/UX design and research, with a proven track record of leading research-driven design initiatives
• Minimum 3 years in UX research leadership roles, managing teams or programs.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in design, HCI, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Behavioral Science, or a related field from a premier institution. Advanced training in UX research or human-centered design is a plus.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

London Area

Type of Contract

Casual / Part Time Jobs

Published at

27-12-2025

Profession type

Accountancy

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English