UX Researcher Competencies
These competencies outline the expectations and growth path for UX Researchers at each level. Use this framework to understand your current level and what’s needed to advance to the next level.
Researcher I (L1)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Developing an understanding of core research methodologies (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, market research) • Designing effective research with guidance from your manager and stakeholders |
| Influence (Team) | • Creating clear research deliverables that identify relevant insights • Proactively sharing findings with core stakeholders • Clearly communicating processes and findings with support from your manager |
| Thinking (Team) | • Developing actionable insights with coaching from your manager • Ensuring research includes recommendations relevant to project outcome goals • Receiving positive feedback from stakeholders on the actionability of your work |
Researcher II (L2)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Strong understanding of core research methodologies and developing knowledge of an additional methodology • Designing effective research in collaboration with your manager and stakeholders |
| Influence (Team) | • Creating clear research deliverables that identify relevant insights • Proactively sharing findings at the team level • Effectively communicating processes and findings to broader teams |
| Thinking (Team) | • Providing actionable recommendations relevant to project outcome goals and product team roadmaps • Collaborating on research recommendations with core stakeholders • Receiving positive feedback on the actionability of your work from the product team |
Senior Researcher (L3)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Expert understanding of core research methodologies and developed knowledge of an additional methodology • Designing effective research and collaborating on research designs with other researchers |
| Influence (Team) | • Creating clear research deliverables that identify relevant insights • Proactively sharing findings at the product pillar level • Seeking feedback from other researchers and over-communicating processes and findings to broader teams |
| Thinking (Team) | • Ensuring research is actionable and relevant to project outcome goals and product pillar roadmaps • Collaborating with other researchers on recommendations • Receiving positive feedback on the actionability of your work from the pillar team |
Lead Researcher (L4)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Strong understanding of multiple research methodologies • Designing effective research and coaching others in research methodologies |
| Influence (Team) | • Influencing project leaders with your work • Delivering broader insights across product pillars • Coaching or training others on developing effective research deliverables |
| Thinking (Team) | • Providing actionable research relevant to project outcome goals and multiple product pillar roadmaps • Coaching or training others on developing effective research recommendations • Receiving positive feedback on the actionability of your work from multiple pillars |
Staff Researcher (L5)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Strong understanding of most insight disciplines • Designing effective research and developing processes to improve the research team’s impact |
| Influence (Team) | • Influencing pillar leaders with your work • Proactively sharing broader insights at the company level • Improving how insights are shared across the company |
| Thinking (Team) | • Ensuring research is actionable and influences the company roadmap and strategy • Helping the research team generate more effective research recommendations • Receiving positive feedback on the actionability of your work from senior leaders |
Principal Researcher (L6)
| Area | Competencies |
|---|---|
| Skill (Individual) | • Expert understanding of all insight disciplines • Designing effective research, creating training programs, and improving research design processes company-wide |
| Influence (Team) | • Influencing the C-suite with your work • Regularly delivering broader insights at the company level and to the external research community • Demonstrating high-quality research influence at the company level and coaching the research team to enhance their impact on decision-makers |
| Thinking (Team) | • Influencing C-suite decision-making, company roadmap, and strategy • Ensuring all research is actionable and receives positive feedback from C-suite stakeholders on its actionability |