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Lead Product Researcher and Designer

Location Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States Job ID R-207135 Date posted 14/11/2024

Introduction to Role:

Join our R&D IT team at AstraZeneca as a Lead Product Researcher / User Experience Designer. This role is pivotal in leading user experience design and user research efforts, ensuring our products, solutions, and applications are intuitive, user-friendly, and meet the needs of our end users. This role will act as an individual contributor, with balanced responsibility for the end-to-end process, starting with initial research through the development of highly functional prototypes, demonstrating the value and possibilities up to the proof-of-concept stage. You will work closely with multi-functional teams to drive user-centered design and research practices throughout the organization. You will also identify potential central initiatives and business transformation opportunities through research, driving optimization and unlocking new sources of value creation.

Accountabilities:

As a critical team member within the Product Discovery and Design team...

  • You will contribute to the development and execution of a comprehensive user research framework aligned with product and business goals. 

  • You will identify key research questions, methodologies, and timelines for research initiatives. 

  • You will conduct qualitative and quantitative user research studies to understand user needs, behaviors, and preferences. 

  • You will translate research findings into actionable insights to influence product strategy and design decisions. 

  • You will build user personas, scenarios, and journey maps to guide the design process. 

  • You will design wireframes, prototypes, and user interfaces that align with user and business goals. 

  • You will conduct iterative usability testing and incorporate user feedback to refine designs. 

  • You will advocate for user needs and ensure that the user experience is prioritized throughout the product development lifecycle.

Essential Skills/Experience:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience Design,  or a related field. 

  • Minimum 7+ years in user experience design and researcher, preferably in an R&D or pharma setting

  • Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and standard processes. 

  • Finely honed visual/ graphic design skills (color, typography, layout, illustration). 

  • Proficiency in conducting user research studies, such as interviews, surveys, and usability tests. 

  • Experience of UX tools and methods across the full user-centered design process. 

  • Good understanding of agile methodologies

  • Excellent problem solving skills and a creative approach

  • Specialist technical skills in at least 1-2 of the following areas: crafting information architectures, flows and wireframes, interactive prototypes, moderating Usability lab testing and other research methodologies. 

  • An excellent listener and presenter. 

  • A passion for continuous learning

Desirable Skills/Experience:

  • Master's Degree in human-Computer Interaction, User Experience Design,  or a related field. 

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma

  • Experience with data analysis tools and techniques

  • Proficiency in using no-code tools for rapid prototyping

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $150,405 to $225,607. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. ​

In Office Requirement:

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we are on a digital journey to accelerate growth and make a difference in patients' lives across the world. We unite our technologies, tools, and platforms with our collective expertise to drive our transformational journey forward. We are committed to exploring data to make improved decisions and help the business reach the right outcomes quicker. We are a diverse team of technical experts who never stand still. We challenge, innovate, and break away from the norm to find bold new ways of approaching the everyday. We are empowered to explore and express our ideas and views. We are recognized for the big contributions we make to AstraZeneca. We feel valued as our data and digital capabilities expand every day.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

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Glassdoor logo Rated four stars on Glassdoor

Great culture, great work assignments, supportive management. Rotation opportunity within the company. They value inclusion and diversity.