Job Description

DOPE LABS 

UXR

JOB DESCRIPTION 

WHO WE ARE:

WE ARE A TEAM OF DIVERSE INSIGHTS EXPERTS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SOLVING UX CHALLENGES AND CREATING EXPERIENCES PEOPLE LOVE.

ABOUT DOPE LABS (DIGITAL ORGANIZING POWER-BUILDING AND ENGAGEMENT) DOPE LABS IS A BLACK, INDIGENOUS, WOMEN-OF-COLOR FOUNDED ORGANIZATION IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA. OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD POWER AND SELF-DETERMINATION WITH THE WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THROUGH THE POWER OF PARTICIPATORY CO-DESIGN AND PARTICIPATORY TECHNOLOGIES AND METHODOLOGIES. WE’VE WORKED WITH INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, ASIA, AND AFRICA, LOW-INCOME AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTH, CENTRAL, AND SOUTH AMERICAN—WITH TECH TITANS LIKE GOOGLE, YOUTUBE; HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS LIKE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD—AND GRASSROOTS ORGS LIKE ROOTS, UNITY COUNCIL, AND STOP AAPI HATE . OUR WORK SPANS THE REALMS OF TECH DESIGN, POWER BUILDING, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, INNOVATION, EDUCATION, AND DECOLONIZATION. WE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ADDRESSING RACIAL AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY THROUGH DESIGN THINKING BY PROVIDING PEOPLE WITH MORE AUTHENTIC CULTURALLY AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIVE PRODUCT AND CREATIVE PLACE-MAKING EXPERIENCES--THROUGH WHAT WE CALL COMMUNITY-DRIVEN CO-DESIGN. WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF CREATORS, TECHNOLOGISTS, ARTISTS, ACTIVISTS, RESEARCHERS, SCIENTISTS, AND MORE. OUR SHARED VALUES AND BELIEFS INFLUENCE THE WORK WE DO, AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE. BY CENTERING COMMUNITY VOICE AND THE NEEDS OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AS ESSENTIAL TO NEXT GEN UXR, JEDI PRODUCT DESIGN, AND CREATIVE PLACE-KEEPING—DOPELABS IS REIMAGINING THE ROLE THAT EVERYDAY PEOPLE CAN AND SHOULD PLAY IN DESIGNING SPACES, PLACES, PRODUCTS, AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO REAL-TIME COMMUNITIES NEEDS. DOPELABS IS A GLOBAL DESIGN COMPANY WITH THE COURAGE TO TRANSFORM HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN INTO CULTURALLY AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIVE DESIGN. WE MAKE POSITIVE IMPACT BY PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST AND EMBRACING THE POWER OF CULTURE AND COMMUNITY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. 

WE OFFER OUR CLIENTS THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF WORK: 

● A JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (JEDI) APPROACH TO DESIGN 

● CULTURALLY AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIVE DESIGN 

● PARTICIPATORY TECHNOLOGY TOOLS AND DESIGN METHODOLOGIES 

● PRODUCT DESIGN IDEATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND EXECUTION 

● CROSS-CHANNEL USER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY, DESIGN, AND DEVELOPMENT TO INCLUDE THE CREATION OF OMNICHANNEL DIGITAL EXPERIENCES ACROSS WEB, MOBILE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AR/VR, VOICE, GESTURE, IOT, VIDEO, AND BEYOND 

● ECOMMERCE STRATEGY, IMPLEMENTATION, AND OPERATIONS 

● AGILE BASED, DESIGN-THINKING, USER-CENTRIC, EMPIRICAL PROJECTS THAT ACCELERATE RESULTS

WHO YOU ARE:

AS A UX RESEARCHER, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING STRONG CONSULTATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR CLIENTS AS YOU LEAD WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS THEIR BUSINESS NEEDS. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR THIS ROLE WILL BE AN EXPERIENCED RESEARCH PROFESSIONAL WHO IS PROACTIVE, A CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVER, AND AN EXCELLENT COLLABORATOR AND COMMUNICATOR. YOU’RE SKILLED IN MANY RESEARCH METHODS AND LOVE TO GEEK OUT ABOUT ALL THINGS RESEARCH: LEARNING NEW TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES, WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS OF DIFFERENT METHODS, IMPROVING RESEARCH PROCESSES, AND DELVING DEEP INTO RESEARCH INSIGHTS.

YOU HAVE AT LEAST 2 YEARS OF HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE LEADING RESEARCH STUDIES AND PARTNERING WITH CLIENTS/STAKEHOLDERS TO DELIVER IMPACTFUL RESULTS, AND YOU WANT TO BECOME A PART OF A TEAM WHOSE MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE DIGITAL WORLD BY CREATING EXPERIENCES PEOPLE LOVE. YOU THRIVE IN A HOME-BASED WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND YOU ARE COMFORTABLE CONDUCTING RESEARCH REMOTELY.

THE QUALIFIED CANDIDATE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• PARTNERING WITH CLIENTS TO UNDERSTAND BUSINESS NEEDS AND TO CRAFT UX RESEARCH SOLUTIONS

• BUILDING TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS WITH CLIENTS, INCLUDING PROVIDING CONSULTATIVE GUIDANCE AND PROACTIVELY RECOMMENDING/IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS TO DRIVE THE RESEARCH PROCESS FORWARD

• DEVELOPING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO RESEARCH CHALLENGES, SUCH AS PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE INTERNAL RESEARCH PROCESSES OR ESTABLISH BEST PRACTICES WITH OUR CLIENTS

• CONTRIBUTING AND LEVERAGING YOUR RESEARCH EXPERTISE TO CREATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES THAT OUR CLIENTS, PARTICIPANTS, AND COLLEAGUES LOVE, WHILE DELIVERING IMPACTFUL RESULTS

• LEADING UX RESEARCH STUDIES END-TO-END, INCLUDING:

  • CONSULTING ON RESEARCH METHODOLOGY OR PROJECT SCOPE, AS APPROPRIATE

  • DEVELOPING MODERATOR GUIDES

  • CONSULTING WITH CLIENTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOTYPES FOR TESTING

  • MODERATING REMOTE AND IN-PERSON (WHEN SAFE) USER EXPERIENCE RESEARCH STUDIES OR CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS IN FIELD

  • ANALYZING THE RESEARCH FINDINGS, DELIVERING INSIGHTS THAT ADDRESS THE STATED RESEARCH RESEARCH QUESTIONS

  • CRAFTING RECOMMENDATIONS IN ALIGNMENT WITH RESEARCH FINDINGS FOR POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

  • DEVELOPING PRESENTATIONS (WRITTEN DELIVERABLES AND/OR SLIDE DECKS) TO COMMUNICATE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

  • COLLABORATING WITH CLIENTS TO ENSURE THE REPORT MEETS THEIR BUSINESS NEEDS

  • PRESENTING TO CLIENT TEAMS

• DEVELOPING AREA(S) OF GREATER SPECIALIZATION AND EXPERTISE, SUCH AS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE IN A PRODUCT SPACE (E.G., AR/VR, GAMING), METHODOLOGY (E.G., DIARY STUDIES, INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH), OR USER GROUP (E.G., GAMERS, GENZ, OLDER ADULTS), IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR CAREER INTERESTS AND DOPE LAB’S BUSINESS GOALS

• SERVING AS A MENTOR AND THOUGHT PARTNER TO UXRS, LEVERAGING YOUR OWN EXPERTISE AS AN EXPERIENCED RESEARCH PRACTITIONER AND HUMAN-CENTERED CONSULTANT TO HELP YOUR COLLEAGUES GROW AND DEVELOP

• CONTRIBUTING TO DOPE LAB’S KNOWLEDGE LIBRARY, INCLUDING CONTRIBUTING TO AND/OR LEADING INTERNAL INITIATIVES AND TRAININGS THAT LEVERAGE YOUR EXPERIENCE, PASSIONS, AND EXPERTISE

• KEEPING PROJECTS ON SCHEDULE AND WITHIN SCOPE AND BUDGET

• COLLABORATING WITH COLLEAGUES TO SOLVE RESEARCH CHALLENGES

WE UNDERSTAND THAT OUTSTANDING CANDIDATES CAN COME FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS. WHILE SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT, WE ARE ULTIMATELY LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE THE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS TO THRIVE IN A GROWING CLIENT-FOCUSED BUSINESS.

THE QUALIFIED CANDIDATE WILL HAVE EXPERIENCE IN AND MEET MOST OF THE CRITERIA LISTED BELOW.

• 2-5 YEARS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE CONDUCTING QUALITATIVE UX RESEARCH, PREFERABLY IN A CLIENT-FACING ENVIRONMENT, OR AN EQUIVALENT OF DEMONSTRATED RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

• EXPERIENCED IN MULTIPLE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES, SUCH AS 1:1 USABILITY STUDIES - BOTH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE, ETHNOGRAPHY, CONTEXTUAL INTERVIEWS, INNOVATION AND CO-DESIGN WORKSHOPS, JOURNEY MAPPING, EYE-TRACKING, UNMODERATED USABILITY, FOCUS GROUPS, CARD SORTING, PERSONA DEVELOPMENT, SURVEYS, SITE-INTERCEPT, AND OTHER USER TESTING OR MARKET RESEARCH TECHNIQUES

• SELF-STARTER AND SELF-MOTIVATED, WITH THE ABILITY TO WORK AUTONOMOUSLY AND LEAD RESEARCH PROJECTS IN A HIGH-VOLUME, CLIENT-DRIVEN BUSINESS

• ABILITY TO THINK STRATEGICALLY AND MANAGE COMPETING PRIORITIES; SKILLFULLY BALANCE CLIENT NEEDS WITH THE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS

• STRONG CRITICAL THINKER WITH DEMONSTRATED ABILITY TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS AND COMMUNICATE COMPLEX, STRATEGIC IDEAS IN A CLEAR, SIMPLE MANNER

• SKILLED AT ESTABLISHING TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS OVER TIME, SUCH AS WITH EXTERNAL CLIENTS, INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, AND CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMMATES

• HIGHLY PROACTIVE AT ADDRESSING CLIENT NEEDS, INCLUDING ANTICIPATING POSSIBLE ISSUES AND IMPLEMENTING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

• EXPERIENCE LEADING EACH STEP OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS, INCLUDING:

  • DEVELOPING AND SCOPING RESEARCH PROJECTS, INCLUDING RECOMMENDING METHODOLOGIES AND DEVELOPING HYPOTHESES

  • DESIGNING AND WRITING DISCUSSION GUIDES, SCREENERS, AND TEST PROTOCOLS

  • CONDUCTING RESEARCH USING DIFFERENT TOOLS, SUCH AS ONLINE/REMOTE USABILITY TOOLS (E.G., ZOOM, WEBEX, GOTOMEETING, ETC.) AND COLLABORATION TOOLS (E.G., MURAL, MIRO)

  • CRAFTING REPORTS (WRITTEN AND SLIDE DECKS), TRANSFORMING PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK INTO CLEAR, NUANCED, ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS

  • PRESENTING RESEARCH FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO CLIENTS/STAKEHOLDERS

• EXCELLENT WRITTEN AND VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND WELL-DEVELOPED INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• ABILITY TO WORK IN A FAST-PACED DEADLINE-DRIVEN ENVIRONMENT, PIVOT QUICKLY BASED ON EVOLVING INFORMATION, AND BE AN INDEPENDENT PROBLEM-SOLVER

• ABILITY TO ENGAGE WITH BUSINESS AND RESEARCH MANAGERS IN FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES

• UNDERGRADUATE AND/OR ADVANCED DEGREE – PREFERABLY AN EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND IN EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, HUMAN FACTORS, HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION, OR OTHER RELATED DISCIPLINE WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION IN RESEARCH-BASED DESIGN USING QUALITATIVE METHODS (OR A BLEND OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• OVERTIME MAY BE REQUIRED TO MEET PROJECT DEADLINES.

• SITTING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.

• DEXTERITY OF HANDS AND FINGERS TO OPERATE A COMPUTER KEYBOARD, MOUSE, AND OTHER DEVICES AND OBJECTS.

THIS IS A FULL-TIME POSITION.

NO STAFFING/RECRUITING AGENCIES PLEASE.

REMOTE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

AT DOPE LABS, OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE EXPERIENCES PEOPLE LOVE. THIS MEANS WE STRIVE TO MAKE OUR COMPANY A GREAT PLACE TO WORK FOR PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. HIRING PEOPLE FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS MAKES OUR COMPANY STRONGER AND HELPS US ACHIEVE OUR MISSION.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DO NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE OR APPLICANT FOR EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND/OR EXPRESSION, STATUS AS A VETERAN, AND BASIS OF DISABILITY OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL PROTECTED CLASS.

Company Description

About Dope Labs (Digital Organizing Power-Building and Engagement) Dope Labs is a Black, Indigenous, women-of-color founded organization in Oakland, California. Our mission is to build power and self-determination with the world's most vulnerable populations through the power of participatory co-design and participatory technologies and methodologies. We’ve worked with indigenous populations in New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and Africa, low-income and rural communities in North, Central, and South American—with Tech Titans like Google, Youtube; Health care systems like Blue Cross Blue Shield—and grassroots orgs like Roots, Unity Council, and Stop AAPI Hate . Our work spans the realms of tech design, power building, community engagement, innovation, education, and decolonization. We are at the forefront of addressing racial and social inequality through design thinking by providing people with more authentic culturally and community responsive product and creative place-making experiences--through what we call community-driven co-design. We are a community of creators, technologists, artists, activists, researchers, scientists, and more. Our shared values and beliefs influence the work we do, and the positive impact that we hope to achieve. By centering community voice and the needs of vulnerable populations as essential to next gen UXR, JEDI product design, and Creative place-keeping—Dopelabs is reimagining the role that everyday people can and should play in designing spaces, places, products, and technologies that are responsive to real-time communities needs. Dopelabs is a global design company with the courage to transform human centered design into culturally and community responsive design. We make positive impact by putting people first and embracing the power of culture and community anywhere in the world. We offer our clients the following types of work: ● A Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) approach to design ● Culturally and community responsive design ● Participatory technology tools and design methodologies ● Product design ideation, development, and execution ● Cross-channel user engagement strategy, design, and development to include the creation of omnichannel digital experiences across web, mobile, social, physical, AR/VR, voice, gesture, IoT, video, and beyond ● eCommerce strategy, implementation, and operations ● Agile based, design-thinking, user-centric, empirical projects that accelerate results