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Contract Design Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Senior Design Expert - UX Focus

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$150 - $250/hr

Senior Design Expert - Paid AI Design Research Study Type: Contract Compensation: $150-$250/hour Location: Remote Role Responsibilities * Conduct structured, recorded remote sessions to capture ...

Ivo

AI Researcher

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

Ivo is the contract intelligence platform of choice for companies like Uber, Meta, Canva, IBM, and ... Design and implement novel approaches to the problems at the heart of Ivo's product: reasoning over ...

Ceribell, Inc

Clinical Researcher

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

This includes interacting with principal investigators (PIs), clinical teams, contracts, and ... A strong understanding of the medical research process, including study design, data collection ...

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All JobsContract Design Researcher JobsContract Design Researcher Jobs in California

Contract Design Researcher information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do contract design researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract design researcher in California is $111,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract design researcher?

A Contract Design Researcher is a professional hired on a temporary or project basis to conduct research that informs and improves design decisions. They gather insights about users, markets, and competitors through methods like interviews, surveys, and usability testing. Their findings help design teams create more user-friendly and effective products or services. Unlike full-time employees, contract researchers typically work for a set period or on specific projects, offering flexibility to both the employer and the researcher.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract design researcher?

To thrive as a Contract Design Researcher, you need a solid background in user research methodologies, design thinking, and data analysis, usually supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with tools such as Figma, Miro, UserTesting, and qualitative/quantitative research platforms is typically required. Strong communication, adaptability, and stakeholder management skills help you collaborate effectively and translate insights into actionable design recommendations. These skills are crucial for delivering research-driven solutions that inform design decisions and meet client objectives within project timelines.

What are the typical challenges faced by contract design researchers when integrating into new teams or projects?

Contract design researchers often join projects with established teams and tight timelines, which can make it challenging to quickly build rapport and understand the project's context. They are expected to adapt rapidly, learn new organizational processes, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders who may have differing expectations. Successful contract researchers proactively communicate, clarify project goals early, and leverage their fresh perspective to provide valuable insights while remaining flexible to evolving project needs.

What is the difference between Contract Design Researcher vs User Experience Designer?

AspectContract Design ResearcherUser Experience Designer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Psychology, or related fields; research certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, client sites, or remote; focus on user insightsDesign studios, tech companies, or remote; focus on product interfaces
Industry UsageMarket research, product development, consultingWeb, app, and software development, tech industry
Common Search IntentUnderstanding research roles, project scope, skills neededDesign processes, portfolio building, career paths

The Contract Design Researcher primarily focuses on gathering user insights through research methods, while the User Experience Designer concentrates on creating and optimizing user interfaces. Both roles often collaborate but differ in their core responsibilities and skill sets. Understanding these differences helps job seekers and employers find the right fit for their project needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Researcher jobs in California?

The most popular types of Design Researcher jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Design Researcher jobs in California?

For Contract Design Researcher jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Design Researcher jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Design Researcher jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Design Researcher jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Design Researcher job openings:

Contract Design Researcher jobs near you

Design Researcher (Contract, Palo Alto)

Moon Creative Lab

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$90 - $115/hr

Part-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Moon is hiring a Design Researcher (Contractor) who is passionate, self-driven, and open to deepening their skills within Design/UX Research as well as expanding their skills in different areas within Design (e.g. Strategic Design, UX/UI, Product Design, etc.). The ideal candidate is infinitely curious, analytical, creative and experienced enough to adapt research methods to a new industry context quickly.
As a contractor, you will work with the Project Manager to define/refine and execute the scope of research across different stages of new initiative development for the project(s) at Moon.
This is a part-time contract role based in Palo Alto for an initial term of 3 months, requiring 20-28 hours per week. This role may require travel as and when necessary to perform project tasks. There is a possibility of contract extension based on the business needs and performance. Rate is $90 - 115 an hour.
Who We Are
Moon is a global enterprise accelerator for Mitsui & Co. Our vision is to accelerate Mitsui & Co. through emerging global technologies to create brighter futures everywhere. Our global, multidisciplinary team connects the right people, technologies, and opportunities to deliver impact at scale.
What You'll Do at Moon
  • Work closely with the Project Manager to define and execute research scope across new initiatives stages, for heavy industry-focused partnerships and collaborations.
  • Assist with/execute various aspects of research planning to address project goals, and business/product decisions.
  • Plan and execute desktop and market research, including but not limited to: trend analysis, competitive landscape, steeple/pestle analysis, etc.
  • Plan and run qualitative research with key stakeholders, and subject matter experts to surface real operational, safety and commercial unmet needs.
  • Synthesize research and findings, identify key insights, and collaborate with the team to define implications for key project decisions.
  • Plan and run concept testing with key stakeholders, including validating emerging concepts against user/stakeholder needs and identifying industry constraints.
  • Join brainstorming sessions as needed, and be a thought partner to the team - expanding your thinking into different areas but bringing your unique POV/experience to the table (as both a researcher and beyond).
  • Assist in defining innovation opportunities based on the research for potential projects and working with the team to prioritize what can/should be done.
The Must-Haves
  • 7+ years of experience with Design Research or UX Research background, with demonstrated qualitative methods.
  • A degree with course work relevant to Design, the Scientific Process/Methodology, the Human Condition (e.g. Product/Service Design, Psychology, Sociology, etc) OR relevant experience in Design Research, Strategic Design, or UX Research.
  • Ability to synthesize complex findings into clear, decision ready outputs.
  • Proactive, self-driven, comfortable working closely with a Project Manager in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
  • B2B research experiences
  • Proficiency in Google tools, Slack, Notion, Figma.
  • Business level English
The Nice-to-Haves
  • Experiences in heavy industries (mining, energy, manufacturing, supply chain or similar) - domain knowledge is a plus but not a requirement.
  • Previous experience with Exploratory Research in early stage product development/new business creation.
  • Experience in proof of concept prototyping and iteration.
  • Experience with Quantitative Research Methodologies / Synthesis.
  • Experience experimenting AI tools effectively to conduct research.
  • Experience working in deep-tech / AI.
  • Experience working with a cross-cultural/international organization.
  • Experience in/understanding of other design areas (e.g. Solution/Product Design, Service Design, Brand Design, etc.).
  • Business level Brazilian Portuguese and/or Spanish.
Sounds Fun, Right?
If you identify with Moon's values and would like to contribute to our work, please submit your resume and optionally, a cover letter.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Moon Creative Lab is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

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