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Design Research Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Product Design Engineer

Sharpsville, IN · On-site

$112K - $135K/yr

This includes project management, research, schematic design and integration, PCB layout, production support, test equipment support, and sales support. The Product Design Engineer will provide ...

CAD Design

Granger, IN · On-site

$24.25 - $33.50/hr

Develop CAD models and drawings of mechanical parts and assemblies using SolidWorks. * Create ... Fabricate and assemble prototype products and accessories in research lab and participate in ...

Conducting trade studies and performing design research of engineering concepts and explorations to determine optimal requirements and system architecture * Developing system/subsystem design ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Crane, IN · On-site

$104K - $142K/yr

Conducting trade studies and performing design research of engineering concepts and explorations to determine optimal requirements and system architecture * Developing system/subsystem design ...

Conducting trade studies and performing design research of engineering concepts and explorations to determine optimal requirements and system architecture * Developing system/subsystem design ...

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Showing results 1-20

Design Research information

See Indiana salary details

$35.2K

$100.9K

$135.6K

How much do design research jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for design research in Indiana is $100,877.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,000.00 and $99,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is design research?

Design research is a field that focuses on understanding users’ needs, behaviors, and experiences to inform and improve the design process. It combines methods from social sciences, such as interviews and observations, with design thinking principles to gather insights that help create user-centered products, services, or systems. Design researchers work closely with designers, product managers, and stakeholders to ensure that solutions are both innovative and practical, ultimately enhancing the user experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Researcher, you need a solid understanding of research methodologies, user experience principles, and data analysis, often supported by a degree in design, psychology, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like UserTesting, Qualtrics, and data visualization software is commonly required. Strong communication, empathy, and critical thinking skills help researchers effectively interpret insights and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure that research findings directly inform user-centered design solutions, leading to better products and experiences.

How does a design researcher typically collaborate with designers and product teams throughout a project?

Design Researchers work closely with designers, product managers, and engineers to ensure user insights are integrated at every stage of the development process. Early in a project, they help define user needs and pain points by conducting interviews, surveys, or usability tests. As the project progresses, they facilitate workshops, share findings through presentations or reports, and recommend design improvements based on research data. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are essential, as researchers often act as the bridge between users and the product team.

What is the difference between Design Research vs User Experience Designer?

AspectDesign ResearchUser Experience Designer
Primary FocusUnderstanding user needs and behaviors through research methodsDesigning and improving user interfaces and interactions
Required SkillsQualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, user interviewsWireframing, prototyping, visual design, usability testing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field studies, collaborative teamsDesign studios, product teams, cross-functional collaboration
Common UsageGathering insights to inform design decisionsCreating user-centered designs based on research findings

While both roles focus on improving user experiences, Design Research primarily involves understanding user needs through research, whereas User Experience Designers apply those insights to create and refine digital interfaces. Both roles often collaborate closely within product teams to ensure user needs are effectively addressed.

How much do design researchers make?

Design researchers typically earn a median annual salary between $70,000 and $110,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level roles may start around $60,000, while senior positions can exceed $130,000, especially in tech or large organizations. Skills in user research, data analysis, and familiarity with tools like Sketch or Figma can influence compensation.

What does a design researcher do?

A design researcher studies user behaviors, needs, and preferences to inform the development of products, services, or interfaces. They use methods such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing, often working closely with designers and product teams to ensure user-centered solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Research jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Design Research jobs in Indiana are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Research jobs in Indiana?

For Design Research jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Design Research job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,877 per year, or $48.5 per hour.

Assistant Research Professor, Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


University Of Notre Dame rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

337th of 621 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Description
The Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society at the University of Notre Dame seeks an assistant-level research professor (non tenure-track). We prefer candidates with strong expertise in advanced causal inference and computational social science methods including econometric modeling of observational data, survey design, randomized control trials and digital experiments, machine learning (ML) to construct ML-based regressors, and causal ML. The faculty member will be part of a new digital engagement for learning analytics research group within Lucy. As such, research experience with digital engagement measurement, online gaming analytics, and AI-enabled policy impact analysis will be beneficial. Given the policy-oriented learning translation analytics aspect of some of the research, ideal candidates will also have a robust track record of teaching excellence demonstrated through multiple years and sections of lead-instructor course delivery (with high teaching evaluations). The research faculty will be working closely with Professors Ahmed Abbasi (Director of the Institute), Rick Johnson (Associate Director of the Institute), and Sugana Chawla (Data Science Education Program Director).
The ideal candidate would have evidence of excellence in research and scholarship. The ideal candidate would have also demonstrated an interest in interdisciplinary work, as evidenced through projects or research publications.
Expectations
  • Help establish a research program for robust measurement and causal inference in digital settings including but not limited to online video games.
  • Publish in top venues, and/or pipeline evidence such as revise-and-resubmits at top academic journals (e.g., UTD-24, Economics, Science/Nature/PNAS, etc.);
  • Pursue interdisciplinary research by building collaborations;
  • Mentor or co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students;
  • Lead and collaborate on research grants;
  • Teach / co-teach courses on related topics;

Qualifications
  • Requires a PhD in with methodological expertise in causal inference via econometric modeling, machine learning, analysis of digital trace and survey data, and experiment design.
  • Research experience (projects, papers) related to digital engagement, online gaming telemetry data, and analysis of policy impact and implications, with a track record of experience beyond doctoral studies in the domain.
  • Strong demonstrated teaching skills.

Application Instructions
Please submit a CV, a research statement, teaching statement, and three confidential letters of recommendation via Interfolio.

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