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Design Researcher Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Conifer

Design Researcher Openings

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

DESIGN RESEARCHER People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and ...

Conifer

Design Researcher Openings

Chicago, IL · Remote

DESIGN RESEARCHER People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and ...

Conifer

Design Researcher - Contractor

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

DESIGN RESEARCHER People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and ...

Conifer

Design Researcher - Contractor

Chicago, IL · Remote

DESIGN RESEARCHER People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and ...

Shure

Design Research Intern

Niles, IL · On-site

$23 - $43/hr

We are seeking a researcher who is passionate about being end user centric and able to clearly ... Design and execute a variety of research studies, including interviews, usability studies, surveys ...

Shure

Design Research Intern

Niles, IL · Hybrid

$23 - $43/hr

We are seeking a researcher who is passionate about being end user centric and able to clearly ... Design and execute a variety of research studies, including interviews, usability studies, surveys ...

Shure

Design Research Intern

Niles, IL · Hybrid

$23 - $43/hr

We are seeking a researcher who is passionate about being end user centric and able to clearly ... Design and execute a variety of research studies, including interviews, usability studies, surveys ...

Shure

Design Research Intern

Niles, IL · Hybrid

$23 - $43/hr

We are seeking a researcher who is passionate about being end user centric and able to clearly ... Design and execute a variety of research studies, including interviews, usability studies, surveys ...

New

ULINE

UX Researcher

Waukegan, IL · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in User Experience (UX) Design / Research , Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Anthropology or related field. * 2+ years of UX research experience. * Experience ...

ULINE

UX Researcher

Glenview, IL · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in User Experience (UX) Design / Research , Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Anthropology or related field. * 2+ years of UX research experience. * Experience ...

OPTO International

Be Seen First

Design Engineer

Wood Dale, IL · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

The Design Engineer will also be responsible for carrying out the duties of the Engineering department, including design, research, prototyping, engineering documentation, estimating and process ...

OPTO International

Design Engineer

Wood Dale, IL · On-site

The Design Engineer will also be responsible for carrying out the duties of the Engineering department, including design, research, prototyping, engineering documentation, estimating and process ...

Anson McCade

Quantitative Researcher

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200K - $400K/yr

Design, engineer and implement research and trading software for electronic trading * Cover additional functions such as strategy optimization, post-trade analytics and PnL attribution. * Use ...

Meltwater

Sr. Design Manager, Product

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130 - $144/hr

Work with UX design research team to identify user pain points, assess products, and identify UX opportunities. * Mentorship: Serve as a direct manager and mentor to designers, modeling exemplary ...

Kanak Elite Services Inc

UX Researcher

Chicago, IL · On-site

Title - UX Researcher LOCATION: Hybrid - Chicago, IL Only Local Must have portfolio included Key ... Advocate for user-centered design practices, ensuring insights drive the development of intuitive ...

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All JobsDesign Researcher JobsDesign Researcher Jobs in Chicago, IL

Design Researcher information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$30.9K

$116.5K

$169.5K

How much do design researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for design researcher in Chicago, IL is $116,511.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $158,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a design researcher do?

A Design Researcher studies user needs, behaviors, and pain points to inform design decisions. They use qualitative and quantitative research methods—such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing—to gather insights. Their findings help teams create user-centered products and services that are both functional and enjoyable. Design Researchers collaborate closely with designers, product managers, and developers to refine and improve user experiences.

What are some common challenges faced by design researchers, and how do they overcome them?

Design Researchers often face challenges such as recruiting the right participants, balancing tight project timelines, and ensuring that research insights are integrated into the design process. Overcoming these hurdles typically involves collaborating closely with designers, product managers, and engineers, as well as advocating for the importance of user research within cross-functional teams. Being adaptable and maintaining strong organizational and communication skills can help navigate shifting priorities and ensure that research findings have a meaningful impact. Many organizations support ongoing learning and encourage Design Researchers to experiment with new research methods and tools, helping them grow in their roles.

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 strong skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, user-centered design, and a relevant degree in fields such as design, psychology, or human-computer interaction. Experience with tools like usability testing platforms, survey software, and data analysis programs is highly valuable, and certifications such as UX Certification can enhance your profile. Exceptional communication, active listening, and problem-solving abilities set standout design researchers apart. These combined skills ensure that research findings effectively inform product decisions and result in solutions that truly meet user needs.

How much does a design researcher earn?

The average salary for a design researcher varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually. Entry-level roles may start around $50,000, while experienced professionals with specialized skills can earn over $120,000. Salaries often increase with proficiency in research methods, user experience tools, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

What is a design researcher?

A design researcher is a professional who investigates user needs, behaviors, 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 Researcher jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Design Researcher jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Researcher jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Design Researcher jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Researcher jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Researcher jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Design Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Researcher job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 84% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,511 per year, or $56 per hour.

Design Researcher Openings

Conifer

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Contractor

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Conifer Research conducts design research projects both domestically and internationally for clients across a wide variety of industries.
DESIGN RESEARCHER
People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and guiding clients to understand what makes people tick and drive strategy and innovation. Conifer provides opportunities to work on projects across numerous industries, wearing many hats along the way - from researcher to strategist to storyteller to user advocate. Though there may be longer-term opportunities in the future, we are currently looking to hire on a project basis.
ABOUT CONIFER
Conifer Research brings practical insight to companies that wish to change and innovate. Through an ethnographic approach to research, we help our clients embed their creativity into an understanding of the everyday lives of people they hope to engage - customers, workers, and end-users. Our seasoned team of anthropologists, strategists, and information designers act as consultants, facilitators, and coaches helping organizations gather deep insights.
Clients come to Conifer for many reasons, but with a common challenge: How do we align business activities better with the real lives and needs of customers? We have experience in retail, consumer goods and lifestyles, financial services, healthcare, and digital products. Some clients include Sonos, Samsung, PepsiCo, McDonald's, Google, Discover, Lowe's, CarMax, and Ferrara Candy Company.
RESPONSIBILITIES
A successful candidate will be expected to:
  • Work with internal and client teams through all phases of qualitative research or innovation programs, including: planning, research design, data collection, rigorous analysis and synthesis, identifying patterns, developing key insights, ideation and opportunity definition.
  • Execute research programs drawing from established methodologies for ethnography, remote research, evaluative testing, and co-creation.
  • Translate research into actionable recommendations and innovation opportunities.
  • Contribute to synthesis and sensemaking to create narratives that frame research findings in a way that clearly demonstrates the business implications of insights and opportunities
  • Create deliverables and client presentations
  • Be adaptable and creative in order to conduct rigorous remote research

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
The qualities of an ideal candidate include:
  • Relevant experience in research or insights, including experience in a consultative environment
  • Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Design or a related field
  • Experience designing and fielding remote ethnography and online community research
  • Being strategic, flexible, collaborative, and passionate about advocating for user needs
  • Confident presentation skills and passion for communicating user stories and insights
  • Active engagement in thought leadership within the design research community
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Proficient with Keynote and remote research software

Bonus points for:
  • Experience with video editing (Final Cut, Adobe Premiere and After Effects) and/or visual storytelling preferred.
  • Visual communication and presentation design skills
  • Previous experience with quantitative research including survey design and quant data analysis
  • Proficiency with video, still photography and audio recording equipment.
  • Foreign language fluency
  • Thought leadership and public speaking experience

APPLICATIONS: Please share a cover letter, portfolio and relevant work samples in addition to resume. Apply through our career portal: https://conifer.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk0tf5/

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