Educational Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University

• Texas A&M Forest Service

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation's largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

The UX Researcher will apply qualitative and quantitative research methods to understand how users interact with websites managed by AgriLife Marketing and Communications, investigating audience behaviors, needs, and motivations to make platforms more intuitive, effective, and accessible for all users. The UX Researcher owns the full research lifecycle: planning and scoping research studies, recruiting participants, conducting research sessions, cataloging findings, and analyzing data to produce actionable insights. The UX Researcher will communicate findings to a range of internal audiences through clear reports, presentations, and design recommendations that directly inform AgriLife's digital strategy.

The ideal candidate is a curious, analytical thinker who knows how to ask the right questions, listen carefully, and translate what they learn into clear, compelling narratives that make research findings actionable. They are a natural user advocate: someone who puts the mission of AgriLife and the people it serves at the center of every decision.

Responsibilities:

-Create and execute an ongoing UX research plan to support the continuous improvement of websites hosted by AgriLife Marketing and Communications

• Monitor and aggregate feedback on websites using tools such as UserBack.

• Create and manage surveys and other quantitative feedback instruments designed to answer research questions based on unit goals.

• Design and conduct in-person and virtual guided usability tests and interviews to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Work closely with other AgriLife Marketing and Communications teams to evaluate effectiveness related to branding, messaging, audience growth and other digital platform performance goals.

-Conduct project-based UX research to support the planning and development of new initiatives such as website redesigns and feature launches

• Conduct usability testing based on the platform's goals and audience as part of the iterative design and development process

• Establish a timeline and plan for regular UX research touchpoints following launch and incorporation into continuous improvement research

-Present UX research insights and design recommendations to teammates and leadership in a clear and organized way

• Provide actionable and meaningful data-driven recommendations for web designers and content creators.

• Communicate the purpose of UX research, research plan timeline, and research findings to website stakeholders and unit leadership.

• Create research reports and appropriate deliverables.

• Maintain a centralized research repository so that findings, insights and reports can be accessed and cross-referenced across teams and projects.

-Champion UX as a vital and integrated part of Marketing and Communications

• Partner with team members outside of the web team to identify UX research opportunities and incorporate user insights into their respective workflows.

• Lead internal trainings and workshops to communicate the value of user-focused outputs and best practices across all Marketing and Communications functions.

• Maintain awareness and knowledge of current research and trends in the field of user experience to serve as a subject matter expert within Marketing and Communications and across the agency.

-Independently resolve minor website issues, such as broken links and text errors, that are uncovered during usability testing or through user feedback

-Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in applicable field (computer science, psychology, design, marketing or another related field) or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Three years of related experience in data collection and analysis (as a UX practitioner or conducting user-focused work in a related field).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience planning and conducting both qualitative and quantitative UX research, including usability testing, user interviews and surveys.

• Demonstrated experience translating research findings into actionable recommendations for non-technical audiences.

• Experience using UX research tools for feedback collection, survey design, session recording, or participant recruitment.

• Experience creating UX reports and deliverables.

• Knowledge of behavioral analysis, quantitative methodology and statistics.

• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications:

• UX Certification through an accredited or industry-recognized training program.

• Working knowledge of front-end web design (HTML, CSS), wireframing or graphic design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma), UX-specific tools.

• Familiarity with digital accessibility standards such as WCAG and ADA Section 508.

• Familiarity with WordPress editing using Gutenberg blocks.

What You Need To Know:

Salary: Pay Grade: 67. Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate's qualifications.

Flexible Work Arrangements: This position is based in College Station, TX.

New hires are required to work on site full-time for the first 90 days. After the initial 90-day period, employees may be considered for a flexible work arrangement that allows up to 20 hours per week at an alternate work location, subject to approval and Texas A&M AgriLife Procedures.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose toworkfor Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leaveand at leasteight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatic enrollment in theTeacher Retirement System of Texas

• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

A cover letter, resume and portfolioshowcasing UX deliverablesare strongly recommended. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.