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Remote Design Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Our design process opens spaces where young people's ideas can become a reality - where they are ... This is a part-time role (10-20 hours/week), fully remote, contractor position reporting to the ...

Design Lead, Consumer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$195K - $230K/yr

... research, experimentation, data, and design craft. What You'll Bring: * 7+ years of product design ... This is a remote role open to candidates based in the United States, with a strong preference for ...

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$140K - $250K/yr

Location: Remote (United States) Work Model: Remote Industry: AI training data infrastructure ... Design hybrid systems that balance automation with human-in-the-loop review where appropriate

Showing results 41-60

Remote Design Researcher information

What is a remote design researcher?

A Remote Design Researcher is responsible for studying user needs, behaviors, and experiences to inform design decisions, all while working remotely. They conduct user interviews, usability testing, and data analysis to improve digital products and services. This role requires strong analytical skills, empathy, and expertise in research methodologies. By working remotely, they collaborate with designers, product managers, and stakeholders using digital tools. The goal is to ensure that design solutions align with user expectations and business objectives.

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

To thrive as a Remote Design Researcher, you need a solid background in user research methods, human-centered design principles, and data analysis, typically backed by a degree in design, psychology, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as Figma, Miro, Dovetail, and survey platforms, along with UX research certifications, is often expected. Outstanding communication skills, self-motivation, and the ability to collaborate effectively across distributed teams are highly valued soft skills. These competencies are essential for gathering actionable insights, driving design decisions, and ensuring remote research processes are effective and impactful.

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

Remote Design Researchers often face challenges such as coordinating research sessions across different time zones, building rapport with participants virtually, and collaborating effectively with design and product teams from a distance. To overcome these, they typically rely on clear communication channels, organized project management tools, and video conferencing software to facilitate real-time feedback and engagement. They also develop strong documentation and reporting practices to ensure research findings are accessible and actionable for team members. Adapting research techniques to the remote context, such as remote usability testing and asynchronous interviews, helps them gather quality insights despite the physical distance.

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 cities in California are hiring for Remote Design Researcher jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Remote Design Researcher job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Research Assistant

YLabs

San Francisco, CA • Remote

$21 - $29/hr

Contractor

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

ABOUT YLABS

YLabs is a leading global design and research organization designing technologies that amplify youth power, agency, and opportunity. Founded in 2014 at the Harvard Innovation Lab, YLabs partners with young people to co-create inclusive digital products and services that improve their lives. Our design process opens spaces where young people's ideas can become a reality - where they are the architects of the solutions to their most pressing challenges.

YLabs multidisciplinary team delivers youth-driven innovation and impact at scale. Our team combines expertise in youth-driven design with adolescent health, climate, livelihoods, digital product design, behavioral science, and epidemiology. Based in Rwanda and the USA, we've worked in 18 countries to date on projects spanning three focus areas: optimum health and wellness, improved economic opportunity, and increased climate resilience.

Find out more about our projects here: https://www.ylabsglobal.org/work


JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Research Assistant to support our Climate x SRHR project and to conduct desk research, support stakeholder engagement, and contribute to research publications and dissemination materials.

The ideal candidate will have graduate-level training or equivalent experience in public health, social science, or a related field, strong research and writing skills, and a genuine interest in climate resilience and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

This is a part-time role (10-20 hours/week), fully remote, contractor position reporting to the Research Lead.


JOB TYPE

This is an independent contractor (Consultancy) position, fully remote with no location restrictions. The initial contract term for this role is 2 months, with possibility of extension contingent on funding.


LOCATION

This is a fully remote role open to candidates in any location, with the ability to work flexible hours that allow for reasonable overlap with the YLabs US and East Africa teams.


ABOUT YLABS' COMPENSATION

YLabs adheres to Project Fair's principles and standards to establish equity in pay with the overriding principle of "equal pay for work of equal value" outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. All salary ranges are based on level within the organization and are competitive to regional and national salary benchmarks, based on the respective office location.


PAY RATE

The pay range for this position is $21 - $29 USD per hour, commensurate with experience. This range is regionally benchmarked for an entry-level Research Assistant position in the YLabs US office. YLabs pays all full-time staff salaries in the local currency of the staff member's permanent work location.


YOU WILL:

Conduct desk research

  • Literature reviews, policy analyses, and evidence summaries, plus citation management and maintenance of a shared evidence library

Support stakeholder engagement

  • Note-taking, meeting prep, and maintenance of stakeholder databases, including coordination support for convenings

Draft and/or review proposals

  • Contribute to proposal writing and provide technical review as needed

Support data analysis

  • Apply quantitative or qualitative analysis skills as relevant to project needs

Support research publications

  • Drafting, proofreading, and formatting

Prepare dissemination materials

  • Decks, evidence briefs, and reports

Fact-check and QA

  • Verify accuracy and quality of materials before they go external


YOU ARE:

  • An excellent writer
  • Detail oriented
  • Enthusiastic, curious, problem solver
  • Rigorous about sourcing, citations, and evidence quality
  • A great communicator - speaks up when uncertain

DESIRABLE:

  • Graduate student in a relevant field preferred
  • Experience with any quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis software


Application requirements: A resume, cover letter, and writing sample are required for consideration.


APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by our Hiring Committee. YLabs recognizes the effort that goes into submitting an application; all applications received during the posting period will be reviewed, and all candidates will be notified of their application status once the hiring process begins.

All YLabs offers of employment are conditional on satisfactory background check and criminal record clearances.


EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

YLabs is committed to building teams and policies that promote equity, justice, and belonging at work. We strongly encourage people from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, familial status, marital status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.