IDEO is hiring : Design Researcher (Health Focus) in Cambridge

Overview

IDEO uses design to create new products, services, experiences; tangible strategies; and creative capabilities. IDEO is in search of a flexible Design Researcher with a Healthcare Systems emphasis who will partner with interdisciplinary teams in Cambridge, MA to contribute to qualitative and quantitative research across a variety of projects, clients, and problem spaces.

In a Nutshell :

As a junior hire within IDEO’s Cambridge Design Research practice, you’ll partner with interdisciplinary teams to contribute to both qualitative and quantitative sprints across a wide variety of industries, with a focus on complex healthcare systems. We are looking for someone who thrives at the intersection of ethnography, systems thinking, and synthesis — someone who can uncover insights and also lead clients and teammates through making meaning of them.

We welcome candidates who have recently completed coursework in Anthropology, Sociology, Design Research, or related fields. This role is ideal for those new to the professional world of applied research, and looking to grow within a collaborative and curious team. We are especially excited to meet candidates who blend a high EQ for ethnographic research skills with foundational data science chops — someone who loves people, patterns, and turning complex information into clarity.

This hire must be within commutable distance of our Cambridge MA studio location at 80 Prospect St. IDEO proudly supports flexible work.

Once here you will

• Design and execute mixed-methods research projects (including fieldwork such as diary studies or shop-alongs), interviews, remote studies, expert interviews, and data-driven inquiries.
• Frame research plans, select appropriate methodologies, and scope fieldwork to meet client objectives that explain why people do what they do.
• Facilitate collaborative synthesis with rigor and heart, bringing a multidisciplinary design team and clients along as a storyteller through data and the written word.
• Engage with people deeply through 1:1 ethnographic interviews, co-design workshops, remote studies, and group conversations.
• Run key survey design (e.g., Qualtrics), and develop your statistical analysis of results.
• Develop your ability to use custom coding tools like Python, R, or SQL to explore, clean, and interpret quantitative data to complement qualitative findings.
• Translate messy datasets into clear, human-centered insights using visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, D3.js, etc).
• Collaborate with our Design Research Ops team to create inclusive and strategic recruiting plans across diverse participant profiles.
• Analyze and synthesize large volumes of qualitative and quantitative data, spotting patterns and surfacing insights.
• Craft compelling stories, decks and deliverables that make data meaningful for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Present research findings clearly and confidently to teammates, clients, and stakeholders across a wide representation of industries.

Qualifications / Experience

We’re excited to meet early-career candidates with a strong intellectual foundation and the curiosity to stretch across disciplines. You don’t need to have done it all, but if any of the following describes you, we’d be delighted to see you apply:

• You’ve completed a degree (or other relevant coursework) in Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Design Research, Human-Centered Design, Data Science, Journalism, or a research-intensive social science or technical field.
• You bring applied systems thinking in healthcare, navigating regulated health data, case records, or complex care ecosystems, and delight in asking research questions that connect individual experiences to broader system dynamics.
• You’re confident in leading live synthesis — translating messy qualitative and quantitative inputs into clear frameworks, and comfortable facilitating synthesis sessions with clients and teammates in the room.
• You love facilitation, with a drive to begin guiding more complex workshops & co-design activities with patients, clinicians, and cross-functional partners.
• Nice to have) Exposure to data science or UX research practice integrating Python, R or custom coding tools into mixed-methods research, or applying usability testing principles in design contexts.
• You’ve explored methods like interviews, diary studies, surveys, web scraping, or data visualization through academic or internship projects.
• You’ve had exposure to design thinking, behavioral science, or ethnographic principles through bootcamps, studios, or self-guided learning.
• You enjoy talking to strangers, learning from others of far-ranging lived experiences, and creating frameworks that help others make better strategic decisions.
• You’ve worked on real-world research for student organizations, university departments, media projects, social enterprises, or internship teams, and are ready to level up your skills in a creative, team-based environment.

Application Requirements and Instructions

We strongly recommend submitting examples of past work in portfolio / website format. This application will remain open until September 15th.

Salary & Benefits

IDEO is committed to paying its employees equitably, regardless of gender identity or race / ethnicity / cultural identity. We support the holistic well-being of our community by providing a thoughtfully designed benefits package.

The salary range for this role is $70,000 - $125,000 USD. This range is influenced by a wide range of factors considered in compensation decisions at IDEO. This includes, but is not limited to: skills, industry knowledge, and experience. Final offers may vary from the amount listed based on geography, candidate experience & expertise, and other factors.

In addition to base compensation, IDEO offers a rich benefits package including the following:

• Health Benefits: Vision, Dental, Healthcare
• Financial Benefits: 401K matching
• Family & Caregiving: Parental Leave, Adoption Assistance, Fertility Assistance, Transgender Medical Assistance, Breastmilk shipment, Back-up / Dependent Care, Pet Insurance
• Other Benefits: Flexible Work, Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays, Annual Education Stipend, Home Office Stipend

Commitment to Diversity

At IDEO, we are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in the world. Our purpose is to bring many different perspectives to the table and to design for people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. We keep our diversity data public for accountability and transparency. These commitments will also be part of your journey at IDEO.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment. An employer who violates this law may face penalties.

Note: This refined description excludes extraneous application form content and non-relevant boilerplate while preserving core responsibilities, qualifications, and legal statements. It adheres to the allowed HTML tags and formatting rules.