Senior Design Researcher Job at SLAM in Chicago
SLAM, Chicago, IL, United States
Design Researcher (Industry Agnostic)
Chicago, IL
At IDEO, we use design to create new products, services, experiences; tangible strategies; and creative capabilities.
IDEO is in search of a flexible Design Researcher who will partner with our interdisciplinary teams in Chicago to contribute to qualitative and quantitative research across an exceptional 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, but especially within the complex systems space – Health systems, fintech solutions, or CPG to name a few. We are looking for someone who thrives at the intersection of ethnography, systems thinking, and synthesis – someone who can not only uncover insights but 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 Chicago Studio location at 626 West Jackson Blvd. IDEO proudly supports flexible work.
Once here you will:
Design and execute mixed-methods research projects such as in-home interviews and shop‑/ride‑alongs, as well as remote studies, expert interviews, and data‑driven inquiries.
Write 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 interviewing, in‑depth observation, empathy, co‑design workshops, remote studies, and group conversations.
Run key survey design (e.g., Qualtrics), and develop your statistical analysis of results.
Collaborate with our world‑class 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 candidates with an ownership mindset, strong theoretical 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 Human‑Centered Design, Design Research, Data Science, Journalism, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, or a research‑intensive social science or technical field.
You bring applied systems thinking to previous professional‑grade projects in health, finance, mobility & transportation, learning & CPG; navigating regulated data, case records, or complex ecosystems.
You delight in asking research questions that connect individual experiences to broader system dynamics.
You’re confident in leading live synthesis – in other words, 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 guide more complex workshops & co‑design activities that bring together stakeholders across complex systems.
(Nice to have) Exposure to data science or UX research practice integrating Python, R or custom coding tools into mixed‑methods research, survey design, or applying usability testing principles in design contexts. This may be expressed via independent or collaborative research through a thesis, capstone, lab, studio, or fellowship program; and can talk about what you learned and how you navigated ambiguity with empathy.
(Nice to have) Excited to translate messy datasets into clear, human‑centered insights using visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, D3.js, etc).
You’ve explored methods like interviews, diary studies, surveys, web scraping, or data visualization through academic or early‑career projects.
You’ve had exposure to design thinking, behavioral science, or ethnography 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 January 5th.
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 safe harbor contribution
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 the work of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in the world. Our purpose of having disproportionate, world‑changing impact through design is directly connected to our ability to bring many different perspectives to the table. This applies to our candidates, the people we hire, the clients and customers we serve, and the communities we learn from in our research.
As a human‑centered organization, we are committed to working with and designing for people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio‑economic status, physical ability or attribute, religion, national origin, or political belief. We recognize that this commitment requires ongoing work and sustained attention, as well as adaptation to new insights and best practices. We keep our diversity data public for the sake of accountability and transparency. These commitments will also be part of your journey at IDEO, so please feel free to read more about them here.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: IDEO is in search of a flexible Design Researcher who will partner with our interdisciplinary teams in Chicago to contribute to qualitative and quantitative research across an exceptional variety of projects, clients, and problem spaces . We are looking for someone who thrives at the intersection of ethnography, systems thinking, and synthesis – someone who can uncover insights but also lead clients and teammates through making meaning of them .
En Español: En IDEO, usamos el diseño para crear nuevos productos, servicios, experiencias; estrategias tangibles y capacidades creativas. IDEo está buscando un investigador de diseño flexible que se asocie con nuestros equipos interdisciplinarios en Chicago para contribuir a la investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa en una excepcional variedad de proyectos, clientes y espacios problemáticos. Esta contratación debe estar a poca distancia de nuestra ubicación en Chicago Studio, 626 West Jackson Blvd. IDEO respalda con orgullo el trabajo flexible. Una vez que estés aquí: diseñar y ejecutar proyectos de investigación de métodos mixtos como entrevistas domésticas y entradas por tiendas / viajes, así como estudios remotos, entrevistes de expertos y consultas basadas en datos. Escribir planes de investigación, seleccionar metodologías apropiadas y ampliar los trabajos de campo para satisfacer los objetivos del cliente que explican por qué las personas hacen lo que hacen. Facilitar la síntesis colaborativa con rigor y corazón, trayendo un equipo multidisciplinar de diseño y clientes como narrador de historias a través de los datos y la palabra escrita. Engañarse profundamente con las personas mediante encuestas, observaciones detalladas, empatía, talleres estratégicos, estudios remotas y estadísticas grupales. Qualificaciones / Experiencia: Estamos entusiasmados de conocer candidatos con una mentalidad propietaria, sólida base teórica o un campo técnico intensivo en la investigación. No es necesario haberlo hecho todo, pero si alguno de los siguientes lo describe, estaremos encantados de verlo aplicar: ha completado un título (u otros cursos relevantes) en Diseño centrado en el ser humano, Investigación del diseño, Ciencias de datos, Periodismo, Antropología, Sociología, Psicología o ciencias sociales o técnicas intensas. Aplicará sistemas a proyectos profesionales anteriores en salud, finanzas, movilidad y transporte, aprendizaje & CPG; navegar por datos, registros mezclados o ecosistemas complejos. Disfrutará de hacer preguntas que conecten experiencias individuales con dinámicas más amplias. Esto puede expresarse a través de investigaciones independientes o colaborativas mediante una tesis, piedra angular, laboratorio, estudio o programa de becas; y puede hablar sobre lo que aprendió y cómo navegó por la ambigüedad con empatía. (Nice to have) Emocionado por traducir conjuntos de datos desordenados en ideas claras centradas en el ser humano utilizando herramientas de visualización (por ejemplo, Tableau, D3.js, etc.). Usted ha explorado métodos como entrevistas, estudios diarios, encuestas, raspadura web o visualización de datos mediante proyectos académicos o profesionales tempranos. Ha tenido exposición al pensamiento del diseño, ciencias conductuales o etografía mediante bootcamps, estúdios o aprendizaje autogestionado. Habla con extraños, aprende de otras personas experiencias salariales, y crea marcos estratégicos para mantenerse vivos. Este rango está influenciado por una amplia gama de factores considerados en las decisiones de compensación en IDEO. Esto incluye, pero no se limita a: habilidades, conocimientos y experiencia de la industria. Las ofertas finales pueden variar según el monto listado basándose en geografía, experiencia y experiencia del candidato y otros factores. Además de la remuneración básica, IDEo ofrece un rico paquete de beneficios que incluyen los siguientes: Beneficios sanitarios: visión, dentales, prestaciones financieras para la salud: contribución 401K seguro puerto Familia & Cuidado: licencia parental, asistencia adoptiva, ayuda a la fertilidad, asistencia médica transgénero, envío de leche materna, respaldo / cuidado dependiente, seguros Pet Other Benefits: trabajo flexible, tiempo flexible, vacaciones pagadas, becas anuales, compromiso con la educación en casa En la Oficina de Diversidad, estamos comprometidos a contratar a nuestros clientes a través del diseño de nuestra organización, nuestro enfoque social o socio-económico, nuestra capacidad de desarrollar diferentes perspectivas de inclusión sexual, creencias sociales e interconectas, nuestras organizaciones están vinculadas a todas las personas, nuestra comunidad, nuestra sociedad, nuestra empresa, nuestra profesión, nuestra asociación, nuestra participación física, nuestra cultura, nuestra tecnología, nuestra relación entre las diversas culturas, su diversidad, etc. Reconocemos que este compromiso requiere un trabajo continuo y una atención sostenida, así como la adaptación a nuevas ideas y mejores prácticas. Mantenemos nuestros datos de diversidad públicos por el bien de la rendición de cuentas y la transparencia. Estos compromisos también serán parte de su viaje en IDEO, así que siéntase libre de leer más sobre ellos aquí. Es ilegal en Massachusetts exigir o administrar una prueba de detección de mentiras como condición de empleo o empleo continuado. Un empleador que viole esta ley estará sujeto a sanciones penales y responsabilidad civil. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Chicago, IL
At IDEO, we use design to create new products, services, experiences; tangible strategies; and creative capabilities.
IDEO is in search of a flexible Design Researcher who will partner with our interdisciplinary teams in Chicago to contribute to qualitative and quantitative research across an exceptional 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, but especially within the complex systems space – Health systems, fintech solutions, or CPG to name a few. We are looking for someone who thrives at the intersection of ethnography, systems thinking, and synthesis – someone who can not only uncover insights but 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 Chicago Studio location at 626 West Jackson Blvd. IDEO proudly supports flexible work.
Once here you will:
Design and execute mixed-methods research projects such as in-home interviews and shop‑/ride‑alongs, as well as remote studies, expert interviews, and data‑driven inquiries.
Write 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 interviewing, in‑depth observation, empathy, co‑design workshops, remote studies, and group conversations.
Run key survey design (e.g., Qualtrics), and develop your statistical analysis of results.
Collaborate with our world‑class 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 candidates with an ownership mindset, strong theoretical 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 Human‑Centered Design, Design Research, Data Science, Journalism, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, or a research‑intensive social science or technical field.
You bring applied systems thinking to previous professional‑grade projects in health, finance, mobility & transportation, learning & CPG; navigating regulated data, case records, or complex ecosystems.
You delight in asking research questions that connect individual experiences to broader system dynamics.
You’re confident in leading live synthesis – in other words, 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 guide more complex workshops & co‑design activities that bring together stakeholders across complex systems.
(Nice to have) Exposure to data science or UX research practice integrating Python, R or custom coding tools into mixed‑methods research, survey design, or applying usability testing principles in design contexts. This may be expressed via independent or collaborative research through a thesis, capstone, lab, studio, or fellowship program; and can talk about what you learned and how you navigated ambiguity with empathy.
(Nice to have) Excited to translate messy datasets into clear, human‑centered insights using visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, D3.js, etc).
You’ve explored methods like interviews, diary studies, surveys, web scraping, or data visualization through academic or early‑career projects.
You’ve had exposure to design thinking, behavioral science, or ethnography 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 January 5th.
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 safe harbor contribution
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 the work of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in the world. Our purpose of having disproportionate, world‑changing impact through design is directly connected to our ability to bring many different perspectives to the table. This applies to our candidates, the people we hire, the clients and customers we serve, and the communities we learn from in our research.
As a human‑centered organization, we are committed to working with and designing for people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio‑economic status, physical ability or attribute, religion, national origin, or political belief. We recognize that this commitment requires ongoing work and sustained attention, as well as adaptation to new insights and best practices. We keep our diversity data public for the sake of accountability and transparency. These commitments will also be part of your journey at IDEO, so please feel free to read more about them here.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: IDEO is in search of a flexible Design Researcher who will partner with our interdisciplinary teams in Chicago to contribute to qualitative and quantitative research across an exceptional variety of projects, clients, and problem spaces . We are looking for someone who thrives at the intersection of ethnography, systems thinking, and synthesis – someone who can uncover insights but also lead clients and teammates through making meaning of them .
En Español: En IDEO, usamos el diseño para crear nuevos productos, servicios, experiencias; estrategias tangibles y capacidades creativas. IDEo está buscando un investigador de diseño flexible que se asocie con nuestros equipos interdisciplinarios en Chicago para contribuir a la investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa en una excepcional variedad de proyectos, clientes y espacios problemáticos. Esta contratación debe estar a poca distancia de nuestra ubicación en Chicago Studio, 626 West Jackson Blvd. IDEO respalda con orgullo el trabajo flexible. Una vez que estés aquí: diseñar y ejecutar proyectos de investigación de métodos mixtos como entrevistas domésticas y entradas por tiendas / viajes, así como estudios remotos, entrevistes de expertos y consultas basadas en datos. Escribir planes de investigación, seleccionar metodologías apropiadas y ampliar los trabajos de campo para satisfacer los objetivos del cliente que explican por qué las personas hacen lo que hacen. Facilitar la síntesis colaborativa con rigor y corazón, trayendo un equipo multidisciplinar de diseño y clientes como narrador de historias a través de los datos y la palabra escrita. Engañarse profundamente con las personas mediante encuestas, observaciones detalladas, empatía, talleres estratégicos, estudios remotas y estadísticas grupales. Qualificaciones / Experiencia: Estamos entusiasmados de conocer candidatos con una mentalidad propietaria, sólida base teórica o un campo técnico intensivo en la investigación. No es necesario haberlo hecho todo, pero si alguno de los siguientes lo describe, estaremos encantados de verlo aplicar: ha completado un título (u otros cursos relevantes) en Diseño centrado en el ser humano, Investigación del diseño, Ciencias de datos, Periodismo, Antropología, Sociología, Psicología o ciencias sociales o técnicas intensas. Aplicará sistemas a proyectos profesionales anteriores en salud, finanzas, movilidad y transporte, aprendizaje & CPG; navegar por datos, registros mezclados o ecosistemas complejos. Disfrutará de hacer preguntas que conecten experiencias individuales con dinámicas más amplias. Esto puede expresarse a través de investigaciones independientes o colaborativas mediante una tesis, piedra angular, laboratorio, estudio o programa de becas; y puede hablar sobre lo que aprendió y cómo navegó por la ambigüedad con empatía. (Nice to have) Emocionado por traducir conjuntos de datos desordenados en ideas claras centradas en el ser humano utilizando herramientas de visualización (por ejemplo, Tableau, D3.js, etc.). Usted ha explorado métodos como entrevistas, estudios diarios, encuestas, raspadura web o visualización de datos mediante proyectos académicos o profesionales tempranos. Ha tenido exposición al pensamiento del diseño, ciencias conductuales o etografía mediante bootcamps, estúdios o aprendizaje autogestionado. Habla con extraños, aprende de otras personas experiencias salariales, y crea marcos estratégicos para mantenerse vivos. Este rango está influenciado por una amplia gama de factores considerados en las decisiones de compensación en IDEO. Esto incluye, pero no se limita a: habilidades, conocimientos y experiencia de la industria. Las ofertas finales pueden variar según el monto listado basándose en geografía, experiencia y experiencia del candidato y otros factores. Además de la remuneración básica, IDEo ofrece un rico paquete de beneficios que incluyen los siguientes: Beneficios sanitarios: visión, dentales, prestaciones financieras para la salud: contribución 401K seguro puerto Familia & Cuidado: licencia parental, asistencia adoptiva, ayuda a la fertilidad, asistencia médica transgénero, envío de leche materna, respaldo / cuidado dependiente, seguros Pet Other Benefits: trabajo flexible, tiempo flexible, vacaciones pagadas, becas anuales, compromiso con la educación en casa En la Oficina de Diversidad, estamos comprometidos a contratar a nuestros clientes a través del diseño de nuestra organización, nuestro enfoque social o socio-económico, nuestra capacidad de desarrollar diferentes perspectivas de inclusión sexual, creencias sociales e interconectas, nuestras organizaciones están vinculadas a todas las personas, nuestra comunidad, nuestra sociedad, nuestra empresa, nuestra profesión, nuestra asociación, nuestra participación física, nuestra cultura, nuestra tecnología, nuestra relación entre las diversas culturas, su diversidad, etc. Reconocemos que este compromiso requiere un trabajo continuo y una atención sostenida, así como la adaptación a nuevas ideas y mejores prácticas. Mantenemos nuestros datos de diversidad públicos por el bien de la rendición de cuentas y la transparencia. Estos compromisos también serán parte de su viaje en IDEO, así que siéntase libre de leer más sobre ellos aquí. Es ilegal en Massachusetts exigir o administrar una prueba de detección de mentiras como condición de empleo o empleo continuado. Un empleador que viole esta ley estará sujeto a sanciones penales y responsabilidad civil. #J-18808-Ljbffr