[Hiring] Staff User Researcher @Instacart

Role Description

As a Staff Researcher on the Consumer team, you will shape the foundational understanding of how and why people change (or struggle to change) their food behaviors. You'll lead research that spans the full arc from generative discovery to iterative product testing, partnering closely with product, design, data science, marketing, and engineering to build products grounded in deep human insight. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role for a researcher who is as comfortable in the messiness of early-stage innovation as they are in the rigor of quantitative validation.

Qualifications

• 8+ years conducting UX or consumer research in a product organization, with meaningful experience in early-stage innovation or new product development.
• Background or deep familiarity with behavioral psychology, behavioral economics, or related fields.
• Expertise across a wide range of qualitative methodologies: in-depth interviews, ethnographic and diary studies, usability testing, participatory design, and workshop facilitation.
• Equally strong with quantitative methods: survey design and analysis, behavioral data interpretation, experimental design, and synthesis across mixed-methods studies.
• Proven ability to lead foundational, generative research — going beyond feature validation to define the opportunity space and shape product strategy.
• Exceptional storyteller: you turn nuanced human insight into crisp, compelling narratives that drive alignment and action at all levels of the organization.
• Experience working with or alongside data science teams to triangulate behavioral patterns from usage data with qualitative findings.
• Track record of influencing product roadmaps, not just informing them.
• Fluency using AI tools to accelerate iterative research cycles while maintaining methodological rigor.
• Advanced degree preferred (Psychology, Behavioral Science, Cognitive Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Anthropology, or a related field); Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.

Requirements

• Independently own and drive the research roadmap for the consumer innovation workstream.
• Lead generative, foundational research to understand how people think about food, nutrition, and health.
• Apply behavioral science frameworks to frame research questions and surface insights.
• Execute and oversee rigorous mixed-methods research: qualitative studies alongside quantitative approaches.
• Translate research into compelling, actionable narratives that move stakeholders to decisions.
• Own and evolve the team's understanding of the consumer, maintaining living knowledge bases, personas, and journey maps.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the craft, culture, and standards of the Instacart research organization.
• Be a visible advocate for the customer across the organization.

Benefits

• Highly market-competitive compensation and benefits.
• Remote work flexibility with a base pay range dependent on permanent work location.
• Eligibility for a new hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants.