[Hiring] Staff User Researcher - Consumer @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.

Responsibilities

• Independently own and drive the research roadmap for the consumer innovation workstream, partnering across product, design, data science, and engineering leadership.
• Lead generative, foundational research to understand how people think about food, nutrition, and health.
• Apply behavioral science frameworks (e.g., habit loops, nudge theory, behavior change models) 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, influencing roadmap and strategy.

Qualifications

• 8+ years conducting UX or consumer research in a product organization.
• Background or deep familiarity with behavioral psychology, behavioral economics, or related fields.
• Expertise across a wide range of qualitative methodologies.
• Equally strong with quantitative methods.
• Proven ability to lead foundational, generative research.
• Exceptional storyteller: you turn nuanced human insight into crisp, compelling narratives.
• Experience working with or alongside data science teams.
• Track record of influencing product roadmaps.
• Fluency using AI tools to accelerate iterative research cycles.
• Advanced degree preferred; Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in marketplaces, e-commerce, grocery, CPG, or subscription products.
• Research experience on high-visibility consumer surfaces.
• Background researching and informing onboarding, activation, and retention journeys.
• Familiarity with AI-powered, agentic, or conversational product experiences.
• Ability to influence outcomes on multi-team initiatives without direct authority.
• Familiarity with meal planning, nutrition, health goals, or dietary restriction management.

Benefits

• Highly market-competitive compensation and benefits.
• Remote work flexibility under the Flex First remote work policy.
• Base pay range for a successful candidate is dependent on their permanent work location.
• Eligible for a new hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants.