[Hiring] Researcher @Cognits

Role Description

We are seeking a dedicated and bilingual Design Researcher / User Researcher for a critical, fixed-term consultancy engagement focused on digital transformation and ecosystem integration. This position is full-time for approximately 5 weeks, from November to December 2025, with potential for extension into January 2026. It requires native or complete professional fluency in Spanish to conduct deep, in-person qualitative research with end-users and key stakeholders in Central America.

The core function of this role is to map the current user ecosystem, conduct research to inform a unified digital platform strategy, apply analytical rigor to quantitative data, and synthesize findings into actionable user journeys and final client deliverables. This high-impact engagement offers consideration for our talent pool for future collaboration, including potential long-term employment.

• Plan and execute essential user and stakeholder interviews to gain deep user understanding and validate product assumptions.
• Develop detailed Current Journey Maps representing actual customer experiences, emotions, interactions, and pain points.
• Create archetypal user Personas and Empathy Maps based on qualitative data to drive design team empathy.
• Contribute field findings and user input to prioritization sessions with stakeholders to inform feature ranking.
• Identify and articulate clear Problem Statements and contribute to How Might We sessions to reframe insights as opportunity areas.
• Validate new wireframes with users to create the New Journey Map and develop a visual User Story Mapping for clear product requirements.
• Review and analyze quantitative usage data to scope and precisely define areas of high friction for targeted research.
• Analyze data and findings from unmoderated usability studies to inform robust research synthesis efforts.
• Translate complex research findings and data analysis into clear, actionable insights, opportunities, and final client deliverables.

Qualifications

• Design Research Methodologies
• Advanced qualitative research design and execution
• Contextual inquiry and observation techniques
• Journey Mapping, Personas, and Empathy Map development
• Problem framing (Problem Statements, How Might We)
• Proficiency in digital collaboration tools (Miro/Mural)
• Qualitative Synthesis & Analysis
• End-to-end qualitative synthesis and thematic analysis
• Quantitative data analysis and friction point scoping
• Analytical rigor and critical thinking
• Translation of complex data into actionable insights
• Comprehensive usability study analysis
• Interpersonal & Communication
• Native/Complete Professional Spanish Fluency (Mandatory)
• Cross-cultural communication and relationship building
• Stakeholder empathy and management
• Persuasive presentation and delivery skills
• Ability to present complex findings to non-research audiences

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience leading research initiatives that have directly informed successful digital products or services.
• A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end research process, critical thinking, and examples of complex synthesis efforts.
• Experience in conducting in-person research in Latin American markets is a strong plus.
• Comfort working with design and development teams, effectively communicating research insights and technical implications.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, iterative environment and adapt to evolving project requirements.