[Hiring] Staff User Experience Researcher @Khan Academy

Role Description

We’re looking for a Staff UX Researcher to join our Design team. The heart of this role is not just conducting research, but building the high-performance engine that powers user understanding across our entire product. You will be the architect of our "People Who Do Research" (PWDR) program, empowering our Design team to conduct their own tactical research while you provide the methodological rigor, technical guardrails, and strategic oversight. We are looking for an expert who can lead our transition into AI-enhanced research operations—acting as the essential "Human-in-the-Loop" to ensure that as we accelerate our workflows, our insights remain grounded, ethical, and highly actionable.

You will play a vital role in scaling our impact, serving as a coach and consultant to product teams as they navigate the complexities of U.S. school districts. By building the playbooks and knowledge systems that turn raw data into institutional wisdom, you will help us fulfill the mission of the organization: to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.

What You’ll Do

• PWDR Program leadership and enablement:
  • Refine and scale our "People Who Do Research" program.
  • Empower designers and product triads to conduct high-quality tactical UXR research (both qual and quant).
  • Provide playbooks, training, and mentorship necessary to maintain rigorous standards across the team.
• AI strategy and research operations:
  • Design, propose, and manage a research tech stack (including Dovetail) powered by responsible AI.
  • Implement automated workflows for recruiting, synthesis, and insight distribution.
  • Serve as the UXR "Human-in-the-Loop" authority to ensure AI-generated outputs are grounded, ethical, and accurate.
• Cross-product research, synthesis, and leadership:
  • Act as the Design Leadership Team’s expert on customer and user profiles, end-to-end user journeys, and forward-looking research.
  • Synthesize insights that span multiple product surface areas to identify "connective tissue," strategic gaps, and opportunities.
• Strategic advisory and methodological governance:
  • Serve as a high-level internal consultant, guiding teams on the selection of lean vs. rigorous methodologies.
  • Lead or co-facilitate complex mixed-method studies when business needs require.
  • Provide foundational frameworks (blueprints, journey maps) that keep teams aligned with the "big picture."
• Support the design team with on-site research in schools:
  • Provide guidance and ethical scaffolding, and ensure legal compliance.
  • U.S. based travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of UX research experience in complex enterprise software or SaaS environments.
• Proven experience in mentorship, coaching, or building "Research Ops" programs.
• Deep technical curiosity regarding GenAI and LLMs, with a practical understanding of their limitations.
• A track record of building scalable systems, templates, and workflows.
• A sophisticated understanding of the product development lifecycle (PDLC) and software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Exceptional communication skills and "executive presence."
• Motivated by the Khan Academy mission “to provide a free world-class education for anyone, anywhere."
• Proven cross-cultural competency skills demonstrating self-awareness and inclusive perspectives.

Requirements

• Introspective, mature, low-ego, and emotionally intelligent.
• Growth mindset, willingness to learn and to teach others.
• Proactively seek out the people and info you need to move work forward.
• High comfort level working within a strong top-down product vision.
• Able to balance immediate tactical needs with long-term vision.
• Comfortable with ever-shifting priorities and ambiguous situations.
• Willing to roll your sleeves up and pitch in when a project goes off-script.
• Excited about education and engaging learning experiences.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Ample paid time off as needed – Your well-being is a priority.
• 8 pre-scheduled Wellness Days in 2026 for a 3-day weekend boost.
• Remote-first culture with open flexibility.
• Generous parental leave.
• An exceptional team that trusts you and gives you the freedom to do your best.
• Opportunities to connect through affinity, ally, and social groups.
• 401(k) + 4% matching & comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and life.