# Staff User Researcher - Consumer

**Company:** [Instacart](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/instacart)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** UX Research
**Salary:** $189k – $240k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** User Research, Behavioral Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Survey Design, Experimental Design, Usability Testing, Ethnographic Research, Diary Studies, Behavioral Data Analysis, Journey Mapping, Ai Research Tools, Data Science, Mixed-Methods Research
**Posted:** 2026-08-19

> Leads foundational and mixed-methods consumer research focused on food, nutrition, health, and behavior change, translating human insights into product strategy and roadmap decisions. Requires 8+ years of UX or consumer research experience, behavioral science expertise, strong qualitative and quantitative skills, and stakeholder influence.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Own and drive the research roadmap for consumer innovation, partnering with product, design, data science, and engineering leadership.
- Lead generative and foundational research into food, nutrition, health, motivations, barriers, mental models, and behavioral triggers.
- Apply behavioral science frameworks, including habit loops, nudge theory, and behavior change models.
- Conduct and oversee mixed-methods research, including interviews, ethnographic observation, diary studies, co-creation, surveys, behavioral data analysis, and concept testing.
- Translate research into actionable narratives that guide strategy, product decisions, and launches.
- Maintain consumer knowledge bases, personas, and journey maps.
- Mentor junior researchers and contribute to research craft, culture, and standards.
- Advocate for customers and influence product roadmaps and organizational strategy.

## Requirements
- 8+ years of UX or consumer research experience in a product organization, including early-stage innovation or new product development.
- Background or deep familiarity with behavioral psychology, behavioral economics, or related fields.
- Expertise in qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews, ethnographic studies, diary studies, usability testing, participatory design, and workshop facilitation.
- Strong quantitative skills, including survey design and analysis, behavioral data interpretation, experimental design, and mixed-methods synthesis.
- Experience leading foundational, generative research and shaping product strategy.
- Exceptional storytelling and stakeholder communication skills.
- Experience working with data science teams to triangulate usage data and qualitative findings.
- Track record of influencing product roadmaps.
- Fluency with AI tools for research synthesis, screener development, and concept testing while maintaining rigor.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.

## Nice-to-haves
- Advanced degree in Psychology, Behavioral Science, Cognitive Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Anthropology, or a related field.
- Experience in marketplaces, e-commerce, grocery, CPG, or subscription products.
- Research experience with home feeds, personalized browse, merchandising placements, information hierarchy, and above-the-fold content.
- Experience researching onboarding, activation, retention, habit formation, loyalty, and trust.
- Familiarity with AI-powered, agentic, or conversational products and AI interaction research methods.
- Experience influencing multi-team initiatives without direct authority.
- Familiarity with meal planning, nutrition, health goals, or dietary restriction management.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Base pay range for US-based candidates: **$189,000–$239,500 USD annually**, depending on permanent work location.
- Eligible for a new hire equity grant and annual refresh grants.
- Market-competitive compensation and benefits.
- Flex First remote work policy.

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