User Experience Senior Researcher in Chicago, Illinois at Sidley Austin LLP

User Experience Senior Researcher

The Senior UX Researcher is a hands-on individual who supports discovery, definition, and validation efforts across product initiatives. This role focuses on executing research activities, and workshops, producing discovery artifacts, and running user testing to validate product direction and usability.

• Design and execute qualitative and quantitative research studies aligned to product objectives
• Conduct user interviews, contextual inquiries, and observational research to understand current workflows, pain points, and constraints
• Support discovery and definition workshops through research preparation, documentation, synthesis, and follow-up
• Document current-state journeys that capture how users accomplish tasks across systems and touchpoints
• Maintain and contribute to discovery artifacts including pain point logs, personas, and workshop summaries
• Assist in developing future-state journeys, user flows, and early art-of-the-possible concepts in collaboration with UX and Product
• Plan and conduct usability testing and concept validation sessions to evaluate product direction
• Execute test scripts, facilitate testing sessions, and document findings
• Synthesize user testing results into clear insights and actionable recommendations
• Partner with Product Management, Engineering, and Design to ensure research findings inform iteration and prioritization
• Maintain organized research documentation to support traceability and reuse of insights

Education and/or Experience:
Required:

• Bachelor's degree in human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Design, Research, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in UX research or related roles
• Demonstrated skill transforming ambiguity into meaningful insights
• Experience conducting qualitative research and usability testing
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills
• Demonstrated ability to plan and run stakeholder workshops
• Experience with enterprise level applications
• Experience using research and collaboration tools such as Figma, Miro, or similar

Preferred:

• Background in or exposure to professional services industries (legal, financial, consulting, etc.).

Other Skills and Abilities:
The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

#DNI

The target salary range for this role is:

$102,000 - $140,000 if located in Illinois

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.