Design Researcher

 We are looking for you!

We’re looking to invite talented Design Researchers—from promising Mid-levels to accomplished Seniors—into our freelance talent network. This is not a full-time position — instead, once selected you become part of our vetted pool of freelancers, and we’ll reach out whenever relevant projects arise. You’ll be engaged on a project basis, supporting or leading user research, uncovering deep insights, and translating user needs into actionable strategies for physical and digital products and experiences. If you thrive on talking to users in their own environments, connecting the dots, and championing human-centered design in flexible, interesting assignments — we want you.

Skills and experience you can bring to this role!

• 3+ years (Mid-Level) or 5+ years (Senior) of professional experience as a Design or UX Researcher within a creative agency, design consultancy, tech company, or high-end freelance environment.
• A strong portfolio or case studies showcasing your research process: from framing methodology and recruiting to synthesis, insights generation, and strategic recommendations.
• Qualitative (Priority) and quantitative (add-on) toolkit: Proficiency in user interviews, usability testing (moderated & unmoderated), diary studies, and co-creation workshops (Seniors should be able to design and scope these methodologies independently), quantitative survey tools, analysis
• Experience with contextual and field research: Knowledge of or hands-on experience conducting ethnographies, contextual inquiries, and in-home/on-site visits to understand users in their natural environments.
• Strong synthesis and storytelling skills: Ability to transform raw data and insights into compelling artifacts like personas, journey maps, service blueprints, and actionable framework models.
• Bridge between research and design: Experience collaborating closely with UI/UX and motion designers to ensure user insights directly inform product concepts, wireframes, and final UI features.
• Strong communication & collaboration skills: You can work remotely or in the field, take client briefs, confidently present insights to internal teams and stakeholders, and advocate for the user.
• Familiarity with industry-standard tools: e.g., Miro/Mural, UserTesting, Maze or equivalent platforms for data gathering, collaboration and analysis.

Bonus:

• Willingness and flexibility to travel for project-based fieldwork and immersive research studies when required.
• Experience leveraging AI in the research workflow. This includes utilizing AI-driven tools for automated data collection, transcription, thematic data synthesis, or generating initial baseline insights.
• Domain Expertise: Experience working within complex domains such as Health Tech / Digital Health (e.g., patient/clinician experiences, medical devices, wellness platforms) and/or Automotive & Mobility (e.g., HMI, in-car infotainment, future mobility concepts).

What impact you’ll make

• You’ll help ground high-quality digital experiences and innovations— spanning health tech platforms, automotive HMIs, and cutting-edge product concepts — in real human needs, working with globally recognized brands.
• You’ll uncover hidden user behaviors and needs by stepping out of the office and into the field, bringing deep contextual empathy back to the project team.
• On each project you’ll collaborate with designers & strategists to bring creative insight and validation — from early-stage discovery through to evaluative testing — helping turn the brief into a validated reality.
• As part of the network, you’ll gain access to our internal sharing sessions — joining a community of passionate creators, strategists, and designers where you can learn from peers or mentor others.
• You will be exposed to a variety of briefs, industries, and formats — increasing your scope, sharpening your strategic skills, and expanding your professional toolkit.

How our freelance network works

Apply by submitting your CV, portfolio (demo reel + relevant project case-studies.

We will review your profile and, if you match the criteria, invite you to a brief interview. This ensures alignment in terms of skills, availability, and quality.

Once accepted, you’ll be onboarded into our freelancer network. We’ll provide you with our standard freelance terms, rates discussion, NDA process and the details of how collaboration and payment work.

When projects arise that match your skill-set, we’ll contact you with the brief, timeline, deliverables, and budget. You then decide whether to take on that project. There is no obligation to accept every project, giving you freedom to manage your workload.

You’ll deliver work remotely and submit assets per brief. Final payment is processed according to agreed terms once deliverables are approved.

We value long-term freelance relationships — if you perform well, you may be first-in-line for new briefs, and can build a steady stream of freelance engagements via our network.

What you’ll get

Regardless of your position or role, we have in place a wide array of benefits, including flexible working (hybrid/remote models) and generous time off policies (unlimited vacations, sick and parental leaves) to make it easier for all people to thrive and succeed at Star. On top of that, we offer an extensive reward and compensation package, intellectually and creatively stimulating space, health insurance and unique travel opportunities.

Your holistic well-being is central at Star. You'll join a warm and vibrant multinational environment filled with impactful projects, career development opportunities, mentorship and training programs, fun sports activities, workshops, networking and outdoor meet-ups.