Staff User Researcher - Consumer
About the role
Staff Researcher responsible for shaping foundational understanding of how and why people change their food behaviors, leading mixed-methods research from generative discovery to iterative product testing, and partnering across product, design, data science, marketing, and engineering to ground product decisions in deep human insight.
Responsibilities
- Independently own and drive the research roadmap for the consumer innovation workstream, partnering across product, design, data science, and engineering leadership to surface where research can shape strategy, unlock new opportunities, and push innovation
- Lead generative, foundational research to understand how people think about food, nutrition, and health — including mental models, motivations, barriers, and behavioral triggers
- Apply behavioral science frameworks (e.g., habit loops, nudge theory, behavior change models) to frame research questions and surface insights that fuel creative problem-solving and unlock new directions for product and design
- Execute and oversee rigorous mixed-methods research: qualitative studies (in-depth interviews, ethnographic observation, diary studies, co-creation) alongside quantitative approaches (surveys, behavioral data analysis, concept testing at scale)
- Translate research into compelling, actionable narratives that move stakeholders to decisions, from early-stage opportunity framing to product launch validation
- Own and evolve the team's understanding of the consumer, maintaining living knowledge bases, personas, and journey maps that the broader organization draws on
- Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the craft, culture, and standards of the Instacart research organization
- Be a visible advocate for the customer across the organization, influencing roadmap and strategy through the quality and clarity of insights
Qualifications
- 8+ years conducting UX or consumer research in a product organization, with meaningful experience in early-stage innovation or new product development
- Background or deep familiarity with behavioral psychology, behavioral economics, or related fields
- Expertise across a wide range of qualitative methodologies: in-depth interviews, ethnographic and diary studies, usability testing, participatory design, and workshop facilitation
- Equally strong with quantitative methods: survey design and analysis, behavioral data interpretation, experimental design, and synthesis across mixed-methods studies
- Proven ability to lead foundational, generative research — defining opportunity space and shaping product strategy
- Exceptional storyteller: turning nuanced human insight into crisp narratives that drive alignment
- Experience collaborating with data science to triangulate patterns from usage data with qualitative findings
- Track record of influencing product roadmaps, not just informing them
- Fluency using AI tools to accelerate iterative research cycles while maintaining rigor
- Advanced degree preferred (Psychology, Behavioral Science, Cognitive Science, HCI, Anthropology) or Bachelor's with equivalent experience
Skills
About Instacart
Marketplace for grocery delivery and pickup
Instacart is the North American leader in online grocery and one of the fastest-growing companies in e-commerce. Instacart’s same-day delivery and pickup services bring fresh groceries and everyday essentials to busy people and families across the U.S. and Canada in as fast as an hour. Since its founding in 2012, Instacart has become an essential service for millions of families, while also serving as an immediate, flexible earnings opportunity for hundreds of thousands of shoppers across North America. The company partners with more than 350 retailers and delivers from more than 25,000 stores across more than 5,500 cities in North America. Today, Instacart is accessible to more than 85% of households in the U.S. and more than 70% of households in Canada.
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