Sr. UX Research Assistant (temporary)

Sago is a global leader in market research and data solutions, committed to connecting human answers to business questions. The world is transforming, and Sago is continuously reaching new heights, redefining our solutions beyond our clients' wildest expectations, and making it smarter, faster, and easier to gain insights that matter. 

We're a team of innovators, strategists, and problem-solvers, passionate and inspired thinkers, who celebrate our wins. We are vibrant leaders who empower our colleagues and innovate the Market Research industry - curious learners constantly finding new ways to transform. We are bold thinkers and authentic team members who show up to work every day being ourselves, never afraid of new ideas or opinions, because we believe they matter.

We are currently seeking a SENIOR UX RESEARCH ASSISTANT for a temporary position anticipated to last three (3) months, with the possibility for extension.

Location: Onsite within proximity to Penn Station, NYC

Schedule: Four (4) days per week, Friday through Monday (full-time, daytime hours)

Pay rate: Hourly rate is anticipated to be $40-$42/hour dependent on candidate experience and qualifications.

Requirements

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior UX Research Assistant serves as a senior operational member of the Research Support Team, supporting and overseeing high-quality human participant research studies on emerging technology initiatives.

In addition to executing research studies, this role provides day-to-day oversight for UX Research Assistants and to ensure operational consistency, study readiness, data quality, and a strong participant experience across active research programs.

This role combines advanced research execution, technical study support, team coordination, quality oversight, and escalation ownership in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where priorities and study needs may evolve quickly.  This role would report to an onsite program manager.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Study Leadership & Operational Oversight

• Lead or support execution of complex human participant research studies in accordance with approved protocols, study requirements, and operational expectations.
• Coordinate daily study execution across assigned programs, ensuring study environments, equipment, documentation, and team coverage are ready and aligned.
• Serve as an operational point of contact for assigned research activity, helping translate study requirements into clear execution plans and priorities.
• Monitor study progress, identify operational risks early, and support timely resolution of issues that could affect participant experience, data quality, or timelines.
• Act as an escalation point for study execution challenges involving protocols, equipment, scheduling, participant needs, or cross-functional coordination.

Team Oversight & Development

• Provide day-to-day direction, support, and coordination for UX Research Assistants and Research Project Coordinators assigned to their teams.
• Support the program manager on workload distribution, onsite coverage, study assignments, and operational priorities across active research programs.
• Support onboarding and training for new team members, including study protocols, participant experience expectations, documentation standards, and lab readiness practices.
• Coach team members on effective research execution, communication, troubleshooting, and escalation practices.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, consistency, and continuous improvement across assigned teams.

Data Quality & Research Excellence

• Oversee data collection activities to ensure consistency, accuracy, completeness, and alignment with study requirements.
• Review study documentation, operational records, and data outputs for quality, completeness, and adherence to established processes.
• Support advanced troubleshooting of data collection tools, research equipment, lab systems, and study workflows.
• Partner with researchers and technical stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve study execution, documentation, and data quality.
• Contribute to standardized operating procedures, training materials, and best practices that improve consistency across UX Research Assistants and other onsite staff.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with program manager, clients, UX researchers, and operations leaders to drive successful study outcomes.
• Support research planning, operational readiness, and resource alignment for upcoming studies.
• Lead or contribute to process improvement efforts that increase efficiency, quality, team readiness, and participant satisfaction.
• Share lessons learned and operational insights with stakeholders to strengthen future study execution.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to guide, coach, and coordinate team members in a fast-paced research environment.
• Able to lead by example. In addition to managing workflows and team performance, they must actively participate in the day-to-day work, sharing responsibility for execution and contributing directly to team outcomes.
• Previous experience managing and developing a team including coaching, performance management, workload allocation and employee development.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and sound judgment when managing study execution risks and escalations.
• Advanced attention to detail and commitment to data quality, documentation accuracy, and process consistency.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical partners.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including the ability to make thoughtful decisions in ambiguous or changing situations.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across operational deadlines.
• Professional, participant-centered approach with a strong commitment to service excellence.
• Continuous improvement mindset with interest in strengthening tools, processes, training, and execution standards.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Psychology, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Data Science, or a related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent hands-on research, lab, technical operations, team coordination, or human participant study experience may be considered.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years experience supporting or leading human participant research, UX research, clinical studies, lab studies, or technical research operations.
• Experience providing day-to-day guidance, coordination, training, or quality oversight to team members.
• Experience working with cross-functional technical stakeholders, including researchers, engineers, program managers, operations teams, or onsite project teams.
• Experience with biomechanical, physiological, behavioral, time-series, or sensor-based data collection methods.
• Experience developing or improving SOPs, training materials, documentation standards, or quality control processes.
• Interest in emerging technologies such as AR/VR, AI, wearable technology, HCI, or advanced user experience research.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
• Google Docs, Sheets, Calendar, and related collaboration tools.
• Research equipment, lab software, testing platforms, and participant tracking tools.
• Comfort troubleshooting lab systems, data collection workflows, and technical research environments.
• Ability to quickly learn new research platforms, data tools, and operational workflows.