Associate Design Researcher (Contract, TKO)
On-siteChiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Job Summary
Conduct qualitative market and user studies to synthesize insights that inform business and product decisions. Collaborate with Design Leads and Business Creators to define research scope, execute new studies, and prioritize opportunities within early-stage product development. Design initial concepts, user flows, and prototypes while leveraging tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite to bring ideas to life. Share technical know-how across teams and contribute unique perspectives to brainstorming sessions. Assist in defining actionable research outcomes that drive human-centered future visions for new business creation. This part-time contract role in Tokyo requires 20 hours weekly and includes potential extension based on performance.
Required Qualifications
- A degree with course work relevant to Design, the Scientific Process/Methodology, the Human Condition (e.g. Product/Service Design, Psychology, Sociology, etc) OR relevant experience in Design Research, Strategic Design, or UX Research
- Experience with Secondary research methods (Desktop/Market Research)
- Proficiency in common design tools, like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch
- A passion for human-centered design
- Proficiency in Google Suite, Slack, Figma
- Proactive attitude, fast paced and self motivated; ready to take on tasks outside of role with strong agility to change and to be flexible/resilient
- Desire to learn new things
- Exceptional listening skills and communication (written and verbal) skills
- Strong Stakeholder management & Team collaboration skills
- Understanding of foundational principles of Design Research/Qualitative Research and a strong desire to experiment
- Critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Experience creating actionable research 'reports'/outcomes that can be leveraged/implemented by the team (willingness to break the mold of a classic report)
- Native level Japanese
Desired Qualifications
- Previous experience with Exploratory Research in early stage product development/new business creation
- Experience with Quantitative Research Methodologies / Synthesis
- Experience experimenting AI tools effectively to conduct research
- Experience working in deep-tech / AI
- Experience working with a cross-cultural/international organization
- Experience in/understanding of other design areas (e.g. Product Design, Service Design, Brand Design, etc.)
- Business level English
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