UX Researcher & Project Manager

Are you a passionate UX researcher with a strong qualitative research toolbox and excellent project management skills? Do you thrive in a collaborative, international environment? If so, Loop UX has an exciting opportunity for you.

• Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid: 2 days/week in-office) - US work authorization required
• Position: Position: Full-time (Target 39 hours/week average)
• Expected Start Date: January 5, 2027

The opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated UX Researcher & Project Manager to join our US team. In this dynamic role, you will take the lead on planning and executing UX research projects while staying hands-on with research design, moderation, analysis, and reporting. You will enjoy a flexible, friendly, and international work culture alongside colleagues dedicated to delivering top-tier global research.

Why Loop UX

• Global Impact: Lead qualitative research and user testing for leading international brands across a variety of industries.
• Scandinavian Work Culture: We believe high-impact research requires sustainable pacing. We maintain a target 39-hour workweek averaged across projects. While agency research naturally has busy sprint weeks, we actively track capacity so that any extra hours worked are balanced with dedicated time off.
• True Hybrid Flexibility: Work alongside the team 2 days a week in our Chicago office, paired with flexibility for remote-work periods.
• Inclusive & Purpose-Driven: Founded in 2011, we are a proud female- and LGBT-owned agency with a 32-person international team across Copenhagen, Austin, Chicago, Prague, Kuala Lumpur, Brasilia and Rio De Janeiro.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Project Management: Manage the full project lifecycle, from proposal creation and scoping to field execution and final delivery.
• Hands-on UX Research: Lead and support research design, discussion guide development, moderation, note-taking, qualitative analysis, and comprehensive report writing.
• Coordination & Compliance: Proactively coordinate resources, project timelines, and deliverables to keep work on schedule and aligned with Loop UX's data security protocols.
• Client & Cultural Partnership: Build strong relationships with enterprise clients, manage expectations transparently, and bridge cross-cultural perspectives across international markets.
• Continuous Improvement: Collaborate closely with the global team to refine our UX research methodologies, field setups, and agency best practices.
• Field Research Travel: Travel for on-site client research when required (typically 0–2 times per year).

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on professional experience conducting qualitative UX research (usability testing, in-depth interviews, focus groups). Experience with other methodologies is a strong plus.
• Demonstrated project management skills with a proven track record of managing schedules, client communications, and multi-market deliverables.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, translating complex qualitative data into clear, actionable business recommendations.
• Flexibility to collaborate across time zones (accommodating colleagues and clients in European and US time zones).
• Self-driven, proactive, and service-minded mindset with comfortable autonomy.
• Additional language skills are a plus.

What We Offer

• Compensation:$78,000 – $83,000 base salary, commensurate with experience
• Balanced Workload & Flex Time: An average 39-hour target workweek, with extra sprint hours logged and balanced out as dedicated time off during slower periods.
• Annual Bonus: Eligible for an annual discretionary bonus tied to overall company performance and profitability.
• Retirement: 401(k) Retirement Plan: Up to a 4% company match on your base salary, eligible the first of the month after 90 days.
• Generous PTO: 3 weeks (15 days) paid vacation in year one, scaling +1 week annually up to 5 weeks (25 days).
• Holidays & Sick Leave: 10 paid public holidays and 5 dedicated paid sick days.
• Healthcare Allowance (ICHRA): Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision support through a tax-free monthly stipend calibrated specifically to your state. Our allowance is designed to fully cover (100%) an individual benchmark Silver health plan, allowing you to choose the carrier, network, and doctors that best fit your needs.

While your CV highlights your technical background, we place strong value on understanding your motivation to apply and how your research philosophy aligns with Loop UX. We read every cover letter with care.

We review applications and interview on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Loop UX is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity within our team. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

About Loop UX

Loop UX is a full-service UX research agency specializing in global user research and user testing. We provide custom research setups and assist companies with international research and field logistics across a wide variety of industries. Founded in September 2011, our team counts 32 people with diverse nationalities and backgrounds in research, business, project management, and cultural studies. Loop UX is both a female- and LGBT-owned business operating out of our HQ in Copenhagen, Denmark, and our offices in Austin, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois.

Learn more about us at: https://loop-ux.com