Lead Design Researcher (M/F/X)

[Internal Opportunity]   Lead Design Researcher (M/F/X)

Are you looking to grow or develop new skills within Hager Group? An opportunity has just opened within our international Design Studio based in Obernai.

Join a multidisciplinary team and help place the understanding of our users' behaviours and needs at the heart of our decisions. As a Lead Design Researcher, you will lead complex research initiatives, translate real-world observations into tangible opportunities for our products, services and experiences, and support Design Studio members in developing their research practices.

What if this was the opportunity to put your expertise at the service of innovation, develop new skills and help strengthen Hager Group's customer-centric culture?

Dare to apply and join your new team!

What You Will Do

• Lead complex research programmes, from defining the research vision and planning through fieldwork, synthesis and activation of findings across our products, services, systems and customer experiences.
• Conduct exploratory, generative and evaluative research, with a strong emphasis on qualitative and contextual approaches such as observation, ethnography, contextual inquiry and shadowing.
• Translate behaviours, motivations and unmet needs into actionable insights, opportunities and recommendations influencing product, service, portfolio and roadmap decisions.
• Identify patterns and emerging opportunities across customer segments and business models, ensuring that research meaningfully informs strategy, design and development.
• Coordinate and coach team members in support of the manager, strengthening methodological rigour, synthesis quality, research capabilities and knowledge sharing across the Design Studio.
• Bring complementary expertise such as Service Design, Design Strategy or Business Strategy, influence cross-functional teams and contribute to advancing Hager's Research & Testing practice.

Your Profile

• Master's degree in Anthropology, Design Research, Service Design, Sociology or a similar discipline focused on human behaviour.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in Design Research or closely related fields such as applied Anthropology, Service Design, Strategic UX Research or Innovation Strategy, with solid experience applying research in a professional environment.
• Deep expertise in qualitative, exploratory and contextual research, with hands-on experience of methods such as observation, ethnography, contextual inquiry or shadowing in users' real-world environments.
• Excellent synthesis capabilities, translating complex behavioural observations into actionable insights, opportunities and strategic recommendations for products and services.
• Proven experience leading complex research programmes, coordinating and coaching multiple contributors; complementary expertise in Service Design, Design Strategy, Business Strategy or Innovation Strategy is a strong asset.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and influencing skills in an international and multidisciplinary environment, combined with C1-level English; C1-level German is strongly preferred, while other European languages are an asset.

Interested in joining an international Design Studio of around twenty passionate experts?

To learn more, contact Amrita KULKARNI, Design Studio Director. They can't wait to share their expertise and take on new challenges in Design Research and innovation together with you.

Be bold, the power of internal mobility is in your hands: once your application has been submitted and your manager has been informed, our HR team will contact you for an initial interview with the manager and the HRBP of your future position.