What are the responsibilities and job description for the Formative / Product Researcher position at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Job Description
This position uses research to support General Authorities and Church administrators by providing timely, relevant, and reliable information to help them respond to the diverse challenges and opportunities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it shares its message throughout the world. As a researcher, you will combine your academic knowledge and work experience to conduct a variety of mixed-methods studies that support the design and development of Church products and programs. You will work with a team of researchers within the Church’s partner research team.
PURPOSES
This position uses research to support General Authorities and Church administrators by providing timely, relevant, and reliable information to help them respond to the diverse challenges and opportunities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it shares its message throughout the world. As a researcher, you will combine your academic knowledge and work experience to conduct a variety of mixed-methods studies that support the design and development of Church products and programs. You will work with a team of researchers within the Church’s partner research team.
The Product Researcher will primarily be responsible for research design, instrument development, primary data collection, data analysis, and authoring reports and presentations connected with a variety of Church products and programs. Those efforts may include but not be limited to audience and user needs assessments; market research; mobile, web, and native applications; physical locations such as museums and visitor centers; curriculum programs, manuals, and other materials. Additional responsibilities may involve mentoring and training others on research best practices.
A successful product researcher must be able to work independently on multiple concurrent projects, either alone or as a member of one or more collaborative teams which may have competing deadlines.
Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Work Experience
Flexible work arrangement that allows up to 4 of 5 days remote work each week. Must reside in Utah or near a Church Area office.
About Us
Church employees find joy and satisfaction in using their unique talents and abilities to further the Lord’s work. From the IT professional who develops an app that sends the gospel message worldwide, to the facilities manager who maintains our buildings— giving Church members places to worship, teach, learn, and receive sacred ordinances—our employees seek innovative ways to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. They are literally working in His kingdom.
Only members of the Church who are worthy of a temple recommend qualify for employment. Apart from this, the Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on any basis that would violate U.S. or local law.
Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, national origin, color, gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other legally protected categories that apply to the Church. The Church will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities.
This position uses research to support General Authorities and Church administrators by providing timely, relevant, and reliable information to help them respond to the diverse challenges and opportunities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it shares its message throughout the world. As a researcher, you will combine your academic knowledge and work experience to conduct a variety of mixed-methods studies that support the design and development of Church products and programs. You will work with a team of researchers within the Church’s partner research team.
PURPOSES
This position uses research to support General Authorities and Church administrators by providing timely, relevant, and reliable information to help them respond to the diverse challenges and opportunities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it shares its message throughout the world. As a researcher, you will combine your academic knowledge and work experience to conduct a variety of mixed-methods studies that support the design and development of Church products and programs. You will work with a team of researchers within the Church’s partner research team.
The Product Researcher will primarily be responsible for research design, instrument development, primary data collection, data analysis, and authoring reports and presentations connected with a variety of Church products and programs. Those efforts may include but not be limited to audience and user needs assessments; market research; mobile, web, and native applications; physical locations such as museums and visitor centers; curriculum programs, manuals, and other materials. Additional responsibilities may involve mentoring and training others on research best practices.
A successful product researcher must be able to work independently on multiple concurrent projects, either alone or as a member of one or more collaborative teams which may have competing deadlines.
Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Specific research duties may include: literature reviews; research design; designing surveys; designing interview, focus group, and observation protocols; participation in data collection site visits; conducting interviews and observations; analysis of qualitative and quantitative data; and dissemination and application of research findings to multiple audiences including product teams, management, and General Authorities.
- Contribute to and lead projects, project manage, maintain project management documents and databases, help colleagues solve problems, and review colleagues’ plans and products.
- May be asked to mentor and train others on research best practices.
- Consult with clients to provide useful information and answer questions or address their issues.
- Monitor and work with vendors and subcontractors.
- Domestic and international travel may be needed.
- This is a non-managerial position and does not have any direct reports.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Work Experience
- A Master's degree is recommended in psychology, sociology, anthropology, cognitive science, instructional design, user experience, or other social science fields.
- Five to seven years of professional experience conducting various research methodologies in a business setting.
- This would include but is not limited to participant interviews, observations, usability tests, focus groups, and surveys.
- Candidates with less experience are encouraged to apply but may be hired at a lower grade level. We are open to a wide range of experience levels to fill this position.
- Experience conducting research with populations outside the United States and Canada.
- Critical Thinking: Ability to think critically, problem-solve, modify approaches in consideration of practical concerns, and accept and adapt to sudden changes in client priorities.
- Analysis: Interpret and analyze research findings to identify patterns and trends that can be shared with others in a meaningful and understandable way.
- Independent Working: Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and to manage competing tasks, deadlines, requirements, and decisions.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to collaborate in lead and support roles, and the ability to communicate clearly both verbal and written.
- Project Organization: Proven ability to lead research projects through all phases of development. The ability to work with a variety of product teams to clearly define and translate research questions into a research plan and design as well as execute all necessary steps to provide high-quality research findings. Experience managing detailed projects is a plus.
- Instrument development and facilitation: Developing, conducting, and analyzing surveys, interviews, focus groups, usability tests, and observations. Engage participants as they interact with a variety of products, websites, and applications. This may be done either in-person or virtually.
- Presentation abilities: Strong presentation design skills with the ability to concisely communicate findings that are appropriate for a target audience.
- Mentoring: Ability to mentor and train others on research best practices and techniques.
- Cross-Cultural Thinking: Experience working in culturally and linguistically diverse audiences and settings is a plus.
- Deep Cultural Understanding: Deep understanding of a culture outside of the United States (e.g., more than serving a mission outside of the United States).
- Foreign Language Proficiency: Fluent language abilities in English and another language spoken by Church members is preferred.
- Technology Understanding: Skills with common communication, research and analysis tools like the Microsoft suite, Qualtrics, etc.
Flexible work arrangement that allows up to 4 of 5 days remote work each week. Must reside in Utah or near a Church Area office.
About Us
Church employees find joy and satisfaction in using their unique talents and abilities to further the Lord’s work. From the IT professional who develops an app that sends the gospel message worldwide, to the facilities manager who maintains our buildings— giving Church members places to worship, teach, learn, and receive sacred ordinances—our employees seek innovative ways to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. They are literally working in His kingdom.
Only members of the Church who are worthy of a temple recommend qualify for employment. Apart from this, the Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on any basis that would violate U.S. or local law.
Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, national origin, color, gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other legally protected categories that apply to the Church. The Church will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities.
