Lead Design Researcher (M/F/X)

Location: Obernai, France

Company

hirify.global Group develops products, services and experiences for the electrical world.

What you will do

• Lead complex research programmes from defining the research vision and planning through fieldwork, synthesis and activation across products, services, systems and customer experiences.
• Conduct exploratory, generative and evaluative research using qualitative and contextual methods, including observation, ethnography, contextual inquiry and shadowing.
• Translate behaviours, motivations and unmet needs into actionable insights, opportunities and recommendations for product, service, portfolio and roadmap decisions.
• Identify patterns and emerging opportunities across customer segments and business models to inform strategy, design and development.
• Coordinate and coach team members, strengthening methodological rigour, synthesis quality, research capabilities and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate with Design, Product, Engineering and other functions while contributing expertise in Service Design, Design Strategy or Business Strategy.

Requirements

• 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 related fields, including applied Anthropology, Service Design, Strategic UX Research or Innovation Strategy, with professional experience applying research.
• Deep expertise in qualitative, exploratory and contextual research, with hands-on experience in real-world user 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 and coordinating and coaching multiple contributors.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and influencing skills in an international and multidisciplinary environment.
• C1-level English required.

Nice to have

• C1-level German is strongly preferred.
• Other European languages.
• Complementary expertise in Service Design, Design Strategy, Business Strategy or Innovation Strategy.

Culture & Benefits

• Permanent contract.
• Personalized onboarding programme.
• Learning and development opportunities through hirify.global Group's Hi University.
• Internal career opportunities; over 25% of recruitments are through internal mobility.

Hiring process

• Initial phone exchange with a recruiter after CV selection.
• First interview with the hiring manager and recruiter.
• Second interview with the N+2 and HR manager.