Senior UX Researcher, Machine Learning

📋 Description

• • As a Senior User Experience Researcher at Etsy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our machine learning systems, which are integral to core user experiences like Search, Recommendations, and Ads. Your primary mission will be to bridge the gap between complex data science and genuine human insight, ensuring that our algorithms not only perform efficiently but also resonate deeply with the needs and desires of our diverse global community of buyers and sellers.
• • You will be instrumental in designing and executing comprehensive research strategies that blend sophisticated quantitative analysis with compelling qualitative storytelling. This will involve delving into how users interact with Etsy’s ML-powered features, employing methods such as data-driven segmentation, in-depth journey mapping, and insightful survey analysis to uncover critical user behaviors and perceptions.
• • A key aspect of your role will be close collaboration with Machine Learning Engineers and Data Scientists. You will act as a crucial liaison, identifying specific areas where human insights can directly inform and enhance the training, evaluation, and ongoing optimization of our machine learning models. This partnership is essential for building more effective and user-centric AI.
• • You will conduct deep dives into user interpretation of algorithmic outputs, including search results, personalized recommendations, and ad placements. The goal is to understand how these systems align with user intent, meet their expectations, and ultimately contribute to a delightful discovery experience on Etsy.
• • Your research will involve synthesizing attitudinal data, gathered through methods like interviews, usability studies, and surveys, with rich behavioral and analytics data. This holistic approach will enable you to pinpoint high-impact opportunities for improving our ML models and the user experience they drive.
• • You will be responsible for developing robust evaluation frameworks. These frameworks will need to seamlessly integrate quantitative metrics, such as relevance, engagement, and fairness, with qualitative measures of the human experience, including trust, satisfaction, and overall delight.
• • A significant part of your contribution will be communicating your findings. You will transform complex data, user quotes, and emerging trends into clear, actionable guidance for cross-functional partners, including product managers, designers, and engineers, through engaging and persuasive storytelling.
• • This role offers the opportunity to work on systems that influence nearly every buyer and seller interaction on Etsy. You will explore how customers engage with algorithms, fostering a deeper understanding of their search behaviors, browsing patterns, and their trust in the information presented.
• • You will contribute to ensuring that our ML models accurately reflect the diversity, creativity, and authenticity that define the Etsy community, making the platform a more human and trustworthy place for commerce.
• • The position reports to the Product Research Manager and is based in the United States, with a preference for candidates in the San Francisco Bay Area or within commuting distance of our Brooklyn Office Hub. Depending on proximity, a hybrid work model requiring one to two days per week in the office may be implemented.
• • You will be empowered to lead research initiatives, driving impact and influencing product decisions within a dynamic, data-rich environment. Your work will directly contribute to the evolution of Etsy's core technologies and the enhancement of the user journey for millions worldwide.