At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Researchers at AKQA apply rigor and curiosity to strategic insights, designing and conducting studies that reveal how people think, feel, and behave. They translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights, working within multidisciplinary environments to ensure work is grounded in real customer needs and delivers measurable impact. These skilled storytellers and conceptors are adept at uncovering the human truths that shape experiences, creating and bringing to life beautiful ideas that delight customers and deliver results for clients.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Freelance UX Researcher with a strong foundation in UX research for complex digital product systems. This is an exciting opportunity to apply your expertise and proactively shape research initiatives for a leading quick-serve restaurant brand. In this role, you will play a critical part in understanding and improving the digital experiences that affect millions of customers and team members across thousands of restaurants. You will be instrumental in defining and driving the end-to-end research methodology and delivery, working across multi-step, multi-lane journeys that impact millions of people. You will proactively frame the right questions, pioneer effective methods, and champion innovative approaches to turn evidence into compelling stories that inspire exceptional design and confident decision-making.

This is a freelance role for approximately 10 weeks, from February 16th to April 30th, 2026, with an opportunity for extension.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• 3–5 years of experience conducting UX research for digital products, services, or platforms.
• Proven expertise in independently planning, executing, and synthesizing a full spectrum of generative and evaluative research (e.g., stakeholder interviews, in‑depth user interviews, contextual inquiry, concept testing, usability testing), championing innovative best practices.
• Demonstrated experience owning the end-to-end research lifecycle, from independently defining strategic objectives and crafting robust study plans, to managing recruitment and logistics with meticulous detail.
• Ability to strategically select, advocate for, and skillfully apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods, making informed tradeoffs to achieve project goals. A proactive desire to explore, integrate, and even pioneer novel research approaches is essential.
• Exceptional ability to synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable insights, frameworks, and strategic recommendations (e.g., personas, journey maps, opportunity areas, insight decks) that directly drive significant product and design decisions and demonstrate tangible business value for the client.
• Experience influencing and partnering strategically with UX/UI designers, product managers, strategists, and engineers in agile environments, effectively evangelizing research findings and user-centered approaches.
• Comfort working within complex systems (e.g., multi-channel journeys, enterprise tools, portals, or service ecosystems), with a focus on simplifying and humanizing the experience for users.
• Ability to confidently lead and facilitate workshops and working sessions with stakeholders and cross‑functional teams (e.g., discovery sessions, assumption mapping, ideation, prioritization).
• Strong storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate and persuasively advocate for findings to different audiences—design teams, business stakeholders, and executives, driving consensus and action.
• Familiarity with common research and collaboration tools (e.g., UserTesting or similar platforms, survey tools, whiteboarding tools such as FigJam/Miro, and documentation tools), with an interest in exploring and proposing new tools to enhance project capabilities.
• Understanding of core UX and interaction design principles, and how research insights translate into flows, features, and UI decisions.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (such as HCI, psychology, anthropology, sociology, design, or related discipline), or equivalent practical experience.
• Availability to work core business hours aligned to U.S. Eastern Time (ET), with flexibility for collaboration across additional time zones as needed.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Deep curiosity about people—motivations, behaviors, and contexts—and a passion for turning that understanding into better experiences.
• A proactive and influential advocate for user‑centered thinking, able to strategically balance user needs with business goals and technical realities.
• Comfortable with ambiguity; demonstrating an entrepreneurial mindset by identifying opportunities, framing new challenges, and bringing structure, focus, and clarity to open‑ended problems.
• Exceptional written, visual, and verbal communication skills, with an ability to make complex information accessible and engaging.
• Collaborative and inclusive, building trust with stakeholders and teammates while constructively challenging assumptions.
• Methodical and detail‑oriented in research execution, while pragmatic about timelines and constraints, and continuously seeking ways to optimize and innovate processes.
• An entrepreneurial innovator, you proactively identify knowledge gaps, propose strategic research opportunities, and champion the continuous evolution of research methodologies. Eager to experiment with and integrate new tools, methods, and emerging technologies, you consistently elevate the quality, efficiency, and impact of research delivery for the client and project.

Hybrid Expectation & Compensation

This position is for 40 hours/week, with an expected compensation of $3,200 - $4,400 per week. The role requires the candidate to be on the client’s campus 1-2 days a week typically. Lunch and snacks are provided. Additionally, there will be opportunities to visit restaurants for research studies and innovation insights.

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.