THE ROLE AND THE TEAM Location: Berlin Contract: Full-Time, limited contract [end date: 31.12.2025] Job Category: Product Design, User Research & UX Writing Experience Level: Professional Level Department: Zalando SE Reports to Design Manager Partner Tech Foundation Overall Team Size 25 product designers, content designers and user researchers within Partner Tech As a Zalando Principal User Researcher, you will materialise product strategy by generating, connecting, and communicating insights on customer and business problems at an organisation level. You will define cohesive research strategies, lead Product Management (PM) and Design through the research phases of the product development process and ensure applicability and impact of insights. You will impact a wide variety of products – from startup ventures to B2B solutions – in addition to Europe’s largest fashion portal. You will study a diverse range of customers, including high-profile fashion brands, style bloggers, internal users of enterprise software, and approximately 34 million consumers served by our flagship product. Zalando’s Product Insights and Design teams employ an evolving mix of traditional user-centred methodologies, Lean UX practices, and design thinking. Researchers work closely with designers and product managers to build the right solutions. User Researchers at Zalando collaborate with our Product Designers, Product Managers, and the rest of the community to determine what features to build, how they should behave, and incoming projects’ priorities. To be most effective, we also build strong relationships with other internal teams. INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN At Zalando, our vision is to be inclusive by design. And this vision starts with our hiring - we do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, personal expression, ethnicity, religious belief, or disability status. You are welcome to leave out your picture, age, or marital status from your application. We only assess candidates on their qualifications and merit. We want to provide you with a great candidate experience. Feel free to inform us of any accommodations you may need, so we can best support you throughout the hiring process. do.BETTER - our diversity & inclusion strategy: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/dobetter-our-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy Our employee resource groups: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/our-employee-resource-groups WHAT WE'D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND DOING) Plan large research initiatives that span multiple topics and/or markets & guides teams through them. Autonomously develop and drive high quality tooling or process strategies to maintain and scale the current and future tooling and process landscape for research success. Work across the org to influence specific cross-product customer experiences. Apply a diverse range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to facilitate a deep understanding of our partners Inspire your colleagues with your broad methodological toolbox and bend the boundaries between user research, analytics, behavioural economics and related disciplines Analyse and triangulate discrete data types (e.g. primary/secondary, attitudinal/behavioural, qualitative/quantitative) to deliver a single-source-of-truth to the business Guides PM, engineering, and design to translate research insights into customer and business value. Work with existing leadership to create a safe, collaborative and inclusive environment in (and beyond) the team. WE'D LOVE TO MEET IF YOU Communication. Your stellar storytelling skills allow you to deliver customer insights straight to your stakeholders’ hearts and brains. You’re a seasoned facilitator of engaging, impactful workshops. You are fluent in English and - ideally - at least one other European language (though not necessary). Strategy. You have previous experience advocating for and leading strategic research initiatives and the ability to pitch research findings to director-level stakeholders. Planning. You shape the research agenda. You plan and execute a wide variety of studies independently – interviews, diary studies, usability tests, surveys, workshops, etc. – across the entire product lifecycle. Methodology. You know when to do what, and why. You identify the key research questions, choose the best method(s), recruit the right people, lead interviews, and play a key role in synthesising and communicating insights. You have stellar quantitative and qualitative analysis skills. You master the art of creating surveys and interviews that lead to powerful insights. Prioritisation. You balance high-quality research with short deadlines and highly iterative cycles. Collaboration. You work well in multidisciplinary, international teams. OUR OFFER Zalando provides a range of benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect. Ask your Talent Acquisition Partner to learn more about what we offer. Employee shares program 40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Zalando Lounge, discounts from external partners 2 paid volunteering days a year Hybrid working model with 60% remote per week, actual practice is up to each team to best support their collaboration Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year 27 days of vacation a year to start Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement) Family services, including counseling and support Health and wellbeing options (including Gympass) Mental health support and coaching available Drive your development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review Learn all about Zalando and our values here: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/?gh_src22377bdd1us Please note that all applications must be completed using the online form - we do not accept applications via email.