What are the responsibilities and job description for the User Experience Specialist position at Pew Research Center?
Organization Overview
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It does not take policy positions. The Center conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, computational social science research and other data-driven research. It studies politics and policy; news habits and media; the internet and technology; religion; race and ethnicity; international affairs; social, demographic and economic trends; science; research methodology and data science; and immigration and migration. Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. The Center’s work is carried out by a staff of 180.
Position Summary
The User Experience (UX) Specialist is a key member of Pew Research Center’s digital team.
This role focuses on improving the usability, accessibility, and engagement of Pew’s digital products—particularly the Center’s primary website and interactive data features.
The UX Specialist will plan and conduct user research, translate findings into actionable design recommendations, and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to create intuitive and inclusive user experiences. The ideal candidate brings a mix of analytical thinking, creativity, and a strong understanding of user-centered design principles. This position reports to the Associate Director, Design and Production.
Primary Responsibilities
Knowledge, Skill, and Workplace
Compensation: The typical starting salary for this position is $75,000 annually.
Hybrid Work Schedule: Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.
Application Procedure: Click on the Apply button, and complete required fields. A complete application includes a cover letter, resume, and work samples (portfolio demonstrating UX research and design skills – can be attached OR linked to electronically in resume).
When requested, please upload a copy of your resume/cv, as well as a copy of your cover letter and work samples (if attachments) in the section labeled Resume/Cover Letter. If the documents have successfully uploaded, you should see 2 attached files beneath the “Drop files here” box. Please make sure you have uploaded a resume AND a cover letter before moving on to the next page.
Total Rewards
In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes:
Pew Research Center makes employment decisions without regard to age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. We encourage applications from candidates who represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It does not take policy positions. The Center conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, computational social science research and other data-driven research. It studies politics and policy; news habits and media; the internet and technology; religion; race and ethnicity; international affairs; social, demographic and economic trends; science; research methodology and data science; and immigration and migration. Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. The Center’s work is carried out by a staff of 180.
Position Summary
The User Experience (UX) Specialist is a key member of Pew Research Center’s digital team.
This role focuses on improving the usability, accessibility, and engagement of Pew’s digital products—particularly the Center’s primary website and interactive data features.
The UX Specialist will plan and conduct user research, translate findings into actionable design recommendations, and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to create intuitive and inclusive user experiences. The ideal candidate brings a mix of analytical thinking, creativity, and a strong understanding of user-centered design principles. This position reports to the Associate Director, Design and Production.
Primary Responsibilities
- Plan, conduct, analyze, and present results from user research such as usability testing and user interviews.
- Make information architecture and design recommendations based on UX principles, user needs, accessibility standards and user research findings.
- Create wireframes, prototypes and design specifications as needed.
- Consult with the designers, engineers, producers and researchers on a variety of interactive data visualizations, webpages, navigation menus, and other user interfaces.
- Gather and distribute user interaction data from our published reports.
- Assist in developing and maintaining website taxonomy and metadata to improve content organization and findability.
- Lead UX strategy discussions and support long-term digital initiatives.
- 3-5 years of professional experience requiring user research (planning, conducting, analyzing) and/or UX design as one of the primary responsibilities.
- A bachelor’s degree or higher with primary area of study in Human Computer Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Information Design/Architecture, Interaction Design, User-Centered Design, or a similar discipline.
- Portfolio showcasing user research, wireframes, prototypes and/or research projects demonstrating careful thought and in-depth knowledge of user experience design principles.
Knowledge, Skill, and Workplace
- Solid understanding of human factors, usability heuristics, and user experience design principles
- Understand and consistently apply the principles and best practices of accessibility and universal usability standards
- Experience researching specific audience types and adapting design for specific needs, goals, traits, and preferences
- Mature and excellent communication skills (especially listening) required
- Knowledge of prototyping tools, such as Figma, a plus
- Knowledge of basic SEO principles and techniques (for example, optimizing page titles), a plus
- Knowledge of Adobe products including Illustrator and Photoshop, a plus.
Compensation: The typical starting salary for this position is $75,000 annually.
Hybrid Work Schedule: Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.
Application Procedure: Click on the Apply button, and complete required fields. A complete application includes a cover letter, resume, and work samples (portfolio demonstrating UX research and design skills – can be attached OR linked to electronically in resume).
When requested, please upload a copy of your resume/cv, as well as a copy of your cover letter and work samples (if attachments) in the section labeled Resume/Cover Letter. If the documents have successfully uploaded, you should see 2 attached files beneath the “Drop files here” box. Please make sure you have uploaded a resume AND a cover letter before moving on to the next page.
Total Rewards
In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes:
- Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits.
- Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
- Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans
- Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year.
- A 37.5-hour workweek.
- Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component.
- Flexibility to telework a portion of each week, with an additional four telework “flex weeks” each year for most staff.
Pew Research Center makes employment decisions without regard to age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. We encourage applications from candidates who represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
Salary : $75,000