What Does a Lead UX Researcher (12 Month Fixed Term Contract) Do? Complete Guide 2025
Understanding the Lead UX Researcher Role
A Lead UX Researcher on a 12-month fixed term contract is a senior-level professional responsible for guiding user experience research initiatives, managing research teams, and translating user insights into actionable product strategies. This temporary but strategic position typically arises during organizational transitions, product launches, maternity cover, or specific project cycles.
Unlike permanent roles, fixed-term contracts offer companies flexibility while providing professionals with focused project experience and often competitive compensation packages.
Core Responsibilities
Strategic Research Leadership
- Research Strategy Development: Create comprehensive research roadmaps aligned with business objectives and product timelines
- Methodology Selection: Determine appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods for various product challenges
- Stakeholder Management: Present findings to C-suite executives, product managers, and design teams
- Research Operations: Establish processes, tools, and frameworks for efficient research execution
Team Management and Mentorship
- Lead and mentor junior UX researchers and research coordinators
- Conduct performance reviews and provide professional development guidance
- Distribute research projects across team members based on skills and capacity
- Foster a culture of user-centricity throughout the organization
Hands-On Research Execution
- User Interviews: Conduct in-depth interviews with target users to understand needs, pain points, and behaviors
- Usability Testing: Design and facilitate moderated and unmoderated testing sessions
- Survey Research: Create and analyze surveys using tools like Conjointly, Qualtrics, or UserTesting
- Field Studies: Conduct contextual inquiries and ethnographic research
- A/B Testing: Design experiments and interpret results for data-driven decisions
- Card Sorting & Tree Testing: Optimize information architecture
Analysis and Synthesis
- Analyze research data using both qualitative coding and quantitative statistical methods
- Create user personas, journey maps, and experience blueprints
- Identify patterns and insights that inform product strategy
- Develop actionable recommendations with clear implementation paths
Essential Skills and Qualifications
Technical Competencies
- Research Tools: Proficiency with platforms like Conjointly for survey research, UserZoom, Optimal Workshop, Dovetail, and Miro
- Analytics: Experience with Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude
- Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD
- Statistical Analysis: Understanding of research methodologies and statistical significance
Soft Skills
- Exceptional communication and presentation abilities
- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Empathy and user advocacy
- Collaboration across cross-functional teams
- Adaptability in fast-paced environments
Typical Requirements
- 5-8+ years of UX research experience
- 2-3+ years in a leadership or senior role
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in HCI, Psychology, Anthropology, or related field
- Portfolio demonstrating research impact on product outcomes
Why Companies Hire Fixed-Term Lead UX Researchers
Common Scenarios
- Product Launch Cycles: Major product releases requiring intensive research support
- Organizational Transformation: Companies establishing or scaling UX research practices
- Maternity/Parental Leave Coverage: Temporary replacement for permanent staff
- Project-Based Work: Specific initiatives like redesigns or market expansion
- Budget Flexibility: Testing team structures before committing to permanent headcount
Benefits for Professionals
- Focused Experience: Deep dive into specific challenges or industries
- Networking: Build connections across organizations
- Flexibility: Opportunity to work on diverse projects
- Competitive Compensation: Often includes premium rates for contract work
- Conversion Potential: Many fixed-term roles convert to permanent positions
Salary Expectations by Market and Seniority
Salaries for Lead UX Researchers on fixed-term contracts typically match or exceed permanent role compensation, often including contract premiums:
| Market | Mid-Level Lead | Senior Lead | Principal Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore (SGD) | 110,000-140,000 | 140,000-180,000 | 180,000-230,000 |
| United States (USD) | 130,000-165,000 | 165,000-210,000 | 210,000-280,000 |
| Canada (CAD) | 115,000-145,000 | 145,000-185,000 | 185,000-240,000 |
| Australia (AUD) | 135,000-170,000 | 170,000-215,000 | 215,000-275,000 |
| Philippines (PHP) | 1,800,000-2,400,000 | 2,400,000-3,200,000 | 3,200,000-4,500,000 |
| Thailand (THB) | 1,600,000-2,100,000 | 2,100,000-2,800,000 | 2,800,000-3,800,000 |
| United Kingdom (GBP) | 65,000-85,000 | 85,000-110,000 | 110,000-145,000 |
| Germany (EUR) | 75,000-95,000 | 95,000-120,000 | 120,000-155,000 |
| France (EUR) | 70,000-90,000 | 90,000-115,000 | 115,000-150,000 |
| Netherlands (EUR) | 72,000-92,000 | 92,000-118,000 | 118,000-152,000 |
Note: Figures represent annual base salary ranges. Contract roles may include additional benefits or higher hourly/daily rates.
Day-to-Day Activities
A typical week for a Lead UX Researcher might include:
Monday: Team standup, stakeholder meetings to align on research priorities, review research requests
Tuesday: Conduct user interviews, mentor junior researcher on study design
Wednesday: Analyze research data, create insights presentation using Conjointly survey results
Thursday: Present findings to product leadership, collaborate with designers on wireframes
Friday: Strategic planning, documentation, and research operations improvements
Career Progression and Next Steps
After a Fixed-Term Contract
- Permanent Conversion: Many contracts lead to permanent offers
- Senior Leadership: Progress to Director or Head of Research roles
- Specialization: Focus on specific research areas (quantitative, qualitative, strategic)
- Consulting: Leverage experience for independent consulting
- Product Management: Transition into product leadership roles
Tips for Success in Fixed-Term Roles
- Hit the Ground Running: Quickly understand organizational context and priorities
- Document Everything: Create frameworks and processes that outlast your contract
- Build Relationships: Network extensively for future opportunities
- Show Impact: Quantify research influence on product decisions and business metrics
- Be Strategic: Focus on high-impact research that demonstrates value
- Communicate Proactively: Keep stakeholders informed of progress and findings
Conclusion
A Lead UX Researcher on a 12-month fixed-term contract plays a pivotal role in shaping user-centered products while providing strategic research leadership. This position offers an excellent opportunity for experienced researchers to make significant impact, gain diverse experience, and potentially transition into permanent roles. Whether you’re considering accepting such a position or hiring for one, understanding the unique dynamics of fixed-term leadership roles ensures successful outcomes for both organizations and professionals.
The combination of strategic thinking, hands-on research skills, and leadership abilities makes this role both challenging and rewarding, with competitive compensation reflecting the specialized expertise required.