Regional Design Researcher

Position Summary

The Design Researcher informs and inspires imagination through uncovering true user needs, motivations and aspirations. From working with agencies to actual fieldwork, the Design Researcher connects the dots from contextual data points and create opportunities for ideation. Upon receiving the project brief, the Design Researcher works closely with various stakeholders (Director, Project Leads and Project Commissioner) to define the research goals and parameters. Upon confirmation of the project, the Design Researcher see the project through from start to end, leading in the research phase and participating in the ideation sessions, contributing to the full project cycle.

Role and Responsibilities
- As part of the project team, lead insights research to develop opportunities that feeds into the New Concept Development (NCD) projects.
- Support in regional (Southeast Asia & Oceania) lifestyle research, in line with global strategy and local context.
- Be responsible for structuring human-cantered research using various methodologies to uncover key insights, to inspire and inform product innovation across Samsung's portfolio.
- Work with and manage cross functional team members (both internal and external) in a collaborative way, to get from insight to executable innovations.
- Lead and support quantitative and qualitative testing/validation studies across the various Innovation programs; leading and guiding agencies through creation of research brief, alignment on research guides and synthesis and consolidation of final report.
- Be a champion for insights and consumer focus within the innovation process. Lead the understanding and collation of new trends, lifestyles and behaviours within PIT to create hypotheses for commissioned or self-initiated projects. Work with the project team throughout the innovation process to develop market driven concepts, driven by functional value proposition that answers real user needs.

Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent; major in Psychology, Statistics, Anthropology, Sociology, Marketing, Applied Design or related field is preferred
- 3-5 years combined experience across research, innovation and/or design competences with 2-3 years of research specific competence
- Good understanding and experience across wide range of research methods including ethnography, qualitative and quantitative approaches; Hands-on practitioner familiar with a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods (ethnography, groups, survey etc.) - with a preference for qualitative specialist with depth of online/offline fieldwork experience
- Ability to scope, design, and adapt research approaches from scratch to address specific innovation questions across varying levels of uncertainty, resourcing, and fidelity
- Experienced and confident in designing, planning, and facilitating workshops (ideation, etc.)
- Ability to analyse, prioritize and communicate market and user-research insights into compelling stories that support concept explorations, directions and presentation
- Work collaboratively and manage stakeholders at various levels in different locations to discuss, influence and align on project scope and required outcome
- Can demonstrate deeply-informed and self-aware opinions on technology, culture, and social trends, referencing but also looking beyond contemporary discourse
- Exceptional drive for curiosity, insight and empathy
- Strong understanding and demonstration of user experience practices - from user behavioural to innovation solutions
- Experience in field research across Southeast Asia with good general understanding of Southeast Asian consumer mind-set and behaviour
- Frequent and sometimes ad hoc travel (typically Korea and within Southeast Asia & Oceania)
- Experience in foresight innovation is a plus; identifying and translating regional signals into trends for meaningful future innovation

LI-SEAO #LI-MidSenior