> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3428776-research-associate-ux-designer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3428776-research-associate-ux-designer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Research Associate (UX Designer - **Company:** Vanderbilt University - **Location:** Nashville, TN, United States - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Data Analysis, Human-Computer Interaction, Figma - **Published:** September 1, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/cd104a59-8db6-495e-8ed0-5a288d9774c0 ## About the Role Necessary: Bachelor's degree and experience in UX design, UX research, or HCI Preferred: Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction. Experience with educational technology, co-design methods, and prototype development using tools such as Figma Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion ## Description The Research Associate (UX Designer), working within the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations at the Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, is an individual contributor responsible for supporting the design and evaluation of teacher-centered adaptive goal-setting tools for educational technology. This position conducts UX research activities including co-design sessions, teacher interviews, and prototype evaluation, and contributes to the creation of design specifications and research protocols. Reporting directly to Professor Conrad Borchers, the Research Associate (UX Designer) collaborates with the Vanderbilt LAPS Lab research team and external partners (including but not limited to partner schools). The Research Associate (UX Designer) will create research protocols, consent forms, and interview guides for teacher co-design sessions, and other project-relevant deliverables as needed. They will design preliminary design probes and low-fidelity prototypes for structured teacher feedback, among others. They will support IRB documentation and study materials preparation. They will contribute to data analysis and the development of design recommendations and implementation roadmaps as well as dissemination of research findings. This position is Remote and the individual should expect to be in the office 0 days a week. This position will require Domestic travel around 10% over the course of the temporary assignment. This is a term position expected to last 6 months and start on September 28, 2026, with a weekly commitment of 20 hours. About the Work Unit: The Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations increases understanding and guides improvements in human learning and outcomes, in the political, economic, organizational, social, legal and regulatory contexts in which human development occurs. Trained in the fields of sociology, economics, education, history, political science, public policy, psychology, organizational behavior, and more, faculty apply multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to research, teaching and public service. We purposefully cultivate an inclusive environment for faculty, lecturers, students and staff to excel intellectually and engage socially in the department. This is reflected in our exceptionally strong portfolio of research projects, external funding and highly active research centers, as well as in our top-notch interactive teaching. With a genealogy dating to a one-room Nashville schoolhouse in 1785, Peabody College today is a world- class college of education and human development. Our mission is to enhance the human condition, with a particular focus on children's learning and development. We do this as we always have, through the preparation of teachers and leaders; through cycles of research, implementation, and refinement; through service to families, schools, and communities; and through external engagement with professionals, leaders, and policymakers. Peabody's focus on learning differences has helped to define the college, as has a reputation for empirical rigor in educational neuroscience; child, family, and community development; special education; the learning sciences; and educational leadership and policy. Peabody is devoted to creating opportunity in an increasingly diverse society and to solving large societal problems. Duties and Responsibilities * Create and manage IRB documentation including subfolder organization, protocol drafts, and consent form templates based on Vanderbilt's institutional requirements * Develop semi-structured interview protocols for 30-60-minute teacher sessions exploring current goal-setting practices, use of learning analytics, and desired teacher controls * Design preliminary, representative design probes including low-fidelity and clickable prototypes for adaptive goal policies, teacher workflows, student-facing progress visualizations, and reward mechanisms * Support data analysis from teacher interviews and co-design sessions to inform design recommendations and support dissemination * Support research implementation through domestic travel to partner schools and related organizations, including research data collection on-site Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to Professor Conrad Borchers.