Research Lead, Wirecutter
United States · New York, NY · USD 150,000-165,000 / year · 1+ years experience · Posted Oct 2, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 1+ years experience
- Location
- United States · New York, NY
- Salary
- USD 150,000-165,000 / year · Base salary
About the role
- The Research Lead will guide end-to-end research projects to inform Wirecutter's strategy and shopping-centric product development.
- This role involves partnering with Design, Product, Engineering, Marketing, Data, and Editorial teams to connect visitors to Wirecutter across the full shopping experience.
- The position reports to the Managing Director, Games and Wirecutter Audience Insights.
Responsibilities
- Lead research through a human-centered design approach to identify opportunity areas.
- Test prototypes, create surveys, and run alpha and beta programs.
- Evaluate impact on trust and relationships with Wirecutter.
- Complement research with behavioral data, proprietary and industry research, and A/B testing results.
- Partner with researchers across Marketing, Cooking, News Product, The Athletic, and Games to identify collaboration opportunities.
- Manage external research vendors for moderation, fieldwork, and analysis.
- Contribute to the collaborative culture of Audience Insights and Wirecutter.
- Build empathy for audiences and support the mission of journalistic independence.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in a relevant field.
- 8+ years of research and insights experience.
- 8+ years of experience implementing a range of research methods (qualitative and quantitative) and design thinking techniques.
- 3+ years of experience in the e-commerce industry or shopping experiences.
- 3+ years of experience moderating qualitative research and facilitating brainstorms and workshops.
- 3+ years of experience summarizing complex findings into compelling narratives and visualizing insights.
Preferred qualifications
- 4+ years of experience in the e-commerce industry or shopping experiences.
- 2+ years of experience working on a product with a subscription-based model.
- 2+ years of experience using behavioral data alongside research.
- Experience creating buy-in with cross-functional partners.
- 1+ years understanding the role of AI within the shopping experience.
Benefits
- Annual bonus
- Restricted stock
- Medical, dental and vision benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s)
- Company-matching 401(k) plan
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Paid vacation
- Paid sick days
- Paid parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development programs
Skills
- Qualitative Research
- Design Thinking
- A/B Testing
