Research Lead, Wirecutter

New York, NY · USD 150,000-165,000 / year · 1+ years experience · Posted Oct 2, 2026

At a glance

We are looking for a Research Lead with experience ensuring that shopping-centric insights are at the heart of product development.
You will lead a variety of end-to-end research projects that inform Wirecutter's strategy, focusing on connecting visitors to Wirecutter across the full shopping experience.
Your research will inform audience strategy, content prioritization, and the Wirecutter Store, acting as an important partner with Design, Product, Engineering, Marketing, Data, and Editorial.

Lead research through a human-centered design approach to identify opportunity areas, alongside Product, Design, and Editorial teams
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 to provide a holistic view of our users
Be a resource and partner to researchers across Marketing, Cooking, News Product, The Athletic and Games to identify opportunities to collaborate and avoid duplicative product work
Manage external research vendors to support moderation, fieldwork, and analysis, ensuring high-quality and efficient project execution
Contribute to the collaborative culture of Audience Insights and Wirecutter; help The New York Times understand, and build empathy for, our audiences
Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world

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 based on the problem to be solved
3+ years of experience in the e-commerce industry, or shopping experiences
3+ years of experience moderating qualitative research and facilitating brainstorms and workshops with partners
3+ years of experience summarizing complex findings into compelling narratives and visualize insights for diverse audiences with actionable insights

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 (either qualitative or quantitative) to provide a holistic picture
Experience creating buy-in with cross-functional partners
1+ years understanding the role of AI within the shopping experience