Senior UX Designer at PLOS

Job Description

This position is fully remote/home based. Applications will be accepted from candidates based in the following US states: FL, IL, MA, MD, NY, PA, TX, VA
Please submit your portfolio with your application.

Role Summary

PLOS is a nonprofit organization on a mission to drive open science forward with measurable, meaningful change in research publishing, policy, and practice. We believe in a better future where science is open to all, for all.

We’re seeking a Senior UX Designer who thrives on problem-solving and refining experiences through research, data, and testing, a product-focused thinker with a passion for understanding the “why” behind design decisions and their impact on customers and business. A highly self-motivated individual, who will make confident decisions and take ownership of projects from concept to implementation.⁠

Responsibilities

Take ownership in the areas you are working on from discovery to delivery, with a focus on putting the user first
Use prototyping to test and visualize hypotheses as a crucial part of experimenting and learning with the team and stakeholders
Work closely with Product Managers to define problems, scope, and hypotheses
Partner with engineers to ensure your designs are feasible and implemented with precision
Establish and maintain visual consistency across all touch points
Collaborate with engineers, drawing inspiration from their expertise to experiment and solve problems
Collaborate with the Head of UX & Design to establish the in-house design function

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Proven ability as a Senior UX Designer
Evidence of working in an agile development environment alongside Product Managers, subject-matter experts, researchers, content designers, and developers to design and build new digital services
Proven industry experience in applying design knowledge—graphic design, interaction design, and service design—to real-world applications
Able to demonstrate experience and skills in:
designing user interfaces
designing and fulfilling user needs
designing and building a new digital service
Capable of demonstrating knowledge of graphic design, including web typography, progressive disclosure, hierarchy, color use, and the role of imagery and iconography
Experience in effectively collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, ensuring design decisions are grounded in evidence-based user research and a thorough understanding of user journeys
Experience in simplifying complex data and information into clear and understandable forms for users
Evidence of working to WCAG 2.1/2.2 standards
Design skill application

Can demonstrate end-to-end “design ownership” across different phases of a relevant production process
Skilled in designing systems for use across multiple services and adept at identifying the simplest solution from a range of alternatives
Demonstrated ability to integrate standards into team projects
Show the importance of constraints, clearly communicating them to both design and non-design team members, and developing solutions that respect these limitations
Experience of acting independently and taking action when dealing with uncertain situations or optimizing opportunities

Desirable

Experience in contributing to design systems, including patterns, components, and elements
Experience of using data visualizations to communicate quantitative information quickly
Experience of iterating design patterns
Proven ability to think strategically and take steps toward achieving strategic goals

Qualifications

Degree in design, human-computer interaction (HCI), or related field (or equivalent industry training/experience)

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This remote position requires the ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods and maintain clear visual acuity when viewing computer screens.

The base salary range we’ve established for these positions is (US): $105,000-$145,000. PLOS also offers a comprehensive benefits package summarized below.

Benefits

US:

401k with employer match
Employee sponsored health, dental and vision insurance (Dental and Vision 100% employer paid)
Paid Vacation, 11 public holidays and sick leave
Parental leave
Birthday and three winter holidays days off
Short term and long term disability insurance
2 days paid time off for volunteering per year
Fully remote work environment with stipend on joining for home office

To learn more about how PLOS protects your privacy, see our Employee Privacy Notice.

Benefits found in job post

401(k)
Vision insurance
Disability insurance