UX Researcher at MathWorks
NOTE: The details of my work at MathWorks are confidential thus I have limited the descriptions to my role and responsibilities.
Joining MathWorks in its Engineering Development Group in July 2021 gave me the opportunity to explore various teams and job roles. During this time, I was introduced to the principles of user experience and discovered my underlying passion for them.
Although some might describe my career trajectory as "unconventional," I successfully developed the necessary skills and transitioned full-time into the incredible UX team at MathWorks in February 2022. In this role, I supported five major toolboxes in the MATLAB ecosystem: LIDAR Toolbox, UAV Toolbox, Navigation Toolbox, Robotics System Toolbox, and RoadRunner. Additionally, I contributed to the User Profile Core Working Group, where I played a key role in the organization-wide rollout of product-specific profiles.
During my second stint at MathWorks, based out of their headquarters in Natick, MA, I joined a team focused on discovery work exploring potential applications of Generative AI within the MATLAB ecosystem. This experience not only allowed me to immerse myself in cutting-edge technologies but also further honed my skills as a researcher.
Overall, my time at MathWorks has been instrumental in my growth as a mixed-methods researcher. I have acquired foundational research skills while learning the importance of community engagement. My studies span interactions with both customer-facing engineers and end users. As the sole researcher on a wide range of projects, I have worked on initiatives aimed at enhancing existing workflows as well as launching new applications.
Roles and Responsibilities
1. Working with the development team to understand objectives and plan research with them
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Gathering research requirements from the development team
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Scoping out research activities for impact
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Crafting research plan in collaboration with stakeholders
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Defining timeline and outcomes
2. Conduct Qualitative/Quantitative Research through a variety of methods while engaging the stakeholders
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Choosing methodology and methods.
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Participant screening and recruitment, getting informed consent.
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Interviews, surveys. usability tests, workflow demo, heuristic analysis, PURE method.
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Stakeholder participation in interviews and analysis.
3. Share out the research findings in often creative ways and help teams turn insights into action items
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Insights presentation through report outs, decks and Miro boards
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Appropriate documentation of methods and findings for future consumption
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Prioritising and tracking action items from research
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4. Evangelise research, democratize UX, mentor upcoming researchers
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Guiding teams in creating their own research plans, discussion guides, recruitment and analysis
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Delivering skill sessions on the importance of building User Profiles
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Hiring and mentoring new researchers
Projects
During my time at MathWorks, I have been part of the following projects:
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Generative Research to understand potential application areas of GenerativeAI within MATLAB ecosystem of applications (particularly wireless communications)
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Exploration of how people use the MathWorks Help Center and recommending suggestions for a better user experience
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Requirement analysis and workflow design for LIDAR Mesh App (New Application)
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Workflow Analysis to understand the pain-points and lay out product roadmap for the Flight Log Analyzer application
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Requirement Analysis, Feature Prioritization and workflow design for Scenario Variants App (New Application)
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Collating customer feedback on VIO workflows for the Navigation Toolbox
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Improving workflow for LIDAR Viewer App by carrying out a Usability Study
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Understanding mental models of a new feature, "addScan" in LIDAR Toolbox to lay foundations for its naming and surrounding terminology.