Staff Product Designer, Publishing

About Us 

Academia.edu is a venture-backed, for-profit, and profitable company based in San Francisco. We are recognized as the world’s leading platform for researchers and scholars to share work, discover research, and connect with academics globally. Our bold vision is to democratize and accelerate the world's research, enhancing the speed of scientific discovery and technological progress for the benefit of everyone. We imagine a world where accessing academic papers is effortless, keeping track of cutting-edge research is seamless and collaborating with researchers is easier than ever before. Our platform empowers millions of scholars worldwide to push the boundaries of human understanding. We believe in the power of knowledge to change lives and the world, and our commitment to this mission drives everything we do.

Join us as we continue to redefine what's possible in the world of research. Discover careers that challenge, inspire and propel you toward a future where your ideas can truly change the world. At Academia.edu, we're not just shaping the future of research—we're shaping the future of possibilities.

Please note that this role is in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Our office comes alive on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays! Three times a week, our Bay Area team gathers in our office located in San Francisco's Financial District (580 California St) for All Hands meetings, collaborative sessions, innovation-driven brainstorming, and events that bring us closer together. Our space has everything we need—from cozy rooms for 1:1 mentoring and focused work to larger rooms designed for team activities.

Your Role: Staff Product Designer on the Publishing Team

As a Staff Product Designer on the Publishing Team, you will play a pivotal role in designing the entire article publishing service for all of Academia’s journals. You will create intuitive workflows for a range of user segments, including Academic Authors, Peer Reviewers, and Editors. Collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers, you will define and implement innovative product strategies, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as AI. The projects you’ll engage with are complex and substantial in scale, offering ample opportunities to make a significant impact and advance your design skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Leadership & Strategy

- Proactively identify and champion product opportunities for the Publishing business and user segments (academic authors, peer reviewers, and editors).

- Advocate for user-centric design principles, UX frameworks, and best practices within the Publishing Team and the broader organization.

- Mentor and guide junior designers, nurturing their growth within the field of Product Design.

Design Execution

- Design and optimize end-to-end workflows for the article publishing service.

- Create designs that effectively address user needs and that are highly optimized to move key metrics. Utilize AI and other advanced technologies to enhance user experience and streamline processes.

- Conduct quantitative A/B tests and iterate on designs based on test results.

- Solicit feedback from the Product Manager and the Design Team to refine and improve design iterations.

- Conduct user interviews to gather valuable feedback and insights on designs and user experiences.

Collaboration

- Partner closely with the Product Manager and cross-functional teams to align on the product roadmap and UX requirements.

- Collaborate with Data Analysts to analyze user data and test results, translating findings into actionable insights to inform design decisions.

- Work closely with Engineers to ensure the smooth implementation of design solutions.

- Engage in regular design feedback sessions with the Design Team, fostering a culture of collaboration and improvement.

- Contribute to the refinement of design tools and processes, optimizing productivity and effectiveness.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of overall design experience.
• Proven end-to-end design ability (UX strategy and design execution)
• Proven ability to design large complex products with positive results. 
• Solid understanding of design patterns, usability principles, and ethical design practices.
• Proven ability to conduct user research and gather feedback to inform design decisions and iterate on solutions.
• Experience with quantitative A/B testing methodologies and optimization strategies.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in leading design initiatives within cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to adapt and evolve team processes as the organization grows and learns.
• A strong portfolio showcasing your exceptional design work, with a particular emphasis on end-to-end product design.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Benefits

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents

Generous Time Off: 21 paid vacation days, 12 paid company holidays, and unlimited sick days; paid parental leave and other leaves for life’s needs; 6-week paid sabbatical every 4 years

Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible daily schedules within a hybrid work environment, annual remote-office budget, and monthly WFH internet stipend

Competitive Compensation: Competitive salary, 401k plan, and stock options

Mission-Driven Company: Join a mission-driven company to accelerate and democratize the world’s research

Learn more on our Careers Page!

Academia is a proud equal-opportunity employer and we are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.