User Experience Researcher

Job Description

PlayStation Studios is looking for a user researcher to join its internal user research department in San Mateo, CA. This is an exceptional opportunity to help our teams create world class games by providing reliable & actionable feedback on game experience via rigorous research with consumers.

We know that many people in UX come from backgrounds with different experiences that might not seem "standard". We really value people who bring unique perspectives and add new knowledge to our team. So even if you feel that you don't meet all the points listed below, we'd still love to hear from you! 

While the role is based primarily in our San Mateo, CA, there is scope for remote working.
Role & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior members of the team to help create an overall research plan that effectively fits user feedback into the game development processes
• Plan and design research activities that support the development of the games
• Carry out research activities including moderating tests, observing users, analyzing findings, and writing reports
• Communicate findings with technical and non-technical members of the development team to foster a deep understanding of user behavior and needs
• Assist the research team in improving processes and methods
• Act as an ambassador, evangelizing user research internally and externally 
• Coach/mentor more junior members of the team on research execution

Experience & Knowledge

• You will have a studied HCI, Interaction Design or a related subject area such as Cognitive Psychology to degree level including practical experience of moderating tests with users.
• A masters level degree or higher would be preferable.
• A passionate interest in video games

Skills
The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Mastery of qualitative research methods
• Usability or UX testing experience, including creating study designs, moderating sessions, writing reports, and presenting findings that drive the improvement of product features
• Can effectively engage with development partners and maintain good working relationships
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; presenting information concisely and effectively to people at all levels of the organization.
• Good negotiation and influencing skills and be able to work well with cross-functional teams – e.g. game designers, producers, engineers and artists.
• Good organization skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• An excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality, both in terms of your own work & in improving product quality through usability testing.
• A commitment to reliability, with a clear understanding & communication of the limitations of the research results.
• A good grounding in HCI and usability methods and excellent analytical ability; able to identify the key problems which need to be addressed.
• Ability to be open-minded and forward thinking and actively maintain an interest in the field; keeping up-to-date with developing tools, techniques and gaming testing methodologies.

Bonus Points

• Familiarity with quantitative research methods using statistical analysis
• An understanding of a live service product & the role of user research to support continued development
• An understanding of the game development process & the role & limitations of usability testing at each development stage
• Experience mentoring more junior researchers

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