Lead User Researcher

7 Months ago • 6 Years +

Research Development

Job Description

The Lead User Researcher at PLAION GamesLab develops strategic research roadmaps, manages research staff, conducts diverse research methodologies, and partners with studios to integrate findings into game development. Responsibilities include converting development goals into research opportunities, managing global research projects, mentoring a UX research team, analyzing results, presenting findings to stakeholders, creating post-test action plans, and advocating for data-driven development decisions. The role requires strong analytical and communication skills, familiarity with game design and business models, and a proactive approach to team culture and innovative research practices.

Good To Have:

Experience with diverse game business models and P&L frameworks

Must Have:

6+ years GUR experience with team leadership
Expertise in qualitative & quantitative research methods
Strong analytical & communication skills
Game design understanding & player behavior knowledge
Ability to translate findings into actionable strategies

Add these skills to join the top 1% applicants for this job

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GamesLab Team

Since 2015, PLAION's GamesLab works with dozens of studios to provide reliable insights that can be trusted and worked on, both on User Research and Data Science/Analytics topics.
Our aim is to collaborate with each team in a meaningful way, to add value to their projects and go
together towards a common goal: create the best games possible.
To do so, the GamesLab is structured around two teams of deeply involved experts, each conducting projects in the Data or User Research field.
Combining these skillsets into one team allows us to better understand our player's behaviour, needs and expectations, enabling a relevant teamwork with every Game Studio.
Do you thrive to make a difference? Then jump onboard and join our crew!

GamesLab User Research Team

The Lead User Experience Researcher is responsible for developing strategical research roadmaps and programs, managing and coordinating research staff, conducting end-to-end research using a variety of methodologies, and partnering with Studio teams to incorporate research findings and insights into the game development cycle.

Convert development goals and strategies into research opportunities
Design, maintain and lead User Research Roadmaps fitted to game development cycles and
adapted to each studio
Organise and coordinate global research work and lead the prioritisation of research projects
based on development needs and resource availability
Manage the work and mentor a team of UX researchers, setting clear goals and objectives as
well as ensuring high-quality research output
Oversee your team as they plan, organise, and moderate user research sessions
Collate and analyse results, identify actionable insights, and report/discuss synthesised findings with relevant stakeholders. Prepare and effectively communicate bespoke research deliverables across the various disciplines of the game development team
Work with stakeholders to create and track post-test action plans
Serve as a thought partner in critical discussions with Studio leadership in ensuring a data-
informed approach to end-to-end game development
Ensure research methods and best practices are innovative, efficient, and aligned with industry
standards
Serve as a proactive driver of a positive team culture

Required Qualifications

6+ years of experience in games user research (GUR), including a leadership role managing a
research team or leadership equivalent experience
Proven experience managing the time and assisting the development of other employees,
leading multidisciplinary and multicultural teams in a remote environment
Experienced in a variety of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies including
but not limited to, concept testing, usability testing, user experience testing, focus groups,
interviews, diary studies, survey design/analysis, and expert reviews
Proven analytical skills as well as the ability to triangulate across multiple methods to answer
complex questions
Demonstrated ability to convert research findings into actionable design and development
strategies
Strong understanding of game design, and an innate curiosity for understanding player
motivations and behaviours
Proven ability to be self-driven and organised, with a successful track record of balancing the
ideals of research methods with the realities of fast-paced product development
Comfortable interacting, negotiating, and communicating with stakeholders of different
backgrounds and responsibilities (e.g., Art, Analytics, Engineering). Being able to present
information, effectively and concisely to people at all levels of the organisation is critical
Moderate to advanced knowledge with different game business models, P&L frameworks, and how research can inform both business and design decisions
Forward thinking and actively maintain an interest in the games user research field, keeping up-to-date with the latest development tools and techniques
Strong verbal, written and numerical English skills required
Occasional travel, including international travel, may be required