User Research Assistant

Akkodis is seeking a User Research Assistant for a contract role for a client in Burbank, CA.Location: Burbank, CA (Hybrid)Duration: 7-18 Months Contract + Possible ExtensionPay Range: $30-$32 per hour on a W2. The rate may be negotiable based on factors such as experience, education, geographic location, and other relevant considerations.User Research AssistantLooking for a detail-oriented User Research Assistant who has an intense passion for gaming and the science behind conducting research. As a User Research Assistant, you will moderate groups (4 - 24 participants) through test sessions on console, PC, and mobile products, where data is collected on our games. During this 7 - 18-month contract position, you will observe participant behavior and communicate that information back to the research team. You will receive training for many of the necessary skills, and knowledge of research practices with people is critical._Responsibilities• Prepare and execute research studies.o Support lead researchers in investigating game play behavior to uncover insightso Support operational tasks, including the setup of labs and procedureso Administer each playtest in a non-biased mannero Contribute to high-quality research reports that synthesize qualitative and quantitative findings into clear, actionable insights for product, design, and engineering teamso Support expert reviews (heuristic evaluations, UX audits, competitive assessments) to identify usability issues, experience gaps, and opportunities for improvement across game features, flows, or systems.o Clean and code qualitative and quantitative data for analysiso Use survey tools to draft, distribute, and administer surveyso Use database to search, filter, schedule, and communicate with playtest participantso Recruit the necessary number and participant profile for each studyo Maintain the inventory of lab supplies, forecasting and updating when new stock is neededo Special projects on occasion (Data entry, Recruiting events, Game teardowns, Documentation, etc.)_Qualifications• Education:o Completion of a relevant college degree (branches of experimental psychology, human-computer interaction, human factors, or related field).• Special knowledge or skills that would be valuable:o Comfortable speaking in front of groups with authority.o Experience moderating research sessions involving groups of participants, such as focus groups, workshops, playtests, or other qualitative research activities.o Excellent organizational and communication skills.o Comfortable with Office 365 tools, survey/data analysis tools, and databaseso Comfortable with using technology, setting up lab hardware, and troubleshooting common device connectivity issues.o Knowledge of research design, qualitative, and quantitative methodologies.o Familiar with game design theory and development process for video games.o Able to adapt and learn quickly when faced with a large variety of problems.o Genuinely enjoy gaming in all forms!_Nice to haves:• Experience using AI-powered transcription tools to convert video and audio recordings into accurate, searchable text for research, analysis, or documentation purposes.• Experience designing, configuring, or deploying custom agents using Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, or similar AI platforms to automate workflows, support research activities, or solve business challenges.• Familiarity with quantitative research methods, including data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and reporting of insights.• Experience troubleshooting PC or console hardware, software, or game build issues to ensure the successful execution of playtests and a high-quality participant experience.• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and research tools quickly and apply them effectively in a fast-paced environment.Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/DisabledBenefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, an EAP program, commuter benefits, and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave, including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable. Disclaimer: These benefit offerings do not apply to client-recruited jobs and jobs that are direct hires to a client.To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit https://www.akkodis.com/en/privacy-policy.The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:· The California Fair Chance Act· Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance· Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers· San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance