Senior User Researcher [Fixed Term]

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher [Fixed Term]

Company: Avalanche Studios Group

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Job Type: Fixed Term Employment

Category: User Research / Data & Insights

Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead player research strategy and roadmap development for both live and upcoming video game titles.

• Design and execute mixed-method research studies, integrating quantitative and qualitative data to understand player motivations and behaviors.

• Drive player-centric insights throughout the game development lifecycle, ensuring player voices inform creative and technical decisions.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX, Design, Marketing, and Production, to translate research findings into actionable product goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for bridging the gap between player experience and game development, requiring a strategic approach to research planning and a strong ability to influence product direction through data-backed insights. The "Fixed Term" aspect suggests a project-based need, potentially for a specific game development phase or initiative.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the research roadmap, prioritizing key player insights needed for game development and live operations.

• Design comprehensive research studies utilizing a variety of methodologies, including surveys, playtests, interviews, and usability testing.

• Conduct qualitative research to uncover the "why" behind player behavior, complementing quantitative data analysis.

• Spearhead long-term player research initiatives, such as player segmentation, sentiment tracking, and community feedback programs, to monitor player attitudes over time.

• Synthesize complex research data into clear, compelling narratives and actionable recommendations presented through reports, presentations, and workshops.

• Manage relationships with external research vendors and partners to ensure high-quality research execution and delivery.

• Collaborate effectively with UX designers, game designers, marketing teams, and production leads to integrate player insights into product development processes.

• Champion a player-centric culture within the studio by advocating for the player's perspective in decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "decoding player motivations" and "player segmentation" indicates a need for deep analytical skills beyond surface-level feedback. The responsibility to "guide stakeholders at all levels" highlights the importance of communication and influencing skills in this senior role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a background in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Sociology, Anthropology, Market Research, or a related field is typically expected for user research roles.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in player or UX research within the video game industry.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in designing and executing mixed-method research studies (quantitative and qualitative).

• Proficiency in various research techniques, including surveys, playtesting, interviews, focus groups, and usability testing.

• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data, identify patterns, and derive actionable insights.

• Proven ability to manage research projects end-to-end, from planning and design to execution and reporting.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate research findings into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

• Experience in player segmentation and sentiment tracking.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Design, UX, Marketing, Production).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific user research tools and platforms (e.g., survey software, analytics platforms, prototyping tools).

• Familiarity with game development processes and the unique research challenges within the gaming industry.

• Experience managing external research vendors and partnerships.

• Knowledge of statistical analysis techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly states that candidates should not be discouraged if they don't tick every box, emphasizing drive and interest over a perfect resume match. This suggests a strong focus on potential and a willingness to learn, particularly for candidates from under-represented groups.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing end-to-end research projects, highlighting your role and contributions.

• Include examples of research design, methodology, and execution for various study types.

• Showcase how you synthesized complex data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.

• Provide evidence of influencing product decisions or improving player experience through your research.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of research roadmaps and strategic planning for player insights.

• Documentation of mixed-method study designs, including rationale for chosen methodologies.

• Case studies detailing the process of translating research findings into product improvements or strategic shifts.

• Examples of reporting and presentation formats used to communicate insights to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a Senior role, the portfolio should clearly demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership in research initiatives, and a track record of impactful contributions to game development. Emphasis should be placed on projects where the researcher drove the research agenda and influenced key decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior User Researchers in Stockholm, Sweden, with 5-10 years of experience in the gaming industry, the estimated annual salary range would be approximately SEK 600,000 - 850,000 (approximately $57,000 - $81,000 USD, subject to exchange rates). This range accounts for the fixed-term nature of the role and the specialized skills required.

Benefits:

• Fixed-term employment contract.

• Opportunity to work on high-profile video game titles.

• Access to the studio's research tools and technologies.

• Collaborative and creative work environment within the gaming industry.

• Potential for professional development and learning within the Data & Insight team.

• Hybrid work model, offering flexibility with a structured office presence.

Working Hours: The role is advertised with an implied standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid model requires presence in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, suggesting flexibility for the remaining workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical market rates for senior-level research positions in Stockholm's tech and gaming sectors. Specific compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, the exact duration of the fixed term, and Avalanche Studios Group's internal compensation structure. Relocation assistance is explicitly not provided for this role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development. Avalanche Studios Group is a renowned independent game developer known for titles like the Just Cause series, Mad Max, and theHunter: Call of the Wild.

Company Size: Avalanche Studios Group is a medium to large-sized company, employing over 500 people across multiple studios. This size offers opportunities for broad impact while maintaining a collaborative and somewhat intimate team environment.

Founded: 2003. With nearly two decades of experience, Avalanche Studios Group has a well-established reputation and a mature development process.

Team Structure:

• The Senior User Researcher will join the Data & Insight team, reporting directly to the Head of Data & Insight.

• This team likely comprises data analysts, researchers, and potentially business intelligence specialists focused on providing data-driven guidance across the studio.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on a player-centric approach, deeply integrating player feedback and data into the development cycle.

• Leveraging mixed-methods research to provide a holistic understanding of player behavior and motivations.

• Data synthesis and storytelling are key components, aiming to make insights accessible and actionable for creative teams.

• A culture that encourages learning and growth, as noted in their application encouragement.

Company Website: https://avalanchestudios.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of "creating worlds beyond limits" and a commitment to diversity and inclusion are important cultural indicators. The "Fixed Term" nature of the role suggests it could be tied to specific project phases, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to a defined, impactful period of development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior User Researcher. This role is positioned at a senior individual contributor level, responsible for strategic research planning, execution, and influencing product direction. It requires a high degree of autonomy and expertise.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Head of Data & Insight. This implies a direct line of communication with leadership and significant exposure to strategic decision-making within the data and insights domain.

Operations Impact: The role's primary impact is on product development and player satisfaction. By ensuring games are designed with a deep understanding of player needs and preferences, the Senior User Researcher directly influences game quality, player engagement, retention, and ultimately, commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or player segments within the gaming context.

• Leadership: Potential to mentor junior researchers or lead research initiatives for major game titles.

• Strategic Influence: Grow influence within the studio, shaping research strategy and contributing to broader product strategy.

• Skill Expansion: While this role is fixed-term, successful performance could lead to opportunities for longer-term roles or projects within Avalanche Studios Group, or provide a strong foundation for future senior roles in the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a fixed-term role, growth typically focuses on skill development and project impact rather than linear career progression within the same company. The candidate can leverage this role to build a strong portfolio of high-profile game research.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Avalanche Studios Group operates a hybrid work model. The Stockholm office is described as being in Södermalm, a vibrant area. The office design is described metaphorically as a blend of natural elements and industrial aesthetics, suggesting a creative and stimulating environment.

Office Location(s): Stockholm, Sweden (specifically Södermalm).

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model mandates in-office presence on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays to foster collaboration and creativity, indicating a structured approach to hybrid work.

• The environment is designed to encourage collaboration, suggesting open workspaces or designated collaboration zones.

• As part of the Data & Insight team, access to relevant research tools and technology is expected.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility for remote work on days outside the mandated office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of specific office days (Mon, Tue, Thu) in Stockholm is critical for candidates considering relocation or local candidates. This structured hybrid approach aims to balance the benefits of remote work with the necessity of in-person collaboration for creative industries like game development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience and alignment with role requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about experience, research philosophy, and understanding of the gaming industry. Focus on strategic thinking and leadership potential.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: Likely involves a practical exercise or presentation of a past research project. Candidates may be asked to outline a research plan for a hypothetical game feature or analyze a provided dataset.

• Cross-functional Team Interviews: Meetings with potential collaborators from Design, UX, or Production to assess communication, collaboration style, and ability to translate insights into actionable goals.

• Final Interview: Meeting with the Head of Data & Insight or other senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic vision, and confirm expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you solved, your specific role, the methodologies used, and most importantly, the impact of your research on the product or player experience. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "led to a X% improvement in player retention," "identified critical usability issues that were subsequently fixed, improving player satisfaction").

• Showcase Mixed Methods: Highlight projects where you effectively combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Include examples where you proactively identified research needs or developed research roadmaps, rather than just executing assigned tasks.

• Tailor to Gaming: If possible, include projects directly related to games or interactive entertainment. If not, clearly explain how your transferable skills apply to the gaming context.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Present your work clearly, using visuals where appropriate. Ensure your role in team projects is explicitly stated.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach player research for a new game concept or a specific game feature.

• Prepare to explain your process for synthesizing large amounts of player data (both quantitative and qualitative) into actionable insights.

• Think about how you would collaborate with game designers and producers who may have strong opinions or different priorities.

• Review recent trends in player research within the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's note about encouraging applications even if not all criteria are met suggests that interviewers will likely focus on a candidate's problem-solving approach, curiosity, and ability to articulate their thought process rather than just checking off experience boxes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools (Likely):

• Survey Platforms: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Typeform for designing and distributing player surveys.

• Playtesting Platforms: In-house tools, or potentially third-party platforms for remote or in-person playtesting.

• Analytics & Telemetry Tools: Familiarity with game analytics platforms (e.g., GameAnalytics, internal telemetry systems) for quantitative data analysis.

• Data Visualization & BI Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for creating dashboards and reports to communicate insights.

• Qualitative Data Analysis Software: NVivo, Dovetail, or manual coding methods for analyzing interview transcripts and open-ended feedback.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for project management and team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in synthesizing data from various sources to inform product decisions.

• Ability to create clear and impactful reports and presentations for diverse stakeholders.

CRM & Automation: (Less direct relevance for this role, but understanding of how player data might feed into CRM or marketing automation systems could be a plus).

• Understanding of how player segmentation might be used in marketing or community management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role implies proficiency with a broad range of user research methodologies and the associated software. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with tools relevant to survey design, qualitative analysis, quantitative data interpretation, and presentation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value, ensuring that player needs and experiences are at the forefront of game development.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research and data to inform strategic and creative choices.

• Collaboration & Openness: Encouraging open communication and teamwork across departments.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Valuing diverse opinions and experiences to foster a rich and respectful work environment.

• Passion for Games: A shared enthusiasm for creating high-quality gaming experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively working with Design, UX, Marketing, and Production teams to embed research insights into the development pipeline.

• Insight Sharing: Regularly presenting findings and facilitating workshops to ensure teams understand and can act on player feedback.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to feedback on research methods and findings, fostering continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's explicit statement about not requiring candidates to tick every box suggests a culture that values potential, learning, and diverse perspectives. This aligns with a collaborative and inclusive environment where different viewpoints are encouraged.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fixed-Term Nature: The temporary nature of the role requires quick integration and immediate impact.

• Balancing Player Needs with Business Goals: Navigating potential conflicts between player desires and development constraints or business objectives.

• Translating Insights into Action: Ensuring that research findings are understood and effectively implemented by development teams, which can be challenging in a creative and fast-paced industry.

• Researching Diverse Player Bases: Understanding and catering to a wide range of player types and preferences across different markets.

• Working with Sensitive Data: Maintaining player privacy and ethical research practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Game Development: Gaining firsthand experience in how user research directly impacts AAA game development.

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunity to refine and apply advanced mixed-methods research techniques in a real-world gaming context.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Learning from experts in game design, UX, marketing, and production.

• Networking: Building connections within the game development industry, particularly within the Stockholm hub.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Fixed Term" aspect is a significant challenge for candidates seeking long-term stability, but it also presents an opportunity to gain concentrated experience on a specific project or phase, which can be highly valuable for career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a research roadmap for a new AAA game title, starting from concept?"

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision using research data, especially when stakeholders disagreed."

• "How do you balance quantitative player data with qualitative insights to get a complete picture?"

• "What are the unique challenges of user research in the video game industry compared to other tech sectors?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Avalanche Studios Group and our games?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to our player-centric culture?"

• "How do you approach working in a hybrid environment, and what are your strategies for effective remote collaboration?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly define: The Problem/Question, Your Role, Methodology, Key Findings, Recommendations, and Impact/Outcome.

• Visuals: Use screenshots, graphs, quotes, and diagrams to make your presentation engaging and easy to understand.

• Narrative: Tell a story about your research process, highlighting challenges and how you overcame them.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify outcomes whenever possible. Emphasize how your research directly influenced product decisions or player experience.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful projects efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the company's emphasis on potential over rigid qualifications, interviewers will likely probe deeply into your thought process, problem-solving abilities, and passion for games and player research. Be prepared to articulate your "why" and demonstrate your enthusiasm.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.lever.co.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your CV and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in player research within the gaming industry. Showcase projects that demonstrate your ability to lead research initiatives, use mixed methods, and translate data into actionable insights.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 5+ years of experience, emphasizing responsibilities and achievements relevant to player insights, research strategy, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, case studies, and how you would approach challenges specific to game development. Prepare to discuss your understanding of player motivation and industry trends.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Avalanche Studios Group's portfolio of games, their company values, and their approach to game development. Understand the significance of a player-centric approach in their context.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Avalanche Studios Group before making application decisions. Relocation assistance is not provided for this fixed-term role.