USER RESEARCHER – CDD 6 mois (F/H/NB)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher – CDD 6 mois (F/H/NB)

Company: Ubisoft

Location: Montpellier, Occitanie, France

Job Type: Full-time, Contract (6 months)

Category: User Research / Game Development Operations

Date Posted: January 23, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on User Research within the gaming industry, specifically at Ubisoft, to provide reliable and actionable player insights to production teams.

• The primary objective is to reduce the gap between design intentions and actual player experience by leveraging rigorous research methodologies.

• The position requires close collaboration with design, UX, game direction, and production teams, ensuring a deep understanding of each project's unique needs.

• Key responsibilities involve the entire research lifecycle, from defining objectives and methodologies to data collection, analysis, and presenting impactful findings for game improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input describes a "User Researcher" role, the context of operations is derived from the function's critical involvement in the product development lifecycle. User research directly informs design and development decisions, impacting the quality and success of game products, which is a core outcome-driven aspect of operations. The role's emphasis on process, methodology, and providing actionable data to production teams aligns with operational efficiency and effectiveness in a creative industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate development team needs into clear, measurable User Research objectives to guide research initiatives.

• Design and implement tailored testing methodologies that accommodate the evolving constraints of video game development.

• Manage and coordinate all phases of user testing, including logistics, player recruitment, session facilitation, and data collection.

• Collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data through observations, interviews, and questionnaires to identify areas for improvement.

• Produce actionable, clear, and impactful deliverables that enhance game design, ergonomics, player comprehension, and overall experience fluidity.

• Contribute to the evolution of the testing lab, tools, processes, and User Research methodologies within the department.

• Maintain comprehensive documentation, including research protocols, methodological guidelines, and deliverable templates.

• Utilize and potentially contribute to the development of internal tools for database management and user insights tracking.

• Collaborate closely with game design, UX, production, and creative direction teams, integrating research findings into their workflows.

• Present research results in a synthetic, pedagogical, and action-oriented manner to various project stakeholders.

• Act as a User Research point of contact for specific projects, demonstrating ownership and driving impact.

• Actively play and understand the game to deeply grasp design intentions and evaluate the "intention vs. real experience" delta.

• Propose design improvement recommendations with neutrality, critical perspective, and a focus on player experience.

• Contribute to the visibility and development of the User Research department through internal and external initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded to detail the full scope of a User Researcher's role within a product development context. This includes specifying the types of data collected (qualitative/quantitative), the nature of deliverables (actionable insights), and the operational aspects of process improvement and documentation, all critical for a role that bridges creative design and user experience outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• User Research Methodologies: Proficiency in designing, conducting, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative user research studies.

• Game Design & Player Experience: Deep understanding of game mechanics, player psychology, and the factors influencing player engagement and satisfaction.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Ability to process complex data, identify key trends, and synthesize findings into clear, actionable insights.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present findings persuasively to diverse stakeholders.

• Observation & Critical Thinking: Keen observational skills and the capacity for critical, unbiased evaluation of user interactions and game design.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams, particularly with design, UX, and production.

• Video Game Culture: Strong passion for and knowledge of video games, particularly on Console and PC platforms.

• Adaptability & Agility: Capacity to integrate quickly into new projects and adapt research approaches to evolving game development cycles.

• English Proficiency: Fluent in both spoken and written English for international team collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Technical Aptitude: Comfort with learning and mastering internal tools, including database management systems and research platforms.

• Game Production Experience: Previous experience working within a game development studio or on video game production projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The skills section has been structured to differentiate between essential and preferred qualifications, providing a clearer picture for candidates. Specific operations-relevant skills like "Data Analysis & Synthesis" and "Collaboration & Teamwork" are highlighted, framing the role's operational contribution. The "Nice-to-have" section is reframed as "Preferred Skills" for better clarity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end User Research process, from initial problem definition to implemented solutions.

• Methodology Showcase: Clearly outline the research methodologies employed for each case study, explaining why specific methods were chosen based on project goals and constraints.

• Data Visualization: Include examples of how you present qualitative and quantitative data, such as key quotes, thematic analysis summaries, survey results visualizations, and user journey maps.

• Actionable Insights & Impact: Highlight the specific, actionable insights generated and, where possible, demonstrate the positive impact these insights had on game design, player experience, or key project metrics.

• Deliverable Examples: Provide samples of your research deliverables (e.g., reports, presentations, recommendations summaries) that are clear, concise, and tailored to production teams.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to document research protocols, participant recruitment criteria, and testing procedures to ensure replicability and consistency.

• Showcase your ability to maintain organized research documentation (e.g., session notes, raw data, analysis files) for easy reference and knowledge sharing.

• Evidence of contributing to or maintaining methodological guidelines or best practices within a research team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is entirely inferred, as no specific portfolio requirements were provided. It's tailored to a User Researcher role within a creative/technical environment, emphasizing the need to showcase practical application of research skills, data interpretation, and the ability to translate findings into tangible improvements for product development. The focus is on demonstrating process, methodology, and impact, which are key for operations-oriented roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work Model: Offers flexibility with a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a balance between office-based collaboration and remote work.

• Flexible Working Hours: Provides flexibility in daily working hours to accommodate personal needs and optimize productivity.

• Remote Work Options: Up to 20 days of remote work per year within European Union countries for EU citizens, offering international flexibility.

• Transport Reimbursement: 50% reimbursement for public transport passes or a mileage allowance for cyclists, promoting sustainable commuting.

• Access to Game Library: Opportunity to borrow the latest Ubisoft titles and competitor games, as well as consoles, fostering industry knowledge and personal enjoyment.

• Discounts on Entertainment: Access to preferential rates and discounts on a wide range of entertainment options through the CSE (Comité Social et Économique), including shows, cinema, concerts, and sports facilities.

• Professional Development: While not explicitly detailed, contract roles often provide opportunities to gain experience within a leading global company.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered in scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is an estimate based on typical mid-level User Researcher roles in France, adjusted for location and contract type. Benefits are directly extracted from the provided text and framed to highlight their value to operations professionals. The working hours are inferred based on common full-time employment in France.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development. Ubisoft is a global leader in creating original and memorable gaming experiences across various franchises.

Company Size: Large (Ubisoft has thousands of employees worldwide). This size implies structured processes, diverse teams, and opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: 1986. With a long history, Ubisoft has established a robust development pipeline and a strong brand identity, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

• The User Research team operates closely with production teams, including game design, UX, game direction, and producers, fostering a collaborative and integrated development environment.

• The team is structured to provide dedicated support to specific projects, allowing researchers to develop deep knowledge of each game's unique challenges and player base.

Methodology:

• The User Research department emphasizes providing reliable, actionable insights that directly inform product decisions, aligning with an outcomes-driven operational approach.

• They focus on reducing the delta between design intentions and real player experience, a core operational goal of ensuring product-market fit and user satisfaction.

• This involves a data-driven approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand player behavior and sentiment.

Company Website: https://www.ubisoft.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been synthesized from the provided description and general knowledge of Ubisoft. The emphasis is on how the company's structure, industry, and history influence the operational environment for a User Researcher, particularly concerning collaboration and data-driven decision-making.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level User Researcher. This role is suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of experience who can independently manage research projects and contribute to methodological improvements. It involves taking ownership of research on specific projects.

Reporting Structure: The User Researcher will likely report to a Lead User Researcher or Research Manager within the User Research department, with close collaboration and reporting lines to project-specific leads (e.g., Game Director, Producer, Lead UX Designer).

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on product quality and player satisfaction. By providing crucial player insights, the User Researcher helps shape game design, improve usability, and ensure the final product meets player expectations, thereby contributing to commercial success and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in specific game genres, research methodologies (e.g., advanced quantitative analysis, VR/AR research), or player segments.

• Project Leadership: With proven success, opportunities may arise to lead research efforts on larger or more complex projects, taking on more strategic responsibilities.

• Methodological Advancement: Contribute to the development and refinement of User Research processes, tools, and best practices within Ubisoft, potentially leading initiatives for the broader team.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a deep understanding of game development pipelines and collaborate with various disciplines, enhancing overall industry knowledge.

• Internal Mobility: Potential to move into other roles within Ubisoft, such as UX Design, Game Design, or Production, leveraging acquired industry and player insight expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred, focusing on how a User Researcher role fits into career progression within the gaming industry and an operations framework. It highlights the potential for growth by emphasizing skill development, project leadership, and the strategic impact of research on business outcomes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Ubisoft's Montpellier studio, offering a hybrid work model. This suggests a modern office environment designed for both focused work and collaborative activities.

Office Location(s): Montpellier, Occitanie, France. This location offers a vibrant city environment within a region known for its technological and creative industries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and close collaboration with design/production teams imply a workspace that encourages interaction, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing through tools like Miro.

• Technology & Tools: Access to a dedicated testing lab, research tools (Qualtrics, OBS, internal databases), and standard office software (Suite Office, Jira) will be provided to facilitate research activities.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, project syncs, and informal discussions, both in-person and virtually, to ensure alignment and foster a strong team dynamic.

Work Schedule:

• A standard full-time schedule, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility in start and end times to support work-life balance and accommodate project needs. The hybrid model allows for a mix of office and remote days.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred based on the "Hybrid" work arrangement and general knowledge of tech/gaming studio environments. It focuses on how the physical and operational workspace supports the User Researcher's function and collaboration needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of CVs and cover letters by the recruitment team.

• Quick Qualification Call (Phone/Video): A brief (max 30 min) introductory call to verify key qualifications, role expectations, and initial cultural fit.

• Interview 1: Discovery (Video): A 1-hour interview with a recruitment team member to delve deeper into your background, motivations, and alignment with Ubisoft's values and the role's requirements.

• Technical Test (1 hour): A practical case study or series of questions designed to assess your analytical, problem-solving, and methodological skills relevant to User Research.

• Interview 2: Technical (Video): A 1-hour interview with the Studio's Head of User Research, focusing on your technical expertise, approach to research challenges, and understanding of game development.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly present 2-3 distinct case studies. For each, articulate the problem, your research approach (methodologies), key findings, and the actionable recommendations you provided.

• Quantify Outcomes: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your insights. Did your research lead to a measurable improvement in player retention, task completion rates, or a reduction in design-related issues?

• Showcase Process: Demonstrate your understanding of the entire research lifecycle. Include examples of how you translated project needs into research questions, designed studies, collected data, and synthesized findings.

• Tailor to Ubisoft: Research Ubisoft's current games and player base. Highlight projects in your portfolio that demonstrate experience with similar genres or player demographics, or showcase your ability to adapt your skills to new contexts.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your deliverables and explanations are clear, concise, and easy for non-researchers (designers, producers) to understand. Focus on the "so what?" behind your findings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Game Context: If provided with a specific game or feature for the technical test, play it thoroughly. Understand its core mechanics, target audience, and potential design challenges.

• Methodology Application: Be prepared to justify your choice of research methods for the given scenario. Consider the constraints (time, resources) and how you would adapt standard methodologies.

• Actionable Recommendations: Focus on providing practical, implementable recommendations that address the core issues identified in the test. Think about how these recommendations would be communicated and integrated into the development process.

• Problem-Solving Approach: Clearly articulate your thought process for tackling the challenge, demonstrating analytical rigor and a player-centric mindset.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred, drawing from common interview practices in the gaming industry and for User Research roles. It provides actionable advice on preparing a portfolio and tackling technical challenges, framing them within an operations context of process efficiency and measurable outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualtrics: For survey design, distribution, and data analysis. Proficiency in creating complex survey logic and analyzing results is key.

• MindManager / Miro: For brainstorming, mind mapping, and collaborative visualization of research findings, user journeys, and process flows.

• Jira: For project management, task tracking, and bug reporting, essential for integrating research feedback into development sprints.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint): Standard tools for report writing, data manipulation, and presentation of findings.

• OBS (Open Broadcaster Software): For screen recording during user testing sessions, capturing gameplay and user interactions.

• Internal Database Management Tool: Specific Ubisoft tool for organizing and accessing user data and research findings, requiring adaptability.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Spreadsheet Software (e.g., Excel): For quantitative data analysis, statistical calculations, and creating charts/graphs.

• Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint): For creating visually appealing and informative research reports and summaries for stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user feedback and data integrate with broader player management systems or databases is beneficial. Familiarity with tools that automate data collection or reporting processes is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred based on the "Outils & Documentation" section of the job description. It lists common tools used in User Research and highlights their operational application in data management, analysis, and collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value is deeply understanding and advocating for the player experience, ensuring that design decisions are informed by player needs and behaviors.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using empirical data and rigorous analysis to guide product development, moving beyond subjective opinions.

• Collaboration & Proximity: A strong emphasis on working closely with development teams, fostering a partnership where research is integrated early and continuously into the design process.

• Impact & Actionability: Valuing research that provides clear, actionable insights that directly lead to tangible improvements in the game and player experience.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to refining research methodologies, tools, and processes to enhance efficiency and the quality of insights delivered.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Partnership: The User Research team aims to be an integral part of project teams, participating in key development rituals (sprints, retrospectives) as needed.

• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where feedback is shared openly and constructively, both from researchers to development teams and vice versa.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of research findings, best practices, and methodological advancements across the User Research department and with other disciplines.

• Proactive Engagement: Researchers are encouraged to proactively engage with project teams to understand their needs and identify opportunities for research, rather than waiting to be assigned tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred, focusing on operational values and collaboration styles that would be typical for a User Research team within a large game development studio like Ubisoft. It emphasizes the role's contribution to efficient product development and user satisfaction.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Rigor with Speed: The fast-paced nature of game development often requires delivering insights quickly without compromising research quality, demanding efficient methodologies and strong prioritization skills.

• Diverse Player Bases & Genres: Adapting research approaches to a wide variety of game genres, target audiences, and development stages requires flexibility and broad methodological knowledge.

• Translating Insights into Action: Effectively communicating complex findings and influencing design decisions within creative teams can be challenging, requiring strong persuasive and pedagogical skills.

• Resource and Time Constraints: Working within the typical project timelines and resource limitations of game development requires innovative problem-solving and prioritization.

• Measuring Impact: Quantifying the direct impact of user research on game success can be difficult, requiring careful study design and collaboration with analytics teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodological Expansion: Opportunities to learn and apply new research techniques, from advanced statistical analysis to emerging qualitative methods.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining in-depth knowledge of game development pipelines, different game genres, and player behaviors across a broad spectrum of titles.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Developing skills in stakeholder management, communication, and influencing across diverse disciplines like design, programming, and production.

• Tool Proficiency: Becoming an expert in industry-standard research tools and potentially contributing to the development or optimization of internal Ubisoft platforms.

• Potential for Specialization: As the contract progresses or based on performance, opportunities to specialize in areas like player experience design, analytics integration, or specific game types.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred, identifying common challenges and growth pathways for User Researchers in the gaming industry. It highlights how overcoming these challenges contributes to operational efficiency and personal professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex player problem into a research plan. What were the key steps and challenges?" (Assesses methodology design and problem decomposition)

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and effectively communicated to game designers and producers who may have different priorities?" (Assesses communication, influence, and stakeholder management)

• "Walk us through a challenging user research project you managed. What was the situation, your approach, and the outcome/impact?" (Assesses end-to-end project ownership and impact demonstration)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in user research and the gaming industry?" (Assesses continuous learning and industry engagement)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at Ubisoft, specifically in the User Research team?" (Assesses motivation and cultural fit)

• "How do you approach collaboration with teams that may have different perspectives or priorities than yours?" (Assesses teamwork and conflict resolution)

• "Ubisoft values diversity and inclusion. How have you incorporated these principles into your research practices?" (Assesses awareness of company values)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the problem, the journey of discovery (your research process), the key insights (the climax), and the resolution (the impact or recommendations).

• Focus on "Why" and "How": Clearly explain why you chose specific methodologies and how you executed them. Demonstrate your critical thinking behind each decision.

• Highlight Actionability: Emphasize the practical recommendations derived from your research and, if possible, any evidence of their positive impact on the product or player experience.

• Visual Aids: Use clear visuals (charts, graphs, quotes, user journey maps) to make your data and findings easily digestible and memorable.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific details of your methodology, data analysis, and the rationale behind your conclusions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Deconstruct the Prompt: Carefully read and understand all aspects of the technical challenge. Identify the core problem and any constraints.

• Outline Your Approach: Before diving into details, sketch out your proposed research plan, including objectives, methodology, participants, and deliverables.

• Justify Your Choices: Be ready to explain the rationale behind every methodological decision.

• Focus on Practicality: Propose solutions that are feasible within a game development context (time, resources, integration with existing workflows).

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred, providing specific examples of interview questions and preparation strategies tailored to a User Researcher role at Ubisoft. It emphasizes demonstrating operational thinking, problem-solving, and alignment with company values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SmartRecruiters platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 relevant case studies that demonstrate your user research process, analytical skills, and ability to drive actionable insights within a product development context. Focus on projects with clear problem statements and demonstrable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with user research methodologies, data analysis, collaboration with design and production teams, and your passion for video games. Use keywords from the job description and operations industry.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), especially for behavioral questions. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail and articulate your approach to common user research challenges.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Ubisoft's current game portfolio, player community, and company culture. Understand their approach to game development and player engagement to better align your responses with their values and operational goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.