User Researcher - Student Worker - 20h/week - 1 year

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher - Student Worker - 20h/week - 1 year

Company: Epi Company

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-28

Experience Level: Entry-level / Student Worker

Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote OK, with potential for on-site collaboration in Berlin)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on contributing to a significant European payment initiative, Wero, by enhancing member experience through user research.

• You will be instrumental in defining and analyzing user research activities to support the Member Experience team, directly impacting product improvements.

• The position involves planning and conducting usability studies, managing participant recruitment, and synthesizing user feedback into actionable insights for product and design teams.

• You will collaborate closely with designers and project managers to ensure user insights are integrated into continuous product development and iterative improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is listed as "Full-time," the description specifies "up to 20 hours per week (the maximum legally permitted for student workers in Germany)." This indicates it's a part-time student position, not a typical full-time role, and likely involves specific eligibility criteria for student work in Germany. The "TELECOMMUTE" location type combined with specific country requirements suggests a hybrid model where remote work is possible, but presence in Germany is mandatory, likely for the student work authorization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute end-to-end user research activities, including defining research objectives and methodologies.

• Design and conduct usability studies, both moderated and unmoderated, utilizing platforms like UserTesting.

• Coordinate participant recruitment and ensure the quality of participants for research studies.

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative research data, including reviewing recordings and identifying usability issues.

• Synthesize complex user feedback into clear, actionable insights and concise reports for design, product, and marketing teams.

• Collaborate with designers, product managers, and project managers to translate research findings into concrete implementation improvements.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of research templates, a research log, and a user research playbook for consistent application.

• Assist in managing UserTesting administration and ensuring data quality for research outputs.

• Support user-centered decision-making across the organization by effectively communicating research findings and their impact.

• Work with project managers post-go-live to gather insights from releases and inform future research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to user research, emphasizing the practical application of research findings to drive product improvements within a fintech/payments context. The focus on "actionable insights" and "user-centered decision-making" is critical for operations and product teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field.

Experience:

• Experience in UX/User Research or a related field (academic projects, internships, or previous roles).

Required Skills:

• Strong skills in research design and qualitative analysis of user feedback.

• Proven ability to synthesize complex feedback into clear, actionable insights.

• Excellent written communication skills for producing concise reports and presentation decks.

• Comfort and experience collaborating with Design & Product teams.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to manage multiple studies in parallel.

• Ability to manage participant recruitment and quality assurance for research studies.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with financial services, payments, or fintech products.

• Knowledge of design and collaboration tools such as Figma and Miro.

• Experience with continuous discovery processes and methodologies.

• Familiarity with documentation and project management tools like Confluence and Jira.

• Basic quantitative analysis skills for quantifying research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "70% of these requirements" guideline suggests flexibility for strong candidates who may not meet every single point, particularly for a student role. Emphasis is placed on practical skills and collaborative abilities over extensive experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Examples of research plans and methodologies employed for specific studies.

• Demonstrations of how user insights were synthesized into actionable recommendations.

• Case studies showcasing the impact of research on product improvements or design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of research reports or findings presentations that clearly articulate insights.

• Documentation of user testing setups, participant recruitment strategies, and quality control measures.

• Contributions to research playbooks or process documentation, demonstrating an understanding of scalable research practices.

• Log of research activities, including study objectives, methods, and key findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a student worker role, the "portfolio" will likely consist of academic projects, internship work, or personal research initiatives. The focus should be on demonstrating the research process, analytical thinking, and the ability to translate findings into practical recommendations, rather than extensive professional experience.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on a significant, innovative European payment initiative (Wero).

• Gain hands-on experience in user research within the dynamic fintech sector.

• Mentorship and close collaboration with experienced designers and project managers.

• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with Design, Product, and Marketing teams.

• Flexible working hours (up to 20 hours/week) to accommodate academic studies.

• Potential for learning and development in advanced research tools and methodologies.

Working Hours:

• Up to 20 hours per week, flexible to accommodate academic schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical student worker rates in Germany for comparable roles and locations. Specific benefits are inferred from the role's description and the nature of a student worker position at a large initiative.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Payments / Fintech

Company Size: Large (EPI is supported by 16 major banks and two large acquirers, indicating a significant operational scale and a distributed organizational structure).

Founded: EPI is a relatively new initiative, established to create a unified European payment system. Its founding is driven by major European financial institutions.

Team Structure:

• You will join the Member Experience team, which is part of a larger initiative.

• You will be one of two Student Workers based in Germany within this team.

• Close collaboration with Product, Design, and Marketing teams is a cornerstone of the role.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on user-centered design and data-driven decision-making.

• Focus on iterative product development, with continuous learning from user feedback post-go-live.

• Structured approach to user research, including planning, execution, analysis, and reporting.

• Collaboration is key, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork.

Company Website: https://careers.epicompany.eu

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely to be a blend of startup agility (given the new initiative) and the established rigor of large financial institutions. The emphasis on "user-centered decision-making" and "actionable insights" points to a data-informed and customer-focused operational approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-level / Student Worker

Reporting Structure: You will report to a member of the Member Experience team, likely a manager or lead, and work very closely with senior designers who will provide direct mentorship and guidance for research activities.

Operations Impact: Your work will directly influence the usability and effectiveness of the Wero digital wallet and other EPI payment solutions. By providing crucial user insights, you will help shape features that improve payment experiences for millions of users across Europe, contributing to the operational success and adoption of the new payment system.

Growth Opportunities:

• Develop foundational skills in UX/User Research methodologies and best practices.

• Gain practical experience in a fast-paced, innovative fintech environment.

• Learn to use industry-standard research tools (UserTesting, Figma, Miro, Confluence, Jira).

• Enhance skills in data analysis, synthesis, and effective communication of findings.

• Build a professional network within a large, cross-border initiative involving major financial institutions.

• Potential to transition into full-time roles within EPI or its partner organizations upon graduation, based on performance and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a significant learning opportunity, providing a strong foundation for a career in UX research or product operations within the fintech sector. The explicitly stated collaboration with designers and project managers suggests a structured mentorship program.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Remote OK, with potential for on-site collaboration in Berlin). EPI is a large initiative, so there may be office spaces available for team meetings and focused work, but remote work flexibility is offered.

Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany (primary operational hub mentioned) with potential for work coordination across other European locations relevant to the pilot countries (France, Belgium).

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative environment where close interaction with designers, product managers, and other team members is expected.

• Access to digital collaboration tools (Figma, Miro, Confluence, Jira) to support remote and in-office teamwork.

• A focus on creating a user-centered culture, meaning insights and feedback are highly valued.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible, up to 20 hours per week, designed to accommodate academic commitments. This allows for focused work sessions and integration with study schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role suggests a modern work environment that balances flexibility with the need for collaborative interaction, crucial for research and product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and cover letter, potentially including a brief questionnaire assessing eligibility for student work in Germany and basic research experience.

• Skills Assessment / Case Study: Likely a practical exercise where candidates are asked to analyze a small dataset, outline a research plan for a given scenario, or present findings from a previous project. This will focus on qualitative analysis and insight generation.

• Behavioral / Team Fit Interview: Discussion with hiring managers and potential team members (Designers, Product Managers) to assess collaboration skills, communication, problem-solving approach, and cultural alignment with EPI's values.

• Final Interview: May involve a deeper dive into previous projects or a presentation of a portfolio piece.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Your Process: Clearly outline the steps you took in your research projects: problem definition, research questions, methodology selection, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and synthesis.

• Highlight Actionable Insights: Emphasize the insights you derived and how they could or did inform design or product decisions. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "identified X key usability issues that could lead to Y% improvement in task completion").

• Demonstrate Collaboration: If possible, include examples where you worked with others (designers, developers, fellow students) and how you contributed to a team effort.

• Keep it Concise: For a student role, focus on 1-3 strong projects. Ensure your reports and presentations are clear, well-structured, and easy to understand, mirroring the company's need for clear communication.

• Tailor to Fintech: If you have any experience or projects related to finance, payments, or fintech, highlight them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Design: Be ready to discuss how you would design a study to answer specific user questions related to a digital wallet or payment system.

• Qualitative Analysis: Practice articulating how you would analyze interview transcripts or usability test recordings to identify themes and pain points.

• Insight to Recommendation: Prepare to explain how you would translate research findings into concrete, actionable recommendations for a product or design team.

• Tool Familiarity: Be prepared to discuss your experience with UserTesting, Figma, Miro, Confluence, and Jira, even if it's basic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process will likely be geared towards assessing foundational research skills, analytical capabilities, and the potential for growth within a structured team environment. The portfolio review will be key to demonstrating practical application of research principles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UserTesting: Essential for managing and conducting unmoderated user research studies. Familiarity with its features for test setup, participant management, and result analysis is crucial.

• Figma/Miro: Preferred tools for design collaboration, wireframing, prototyping, and workshop facilitation. Understanding how to work with these tools from a research perspective (e.g., analyzing prototypes, contributing to ideation boards) is beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Spreadsheet Software (Excel, Google Sheets): For organizing and performing basic analysis of qualitative data, participant lists, and research logs.

• Presentation Software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote): For creating clear, concise reports and presenting findings to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• Confluence: For documentation, knowledge sharing, and maintaining research logs and playbooks.

• Jira: For tracking issues, user feedback, and following up on research-backed recommendations.

• Internal Communication Tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams): For team collaboration and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with UserTesting is a direct requirement. Familiarity with Figma and Miro is preferred, indicating a collaborative workflow within design and product teams. Confluence and Jira are standard tools for documentation and task management in tech environments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value is placing the user at the heart of all decisions, ensuring that products and services are intuitive, effective, and meet user needs.

• Innovation: Driving change in the European payments landscape through new technologies and approaches, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (Design, Product, Marketing, Engineering) and with partner banks to achieve common goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on research insights and data to inform strategy and product development, rather than solely on intuition.

• Efficiency & Simplicity: Aiming to make payments simple, seamless, and secure, reflecting a broader operational goal of efficiency in processes and user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with frequent interaction between researchers, designers, and product managers.

• Open communication channels are encouraged, facilitating the sharing of feedback and insights.

• Cross-functional teamwork is essential to translate research findings into tangible product improvements.

• A culture that values learning and continuous improvement, encouraging feedback exchange.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is likely to be dynamic and purpose-driven, focused on achieving the ambitious goal of transforming European payments. The emphasis on collaboration and user-centricity is paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Academic and Work Commitments: Managing the demands of academic studies alongside a part-time work role requires strong time management and organizational skills.

• Translating Insights into Action: Effectively communicating complex research findings to diverse stakeholders and ensuring they lead to concrete product changes can be challenging.

• Working within a Large Initiative: Navigating the processes and stakeholders within a large, multi-stakeholder project like EPI can require adaptability and clear communication.

• Rapidly Evolving Fintech Landscape: Staying abreast of new trends and user expectations in the fast-paced fintech industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in qualitative research methods, user interview techniques, and usability testing best practices.

• Industry Exposure: Gain firsthand experience in the fintech and payments sector, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities.

• Tool Proficiency: Become proficient in industry-standard UX research and collaboration tools.

• Mentorship: Receive direct guidance and feedback from experienced designers and research professionals.

• Contribution to Impact: See the direct impact of your research on a product used by millions, providing immense job satisfaction and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to overcome typical early-career challenges by providing a supportive environment and direct exposure to real-world product development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a user research project you've worked on. What was the objective, your methodology, your key findings, and what was the impact?" (Focus on process, analysis, and outcomes.)

• "How would you approach designing a usability study for a new feature in a mobile payment app?" (Assess your understanding of research design and methodology.)

• "Imagine you found conflicting feedback from different user groups. How would you synthesize this and present recommendations?" (Test your analytical and communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about EPI and the Wero project specifically?" (Show genuine interest in the company's mission.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with designers and product managers?" (Highlight teamwork and communication skills.)

• "How do you stay organized when managing multiple tasks or studies?" (Demonstrate time management and organizational abilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly present: 1. The Problem/Objective, 2. Your Role & Methods, 3. Key Findings/Insights, 4. Recommendations & Impact.

• Visuals: Use screenshots, mockups, or even short video clips (if appropriate and anonymized) to illustrate your research process and findings.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a limited timeframe, focusing on the most impactful aspects.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives. What was the challenge, how did you overcome it, and what was the resolution or outcome?

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a solid understanding of user research fundamentals, a proactive and collaborative attitude, and a clear ability to translate raw data into meaningful insights.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the EPI Careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare to showcase 1-3 of your strongest research projects (academic, internship, or personal). Highlight your process, the insights you generated, and their potential or actual impact. Tailor your presentation to demonstrate your understanding of user-centered design and qualitative analysis.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists relevant coursework, projects, and any prior experience in research or related fields. Use keywords from the job description like "User Research," "UX," "Qualitative Analysis," "Usability Testing," and "Actionable Insights."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process and findings clearly and concisely. Prepare to discuss your motivations for joining EPI and your understanding of the fintech industry. Research EPI and the Wero project to demonstrate informed interest.

• Germany Student Work Eligibility: Be prepared to confirm your eligibility and understanding of the requirements for student work in Germany.

⚠️ 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.