Principal User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal User Researcher

Company: Sharkmob

Location: Malmö, Skåne County, Sweden

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Research / Game Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-10-01

Experience Level: 8+ years (Principal Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of User Researchers, establishing best practices and fostering a player-centric development culture within a AAA video game studio.

• Design, execute, and oversee comprehensive user research studies, employing experimental design and robust research methodologies to inform game development decisions.

• Drive strategic alignment of user research activities across the studio, ensuring consistent application of player insights from concept through live service.

• Collaborate closely with Data, UX, Design, and Marketing teams to translate complex player behaviors and feedback into actionable recommendations for product improvement.

• Provide consultative expertise and strategic guidance to senior stakeholders, influencing game design and development direction through data-informed insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Principal User Researcher, indicating a senior leadership and subject matter expert capacity. The focus on "craft expert" and "leading research efforts" suggests a significant impact on the research function's strategy and execution within Sharkmob's game development lifecycle. The "fixed-term position" status is a critical detail for potential candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute rigorous user research studies, utilizing experimental design principles and advanced research methodologies to uncover player motivations and enhance game enjoyment.

• Actively disseminate research findings and insights through engaging workshops, comprehensive reports, and persuasive presentations to key stakeholders, including game teams and senior leadership.

• Develop, promote, and uphold high standards for user research practices across the organization, ensuring ethical conduct and methodological rigor.

• Guide game teams in strategically planning and integrating user research throughout the entire game development lifecycle, from initial concept to post-launch live service operations.

• Provide expert consultative support, including expert reviews, UX writing guidance, and sharing industry knowledge, to empower game teams in making informed, player-centric decisions.

• Foster seamless collaboration and communication between Data, UX, Design, and Marketing teams to ensure a unified understanding of player behavior and feedback.

• Offer strategic consultative support and actionable guidance to senior stakeholders, enabling them to make critical decisions based on robust user insights.

• Mentor, coach, and upskill existing User Researchers, fostering professional growth and elevating the overall research capabilities within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of hands-on research execution, strategic leadership, team mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration, typical of a Principal-level role in a dynamic AAA game development environment. The explicit mention of "shooter or live service games" as bonus points suggests a focus on these genres.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in experimental/social/cognitive psychology, human-computer interaction, or equivalent industry experience.

Experience: 8+ years of demonstrated experience in user research, with a proven track record of leading research initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in designing and executing a variety of user research studies, including user interviews, surveys, moderating research sessions, and usability tests.

• Proven experience in mentoring or leading user research teams, including guiding skill development and research strategy.

• Strong analytical and statistical skills, with a background or coursework in descriptive and inferential statistics, to interpret complex data sets.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate research findings and recommendations clearly to diverse audiences.

• Proficiency in experimental design and a deep understanding of various research methodologies relevant to game development.

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across different departments. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with shooter or live service game development, understanding the unique research challenges and player engagement strategies for these genres.

• Experience in UX design or UX writing, providing a broader perspective on user experience principles.

• Familiarity with player behavior analysis within the context of live service operations.

• Experience working with AAA game development pipelines and tools like Unreal Engine.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 8+ years, coupled with the "Principal" title, clearly indicates a senior-level position requiring demonstrated leadership and strategic impact. The emphasis on statistics and experimental design points to a need for rigorous, data-driven research practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of impactful user research studies that directly influenced game design decisions and improved player experience.

• Case studies showcasing the application of experimental design and statistical analysis to solve complex game design challenges.

• Examples of research plans and methodologies tailored to different stages of the game development lifecycle (pre-production, production, live service).

• Evidence of effective stakeholder management and communication of research insights to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical teams.

• Documentation of mentorship or leadership contributions, highlighting the development and growth of other researchers. Process Documentation:

• Clear documentation of research processes, from initial study design and participant recruitment to data analysis and reporting.

• Examples of how research findings were translated into actionable design recommendations and tracked for impact.

• Workflows illustrating collaboration with Data, Design, and Marketing teams to integrate user insights into the product development pipeline.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal User Researcher, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase research execution but also strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to drive significant impact on product development through data-informed insights. Emphasis should be on the why and impact of the research, not just the what.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Principal User Researchers in Malmö, Sweden, with 8+ years of experience in the AAA gaming sector, the estimated salary range is SEK 700,000 - 950,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Malmö, the company's specialization in AAA game development, and the senior nature of the role.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Generous paid time off, including vacation days, public holidays, and potential for additional company-wide breaks.

• Professional development opportunities, including access to training, conferences, and workshops relevant to user research and game development.

• Pension scheme contributions and other retirement savings plans.

• Potential for stock options or other equity participation, depending on company policy.

• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Sweden, if applicable.

• Access to the latest gaming hardware and software for research and personal use.

Working Hours: Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate research needs and project deadlines. Occasional overtime may be required during critical development phases or for specific playtest sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on publicly available data for senior-level roles in tech and gaming in Sweden, adjusted for the specified experience and seniority. Benefits are typical for established AAA game development studios.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AAA Video Game Development (PC & Console). Sharkmob operates in a highly competitive and innovative industry known for its demanding yet rewarding work environment. The focus on multiplayer experiences and live services requires continuous player engagement and iterative development.

Company Size: Founded in 2017, Sharkmob has grown into a significant studio, likely employing several hundred individuals. This size allows for specialized teams while maintaining a collaborative and agile environment.

Founded: 2017. This relatively recent founding means the company likely retains a dynamic, growth-oriented culture, with established processes but still room for innovation and evolution in its operations.

Team Structure:

• The User Research team is part of a broader Research Lab that collaborates closely with Data, UX, and Design departments.

• This role implies a leadership position within the User Research team, potentially overseeing a small group of researchers or acting as the primary senior researcher for multiple game projects.

• Cross-functional collaboration is heavily emphasized, requiring strong partnerships with game designers, producers, data analysts, and marketing specialists. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core tenet, integrating quantitative data analysis with qualitative user research insights.

• Player-centric design is paramount, with research directly informing gameplay mechanics, user interfaces, and overall player experience.

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, necessitating flexible and iterative research approaches.

• Collaboration with local universities suggests an openness to academic research partnerships and staying at the forefront of research methodologies.

Company Website: http://sharkmob.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Sharkmob's focus on original IPs like Exoborne and their previous release Bloodhunt indicates a commitment to ambitious projects. The company's stated values of shared ownership and fun are key cultural indicators for potential hires.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal User Researcher. This level signifies an individual contributor who is a recognized expert in their field, capable of setting strategic direction, mentoring others, and driving significant impact. It is a senior leadership role focused on technical mastery and influence.

Reporting Structure: The Principal User Researcher likely reports to a Head of Research, Director of Product, or a similar senior leadership role responsible for player experience and product strategy. They will, in turn, mentor and guide other User Researchers.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and profound impact on the success of Sharkmob's games. By ensuring player needs and behaviors are understood and addressed, the Principal User Researcher influences game design, player retention, monetization strategies, and overall player satisfaction, directly contributing to revenue and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Transition into a management role overseeing a larger User Research department or expanding responsibilities to include broader player experience strategy.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as live service game research, player psychology in competitive environments, or advanced quantitative research methods.

• Cross-Disciplinary Roles: Move into related fields like Product Management, Game Design Strategy, or UX Strategy, leveraging deep player understanding.

• Industry Influence: Become a thought leader through conference presentations, publications, or contributions to the broader game development research community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title suggests a career path that emphasizes deep expertise and influence rather than purely hierarchical management. Growth opportunities would likely involve expanding the scope of influence and strategic contribution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role requires physical presence in the Malmö office, facilitating in-person collaboration, direct observation of playtests, and team interactions.

Office Location(s): Stortorget 11, Malmö, Sweden. This central location in Malmö provides access to city amenities and transport links.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative and dynamic studio environment expected in AAA game development.

• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including dedicated usability labs, observation rooms, and playtest spaces.

• Proximity to colleagues in Data, UX, Design, and Development teams, enabling frequent face-to-face interactions and quick feedback loops.

• A culture that likely encourages creativity, experimentation, and open communication.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is expected, but the nature of game development, especially with live services, may require flexibility. This could involve occasional late nights or weekend work for critical playtests or deadlines, balanced by compensatory time off or flexible scheduling options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests that Sharkmob values in-person collaboration, spontaneous idea generation, and direct team synergy, which are often crucial in creative and fast-paced game development environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the Principal User Researcher role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, leadership capabilities, research philosophy, and strategic thinking. Expect questions about past projects and mentorship experiences.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Sessions with other User Researchers, designers, or data analysts to assess collaboration style, technical skills, and cultural fit. May involve presenting a portfolio case study.

• Craft/Technical Interview: Deep dive into research methodologies, experimental design, statistical analysis, and problem-solving approaches. May include a practical exercise or discussion of a specific research challenge.

• Senior Leadership Interview: Final discussion with senior management to evaluate strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall contribution to the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Prioritize projects where your research demonstrably led to significant improvements in game design, player satisfaction, or business outcomes. Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "increased player retention by X%", "reduced critical bugs by Y%").

• Strategic Depth: For each case study, clearly articulate the research problem, your strategic approach, the methodologies used, your specific contributions, the key findings, and the resulting actions taken by the development team.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Include examples of how you have mentored junior researchers, guided research strategies for teams, or influenced best practices within an organization.

• Methodological Rigor: Demonstrate a strong command of both qualitative and quantitative methods, including experimental design and statistical analysis. Explain why you chose specific methods.

• Presentation Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Prepare a concise narrative for each project that highlights your role and impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss hypothetical research scenarios relevant to AAA game development (e.g., designing research for a new multiplayer mode, evaluating player onboarding for a live service game, understanding player frustration in competitive play).

• Practice articulating complex research concepts and findings clearly and concisely, tailoring your communication to different audiences (developers, executives).

• Review fundamental statistical concepts and be ready to discuss how they apply to user research in games.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential practical exercises underscores the hands-on and strategic nature of this Principal role. Candidates should prepare to not only discuss their experience but also demonstrate their expertise through concrete examples and problem-solving.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for survey creation, participant recruitment, and remote usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Data Analysis Software: Proficiency in statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS, R, Python with libraries like Pandas, NumPy) for quantitative data analysis.

• Qualitative Analysis Tools: Experience with tools for thematic analysis, transcription, and synthesizing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo).

• Game Engines (Beneficial): Familiarity with Unreal Engine, given Sharkmob's primary development tool, can be advantageous for understanding development context.

Analytics & Reporting:

• In-Game Analytics Tools: Experience with game-specific analytics platforms (e.g., proprietary tools, possibly integrating with platforms like GameAnalytics or Unity Analytics if applicable to their pipeline).

• Data Visualization Tools: Proficiency in creating clear and impactful data visualizations using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or similar.

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation and basic analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how player data flows from various sources (game telemetry, feedback platforms, surveys) into broader systems is beneficial for context.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) for tracking research tasks and collaborating with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's responsibilities imply a need for strong quantitative analysis skills, likely involving statistical software, and proficiency in standard user research platforms. Familiarity with game development pipelines and associated data is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the player's needs and experience in all development decisions.

• Data-Driven Insights: Valuing rigorous analysis and evidence-based conclusions to inform strategy and execution, balancing qualitative and quantitative data.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an open environment where research findings are shared, discussed, and acted upon collaboratively across teams.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to refining research methodologies, improving player experiences, and evolving game design based on feedback and learning.

• Passion for Games: A genuine enthusiasm for video games and the craft of creating engaging interactive entertainment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with developers, designers, data analysts, and marketing to embed user research throughout the product lifecycle.

• Consultative Partnership: Acting as a trusted advisor to game teams and senior leadership, providing expert guidance and strategic recommendations.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing research methods, findings, and best practices to upskill team members and elevate the overall quality of research across the studio.

• Feedback Loops: Encouraging constructive feedback on research plans, methodologies, and findings to ensure robust and relevant insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sharkmob's stated culture emphasizes "shared ownership, a passion for creating great games, and, just as importantly, having fun." This suggests a team that is highly engaged, collaborative, and values both professional excellence and a positive work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Rigor with Development Pace: Ensuring thorough, data-driven research is conducted efficiently within the fast-paced, iterative cycles of AAA game development.

• Navigating Subjectivity in Game Design: Translating player feedback into actionable insights that balance player desires with creative vision and technical feasibility.

• Researching Live Service Games: Continuously monitoring and researching evolving player behaviors, meta-game shifts, and community feedback in long-term live service titles.

• Influencing Senior Stakeholders: Effectively communicating complex research findings and advocating for player needs to gain buy-in from senior leadership and development teams.

• Mentoring and Upskilling: Developing and implementing effective strategies for training and growing the skills of other user researchers within the team.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research methodologies, statistical models, and player behavior analysis techniques.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Participation in leading game development and user research conferences (e.g., GDC, CHI Play) to stay abreast of industry trends and network.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining deeper insights into game design principles, programming, and data analytics through collaboration with other departments.

• Leadership Development: Formal or informal training programs focused on team leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic and complex nature of user research in the AAA gaming industry, particularly for live service titles. The growth opportunities are geared towards continuous learning and expanding leadership influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a senior stakeholder with conflicting opinions using user research data. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, data synthesis, and persuasion).

• "How would you design a research plan to evaluate the onboarding experience for a new player in a complex live service game like Exoborne?" (Assess methodology, understanding of game genres, and lifecycle considerations).

• "Imagine a critical gameplay mechanic is receiving mixed feedback from playtests. How would you use user research to diagnose the problem and propose solutions?" (Focus on problem-solving, experimental design, and actionable recommendations). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about Sharkmob and our approach to game development, particularly our focus on multiplayer and live services?" (Show research into the company and genuine interest).

• "How do you see user research contributing to the success of a AAA game studio like ours, and what is your philosophy on fostering a player-centric culture?" (Align with company values and demonstrate strategic understanding).

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior researchers. What is your approach to developing talent and ensuring high-quality research output from a team?" (Highlight leadership and team development skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your strategic approach, the methods used, your role, key findings, and the impact. Use a story-telling approach.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the tangible results of your research (e.g., improvements in player engagement, usability, satisfaction).

• Highlight Leadership: Specifically call out instances where you led research initiatives, mentored colleagues, or influenced strategic decisions.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, statistical choices, and how you handled challenges or unexpected findings.

• Showcase Adaptability: Demonstrate your ability to adapt research methods to different game genres, development stages, and project constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, strong methodological grounding, and a clear understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within AAA game development, particularly for live service titles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Sharkmob careers portal at https://career.sharkmob.com/jobs/8490883-principal-user-researcher.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 8+ years of user research experience, leadership/mentorship roles, statistical expertise, and any relevant game development industry experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful projects that demonstrate your strategic thinking, methodological rigor, leadership, and ability to drive player-centric decisions. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your approach, findings, and quantifiable impact.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear communication, strategic insights, and your specific contributions. Be ready to discuss your research philosophy and leadership style.

• Research Sharkmob: Familiarize yourself with their games (Exoborne, Bloodhunt), their company culture, and their focus on multiplayer and live services. Understand how your skills and experience align with their 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.