User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher

Company: HoYoverse

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Market Research

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Experience Level: Mid-Level (1-3 years preferred)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research initiatives across various stages of game product development, from ideation to post-launch, ensuring a player-centric approach.

• Execute end-to-end research projects, encompassing stakeholder communication, methodology design, data analysis, and actionable insight delivery for both US and global markets.

• Conduct comprehensive industry and competitor analysis to identify emerging trends, understand market positioning, and inform strategic product decisions.

• Collaborate closely with the Shanghai office to integrate global research findings and ensure alignment on product strategy.

• Champion player psychology and user needs within the product development lifecycle, translating complex data into clear, impactful recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a User Researcher, but given the emphasis on "global market research," "industry trends," and "competitor analysis," it strongly overlaps with Market Research functions. The collaboration with the Shanghai office suggests a need for cross-cultural research capabilities and potentially managing international research projects. The preferred experience level of 1-3 years indicates a mid-level role requiring autonomy and foundational expertise.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute user research studies throughout the entire game product lifecycle, from conceptualization and prototyping to live operations and feature iteration.

• Define research objectives and methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) in alignment with product team goals and business needs.

• Conduct in-depth player interviews, focus groups, surveys, usability tests, and other research activities to gather insights into player behavior, preferences, and pain points.

• Analyze research data to identify key trends, patterns, and actionable insights, translating findings into clear, concise, and compelling reports and presentations for stakeholders.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, engineers, and marketing, to integrate user feedback and research findings into product roadmaps and strategic decisions.

• Conduct comprehensive market and competitive analysis, monitoring industry trends, identifying competitor strategies, and assessing market opportunities within the gaming landscape.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of research processes and best practices within the organization.

• Potentially explore and apply AI/LLM-based workflows for research analysis and efficiency gains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of foundational user research (usability testing, player interviews) and broader market intelligence gathering (industry/competitor analysis). The explicit mention of collaboration with the Shanghai office implies a need for cross-cultural understanding and project management across different regions. The "end-to-end" nature of project ownership is a key expectation for this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Market Research, or a related field is typically expected for user research roles.

Experience: 1-3 years of prior experience in user research, market research, or a closely related field, preferably within the gaming or tech industry. Experience with complete game projects is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated passion for games and a deep understanding of player psychology and motivations.

• Proficiency in applying a variety of user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing, ethnographic studies) to address product needs.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data from multiple sources into actionable insights.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to present research findings clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders.

• Meticulous attention to detail, observational skills, and a reflective approach to research.

• Strong sense of responsibility, execution ability, and a proactive, self-driven attitude.

• Logical, objective, and rigorous approach to research and analysis.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment. Preferred Skills:

• In-depth understanding of anime games or at least one core game genre.

• Experience with global market research and international user behavior.

• Familiarity with designing or applying AI/LLM-based workflows for research.

• Mandarin proficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "What We Are Looking For" section emphasizes soft skills like passion for games, communication, teamwork, and a strong work ethic, alongside technical research abilities. The preference for specific game genres and Mandarin proficiency indicates a desire for candidates who can deeply connect with the company's target audience and global operations. The "1-3 years" experience is a specific marker for the expected seniority.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive user research projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership.

• Projects should clearly articulate the research problem, the chosen methodologies, the execution process, and the resulting insights.

• Include examples of how your research directly influenced product decisions, design iterations, or strategic direction.

• Highlight your ability to analyze and present both qualitative and quantitative data effectively.

• Demonstrate experience with various research tools and platforms relevant to user research and data analysis. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented research plans, methodologies, and findings.

• Showcase your approach to stakeholder communication throughout the research process, including initial needs identification and final debriefs.

• Illustrate your process for translating raw data into actionable recommendations and strategic insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated in the raw input, a strong portfolio is crucial for any user research role. The emphasis on "end-to-end" project ownership and delivering "actionable insights" suggests the company will look for evidence of impact and strategic thinking in a candidate's portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $130,000 USD per year. This range is based on the provided information and is subject to adjustment based on candidate location, experience, and specific qualifications.

Benefits:

• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for employees and their dependents.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy.

• 401K retirement savings plan.

• Employer-paid life insurance.

• Employer-paid disability insurance.

• Regular team-building activities throughout the year.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, consistent with a full-time role. While not explicitly stated, on-site roles often imply standard business hours, but flexibility may be available depending on team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for the Los Angeles area, which is a high cost-of-living region. The range of $80,000 - $130,000 is competitive for a mid-level User Researcher with 1-3 years of experience in the tech/gaming sector in Los Angeles. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a notable emphasis on fully employer-paid healthcare premiums for dependents, which is a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Gaming & Entertainment Technology. HoYoverse is a global brand known for creating immersive virtual world experiences and popular games like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Honkai Impact 3rd.

Company Size: HoYoverse has a significant global presence with offices in Singapore, Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and other areas. While specific employee numbers aren't provided for the Los Angeles office, the company as a whole is large and growing, indicating a dynamic and resource-rich environment.

Founded: HoYoverse was founded in 2012. This history suggests a mature company with established processes but also a drive for innovation and expansion, as evidenced by their continued development of new titles and global offices.

Team Structure:

• The User Researcher will likely be part of a larger Product, Design, or Research team within the Los Angeles office.

• Close collaboration is expected with product managers, game designers, UI/UX designers, and potentially marketing teams.

• A key aspect of the structure involves direct collaboration with the Shanghai office, indicating a need for strong cross-cultural communication and alignment. Methodology:

• HoYoverse emphasizes providing immersive virtual world experiences, suggesting a strong focus on user engagement and player satisfaction.

• The company is devoted to engaging fans and fostering an enthusiastic and inclusive global community, highlighting a user-centric approach.

• They consistently explore cutting-edge game development technologies, indicating an innovative and forward-thinking operational environment.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the need for actionable insights from research.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as innovative, community-focused, and dedicated to immersive experiences. The global nature of HoYoverse means the operations team must be adept at international collaboration. The Los Angeles office's role in global research suggests it's a strategic hub for understanding the Western market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a User Researcher with 1-3 years of preferred experience, positioning it as a mid-level position. The responsibilities involve end-to-end project ownership, indicating a significant level of autonomy and accountability.

Reporting Structure: The role implies reporting to a Research Lead, Senior Researcher, or Head of Product/Design within the Los Angeles office. Direct collaboration with product teams is essential, and a dotted line or frequent communication with the Shanghai research counterpart is expected.

Operations Impact: The User Researcher will directly influence game design, feature development, and overall player experience by providing critical insights into player behavior, preferences, and market trends. This impact is crucial for HoYoverse's goal of creating engaging and successful immersive virtual worlds, ultimately driving player retention and market success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific game genres, player demographics, or research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative techniques, survey design, AI-driven analytics).

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior User Researcher role, leading larger projects, mentoring junior researchers, and contributing to research strategy.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Possibility to transition into Product Management, UX Design, or Market Analysis roles leveraging a deep understanding of player insights.

• Global Exposure: Gaining experience managing international research projects and collaborating with diverse global teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a User Researcher at a company like HoYoverse typically involves increasing project scope, leadership responsibilities, and specialization. The emphasis on global collaboration offers unique opportunities for international career development within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "On-site," indicating a physical presence in the Los Angeles office is required.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California, United States. Specific details about office amenities or accessibility would typically be found on the company's careers page or provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The Los Angeles office likely offers a collaborative workspace environment, typical of tech and gaming companies.

• Access to necessary research tools, software, and potentially dedicated testing facilities would be expected.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with other researchers, designers, product managers, and game developers are inherent to an on-site role.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time positions. However, the dynamic nature of game development may occasionally require flexibility to meet project deadlines or conduct time-sensitive research.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role in a creative industry like gaming, the work environment is likely to be dynamic, collaborative, and focused on innovation. The Los Angeles location suggests access to a vibrant talent pool and industry connections.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and portfolio through the provided link.

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter screens applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to assess fit, experience, and understanding of user research principles within the gaming context. This may include behavioral questions and scenario-based inquiries.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: Candidates will likely be asked to present a detailed case study from their portfolio, showcasing their research process, findings, and impact. This is a critical stage to evaluate analytical and communication skills.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (e.g., designers, product managers) to evaluate collaboration skills and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final round with senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss overall strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact: Clearly articulate the business or product impact of your research. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "identified a critical usability issue leading to Y% reduction in support tickets").

• Showcase Process: Detail your research methodology, from problem definition and participant recruitment to data analysis and reporting. Explain why you chose specific methods.

• Focus on Actionable Insights: Emphasize how your findings translated into concrete recommendations and influenced product decisions.

• Tailor to Gaming: If possible, include gaming-specific case studies. Demonstrate understanding of player psychology and the unique challenges of game user research.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use clear visuals and concise language.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Defense: Be prepared to defend your choice of research methods and explain how they addressed the research questions.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate hypothetical research challenges related to game design or player behavior and outline your approach to solving them.

• Data Interpretation: Practice interpreting qualitative and quantitative data and articulating its implications for product development.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare examples of how you've managed stakeholder expectations, communicated difficult findings, and influenced decision-makers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end" research and "actionable insights" strongly suggests that the interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to demonstrate tangible impact from their research work. Case study presentations are almost certain to be a key component.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting online surveys, usability testing, and remote participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Maze, Lookback).

• Data Analysis Software: Proficiency in qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail) and quantitative analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries for data analysis, Excel).

• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with project management and collaboration platforms (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Slack, Asana).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience creating reports and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Google Data Studio to present research findings effectively.

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation and analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user feedback integrates with customer databases or feedback management systems may be beneficial.

• Familiarity with AI/LLM tools for research analysis or workflow automation is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools are not listed, but a typical User Researcher role requires a strong command of survey platforms, qualitative and quantitative analysis tools, and data visualization software. The mention of AI/LLM workflows as a plus suggests an openness to modern analytical techniques.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value likely driving all research efforts, ensuring player needs and experiences are paramount in product development.

• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies and methodologies to create cutting-edge virtual experiences.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional partnerships are essential for success.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Commitment to using rigorous research and data analysis to inform strategy and product choices.

• Passion for Gaming: A shared enthusiasm for games and the gaming industry, creating a motivating and engaging work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands close collaboration with product, design, engineering, and marketing teams, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate research insights into practical applications.

• Global Alignment: A key aspect will be seamless collaboration with the Shanghai office, necessitating clear communication protocols and cultural sensitivity.

• Feedback Culture: An environment that encourages constructive feedback on research approaches, findings, and product recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on player-centricity, innovation, and collaboration aligns with HoYoverse's stated mission and the nature of the gaming industry. The need for global collaboration is a distinct cultural characteristic of this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global Market Nuances: Navigating cultural differences and market specificities when conducting research for a global audience, particularly between Western and Eastern markets.

• Rapid Product Iteration: Keeping pace with fast-paced game development cycles and delivering timely, impactful research insights without compromising rigor.

• Balancing Player Needs with Business Goals: Synthesizing potentially conflicting player desires with business objectives and technical constraints.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the return on investment for user research initiatives to stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to learn and apply more sophisticated research techniques, including advanced statistical analysis, behavioral economics principles, and AI-driven research tools.

• Industry Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific game genres, player segments, or the nuances of the F2P (Free-to-Play) market.

• Cross-Cultural Research: Developing skills in conducting research across diverse international markets and understanding cross-cultural player behavior.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced researchers and product leaders within HoYoverse for guidance and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a global gaming company focusing on user experience. The growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing core research skills and expanding into specialized areas relevant to the gaming industry and international operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision using user research. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating impact and persuasion skills).

• "How would you approach researching player engagement for a new feature in [mention one of HoYoverse's games]? What methodologies would you use and why?" (Assess understanding of game mechanics and research design).

• "Imagine a conflict between stakeholder requests and your recommended research approach. How would you handle this situation?" (Evaluate communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What games do you play, and what do you enjoy most about them from a player's perspective?" (Gauge passion for gaming and player empathy).

• "How do you stay updated on industry trends in gaming and user research?" (Assess proactivity and continuous learning).

• "Describe your experience working with international teams. What are the key challenges and how do you overcome them?" (Evaluate cross-cultural collaboration skills, especially regarding the Shanghai office). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction (problem/goal), Methodology (why chosen), Execution (process), Findings (key insights), Recommendations (actionable steps), Impact (results).

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives that highlight your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (charts, graphs, screenshots, user quotes) to support your points. Avoid text-heavy slides.

• Focus on Insights: Clearly articulate what you learned and why it matters to the product or business.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present data that shows the positive impact of your research.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology, data interpretation, and decision-making process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to a user researcher role in the gaming industry, emphasizing the need to showcase both technical research skills and a deep understanding of player psychology and game design. The portfolio presentation is highlighted as a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Researcher position:

• Submit your resume and a comprehensive portfolio through the provided application link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end research ownership, particularly those involving game products or complex user behaviors. Emphasize your analytical process and the actionable insights you delivered.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 1-3 years of relevant experience, specific research methodologies used, and key achievements. Integrate keywords like "User Research," "Market Research," "Player Psychology," and "Data Analysis."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process and impact through case studies. Be ready to discuss your passion for gaming and your understanding of player motivations. Prepare to answer questions about handling cross-functional and international collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with HoYoverse's game portfolio, their community engagement strategies, and their global presence. Understand their commitment to immersive virtual worlds and how user research contributes to that vision.

⚠️ 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.