UX Research Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research Intern

Company: CD PROJEKT RED

Location: Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland

Job Type: Intern

Category: UX Research / Game Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-10

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Office-First)

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the planning and execution of playtests and user research studies within the game development lifecycle.

• Collect and analyze qualitative feedback from playtest participants, demonstrating foundational user research skills.

• Gain hands-on experience in moderating playtest sessions and contributing to research findings synthesis.

• Develop an understanding of UX principles and their application in the gaming industry.

• Collaborate with experienced researchers and development teams in a dynamic studio environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically tailored for an intern within a game development studio, focusing on the operational aspects of user experience research. The emphasis is on learning and contributing to established research processes rather than independent research design. The "Operations" category reflects the role's involvement in executing and supporting research workflows, data collection, and analysis directly impacting product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Assist in the scheduling, setup, and execution of user research sessions and playtests, adhering to established protocols.

• Conduct interviews with playtest participants, gathering qualitative feedback and insights under the guidance of senior researchers.

• Shadow and learn from experienced UX researchers and moderators to understand best practices in study design and execution.

• Moderate playtest sessions, ensuring adherence to scripts, smooth participant experience, and accurate data capture.

• Contribute to the analysis and synthesis of research findings, including summarizing feedback and identifying key themes and trends.

• Document research processes, participant feedback, and preliminary findings in a clear and organized manner.

• Assist in preparing research materials, such as questionnaires, interview guides, and debriefing documents.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including game designers and QA testers, to understand research objectives and integrate findings.

• Maintain a high level of data integrity and confidentiality throughout the research process.

• Proactively learn and apply new UX research methodologies and tools relevant to game development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed to reflect an intern's supportive role within a structured research operation. The emphasis on "supporting," "assisting," "shadowing," and "contributing" highlights the learning and development aspect typical of an internship, while still detailing concrete tasks that contribute to the overall UX research operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• High School Graduate or current University Student.

Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience, with a strong emphasis on academic projects, personal interest, or prior internship exposure.

• Foundational knowledge or demonstrable interest in User Experience (UX) and User Research methodologies.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for documentation, data organization, and presentation.

• Good command of English (C1/C2 level) for effective communication in a multinational environment.

• Strong interest in technology and the gaming industry, with an eagerness to learn about game development.

• Excellent observational skills and attention to detail in collecting and documenting feedback.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for interacting with participants and team members.

• Analytical thinking abilities to contribute to the synthesis of research findings.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) or other recording/streaming tools for session capture.

• Deeper understanding of game development processes and the player journey.

• Experience with or interest in qualitative research methods like interviews and usability testing.

• Basic familiarity with data analysis and synthesis techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications are structured to align with an intern profile, emphasizing foundational knowledge, interest, and learnability over extensive professional experience. Specific mention of Google Workspace and English proficiency is derived from the job description. The "nice to have" section is translated into preferred skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Documentation of academic projects or personal initiatives related to user research, usability testing, or player feedback analysis.

• Examples of questionnaires, interview scripts, or survey designs.

• Summaries or reports of findings from any conducted studies, even if informal.

• Demonstration of analytical thinking and ability to synthesize qualitative data.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to follow and document established research protocols for playtesting and user interviews.

• Understanding of how feedback is collected, organized, and reported within a project workflow.

• Familiarity with the iterative process of game development and how user research informs design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern role, a formal "portfolio" might not be expected in the traditional sense. This section focuses on the types of work that would demonstrate relevant skills and the processes they are expected to engage with and learn. The focus is on foundational documentation and analytical contributions rather than independently designed research portfolios.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Gross hourly rate: 31.40 PLN.

Benefits:

• Fully paid internship under a contract of mandate.

• Flexible working hours (start between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM).

• Welcome pack filled with goodies.

• Dog-friendly office environment.

• Regular social events and gatherings.

• Access to healthy food selections in canteens.

• Truly international working environment.

• Sustainability initiatives on campus (electric car charging, green zones).

• Dedicated bicycle space, repair equipment, and showers.

• Onsite, well-equipped gym with a climbing wall, daily Gym Assistant support, and yoga/boxing classes.

Working Hours:

• Full availability required from the beginning of July until the end of September (40 hours per week).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is explicitly stated in the job description. The annual estimate is provided for context, assuming full-time employment for the duration of the internship. Benefits are directly extracted and categorized for clarity, highlighting those particularly relevant to a studio environment and employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Game Development (RPG focus)

Company Size: Large (CD PROJEKT RED is a well-established, globally recognized game studio)

Founded: 2002

Company Description: CD PROJEKT RED is renowned for creating critically acclaimed, story-driven Role-Playing Games (RPGs) that resonate deeply with players worldwide. Their mission is to develop revolutionary RPGs that capture players' hearts. The company emphasizes sharing insights into its culture through its YouTube channel and "Beyond the Game Blog."

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team likely operates within or closely alongside game development teams (e.g., specific game projects like Cyberpunk 2077 or The Witcher series).

• Interns will report to a mentor or a lead UX researcher, who will oversee their tasks and development.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Focus on collecting and interpreting qualitative player feedback to inform design decisions. This involves user interviews, playtest observations, and sentiment analysis.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Supporting the execution of research plans, ensuring smooth playtest sessions, and contributing to the efficient collection of data.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not a core focus for an intern, understanding how tools like OBS can streamline data capture is beneficial. The company values efficiency in development and research processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Information is synthesized from the provided company description and general knowledge of large game development studios. The "Methodology" section frames how the company approaches operations within its creative and development processes, specifically in relation to UX research.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Internship (Entry-Level / Developmental)

Reporting Structure:

• Interns will work under the direct supervision and mentorship of an experienced UX Researcher or a Research Lead.

Operations Impact:

• While an intern's direct impact is developmental, their contributions to playtests and feedback synthesis directly inform game design decisions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Hands-on experience in planning, executing, and analyzing user research studies, particularly in a game development context.

• Industry Exposure: Direct immersion into the AAA game development environment, understanding its unique challenges and workflows.

• Networking: Opportunity to build connections with industry professionals within CD PROJEKT RED.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: Successful interns may be considered for future roles or internships within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and growth potential specifically for an intern in an operations-adjacent role within game development. It highlights the learning and development aspects crucial for early-career professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Office-First Hybrid Model

Office Location(s): Warsaw, Poland

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The studio fosters a collaborative atmosphere, with a dog-friendly office and regular social events, encouraging interaction and team building.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary tools for research (e.g., Google Workspace) and potentially specialized game development software. Familiarity with recording tools like OBS is a plus.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to work closely with experienced researchers and various development teams, facilitating knowledge exchange and practical learning.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time (40 hours/week) from July to the end of September.

• Flexible working hours with a start time between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, allowing for some personal schedule management within the operational needs of the research team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description highlights the "office-first" hybrid nature and the specific benefits of the Warsaw office environment, such as being dog-friendly and having extensive amenities, which are crucial for understanding the day-to-day work experience.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and application to assess qualifications, interest in UX research and gaming, and English proficiency.

• Skills Assessment: Potential practical exercises or case studies focusing on analytical thinking, data synthesis from provided information, or basic research scenario interpretation. This might involve evaluating hypothetical player feedback.

• Interview(s): Discussions with hiring managers or UX researchers to gauge understanding of UX principles, interest in the gaming industry, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit. Questions will likely probe how candidates approach learning and collaboration.

• Final Selection: Based on overall assessment of skills, potential, and fit for the internship program.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Potential and Process: For an internship, demonstrate your interest and foundational understanding. If you have projects, highlight the process you followed, even if informal.

• Showcase Analytical Skills: Even if it's from academic work, present how you analyzed data (qualitative or quantitative) and what insights you derived.

• Demonstrate Communication: Include examples of how you presented findings or communicated ideas clearly. For this role, clarity in English is key.

• Gaming Industry Passion: Clearly articulate your interest in games and why you want to contribute to their development through UX research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand UX Research Basics: Be ready to discuss fundamental UX concepts, the difference between qualitative and quantitative research, and why user feedback is crucial in game development.

• Analyze Hypothetical Scenarios: Practice analyzing mock player feedback or scenarios. Think about how you would categorize issues, identify trends, or suggest next steps.

• Prepare to Discuss Your Interest: Be ready to talk enthusiastically about games you play, what you like about them, and what you think could be improved from a player's perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to an intern applicant, emphasizing the demonstration of potential, learning ability, and specific skills relevant to UX research operations within a game development context, rather than extensive professional achievements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Google Workspace: Essential for daily operations, including Docs for documentation, Sheets for data organization and basic analysis, and Slides for presentations. Proficiency is a requirement.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Tools: While specific internal analytics and reporting tools are not mentioned, the role involves contributing to the synthesis of findings, implying the use of tools that can aggregate and present qualitative data.

• Data Synthesis Tools: Familiarity with methods for organizing and summarizing qualitative feedback is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• OBS (Open Broadcaster Software): A preferred skill, used for recording playtest sessions, which is a crucial part of data collection in UX research.

• Other Recording/Streaming Tools: General familiarity with similar software is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is primarily derived from explicitly mentioned requirements (Google Workspace, OBS) and inferred needs for a UX Research Intern role in game development, focusing on data collection, organization, and analysis tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value that drives the need for UX research. Decisions are made with the player experience at the forefront.

• Passion for Gaming: A deep-seated enthusiasm for creating high-quality games that resonate with players.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across different teams and disciplines to achieve a common goal.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to learning and refining processes, including research methodologies, to enhance game quality.

• Excellence: Striving for high standards in all aspects of game development and operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: UX researchers work closely with game designers, producers, QA, and other development teams to ensure research findings are understood and actionable.

• Feedback Exchange: An open culture where feedback is valued and constructively shared to improve both the product and the processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share insights, learnings, and best practices, particularly through mentorship and informal discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from CD PROJEKT RED's reputation as a leading game developer and the nature of the internship role, which necessitates close teamwork and a shared passion for gaming.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Learning and Contribution: As an intern, the challenge will be to learn quickly while also making meaningful contributions to ongoing projects.

• Synthesizing Diverse Feedback: Handling and making sense of a wide range of player feedback, which can sometimes be contradictory or difficult to interpret.

• Adapting to Game Development Pace: Understanding the fast-paced and iterative nature of game development and how research fits into tight schedules.

• Technical Familiarity: Quickly getting up to speed with industry-standard tools and potentially game-specific software.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Practical UX Research Experience: Gaining hands-on experience in a professional game development studio setting.

• Industry Insight: Deep dive into the operational side of AAA game development and the role of UX research.

• Mentorship: Learning directly from experienced UX researchers and game development professionals.

• Skill Enhancement: Developing core skills in qualitative data collection, analysis, and communication.

• Networking: Building professional connections within the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines potential challenges and growth areas specific to an intern in a UX research role within the demanding environment of game development, providing practical foresight for applicants.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a game you've played recently and what you liked or disliked about its user experience."

  • Preparation: Think about specific examples. Focus on why you liked/disliked something (e.g., intuitive controls, confusing UI, engaging onboarding). Connect this to UX principles.

• "How would you approach gathering feedback from players after they've tested a new game feature?"

  • Preparation: Discuss methods like interviews, surveys, or observation. Emphasize active listening and asking open-ended questions. Mention the importance of context.

• "Imagine you're moderating a playtest session and a participant is struggling. What would you do?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in UX research at CD PROJEKT RED specifically?"

  • Preparation: Research CD PROJEKT RED's games, their known strengths in storytelling and world-building, and connect your interest in UX to how it enhances these aspects.

• "How do you handle receiving constructive criticism or feedback on your work?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize your openness to learning, your ability to see feedback as an opportunity for growth, and how you would use it to improve.

• "Describe a time you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Showcase Your Process: Even for academic or personal projects, clearly explain the steps you took (e.g., defining the problem, planning the research, collecting data, analyzing, reporting).

• Highlight Key Insights: Focus on the most important findings from your work and how they could inform decisions.

• Demonstrate Analytical Skills: Explain how you interpreted data and what conclusions you drew.

• Keep it Concise: For an internship, a few well-explained examples are better than many rushed ones. Focus on quality and clarity.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are tailored for an intern UX Researcher role in the gaming industry, focusing on assessing foundational knowledge, enthusiasm, collaboration skills, and potential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Tailor your CV: Ensure your CV is in English and clearly highlights your interest in UX research, the gaming industry, and any relevant skills (Google Workspace, analytical thinking, communication).

• Prepare a concise cover letter (if applicable): Express your passion for CD PROJEKT RED's games and explain why you are a strong candidate for this specific internship.

• Review your 'portfolio' (academic projects, personal initiatives): Be ready to discuss any projects that demonstrate your research, analytical, or communication skills. Focus on the process and insights gained.

• Research CD PROJEKT RED: Understand their games, mission, and company culture to articulate your interest and fit during interviews.

• Practice articulating your thoughts: Be prepared to discuss your interest in UX research and the gaming industry clearly and enthusiastically.

⚠️ 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.

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