PhD UX Research Intern - Summer 2025

About User Experience (UX) at IPSOS:

UX covers all aspects of the end-user's interaction with a company, and its products. UX research is at the heart of user-centered design, which is based on the notion that design should be informed by research about users, their expectations, their activities, and their interactions with products. Ipsos believes that as part of a user-centered design process, every design decision should be informed in part by UX research. Moreover, Ipsos believes that simply conducting evaluative UX research on completed designs is not as effective as conducting UX research throughout the process.

About the Summer Internship:

This 10-12 week internship offers a unique opportunity for a PhD student to explore the evolving landscape of AI-powered user research tools and their impact on the future of work. The intern will gain practical experience by evaluating these cutting-edge tools, analyzing their implications for research workflows, and contributing to the development of novel research methods.

Our internship is geared towards PhD students with a proven publication track record as first author in top-tier computing venues including CHI, CSCW, DIS.

What you can expect to be doing:

• Conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis of AI-powered user research tools and platforms.
• Design and execute research studies to evaluate the usability and impact of selected AI tools on real-world research projects.
• Collaborate with experienced researchers and contribute to the development of new research methodologies that leverage the power of AI.
• Synthesize findings into a report, presentation, and/or publication for both academic and industry audiences.

Areas of Focus:

• Evaluating AI-Driven User Research Platforms: Conduct in-depth evaluations of emerging AI tools for user research, assessing their capabilities, limitations, and potential ethical considerations.
• Analyzing the Impact of AI on Research Workflows: Investigate how AI is transforming traditional research practices, including data collection, analysis, and the communication of findings.
• Exploring the Future of Work for Researchers: Examine how AI is reshaping the skills and expertise required for user researchers, and identify potential opportunities and challenges presented by these technologies.

This might be the job for you if you have:

• Education and Experience: 3+ years of experience in user experience research or design is highly preferred. Actively enrolled in a graduate PhD program in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, Information Sciences, Digital Media or a related field.
• Experience with Technical Domains: Ability to conduct in-depth interviews with developers and technical audiences, effectively gathering insights on complex computing topics and translating them into actionable findings. Bonus if you have experience with programing and developing computational tools.
• Independent and Self-Directed: Demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness, with the ability to work autonomously, manage time effectively, and prioritize tasks to achieve project goals with minimal supervision, even when juggling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Academic Publication Experience: Demonstrated experience in academic research and publication, with first author publications in top-tier conferences such as CHI, CSCW, and DIS, showcasing expertise in HCI principles and research methodologies.

If you don't meet 100% of the requirements, we encourage all who feel they might be a fit for the opportunity to apply. We may consider a variety of backgrounds for a particular role and are also committed to considering candidates for available positions throughout our organization, not just the one you're applying to!

The hourly rate for this role is $30.00. Your final base rate will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to location, work experience, skills, knowledge, education and/or certifications.

What's in it for you:

At Ipsos you'll experience opportunities for Career Development, a flexible workplace policy, and a strong collaborative culture.

To find out more about all the great reasons to work at Ipsos, how we're making an impact around the world, and more about our benefits and employee programs, please visit:
Why Work at Ipsos | US

Commitment to Diversity

Ipsos recognizes the necessity of building an inclusive culture that values each employee's individuality and diverse perspectives. For more than 40 years, our mission has been to generate and analyze data about society, markets, brands, and behaviors to provide our clients with the insights that elevate their understanding of the world. This could not be fulfilled without Ipsos' diverse employees who compile and analyze this data-they are the essence of who we are and what we do.

We are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, creating an environment that promotes inclusion, and enabling employees from all walks of life to flourish. Ipsos encourages our employees to act in a respectful and responsible manner, in line with code of best practices concerning diversity and inclusion, human rights, equality, and civility for every individual.

Ipsos is An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other protected class and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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