ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Game Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Utah State University

Game Management

Price, UT

$11/hr

Film games for the broadcast * Check bags upon entry * Ball shag at field goals for soccer ... As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the ...

Utah State University

Game Management

Price, UT · On-site

$11/hr

Film games for the broadcast * Check bags upon entry * Ball shag at field goals for soccer ... As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

The Game Designer will create Game Design Documents, generate content in Unity, and enhance ... and research materials to support early concepting. • Familiarity with using data and player ...

Wisconsin

Senior Research Scientist-Field Day

Madison, WI · On-site +1

$99K - $126K/yr

Field Day's freely available games are designed with researchers, subject-matter experts, teachers, and learners and are used to investigate how people learn. The Senior Research Scientist will ...

Spellbrush

Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Part of working with our team may involve looking at our latest research results, and figuring out how to best apply it into the game. You will be at the literal cutting edge of what is possible with ...

Spellbrush

Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Part of working with our team may involve looking at our latest research results, and figuring out how to best apply it into the game. You will be at the literal cutting edge of what is possible with ...

Spellbrush

AI Anime Researcher - LLM

San Francisco, CA · On-site

tl;dr: We're building a 3D first-person adventure game where an AI companion is the core of the ... As an early member of this team, you will have significant artistic and research freedom to shape ...

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

Pitch original game ideas, researching and developing concepts on your own and with other designers * Provide feedback for and develop pitches from external inventors * Facilitate or participate in ...

Spellbrush

AI Anime Researcher - LLM

San Francisco, CA · On-site

tl;dr: We're building a 3D first-person adventure game where an AI companion is the core of the ... As an early member of this team, you will have significant artistic and research freedom to shape ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT

$145K/yr

Experience creating wireframes, mock-ups, technical flows, and research materials to support early ... Annual Game Jam to show off your creative chops!

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

Experience creating wireframes, mock-ups, technical flows, and research materials to support early ... Annual Game Jam to show off your creative chops!

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsGame Researcher Jobs

Game Researcher information

See salary details

$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do game researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for game researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game researcher?

Game Researchers are professionals who study various aspects of video games, including player behavior, game design, storytelling, and technology. They may work in academia, for gaming companies, or as independent consultants, using research methods such as data analysis, user testing, and surveys. Their findings help improve gameplay experiences, inform game development, and contribute to our understanding of games as a cultural phenomenon.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Researcher, you need a solid background in game design theory, analytics, and user research methods, often supported by a degree in psychology, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools (such as SPSS, R, or Tableau), playtesting platforms, and usability testing software is typically required. Strong communication, critical thinking, and curiosity help Game Researchers translate player feedback into actionable insights for development teams. These skills are crucial for creating engaging, user-centered games that meet player expectations and drive industry innovation.

What are some common challenges faced by game researchers when collaborating with development teams?

Game Researchers often encounter challenges in effectively communicating complex player data and research findings to development teams with diverse backgrounds. Balancing the needs and timelines of designers, artists, and programmers can be demanding, as research insights may call for changes late in the development process. Additionally, researchers must ensure their studies are relevant and actionable, translating player feedback and analytics into clear recommendations that align with project goals. Building strong relationships and maintaining open communication channels are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Game Researcher vs Game Designer?

AspectGame ResearcherGame Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in game design, psychology, or related fieldsBachelor's or master's in game design, computer science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, game studios, user testing environmentsCreative teams, development studios, design departments
Employer & Industry UsageUsed to inform game development through user research and testingCreates game concepts, mechanics, and overall design
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles in game developmentUnderstanding design roles in game development

Game Researchers focus on studying player behavior, preferences, and testing to inform game development. Game Designers create the gameplay, mechanics, and overall experience. Both roles are essential in the game industry but serve different functions within the development process.

How to become a game user researcher?

To become a game user researcher, typically a bachelor's degree in psychology, human-computer interaction, or a related field is required, along with experience in user testing, data analysis, and familiarity with gaming platforms. Developing skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as proficiency with tools like surveys and analytics software, is also important. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level research roles can help build a career in this specialized field.
More about Game Researcher jobs

What states have the most Game Researcher jobs?

States with the most job openings for Game Researcher jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Game Researcher jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Researcher jobs are:

Game Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Researcher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Associate Professor or Full Professor in Teams, Processes and Collaboration in Games

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

Full-time

Retirement

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

University Of Utah rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 159 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

384th of 619 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Information
Proposed Faculty Rank Associate Professor or Professor Department 01508 - Games City Salt Lake City, UT Track Tenure Track New Position to Begin 7/1/2026 Details
The Division of Games at the University of Utah invites applications for a tenure-track Associate or Full Professor in Games to begin in Fall 2026. We seek a scholar whose primary area of expertise is Teams, Processes, and Collaboration in Games: the study of how individuals, groups, and organizations create, coordinate, and innovate within game development, game play and game-based environments. Candidates should demonstrate strength in advancing theories, models, methods, or tools that deepen our understanding of how people work together to design, create, and/or engage with complex game systems. Relevant subareas include, but are not limited to team cognition and collaborative creativity in game development, human-computer interaction and human-centered computing for creative teams, organizational behavior and production processes in games and interactive media, learning sciences and creative collaboration in technical and design education, computational social science and data-driven modeling of team dynamics, human factors, human-AI teaming, and socio-technical systems in creative practice. We especially welcome applicants who connect these areas to broader domains of games research and practice, and who are eager to lead collaborations across disciplines and funding agencies.
Hires will be part of the PRESS PLAY Initiative (https://games.utah.edu/pressplay/), a significant, multi-year commitment for faculty growth in the Division of Games that seeks to build the division into a world-leader in both games research and teaching. The successful candidate will join a collegial and supportive community dedicated to advancing both research and pedagogy in games who are excited to help define the division's research enterprise. They will share our vision of the power that games hold to transform players, groups, and society.
Applicants should hold a terminal degree in a relevant field (e.g., Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Centered Computing, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Learning Sciences, Communication, or related disciplines) by the time of appointment.
At the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must demonstrate a distinguished record of high-impact publications, a strong track record of securing competitive external funding, evidence of leadership in collaborative research, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring students at all levels. At the rank of Full Professor, candidates must show an internationally recognized record of scholarly achievement, sustained success in securing major external funding, demonstrated capacity for academic leadership at scale, and evidence of significant impact on the advancement of their field.
Successful candidates are expected to develop and sustain a robust program of research supported by external funding. They should demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality scholarship while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Candidates will also be expected to contribute to university and professional service.
About the Division of Games at the University of Utah:
The Division of Games at the University of Utah is one of the world's leading academic programs in games, ranked #1 among public institutions for three years in a row. Now in its fifteenth year, the Division spans technical, artistic, design, and analytic domains, advancing both the creation and the study of games as a transformative medium. The Division is in the second year of a five-year growth period through the PRESS PLAY Initiative, a major investment in new faculty lines, funding, and facilities that expands opportunities for cutting-edge research, teaching, and collaboration.
The Division of Games is one of the four academic units of the College of Architecture and Planning, which also includes the School of Architecture, the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, and the Division of Multi-Disciplinary Design.
The University of Utah is a Carnegie Research I institution located in Salt Lake City, nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. With thriving arts and culinary scenes, and an exploding high technology sector, Salt Lake City offers a unique mix of urban life juxtaposed with access to remarkable national parks, ski resorts, hiking and climbing, and more, just minutes away from campus.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

Notice

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/
This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Special Instructions for Candidates

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin immediately. Priority will be given to candidates who submit their materials by December 1, 2025. We anticipate finalist interviews will take place before February, though dates are subject to change.
Application Instructions
To apply, candidates must submit the following materials:
  • Current CV
  • Cover Letter: Clearly state your interest in the position, identify the specific area(s) of expertise for which you wish to be considered, and explain how your experience and professional goals align with the Division's needs.
  • A teaching statement that articulates your philosophy of teaching and learning, describes prior teaching and mentoring experience, and outlines how you would contribute to our undergraduate and graduate curricula.
  • A research statement that provides a focused discussion of your research experience and future plans, including your strategies for funding, scholarly impact, and advancing knowledge in games.
  • Contact Information for three references.

Each of these materials must explicitly demonstrate how your qualifications meet the requirements for a successful candidate as outlined in this position description. Applicants should take care to directly connect their experience, expertise, and future plans to the stated expectations of the role.
Open Date 11/01/2025 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Requisition Number PRN01438CF Type Faculty

What University Of Utah employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

University of Utah logo

About University of Utah

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and an enrollment of more than 38,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. The U is advancing a new national model for higher education that delivers societal impact through education, research, health care, and community service, while making social, economic, and cultural contributions that improve lives across Utah and around the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Salt Lake City, UT, US

Year founded

1850

View All University of Utah Jobs

Apply