OPT User Experience Researcher Jobs
User Experience Researcher jobs are a strong fit for OPT authorization because the role's research, synthesis, and strategy work clearly ties to degrees in HCI, cognitive science, psychology, or information science. Most positions offer standard 12-month OPT eligibility, with STEM OPT extension available for qualifying HCI and information science graduates.
Find OPT User Experience Researcher JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 40+ User Experience Researcher jobs
See all 40+ User Experience Researcher Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new User Experience Researcher roles.
Get Access To All JobsDescription
USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
General Responsibilities:
To illustrate and communicate complex design solutions by creating user flows, wireframes, prototypes, high fidelity mockups and detailed user interface (UI) and visual design specifications. To collaboratively help define and to execute digital design needs based on the university's digital accessibility and brand standards as well as user experience (UX) best practices. To partner with our user research and analytics teams to understand the user journey qualitatively and quantitatively and ensure design deliverables reflect findings and data.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
-
Contributes to the university's Digital Design System with accompanying detailed design specifications.
-
Creates, designs and prototypes using Adobe XD and related programs to enhance the templates and modules within UAB's content management systems and digital platforms.
-
Incorporates customer feedback, technical constraints, and usability research findings into design mockups and prototypes.
-
Prepares designs for implementation by our front-end developers and work closely with them to test then give feedback and visual quality assurance.
-
Assists UX Research team with user research and use data collected from a variety of metrics such as research, customer feedback, user testing and market analysis to improve the user experience by creating user-centered designs.
-
Builds storyboards to conceptualize designs to accurately convey project plans.
-
Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary Pay Range: $65,000 – $85,000
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and three (3) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for the education requirement.
Preferred:
- Designing for Drupal or component-based digital platforms.
- Support UAB's three-year migration of more than 300 websites from Joomla to Drupal by expanding the Digital Design System, creating reusable design solutions, collaborating with project partners, and shaping future Drupal enhancements.
- Experience applying digital accessibility principles to design work.
- Foundational UX research experience.
- Comfortable taking initiative on basic research activities, such as interviews and usability testing, and analysis of user feedback or website analytics, to inform and validate design decisions.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
Primary Location
: University
Job Category
: Media and Communication
Organization
: 170000000 Office of Marketing & Communications
Employee Status
: Regular
Shift: Day/1st Shift
Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager): Remote/Hybrid Eligible
Description
USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
General Responsibilities:
To illustrate and communicate complex design solutions by creating user flows, wireframes, prototypes, high fidelity mockups and detailed user interface (UI) and visual design specifications. To collaboratively help define and to execute digital design needs based on the university's digital accessibility and brand standards as well as user experience (UX) best practices. To partner with our user research and analytics teams to understand the user journey qualitatively and quantitatively and ensure design deliverables reflect findings and data.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
-
Contributes to the university's Digital Design System with accompanying detailed design specifications.
-
Creates, designs and prototypes using Adobe XD and related programs to enhance the templates and modules within UAB's content management systems and digital platforms.
-
Incorporates customer feedback, technical constraints, and usability research findings into design mockups and prototypes.
-
Prepares designs for implementation by our front-end developers and work closely with them to test then give feedback and visual quality assurance.
-
Assists UX Research team with user research and use data collected from a variety of metrics such as research, customer feedback, user testing and market analysis to improve the user experience by creating user-centered designs.
-
Builds storyboards to conceptualize designs to accurately convey project plans.
-
Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary Pay Range: $65,000 – $85,000
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and three (3) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for the education requirement.
Preferred:
- Designing for Drupal or component-based digital platforms.
- Support UAB's three-year migration of more than 300 websites from Joomla to Drupal by expanding the Digital Design System, creating reusable design solutions, collaborating with project partners, and shaping future Drupal enhancements.
- Experience applying digital accessibility principles to design work.
- Foundational UX research experience.
- Comfortable taking initiative on basic research activities, such as interviews and usability testing, and analysis of user feedback or website analytics, to inform and validate design decisions.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
Primary Location
: University
Job Category
: Media and Communication
Organization
: 170000000 Office of Marketing & Communications
Employee Status
: Regular
Shift: Day/1st Shift
Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager): Remote/Hybrid Eligible
See all 40+ OPT User Experience Researcher Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT User Experience Researcher Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in User Experience Researcher
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Degrees in Human-Computer Interaction, Information Science, or Cognitive Science often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can accurately communicate your authorization timeline to employers.
Lead with your research methodology expertise
Hiring managers for UX Research roles evaluate candidates on methods first. Highlight specific techniques you've applied, such as usability testing, contextual inquiry, or diary studies, rather than listing tools. Concrete methodology experience signals you can contribute immediately on OPT.
Target companies with established UX research teams
Larger organizations with dedicated UX research functions are more familiar with OPT work authorization. Teams of five or more researchers typically have HR processes for sponsoring or extending work authorization, reducing friction during the offer stage.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in conversations
Recruiters often assume international candidates require immediate H-1B visa sponsorship. Clarify that OPT is employer-paid work authorization with no lottery. Framing your availability as 12 to 36 months removes a common objection before it becomes a barrier.
Build a portfolio that demonstrates research impact
UX Research portfolios that show how findings changed product decisions are far more compelling than those showing process alone. Include one or two case studies with a clear before-and-after outcome to help hiring managers justify sponsorship investments to leadership.
Apply to product-led companies over agencies for OPT roles
In-house UX research roles at product companies offer more OPT stability than agency positions. Product companies invest in long-term researchers and are more likely to pursue H-1B sponsorship after your OPT period, giving you a clearer path beyond your current authorization.
User Experience Researcher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do User Experience Researcher roles typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. UX Research roles can qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, or Information Science. Degrees in Psychology or Communication Studies typically do not qualify. Check your specific CIP code with your DSO to confirm before applying.
How do I explain OPT work authorization to a UX Research hiring manager who isn't familiar with it?
Frame OPT as work authorization you already hold, not sponsorship you're requesting. Tell them OPT allows you to work full-time for any U.S. employer without them filing anything immediately. If you qualify for STEM OPT, emphasize that you can work for up to three years before H-1B sponsorship becomes relevant. Most UX research hiring managers respond well once the distinction is clear.
Where can I find User Experience Researcher jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is specifically built for F-1 OPT students and filters UX Research roles by visa sponsorship openness, so you're not wasting applications on positions that won't consider international candidates. Browsing Migrate Mate lets you focus on companies that have previously hired on OPT or sponsored H-1B visas for research roles.
Is UX Research considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes after OPT ends?
User Experience Researcher roles generally qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as HCI, Cognitive Science, or Psychology. USCIS evaluates this on a case-by-case basis, and employers with strong job descriptions tying the role to a specific degree field have a better approval record. An immigration attorney can assess your specific offer letter.
What happens to my OPT if my UX Research contract or project ends early?
If your employment ends before your OPT authorization expires, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer to a different immigration status, or depart the United States. You must report the change to your DSO within 10 days. During the grace period, you cannot work. For STEM OPT holders, unemployment is also tracked and cannot exceed a total of 150 days across your entire OPT period.