OPT User Researcher Jobs
User Researcher roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in human-computer interaction, psychology, cognitive science, or UX design. Your 12-month OPT window (29 months with a STEM extension) gives you enough runway to build a portfolio and transition into H-1B visa sponsorship at established product companies.
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The TikTok LIVE team's mission is to work hand-in-hand with creators & influencers, agencies, and partner organizations to create an environment that brings communities together in real-time to create meaningful and interactive connections around the globe. As part of the US LIVE Operations Team, the User Product Operations Manager will be responsible for designing and operationalizing the end-to-end experience for our most valuable LIVE Users/Gifters. You will be the chief advocate for our top user base, translating their behaviors and feedback into scalable programs that drive satisfaction, retention, and long-term loyalty. This role moves beyond temporary campaigns to build a sustainable, best-in-class ecosystem for the LIVE User community.
Responsibilities:
- User Experience Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to enhance the entire lifecycle of top LIVE Gifters, from onboarding to long-term engagement, ensuring a valuable and frictionless experience.
- Data-Driven Insights: Leverage deep data analysis to understand gifter behavior, identify pain points, and segment the user base. Translate these insights into actionable product, policy, and operational improvements.
- Program Development & Operationalization: Design, launch, and manage scalable programs aimed at improving gifter satisfaction. This includes developing VIP support channels, loyalty and recognition initiatives, feedback forums, and exclusive engagement opportunities.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Data Analytics, Community, and Customer Support teams to champion gifter needs and drive the implementation of experience improvements across the platform.
- Feedback Loop Management: Establish and systematize feedback loops to continuously gather qualitative and quantitative sentiment from top gifters, ensuring their voice directly influences our strategic priorities.
- Compliance Expertise: Champion TikTok USDS Privacy, Safety, and Security guidelines to be the bridge between global business needs and USDS policy and form the utmost confidence in the security of TikTok LIVE business.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or higher with 1+ years of experience in a strategy and operations role with a focus in areas such as user experience, customer success, VIP/loyalty program management, or community operations.
- An in-depth understanding of online communities, digital economies, and user motivation.
- Strong analytical mindset with experience in performing user segmentation, behavioral analysis, and/or churn analysis; you’re comfortable pulling your own data in SQL or modeling in Excel.
- Proven ability to work independently, manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, and translate high-level strategy into day-to-day execution.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to take complex user data and turn it into a compelling narrative that drives action.
- A user-centric and empathetic mindset with a passion for understanding user motivations and improving their journey.
- Experience in the live streaming space and a deep understanding of the dynamics between creators and their supporters.
- Speed, resourcefulness, and a go-getter attitude; you are proactive in identifying and solving problems.
- Deep passion for TikTok, mobile entertainment, social media, and popular culture.
About USDS
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.
On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day. We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
USDS Reasonable Accommodation
USDS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/USDS-RA
Job Information
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually) The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $70304 - $143556 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units. Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
Responsibilities
The TikTok LIVE team's mission is to work hand-in-hand with creators & influencers, agencies, and partner organizations to create an environment that brings communities together in real-time to create meaningful and interactive connections around the globe. As part of the US LIVE Operations Team, the User Product Operations Manager will be responsible for designing and operationalizing the end-to-end experience for our most valuable LIVE Users/Gifters. You will be the chief advocate for our top user base, translating their behaviors and feedback into scalable programs that drive satisfaction, retention, and long-term loyalty. This role moves beyond temporary campaigns to build a sustainable, best-in-class ecosystem for the LIVE User community.
Responsibilities:
- User Experience Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to enhance the entire lifecycle of top LIVE Gifters, from onboarding to long-term engagement, ensuring a valuable and frictionless experience.
- Data-Driven Insights: Leverage deep data analysis to understand gifter behavior, identify pain points, and segment the user base. Translate these insights into actionable product, policy, and operational improvements.
- Program Development & Operationalization: Design, launch, and manage scalable programs aimed at improving gifter satisfaction. This includes developing VIP support channels, loyalty and recognition initiatives, feedback forums, and exclusive engagement opportunities.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Data Analytics, Community, and Customer Support teams to champion gifter needs and drive the implementation of experience improvements across the platform.
- Feedback Loop Management: Establish and systematize feedback loops to continuously gather qualitative and quantitative sentiment from top gifters, ensuring their voice directly influences our strategic priorities.
- Compliance Expertise: Champion TikTok USDS Privacy, Safety, and Security guidelines to be the bridge between global business needs and USDS policy and form the utmost confidence in the security of TikTok LIVE business.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or higher with 1+ years of experience in a strategy and operations role with a focus in areas such as user experience, customer success, VIP/loyalty program management, or community operations.
- An in-depth understanding of online communities, digital economies, and user motivation.
- Strong analytical mindset with experience in performing user segmentation, behavioral analysis, and/or churn analysis; you’re comfortable pulling your own data in SQL or modeling in Excel.
- Proven ability to work independently, manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, and translate high-level strategy into day-to-day execution.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to take complex user data and turn it into a compelling narrative that drives action.
- A user-centric and empathetic mindset with a passion for understanding user motivations and improving their journey.
- Experience in the live streaming space and a deep understanding of the dynamics between creators and their supporters.
- Speed, resourcefulness, and a go-getter attitude; you are proactive in identifying and solving problems.
- Deep passion for TikTok, mobile entertainment, social media, and popular culture.
About USDS
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.
On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day. We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
USDS Reasonable Accommodation
USDS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/USDS-RA
Job Information
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually) The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $70304 - $143556 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units. Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
See all 77+ OPT User Researcher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in User Researcher
Target product companies over agencies
Product companies like tech firms and fintech startups are far more likely to sponsor H-1B visas than research agencies or consultancies. Focus your search on in-house UX and research teams where your role has long-term headcount value.
Frame your research methods as specialty occupation evidence
H-1B eligibility requires a specialty occupation. Emphasize your degree-specific methods: conjoint analysis, eye-tracking studies, usability testing protocols. Generic research experience is harder to defend than methodology tied directly to your academic training.
Build a portfolio that shows business impact
Hiring managers and visa sponsors both want evidence your work drives decisions. Document how your research changed product direction, reduced churn, or improved conversion. Quantified outcomes make you a stronger candidate and a more defensible sponsorship case.
Start sponsorship conversations before your OPT clock runs out
Raise H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage, not after you've started. If you wait until month ten of OPT, there may not be enough time to file before your authorization expires. Early clarity protects both you and your employer.
Prioritize STEM-designated programs for the extension
A STEM OPT extension gives you 24 additional months of work authorization, nearly tripling your runway. Degrees in human-computer interaction, cognitive science, or information science often qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before graduation.
Treat contract and internship roles strategically
Contract User Researcher roles can build your U.S. portfolio quickly, but they rarely lead to sponsorship. Use them to gain experience and references, then pivot to full-time positions at companies with established immigration programs before your OPT expires.
User Researcher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do User Researcher roles qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
User Researcher positions generally qualify as a specialty occupation when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as human-computer interaction, psychology, cognitive science, or UX design. Roles where any degree is accepted regardless of field are harder to defend. The stronger your job description ties research responsibilities to a specific discipline, the cleaner the specialty occupation argument.
Can I work as a User Researcher on OPT without my employer needing to do anything special?
Yes. During your OPT period, your employer does not file any immigration petition on your behalf. You work on your EAD card, and your employer simply verifies your work authorization through Form I-9. However, if you want to stay beyond your OPT window, your employer will need to sponsor an H-1B or another visa, which requires their active participation.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor User Researchers for an H-1B?
Large technology companies, enterprise software firms, and funded product startups are the most consistent sponsors. Companies with dedicated UX or design research teams and existing immigration programs are your best targets. You can browse User Researcher roles at OPT-friendly employers directly on Migrate Mate, which filters for companies that actively support international candidates.
Does my degree field affect whether I can work as a User Researcher on OPT?
Your OPT work must be directly related to your degree field. A degree in human-computer interaction, psychology, information science, or cognitive science maps cleanly to User Researcher roles. If your degree is in an unrelated field, your DSO may flag the position as outside your authorized scope. Review the relationship between your CIP code and the job description before accepting an offer.
How does the STEM OPT extension work for User Researchers?
If your degree falls under a STEM-designated CIP code, you can apply for a 24-month extension after your initial 12-month OPT. Human-computer interaction, cognitive science, and some information science programs qualify. During the extension, your employer must enroll in E-Verify and submit a formal training plan using Form I-983. This gives you up to 36 months total to build experience and secure H-1B sponsorship.