OPT UX Research Intern Jobs
UX Research Intern roles are well-suited for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in human-computer interaction, cognitive science, psychology, or design. Most positions involve user interviews, usability testing, and synthesizing insights, which aligns directly with STEM-adjacent coursework. Your 12-month OPT window gives you enough time to make a measurable contribution and build a portfolio of real research projects.
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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 60+ OPT UX Research Intern Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT UX Research Intern Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a UX Research Intern
Target companies with dedicated UX research functions
Large tech companies, design consultancies, and product-led startups maintain full research teams and are more likely to sponsor OPT. A standalone internship at a company without a research practice rarely leads to cap-gap or H-1B visa sponsorship afterward.
Frame your research methods as transferable skills
Employers want to see that you can run studies independently. Highlight specific methods you've used, such as moderated interviews, tree testing, or card sorting, and the tools behind them. Competence with methods signals you can contribute from week one.
Clarify your OPT timeline early in the process
Before accepting an offer, confirm your OPT start date, end date, and whether your degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM extension. Employers need this information to plan your role and evaluate whether sponsorship timelines are viable.
Build a portfolio that shows the research process, not just the output
Hiring managers for research internships want to see how you think. Include case studies that document your recruitment approach, discussion guides, analysis method, and how your findings influenced a product decision, not just the final slide deck.
Prioritize roles with a clear research mentor or supervisor
Internships where you report directly to a senior UX researcher or research manager give you better training and stronger references. Avoid roles where research is embedded inside a design or product team with no dedicated research leadership.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly research internships
Browse UX Research Intern listings on Migrate Mate to find employers who have sponsored international students before. Filtering by sponsorship history saves time and increases the likelihood your application reaches a hiring team open to OPT candidates.
UX Research Intern OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a UX Research Intern on OPT?
Yes, if the internship is directly related to your field of study. UX research typically qualifies for students with degrees in human-computer interaction, psychology, cognitive science, design, or related fields. Your employment must be in a role that aligns with your major, so review your degree classification against the job description before accepting an offer.
Does a UX Research Internship qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you graduated from a STEM-designated program, such as human-computer interaction, information science, or computer science, and your internship qualifies as practical training in that field, you may be eligible for the 24-month STEM extension. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.
How do I find UX Research Intern roles that are open to OPT students?
Search on Migrate Mate, which surfaces roles from employers who have sponsored international students before. When reviewing postings, look for language like 'OPT accepted' or 'visa sponsorship available.' Applying through channels that already filter for sponsorship-friendly employers saves significant time compared to general job searches where most listings don't disclose their position on work authorization.
What happens to my OPT status if my UX Research Internship ends early?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment limit during standard OPT. If your internship ends before your OPT authorization period expires, that clock starts running immediately. You need to report the employment end date to your DSO within 10 days. If you're on STEM OPT, the unemployment limit drops to 60 days. Finding your next role quickly is important to staying in status.
Do UX Research Intern roles typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Some do, but it varies significantly by employer. Large product companies with established research teams, such as those in enterprise software or consumer technology, are more likely to convert strong interns and sponsor H-1B petitions. Smaller companies or agencies may not have the legal infrastructure or budget to sponsor. When evaluating an internship, ask directly whether the company has sponsored previous research interns for full-time roles.