Latest Internships in USA-UK-Canada & Across Worldwide 2025
Finding the right placement in user experience research is a big deal for students, career switchers, and self-taught designers. With UX research internships becoming the core of how products are built, tested, and improved, more people are looking to get hands-on experience in real research environments. Taking on intern jobs in this field isn’t just for people with psychology or design degrees anymore. Now, companies are hiring people who are simply curious, great at asking questions, and interested in how users interact with digital tools.
The search for a user experience research intern role often starts with questions like which companies hire, what tools are used, and whether remote options are available. Some people want to explore user research in a casual way before jumping into a full-time career. Others want a structured programme that leads to job offers. Whatever the reason, this field has grown into a space where interns are treated as contributors, not just observers. Whether it’s summer roles or year-round remote jobs, there’s a format for nearly every kind of applicant.
💡 For More Technology Internships: Click Here
UX Research Internship Openings at Top Companies
What Does a UX Research Intern Actually Do?
UX research interns help teams understand how real users experience products, apps, or websites. This usually means working on things like user interviews, surveys, usability tests, or competitive analyses. You might shadow a researcher during sessions, help write research plans, or assist with pulling insights from raw feedback. These tasks are not just filler work. They’re part of the actual decision-making process that shapes what designers and developers build next.
Tools often used in these roles include Figma (for prototypes), Google Sheets (for note-taking or data tracking), Zoom (for remote interviews), and apps like Dovetail or Notion to organize research findings. As a user research intern, you’ll help spot patterns, summarise results, and even give input on design ideas. It’s a mix of problem-solving, observation, and communication, and the impact your work has becomes clearer as the team applies your insights to make products more user-friendly.
Types of UX Research Internships
Here’s a look at the most popular internship formats in the UX research world, each explained with real tasks, who they suit best, and how they help you grow:
UX Research Remote Internship
Remote internships in UX research are now more common than ever. Interns in these roles work from home and connect with their teams using Zoom, Slack, and cloud-based tools. Your daily work might include sitting in remote interviews, helping create survey questions, or organizing transcripts. These roles give you access to live projects while letting you stay flexible with your schedule and location.
Companies offer remote roles to reach a wider group of candidates and often assign smaller research tasks that support a larger project. If you’re good at staying organized and focused on your own, this setup gives you a lot of responsibility and trust. For students who can’t relocate or those applying internationally, a remote internship in this field is a great way to break in and get experience without leaving your city.
UX Research Internship with No Experience Required
Internships that don’t require experience are designed for people who are just starting out. These roles often include more guidance, mentorship, and smaller tasks that let you learn as you go. You might help with note-taking, basic competitor research, or building simple survey forms. It’s also where you get familiar with terminology and best practices.
Even without experience, companies want to see that you’re curious and eager to learn. A background in psychology, communication, or design can help, but it isn’t required. If you’re applying to a user experience internship without experience, make sure to include examples of your thinking, even small school projects or personal experiments. These internships are perfect for people exploring UX for the first time.
Summer UX Research Internship
Summer internships are structured to run for around 8 to 12 weeks and usually offer a packed experience. Interns jump straight into real projects, help teams prep for product releases, and join meetings with product managers, designers, or engineers. You’ll most likely assist in running usability tests or writing summaries after research calls.
These internships are fast-paced, and many companies use them to assess potential full-time hires. If you’re applying for a summer position as a user experience intern, start early. These roles fill quickly and often include application steps like video interviews or take-home exercises. It’s one of the best ways to get focused, practical exposure in a short time.
Internships at Big Companies (Google, Microsoft, etc.)
Large tech companies offer some of the most respected UX research internships. At places like Google or Microsoft, you’ll be part of large research teams working on live products used by millions. These internships come with formal training, structured mentorship, and sometimes relocation support or a housing stipend.
While applying to a user experience internship at Microsoft or Google can be competitive, they’re open to both graduate and undergraduate students. These internships require strong communication, critical thinking, and usually some kind of portfolio or writing sample. If you get selected, you’ll walk away with experience that puts you miles ahead when applying for future jobs.
Technical or Software-Driven UX Research Internships
Some internships focus more on user experience in digital or software-based environments. In these roles, you might help test internal dashboards, developer tools, or B2B platforms. The users here are often professionals or specialists, so the way you run interviews or write questions might be more structured.
These internships are a good fit for people with some tech background or an interest in how software is built. The tools used might include usability testing platforms or analytics tools like Hotjar or FullStory. If you’re applying for a position as a user experience researcher intern in a software company, show that you understand both user behaviour and how digital products function on a basic level.
User Research Internship for College Students
Many internships are made specifically for undergrads who are curious about research but haven’t specialised in it yet. These roles focus on teaching the basics while giving real-world tasks like writing research questions, observing users, or organising data into easy-to-read summaries.
If you’re applying to an intern position doing user research while still in college, highlight your communication skills, your ability to observe details, or any group project where you asked good questions. These internships don’t require a formal portfolio, but you should show that you’re thoughtful and genuinely interested in understanding users.
Eligibility Criteria
Most UX research internships are open to undergraduates, graduates, boot camp learners, or career switchers with relevant skills. While some positions prefer design or psychology students, others focus more on your ability to ask good questions, stay organised, and understand how users think. Remote roles are especially open to beginners or international students as long as they show potential and a clear interest in user research. Typical requirements include:
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a university or design-related programme
- Strong communication and observation skills
- Familiarity with tools like Google Forms, Figma, or Notion
- Some understanding of research methods, such as surveys or usability tests
- Right to work in the company’s country (for paid or on-site roles)
- Portfolios or research samples are a plus but not always required
- A curious mindset and attention to user behaviour
Where to Find UX Research Internships
You’ll find most internships posted on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Search for keywords like UX intern jobs or UX researcher internships to find the most relevant jobs. College career centres, design boot camp job boards, and company websites also post opportunities a few months ahead of the hiring season.
Smaller roles often show up in Reddit threads, Slack groups, and UX communities on Twitter. You can also check the pages of big-name firms like Google, Meta, or Adobe for formal programs. If you’re looking for your first break, send a short pitch to a design agency or startup with your resume and a small project sample. Many teams are open to interns if they see real interest.
Salary Overview
Most paid internships in UX research offer between $20 and $40 per hour, depending on the company and your skill level. Big firms tend to pay more and include benefits like housing or tech stipends. Interns at places like Google or Microsoft are often paid on the higher end, while smaller agencies may offer flat stipends or unpaid options with strong mentorship.
Remote internships might pay slightly less, especially for short-term or part-time roles. Still, they provide flexibility and access to top companies without relocation. Summer internships usually offer full-time hours and more structured pay. If the internship is unpaid, make sure it still offers feedback, learning sessions, and something solid you can add to your resume.
Skills You Need
To stand out as a research intern, you’ll need a mix of soft skills and beginner-level knowledge of research methods. You don’t need to be an expert, but companies want to see that you’re thoughtful, observant, and good at working with feedback. Skills and qualities that help:
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Attention to detail during user interviews or note-taking
- Basic knowledge of tools like Figma, Miro, or Dovetail
- Understanding of surveys, usability testing, or A/B testing
- Organisational habits like naming files clearly or tagging feedback
- Empathy and interest in real user behaviour
- Willingness to ask questions and learn fast
How to Apply for a UX Research Internship
Applying for UX research roles is about showing curiosity, structure, and basic research knowledge. You don’t need a full portfolio, but having a small case study, survey, or usability write-up can make you stand out. Tailor each application to show you understand what research is and why it matters to product teams. Here are the steps you need to take:
- Search for internships on job boards or company career pages
- Read the full job description and highlight key terms
- Update your resume to show group projects, research classes, or design work
- Create a short project write-up or user research sample
- Write a short and thoughtful cover letter
- Submit your application early in the season
- Prepare for a basic interview or a practical task
- Follow up politely if you don’t hear back in a week or two
Summary
A practical experience in user experience research gives you one of the clearest views of how real products are built for users. Whether you’re running interviews, organising survey data, or watching how people interact with a prototype, your role actually matters. These internships are open to students, recent grads, and even people coming from unrelated fields. With flexibility in remote work, pay, and learning opportunities, the internship lets you test the waters before diving deeper into a full UX career. You don’t need years of experience. You just need curiosity, basic tools, and the ability to listen, observe, and learn from real people.
