I'm Sam,
UX Researcher
I’m a researcher driven by curiosity about people and how experiences fit into their lives. I design and lead mixed-method research that informs product strategy, creative choices, and monetization-focused decisions, translating complex signals into actionable insights.
Embedded Files
Work Experience
Work Experience
Paradox Interactive
User Researcher
September 2025 – Present
Paradox Interactive
User Researcher
September 2025 – Present
Key Responsibilities
Conduct in-depth mixed-methods studies (playtesting, usability, market, and behavioral studies) across strategy, ARPG, and management titles on PC and console, driving product, creative, and portfolio-level decisions for games with high systems complexity.
Conduct in-depth research on core loops, onboarding, progression, economies, and UX comprehension, triangulating qualitative insights with behavioral and performance data to inform early development, live content, and long-term game strategy.
Partner with product managers, producers, and data scientists to define strategic product goals, triangulate behavioral data with qualitative findings, and influence feature direction in early development and live content.
King – Xbox – Microsoft Gaming
User Researcher
August 2023 – September 2025
King – Xbox – Microsoft Gaming
User Researcher
August 2023 – September 2025
Key Responsibilities
Conduct mixed-methods research studies (usability tests, surveys, diary studies, interviews) aligned with six different product team’s OKRs focused on player retention, engagement, and monetization.
Collaborate cross-functionally with UX, product, game design, and data teams to translate research findings into actionable improvements across six live feature teams.
Design AI-enhanced research templates that accelerate synthesis and align insight delivery with sprint cycles and planning cadences.
Plan accessibility research initiatives, organizing focus groups, and conducting moderated sessions with hearing-impaired players contributing to inclusive design practices across teams.
Key Achievements
Helped uncover usability issues in key retention flows (e.g. onboarding, feature unlocks), informing changes that aligned with team OKRs on early-game retention.
Developed AI-integrated frameworks for qualitative analysis, reducing research delivery reporting by 20% and improving alignment with product planning cycles.
Contributed to research efforts that informed three successful live ops releases, aligning closely with team OKRs around engagement and reactivation
Associate User Researcher (Internship) August 2023 – May 2024
Associate User Researcher (Internship) August 2023 – May 2024
Key Responsibilities
Supported the execution of research studies, handling recruitment, data collection, and synthesis for Candy Crush Soda during live feature development.
Assisted with data collection, note-taking, tagging, and synthesis of player feedback, helping senior researchers deliver insights on time.
Key Achievements
Contributed to 10+ player research studies across onboarding, level design, and live ops features – delivering summaries that reduced usability-related design revisions by 15% (internal estimates).
Assisted in a survey analysis for new feature evaluation, contributing to prioritization decisions with 2.5K+ player responses.
Apple, Inc
Apple, Inc
AI/ML Analyst – SME
June 2020 – January 2021
AI/ML Analyst – SME
June 2020 – January 2021
Key Responsibilities
Evaluated Siri’s performance through audio/text output analysis and lexicon refinement.
Trained a team of 50 analysts and created internal educational material.
Collaborated with AI/ML teams to test and improve product development features.
Key Achievements
Achieved 98% accuracy in classification tasks, contributing to global Siri improvements.
Improved analyst certification accuracy by +20% through targeted training initiatives.
Education
Education
Uppsala University
May 2024
M.Sc. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
Uppsala University
May 2024
M.Sc. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
The University of Texas at Austin
December 2024
B.S in Advertising
The University of Texas at Austin
December 2024
B.S in Advertising
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse