[Trainee] Contract UX Researcher - Remote with Required Travel

Parkour People / Date of posting: 8/1/2025

About Us

Parkour People provides product research and design services for clients in a variety of industries. We're looking to train early career individuals [or career transitioners] to conduct rapid, evaluative research on the autonomous vehicle (AV) experience.

Project Overview

In this research program, you’ll work closely with a small team to deliver rapid insights across multiple markets– domestic travel (US) is required. It’s a fun and fast-paced opportunity to learn about UX research in the field (think: interactions between hardware, software, and the urban environment).

You ’ll help execute on a developed research methodology: user interviews, data analysis, bug filing, and delivery of clear, tactical insights. Your findings will have a direct impact on key decisions with our client in the autonomous vehicle industry.

A lead researcher will provide methodological training and mentorship. This contract is for one round of research as a trainee, but additional rounds of similar research may be possible in the future.

Scope of Work

As a trainee, the researcher would partner with another experienced UX researcher for the following:

Week 1: In-person training to learn and practice

  • Following the research methodology in context with equipment

  • Using the supporting tools for analysis

Week 2: Field research*:

  • User interviews (in-person ride-alongs in AVs) in different cities

  • Researcher field-testing (in-person ride-alongs in AVs in different cities)

*some interviews will be in the evening and on weekends

Week 3 and Week 4: Analysis and reporting

  • Notes, bug-filing, and reporting analyzed data

Timeline

The research requires researchers who are available full-time for the duration of this study. We anticipate this work to start shortly after Labor Day (September 2025), and wrap-up by 10/3/25. However, the exact start dates are TBC.

Below is a timeline of deliverables:

Week 2: During field research

  • raw notes (related to interviews and self-observations)

Week 3 and 4: After field research

  • filed bugs, synthesized notes, and final reports with supporting notes, technical references, photos, and videorecordings of participant sessions

As a trainee, minimum requirements:

  • Experience independently conducting in-person interviews

  • Experience with evaluative studies

  • Curiosity of mind, sense of humor

  • Ability to multitask while holding a conversation

  • Ability to quickly problem solve and adapt / improvise in real-time situations

  • Ability to quickly learn new technologies / software platforms (will train)

  • Willing to travel and work evenings (3 consecutive cities, ~6-7 consecutive days including a weekend)

  • Comfortable conducting research in an autonomous vehicle

  • Comfortable with basic camera/videorecording equipment (will train)

  • Legal right to work in the U.S. (1099)

As a trainee, nice to haves:

  • Experience in urban planning, mobility/transportation

  • Background in social sciences, humanities, HCI, design research

Contract details

  • Timeline: ~4-5 weeks (Exact dates TBD, but likely September-October 2025 starting after Labor Day)

  • Competitive trainee compensation dependent on experience (Note: possible future research opportunities at market rate pending probationary period)

  • Approved expenses will be reimbursed (i.e. airfare, lodging, local transportation)

How to apply:

Please send a CV and brief email intro (3-4 sentences) as to

  • why you are interested in this work

  • why you think you would be a good candidate, and

  • your availability to renee@parkourppl.com

Thanks!

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