Runpod is pioneering the future of AI and machine learning, offering cutting-edge cloud infrastructure for full-stack AI applications. Founded in 2022, we are a rapidly growing, well-funded company with a remote-first organization spread globally. Our mission is to empower innovators and enterprises to unlock AI's true potential, driving technology and transforming industries. Join us as we shape the future of AI.
Our product team brings together product managers, designers, researchers, and writers with one shared mission: to craft the best developer experience in AI. We define the vision for Runpod’s products and guide every detail of the journey, taking care to ensure each interaction is intuitive, impactful, and satisfying for our users. As a UX Research Intern, you will help refine those interactions by conducting usability tests and contributing to a best-in-class user experience.
We’re looking for an entry-level user experience researcher who is passionate about the future of AI and excited to learn in a hands-on environment. As a UX Research Intern at Runpod, you’ll gain exposure to the full product development process while building foundational skills in research and usability testing. This is a 6 month part time internship (20 hours a week).
In this part-time role, you’ll immerse yourself in the Runpod ecosystem to understand how AI developers build and scale custom AI systems. You’ll have the opportunity to study real developer workflows, identify areas where the experience can be improved, and turn those insights into actionable recommendations. A core part of your work will be conducting usability tests on the Runpod platform, helping us uncover friction points, validate design decisions, and ensure that our tools are both intuitive and powerful.
This role is designed for someone eager to grow in the field of UX research, while contributing to a team that is deeply committed to creating the best developer experience in AI.
As a UX Research Intern, you will play a key role in shaping how developers interact with Runpod’s platform. The insights you uncover through usability testing will directly inform product decisions and drive improvements that make our tools more intuitive and impactful. You’ll be supported by experienced UX and product professionals who will help you sharpen your research skills, expand your product sense, and develop your business acumen. By the end of the program, you will have grown into a more confident and capable UX researcher, equipped with practical experience and a history of meaningful contributions.
Responsibilities:
- Run Weekly Usability Studies: Conduct up to five usability sessions each week using mockups, prototypes, or the live Runpod platform. Gain hands-on experience facilitating sessions, observing user behavior, and capturing actionable insights.
- Participate and Learn from Others: Attend sessions led by senior researchers and product managers, take detailed notes, and use these opportunities to strengthen your skills in interviewing, observation, and synthesis.
- Synthesize and Present Insights: Deliver short debriefs immediately after sessions and produce comprehensive reports or presentations that clearly connect user findings to potential product improvements. Present results directly to members of the product team.
- Amplify the Voice of the User: Help increase visibility of usability testing within Runpod by sharing insights across teams and advocating for improvements that directly enhance the developer experience.
- Drive Measurable Impact: Track usability findings against product outcomes to demonstrate how your work influenced feature changes and platform improvements. By the end of the internship, you will have contributed to over one hundred usability sessions and shaped multiple product decisions.
- Grow as a Researcher: Work closely with mentors in UX and product to develop skills in program management, organization, unbiased interviewing, and research thinking. Learn modern AI-powered research techniques to equip yourself with cutting-edge workflows.
- Achieve Research Independence: By the conclusion of the internship, be able to design, recruit, conduct, analyze, and present a complete usability testing project independently with minimal oversight.
Requirements:
- Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a graduate program in psychology, human factors, anthropology, or another social science field with significant study of human behavior.
- Familiarity with usability testing methods through coursework or independent study, with the ability to discuss common techniques.
- Able to accommodate a 20-hour-per-week schedule for the duration of the internship.
- Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail, with proficiency in Google Docs and Google Sheets.
- Professional presence and the ability to engage with customers for extended periods of time in a research setting.
- Fast, stable internet connection suitable for running uninterrupted video sessions.
- Excellent written communication skills and comfort speaking in group settings.
- Openness to feedback and commitment to professional growth throughout the internship.
- Successful completion of a background check
Preferred:
- Preference given to candidates with a background in software engineering or familiarity with AI development
What You’ll Receive:
- Compensation: $30–$40 per hour for 20 hours per week for 6 months. This hourly range will be narrowed during the interview process based on a number of factors, including the candidate’s experience, how well you do in the interview process, and location
- Flexibility: Work remotely on a schedule that accommodates your academic and personal commitments, while collaborating closely with an inclusive, supportive team.
Runpod is committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and upholding the principles of equality and respect for all individuals. We believe that diversity in all its forms enhances our team. As an equal opportunity employer, Runpod is committed to creating an inclusive workforce at every level. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We welcome every qualified candidate eligible to work in the United States; however, we are currently unable to sponsor employment visas
