Senior Research Associate – Qualitative Research Team

• Conduct and record approximately 30-minute qualitative interviews with relevant participants and subject-matter experts across the education sectors served.
• Moderate 60- or 90-minute virtual focus groups using platforms such as Zoom and ensure sessions are professionally managed and documented.
• Provide complete interview and focus-group transcripts and recordings through the appropriate platforms.
• Independently design interview guides, discussion protocols, and focus-group materials when required.
• Analyze qualitative data to identify meaningful themes, patterns, and actionable insights.
• Synthesize research findings into clear, concise, decision-ready reports tailored to a professional audience.
• Redact, finalize, and distribute research reports and related deliverables when applicable.
• Manage multiple research assignments simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, quality, responsiveness, and adherence to deadlines.
• Work independently with limited oversight, proactively addressing unfamiliar or complex research requests.
• Collaborate effectively with the broader qualitative research team while accepting feedback and incorporating constructive input into deliverables.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, or another social science discipline preferred; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree combined with 2–4 years of applied market research experience.
• 2–4 years of business or academic experience conducting qualitative research, with applied market research experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated full-cycle qualitative research experience, from developing interview guides through conducting research, analyzing findings, synthesizing insights, and producing decision-ready reports.
• Proven ability to conduct professional telephone interviews and virtual focus groups, including interactions with industry experts and senior or C-level executives.
• Strong research, analytical, problem-solving, and synthesis capabilities, with the ability to transform complex qualitative information into concise recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong command of the English language.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing assignments, multitask effectively, and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines in a remote environment.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Professional confidence and interpersonal skills when communicating by phone and videoconference.
• Willingness to tackle unfamiliar research questions, learn quickly, and adapt to changing project requirements.
• Strong work ethic, accountability, curiosity, and openness to constructive feedback.
• Experience using generative AI tools to support research and workflow efficiency is a plus.

Benefits

• $50 per hour compensation, with final pay determined according to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Part-time, temporary, project-based opportunity offering flexibility across research assignments.
• Fully remote position available to candidates based in the United States.
• Opportunity to collaborate with an experienced qualitative research team on higher education-focused projects.
• Exposure to a variety of research topics, participants, and complex qualitative assignments.
• Opportunity to engage directly with industry experts, senior leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Flexible working environment suited to experienced researchers who value autonomy and project-based work.
• Opportunity to strengthen qualitative research, interviewing, analysis, and professional reporting expertise.
• Inclusive environment committed to equal employment opportunities and diverse perspectives.