Research Data & Strategy Analyst - Freelance

**Location:** Remote (United States) **Duration:** Through April 2027 **Overview** This is a fixed-fee independent contract engagement supporting a funded research study examining how prize competitions and other open-innovation mechanisms are used to fund scientific research. The study investigates both how universities and research institutions perceive prize-based funding and what prevents program officers from choosing this mechanism over traditional grants. The analyst will be one of four independent specialists working collaboratively to produce findings intended for academic publication. The role combines rigorous dataset development with strategic synthesis, translating more than 130 interviews, historical participation data, and original survey results into actionable frameworks and recommendations. **Key Responsibilities** - Build structured datasets covering financials, research fields, geographic distribution, participation history, and quantitative interview data - Design, field, and analyze surveys that extend the study's reach beyond the interview sample, in partnership with the qualitative research lead - Run retrospective analysis of historical prize competition participation to establish baselines and surface patterns - Synthesize quantitative results with qualitative coding output into integrated findings rather than reporting the two streams side by side - Translate findings into implementation frameworks and actionable recommendations that anchor the study's guidance documents - Produce tables, figures, and visualizations used in written deliverables and stakeholder presentations - Ensure every delivered dataset, document, and presentation meets applicable accessibility standards for professional deliverables **Required Qualifications** - 5+ years in quantitative social science, research analytics, program evaluation, institutional research, or a comparable field - Strong survey methodology including instrument design, sampling strategy, response bias, and weighting - Fluency in R, Python, or Stata, and the discipline to deliver documented, reproducible datasets rather than one-off analyses - Demonstrated mixed-methods capability integrating qualitative coding output with quantitative analysis into a single coherent argument - Experience working with research funding data such as awards, budgets, or institutional profiles, or comparable administrative datasets - Proven ability to move from analysis to recommendation, including building frameworks that non-technical practitioners can apply - Ability to present quantitative results clearly to non-technical decision-makers **Preferred Qualifications** - Familiarity with national research funding and higher education datasets - Prior experience producing accessibility-compliant deliverables (WCAG 2.1 AA or equivalent) - Data visualization skill sufficient to carry a written report and a live briefing - Prior work on program evaluation or strategy for a research funder **Work Location & Requirements** - Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (firm requirement that cannot be waived) - Must be physically located in the United States for the full duration of the contract and perform all work from within the U.S. - Must be able to successfully complete a standard background check and any onboarding or compliance training required before starting work - Must have a professional, quiet remote working environment with internet connectivity capable of sustained video calls and live presentations - Work is performed fully remotely from within the United States on a flexible schedule, with the exception of scheduled interviews and team checkpoints - All work product created under this engagement is delivered with full rights of use; candidates with publication interests should raise this at application stage