Research Associate
Role Overview
This mid-level Research Associate role involves analyzing user interactions with AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini to uncover behavioral shifts and usage patterns. You will translate complex datasets into clear insights, collaborate with product and research teams, and support client strategies through rigorous research methodologies. The position requires conducting analytical work to influence AI strategies for leading brands and advance understanding of AI-powered search and shopping.
Perks & Benefits
The role is fully remote, likely with flexible time zones, offering competitive compensation and meaningful equity in a fast-growing company. You'll gain access to unique datasets on AI usage, collaborate with experienced researchers, and have opportunities for career growth through impactful work in a high-trust environment. Direct exposure to global companies and media engagement provides professional development and recognition.
Full Job Description
Profound is on a mission to help companies understand and control their AI presence. As a Research Associate, you will develop a deep understanding of how people use AI to search, evaluate products, and make decisions. You will transform real user conversations and AI model outputs into high quality research that guides product direction, supports client strategy, and informs how the world adapts to AI powered experiences.
What You Will Do
Conduct rigorous analysis to uncover how users interact with AI across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and emerging AI interfaces
Identify behavioral shifts, usage patterns, and platform changes before they become visible to the broader market
Translate complex datasets and model behavior into clear insights and research artifacts
Engage with media, industry experts, and academia to share evidence grounded findings and educate the market
Support and influence the AI strategy of the world’s most sophisticated brands through compelling analysis and insights
Collaborate with product and research teams on frameworks, metrics, and findings that advance our understanding of AI powered search and shopping
Ensure rigorous research methodology including clear hypothesis framing, robust validation and sensitivity checks, defensible assumptions, well-documented workflows, and reproducibility of results
What We Expect from You
Experience conducting analytical or research driven work in industry or academia
Proficiency in SQL and R or Python for data exploration and modeling
Ability to communicate insights clearly to both technical and executive audiences
Strong pattern recognition and structured thinking
Ownership mindset with a commitment to quality and accuracy
Preferred
Background in economics, analytics, strategy, public policy, or data driven fields
2+ years of experience in consulting, market research, competitive intelligence, or applied research
Understanding of search systems or LLM behavior including how information is surfaced, ranked, or cited
Client facing experience with strong storytelling skills
What You Will Get Out of It
Access to rare and unmatched datasets on real AI usage and how models source and surface information
Opportunities to produce research and frameworks that define how organizations adapt to AI
Direct exposure to how leading global companies are transforming their digital strategy for the AI era
Close collaboration with experienced researchers and product leaders
A fast paced, high trust environment where impactful work is recognized quickly
Competitive compensation and meaningful equity in a rapidly growing company
Similar jobs
Found 6 similar jobs