Market Research Analyst

Imagine having the inside scoop on which products people want to buy and what those people are willing to spend. That’s the basic job description of a market research analyst. These consumer-focused professionals use their understanding of supply and demand and purchasing preferences when collecting information in the form of surveys, questionnaires and opinion polls. Collection is then followed by analysis. Based on complex data, market research analysts churn out reports on sales trends, consumer demographics, preferences, needs and buying habits, and they present the findings in an understandable way for clients. According to Ken Roberts, president of the San Francisco-based marketing research company Cooper Roberts Research, working in this profession requires skills that are seemingly at odds with each other: understanding both emotions and logic. The process of collecting data and thinking about it critically is logical and quantifiable; gauging why target audiences might be attracted to a particular product is anything but.

The demand from a range of industries – including research companies, colleges and government agencies – for data that spurs effective marketing strategies will lead to growth in this field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a whopping 31.6 percent employment increase between 2012 and 2022 and 131,500 new job openings.

Salary
Market research analysts earned a median salary of $60,300 in 2012, according the BLS. The best-paid earned more than $113,500 while the lowest-paid earned less than $33,280. Software publishers, aerospace manufacturing and the federal executive branch of the government are sectors that pay market research analysts particularly well. And if you live in California, you’re in luck – the top-paying cities for market research analysts include San Jose, Calif., San Francisco and Oakland, Calif.

Salary Range

75th Percentile $85,090
Median $60,300
25th Percentile $43,830

Training
Becoming a market research analyst requires at least a bachelor’s degree, but there’s a range of majors you could choose. The BLS notes that statistics, math, computer science and business administration are good specialities, but studying one of the social sciences, like communication, may also serve a budding analyst well. Roberts is a case study for how someone can advance his or her career within the profession. After graduating with a double major in mathematics and business administration from Northern Kentucky University, Roberts spent the next three decades moving up in the field. He worked as a senior project director for Burgoyne, Inc. – a position that involves managing market research studies, performing analyses and writing reports. He also served as vice president of SPAR/Burgoyne before becoming president of his own company. “I started with marketing research when I got out of school, and I stuck with it,” he says.

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Reviews & Advice
“Internships are a good way to get into the field,” Roberts says. He adds that the Burke Institute, an Ohio-based international research and consulting firm, offers multiple-day workshops on industry skills such as designing effective questionnaires and moderating focus groups, along with exploring the relationship between variables found in data. These workshops are available to professionals in any stage of their career.

Having previous work experience in business, marketing and sales can also boost career prospects. Those in the profession may begin their careers either at the corporate level or working for a smaller research company like the one Roberts now leads, but Roberts stresses that when starting out, you’ll likely focus on collecting data – rather than analyzing it – for up to five years.

Job Satisfaction

Upward Mobility goodHigh
Stress Level poorAbove Average
Flexibility poorBelow Avera

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Informal Science Ed postdoc at Univ of New Hampshire

Informal Science Education and Research Postdoctoral Research Associate for 2013/2014

The SPIRALS program, Supporting and Promoting Rural and Indigenous Adolescents’ Learning of Science, at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and funded by a National Science Foundation Informal Science Education (ISE) Award invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate in Informal Science Education and Adolescent Research. The position is renewable for up to 2 years and may begin as early as October 2013.

SPIRALS is focused on the impacts of contextualization on science learning, motivation and attitudes toward science.  The project uses a systematic approach that incorporates mixed methods of data collection and analysis to examine how culture and community impact STEM learning.  The project team has a community-based participatory research orientation; therefore, local community group members provide expertise that contributes to the design of the curriculum and the research as well as the interpretation of the findings.  The project will contribute to what we know about how underserved and underrepresented youth engage in STEM learning in relation to their world views.

The postdoctoral research associate will be instrumental in creating and implementing a curriculum with a diverse group of community members to support community-based youth groups in New England explore a local sustainable practice.  In addition, the researcher will be responsible for implementing the project research plan.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required qualifications are:  a Ph.D. in science education or educational psychology; a strong expertise in quantitative methodologies including multilevel modeling; and  the abilities to prioritize tasks, to engage in long- and short-term planning, and to handle a variety of demands simultaneously are critical.

The following attributes, experiences and knowledge are preferred:   working directly with culturally diverse populations at many levels; formal or informal teaching experience; experience with databases, quantitative and qualitative analysis skills; an understanding of adolescent development; and knowledge of sustainability and systems thinking. 

Candidates must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule, including occasional travel, weekends, and extend hours during periods of intense activity.  We seek self-motivated, creative individuals who have excellent interpersonal, written and public speaking skills, and who can work both independently and as part of a team effort.

Salary and Appointment

This Postdoctoral Research Associate position is full-timed, salaried, and benefited position at the University of New Hampshire.  The position is annually renewable, depending on performance and anticipated continuing grant funding.  Salary is competitive and commensurate with professional experience and qualifications of the candidate.  The University of New Hampshire offers a competitive benefits package.

Application Procedure

To apply for the SPIRALS Postdoctoral Research Associate position, please submit the following to the Lisa Wilder via email:  lisa.wilder@unh.edu:

1.      a letter of interest in the position, including your career goals (no more than two pages),
2.      a current curriculum vitae,
3.      statement of teaching and research philosophy (no more than 2 pages), and
4.      the names of three professional references, including current position, relationship to the applicant, and phone and email contact information.

Application Review Timeline

Review of applications will begin on Monday, August 5^th, 2013, and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions?

Questions about the position should be directed to the SPIRALS Principal Investigators:

Dr. Eleanor Abrams, Professor, Department of Education, Morrill Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; email:  eleanor.abrams@unh.edu

Dr. Michael Middleton, Associate Professor, Department of Education, Morrill Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; email:  michael.middleton@unh.edu

Please reference the NSF SPIRALS program in all communications.

The University of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action institution. The university seeks excellence through diversity among its administrators, faculty, staff, and students. The university prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged.