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Freelance Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

2040 Strategy Group

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Data Scientist / Applied Social Science Researcher

Evanston, IL · Remote

$75 - $100/hr

The Position We are seeking an experienced freelance researcher with advanced skills in data science, research design, and translational research. Reporting to and partnering directly with firm ...

New

Perfect Search Media

Freelance Writer

Chicago, IL

$22 - $28/hr

Perfect Search is looking for strong writers to join our freelance writer network! The ideal ... length, research needed, internal links and external links, meta data, citing sources, and more

Perfect Search Media

Freelance Writer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$22 - $28/hr

Perfect Search is looking for strong writers to join our freelance writer network! The ideal ... length, research needed, internal links and external links, meta data, citing sources, and more

Solomon Page

Freelance Assistant Designer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$24.50/hr

Research and identify trend directions relevant to the customer and analyze competitive and ... freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve. About Solomon Page Founded in 1990 ...

L2tmedia.com

FREELANCE CONTENT WRITER

Evanston, IL

$20.50 - $26.25/hr

L2T Media is hiring freelance writers to contribute high-quality blog posts and webpage copy for ... Research vehicle specs, news stories and events to incorporate into the content * Post blog content ...

SimpleTense Education

Freelance Academic Writers

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$23.25 - $29.75/hr

... conduct research using scholarly journals, websites, books, and databases At least one year of ... apply for this freelance academic writing position, please visit the following link: Only ...

L2tmedia.com

FREELANCE CONTENT WRITER

Evanston, IL · On-site

$20.50 - $26.25/hr

L2T Media is hiring freelance writers to contribute high-quality blog posts and webpage copy for ... Research vehicle specs, news stories and events to incorporate into the content * Post blog content ...

Midjourney

Brand Designer (Freelance)

About the role Midjourney is an independent research lab exploring new mediums of thought and ... This is a freelance engagement with potential for a long-term partnership as the work (and team ...

New

Valnet Inc.

Freelance Tech Writer (Smart Home)

Nashville, TN · On-site +1

$20.50 - $26.25/hr

We're looking for Freelance Tech Writers to contribute feature content to our Smart Home category ... Write original, well-researched smart home feature articles * Pitch timely, practical story ideas ...

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How much do freelance researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, subject-matter expertise, and experience in research methodologies, often supported by an advanced degree or relevant coursework. Familiarity with data analysis software, academic databases, and citation management tools is typically required. Excellent communication, time management, and self-motivation are crucial soft skills for managing projects and delivering client-ready results. These skills ensure accurate, insightful research outputs and enable effective collaboration with diverse clients in a competitive freelance environment.

What is a freelance researcher?

Freelance researchers are independent professionals who conduct research on a contract or project basis, rather than being employed full-time by a single organization. They work across various industries, gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to support clients’ projects or decision-making processes. Freelance researchers may work remotely or on-site, and their tasks can range from academic research and market analysis to background checks and report writing. They are responsible for managing their own schedules, finding clients, and delivering high-quality research within agreed deadlines.

What is the difference between Freelance Researcher vs Academic Researcher?

AspectFreelance ResearcherAcademic Researcher
CredentialsVaries; often self-taught or with relevant degreesTypically holds advanced degrees (Master's or PhD)
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote, project-basedUniversity or research institution, often on campus
Employer & IndustryClients across industries, including businesses and nonprofitsEducational institutions, government, or academia
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for flexible, project-based research servicesSeeking in-depth, scholarly research or academic collaboration

The main difference is that Freelance Researchers work independently on diverse projects for various clients, often remotely, while Academic Researchers are employed by educational or research institutions, focusing on scholarly studies and academic publishing. Both roles require strong research skills, but their work settings and credentials differ significantly.

What are some common challenges freelance researchers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Freelance researchers often juggle several projects for different clients at once, which can make time management and organization particularly challenging. Balancing varying deadlines, adapting to diverse research topics, and responding to different client expectations require strong planning and communication skills. Many professionals use project management tools and set clear milestones to keep work on track and ensure high-quality deliverables. Building a reliable routine and maintaining transparent communication with clients can help mitigate these challenges and lead to repeat business.

What does a freelance researcher do?

As a freelance researcher, your responsibilities are to conduct research on a specific subject or topic, report to a project manager, other researchers, or directly to your client about the information you find, and help organize the research so other investigators or researchers can easily access and utilize the resources. Freelance researchers work in many industries, including news and media, marketing and advertising, entertainment, higher education, nonprofit and governmental organizations, and think tanks. Your specific duties may vary depending upon the industry in which you work.

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What cities are hiring for Freelance Researcher jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Researcher job openings:
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Freelance Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Researcher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Data Scientist / Applied Social Science Researcher

2040 Strategy Group

Evanston, IL • Remote

$75 - $100/hr

Part-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description



The Position

We are seeking an experienced freelance researcher with advanced skills in data science, research design, and translational research. Reporting to and partnering directly with firm leadership, you will work across a varied portfolio—advocacy research, messaging polls for political candidates, organizational climate surveys, and more. Survey analysis is our most frequent type of project.

The ideal candidate brings a flexible mind and the ability to carry data-centric projects from research design and data cleaning through analysis and final deliverables. You will use your whole brain, learn new skills, teach your collaborators, and directly shape strategic decisions made by our corporate, political, and nonprofit clients. We anticipate a workload of approximately 30–60 hours per month, varying with the project cycle. We would ideally fill this position with one person working across a wide range of projects, but we are also building a roster of partners for project-based work. Applicants with limited availability are welcome alongside those seeking more regular, intensive engagement.


Key Responsibilities

•     Draft public opinion surveys, using social scientific best practices, that answer clients’ key strategic questions

•     Clean and process survey data efficiently, including the development of survey weights

•     Produce survey deliverables: topline results, strategy-focused memos, and presentations with clear, attractive data visualizations

•     Design and execute research projects using internal client data

•     Communicate complex—and sometimes ambiguous—quantitative results to audiences with varying levels of statistical fluency


Required Qualifications

•     Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in a quantitative social science field, or equivalent experience

•     Demonstrated ability to design and conduct quantitative research projects efficiently

•     Knowledge of best practices and scientific principles of polling and public opinion research

•     High proficiency in R and/or Stata, our primary analysis tools

•     Experience with survey platforms such as Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey

•     Knowledge of and experience applying data visualization best practices

•     Proficiency with Microsoft Office and presentation software

•     Excellent writing, communication, and critical thinking skills, including productive collaboration with our team, clients, and external partners

•     Ability to balance priorities within and across projects, learn new skills, and adapt to new clients

•     High responsiveness and self-directed autonomy in a remote work environment

•     Understanding of and experience with equity-driven research and analysis

•     Commitment to working with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives


Preferred Qualifications

•     Working knowledge of other analysis tools (Python, SQL, Excel, GIS)

•     Experience building advanced interactive data visualizations (e.g., dashboards, web-based interfaces)

•     Experience in political campaign analytics


Compensation

We are a small consulting firm whose operating budget comes entirely from project revenues. This position will begin on a project-by-project basis, with an expected workload of 30–60 hours per month depending on the project cycle. Compensation is $75–$100 per hour, based on relevant experience and qualifications.

Company Description

About Us
2040 Strategy Group is a boutique consulting firm led by PhD social scientists. We help organizations navigate an era of disruptive social change with evidence-based guidance grounded in rigorous social science. Our work spans sectors and formats: organizational strategy built on internal climate surveys, messaging guidance informed by polling and focus groups, and original analysis of client data. No two clients’ needs are alike, so every engagement is tailored—and every one is held to the highest standard of scientific rigor.