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Qualitative Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Qualitative Research Moderator

Deerfield, IL ยท On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

The focus of this Qualitative Research Moderator position is to provide full cycle qualitative research development and management. We're looking for an energetic, creative, resourceful, and ...

This is a hands-on senior role: you'll engage directly with community members, design and run qualitative research within the community, and turn what you hear into insights that shape product ...

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE IS ON A HYBRID MODEL BASED OUT OF THE PARSIPPANY, NJ OFFICE Profile * 2-3 years' experience in qualitative research project management (agency or client-side) * Strong ...

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE IS ON A HYBRID MODEL BASED OUT OF THE PARSIPPANY, NJ OFFICE Profile * 2-3 years' experience in qualitative research project management (agency or client-side) * Strong ...

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE IS ON A HYBRID MODEL BASED OUT OF THE PARSIPPANY, NJ OFFICE Profile * 2-3 years' experience in qualitative research project management (agency or client-side) * Strong ...

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Qualitative Research information

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How much do qualitative research jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for qualitative research in the United States is $22.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Qualitative Researcher, you need expertise in research design, data collection methods such as interviews and focus groups, and a background in social sciences or related fields. Familiarity with qualitative data analysis software like NVivo or ATLAS.ti and knowledge of ethical research standards are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you interpret data and convey findings to diverse audiences. These skills ensure rigorous, insightful research that informs decision-making and advances understanding in various disciplines.

What are some common challenges faced in a Qualitative Research role, and how can they be effectively managed?

A common challenge in qualitative research is recruiting and retaining suitable participants, especially for niche or sensitive topics. Researchers also often face difficulties in ensuring objectivity during data collection and analysis, given the subjective nature of qualitative data. To address these issues, it's helpful to use robust recruitment strategies, maintain clear communication with participants, and employ techniques such as reflexivity and triangulation to minimize bias. Collaborating closely with team members and regularly debriefing can further enhance data quality and researcher well-being.

What is the difference between Qualitative Research vs Quantitative Research?

AspectQualitative ResearchQuantitative Research
Primary FocusExploring perceptions, opinions, and motivationsMeasuring and quantifying data
Data Collection MethodsInterviews, focus groups, observationsSurveys, experiments, statistical analysis
Work EnvironmentResearch firms, marketing agencies, academic settingsMarket research, data analysis firms, academic labs
Required SkillsCommunication, analytical thinking, qualitative analysisStatistical skills, data management, quantitative analysis

Qualitative Research focuses on understanding the 'why' and 'how' behind behaviors through non-numerical data, while Quantitative Research emphasizes numerical data to identify patterns and measure variables. Both roles are essential in research projects but serve different purposes based on the type of data collected and analyzed.

What Are Qualitative Research Jobs?

Qualitative research jobs focus on the collection and analysis of non-numerical data to support market or scientific initiatives. Positions exist in a variety of industries, including finance, consumer goods, and health care. Market research analysts, for example, analyze consumer data to find answers to better understand and predict buying trends. Survey researchers collate and analyze data related to a number of subjects, including politics, lifestyle trends, and education. Opportunities for qualitative researchers exist in government, consulting services, and education.

What is qualitative research?

Qualitative research is a method of inquiry that focuses on understanding human behavior, experiences, and social phenomena through non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, and text analysis. Unlike quantitative research, which seeks to measure and analyze variables numerically, qualitative research explores meanings, concepts, and descriptions to gain deeper insights. Researchers often use open-ended questions and flexible study designs to collect rich, detailed information. This approach is commonly used in social sciences, education, health, and market research to understand complex issues from participants' perspectives.
What cities are hiring for Qualitative Research jobs? Cities with the most Qualitative Research job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Qualitative Research jobs? The most popular types of Qualitative Research jobs are:
What states have the most Qualitative Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Qualitative Research jobs include:
Infographic showing various Qualitative Research job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 78% In-person, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,222 per year, or $22.2 per hour.
Qualitative Research Moderator

Qualitative Research Moderator

Curion LLC

Deerfield, IL โ€ข On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Description:

Location: Must be based in the Chicagoland area.


At Curion, We Connect Brands to People. Our expertise and passionate pursuit of insights enable our clients to make informed decisions that drive meaningful impact. Our vision? Advancing the way brands connect to people to build a better future. Our core values: Integrity, Resiliency, Accountability, Curiosity, and Collaboration.


The focus of this Qualitative Research Moderator position is to provide full cycle qualitative research development and management. Weโ€™re looking for an energetic, creative, resourceful, and passionate qualitative researcher and moderator.


Responsibilities Include: Own projects from start to finish that involve:

  • Lead and moderate in-person qualitative market research across multiple methodologies
  • Implement projects so they come off flawlessly for the client
  • Use experience and wisdom to create discussion plans that will unearth new and on-strategy insights
  • Write reports that are engaging and clear โ€“ and when it makes sense โ€“ creative
  • Lead a wide variety of qualitative methodologies including focus groups, in-depth interviews, shop-alongs, in-homes, online journals, ideation, co-creation workshops and qual/quant multi-methodology projects.
  • Demonstrates ability to lead multiple projects with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to effectively manage simultaneous moderation, analysis, and report-writing responsibilities
  • Strong executive presence with experience leading client-facing meetings and presentations for senior leadership teams
  • Proficient in utilizing AI tools to enhance reporting, topline development, and insight generation
  • Ability to conduct regular qualitative research moderation in peel-off groups at Deerfield location, and travel as needed to other locations
  • Write fresh, inspiring proposals that stand out among our competition
  • Recommends qualitative research approaches during proposal development.
  • Support client engagement in thought provoking conversations about how to use insights.
  • Think about key clientsโ€™ businesses, providing value-add, helping us maintain positive relationships over time โ€“ and grow our business.
  • Consider ways to help Curion be relevant, be unique, be profitable.
  • Partners with project manager, account managers, SPI research counterparts and design managers for project. implementation and report writing
  • Work with colleagues on an ongoing basis to apply fresh thinking to methodology development and solutions.
  • Supports client/ prospect capability calls.
  • Takes initiative to advance learning in qualitative research methods and sharing learnings with team members.
  • Represents Curion at industry events and speaking engagements

Qualifications:

  • 3+ years of experience conducting in-person in qualitative market research and moderating
  • Bachelors in relevant field preferred
  • Moderator trained - RIVA or Burke is highly preferred
  • Prior experience working within Restaurant or Durables industry (either client or agency side) is highly preferred
  • Prior experience utilizing AI tools to enhance reporting, topline development, and insight generation highly preferred
  • Demonstrated experience and comfort with qualitative techniques and a hunger for exploring and inventing new ways of doing things every day
  • Experience in a service organization or on the client side to be able to demonstrate empathy for our customers and a true heart for exceptional client service
  • Excellent business writing skills are essential.

Other Requirements

ยท Travel to various national/international locations (possibly up to 35%)


For Curionโ€™s Qualitative Research Moderator position, we offer a starting salary pay range of $85,000-$95,000 plus bonus eligibility based on the qualifications and experience of each individual. Curion offers a benefits package for this position which includes:

  • 401(k) retirement account with company match
  • Health, dental, vision, basic life, short and long-term disability, accident insurance, critical insurance, pet insurance, and more.
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • Company paid holidays


Curion is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.


About the company

Curion specializes in delivering impactful insights to the world's top CPG companies, helping them develop winning, repeatedly purchased products. Curionโ€™s deep data-driven product insights, sensory expertise, and state-of-the-art consumer centers enable them to uncover responses to critical client objectives. With over five decades of experience in the product testing industry, Curion is dedicated to guiding clients with their proprietary Product Experience and Performance (PXPโ„ข) platform, connecting brands to consumers at every step.


As an innovator in the industry, Curion recently developed a groundbreaking benchmarking product testing method, the Curion Scoreโ„ข, which has become a trusted and sought after tool within the industry. As one of the largest product and consumer insights companies in the U.S., Curion has built a reputation for excellence and trust among the world's leading consumer brands. Curionโ€™s commitment to innovation and expertise, coupled with a passion for delivering actionable insights, makes Curion a valuable partner for companies looking to develop and launch successful products.

Requirements: