Temporary Cognitive Science Research Jobs in Washington

Keystone is a premier economics, technology, and strategy consulting firm built to help companies lead through transformation. As breakthrough innovations reshape industries, redefine competition and change our society, complex and highly competitive ecosystems emerge. Keystone advises technology leaders, Fortune 100 companies, their legal counsel, and governments on business, economic, litigation, and regulatory strategy in relation to these innovations and competitive eco-systems. We operate globally from offices in New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, London, Dubai, and Washington, D.C.

About The Role

This role sits at the intersection of technology, markets, and human behavior , applying behavioral science to high-stakes business, regulatory, and litigation questions. Y ou are a versatile associate or consultant who will work across economics, strategy, and technology engagements. You are expected to own analytical workstreams, adapt quickly across problem types, and synthesize insights for high-stakes decision-making. You will use behavioral economics, psychology, and marketing science to analyze how consumers and firms respond to information, incentives, and choice architecture.

Keystone teams are highly interdisciplinary. While you will specialize in behavioral science, you will contribute across a broad range of questions and practice areas.

Final levelling is determined by education, experience, and interview performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Own core analytical workstreams from design through execution.
• Work across economics, strategy, and technology engagements.
• Adapt quickly to new problem areas and apply your skillset in unfamiliar contexts Synthesize findings into clear, decision-relevant insights Data Analysis Design and execute surveys, behavioral experiments, and simulation-based studies.
• Analyze observational and experimental data using Python, R, Stata, or similar tools.
• Apply methods such as conjoint analysis, choice modeling , and causal inference.
• Evaluate robustness, test alternative specifications, and assess limitations to ensure defensible results.
• Own end-to-end workstreams, from study design through analysis and interpretation.
• Research Conduct targeted research across behavioral economics, psychology, and marketing science.
• Review academic literature, prior cases, and regulatory materials.
• Adapt established methodologies to case-specific questions.
• Develop hypotheses and analytical approaches by integrating qualitative and quantitative evidence.
• Report Writing Translate analyses into clear, precise, and persuasive narratives.
• Draft sections of expert reports explaining methodology , results, and implications.
• Develop exhibits (tables, charts, figures) to communicate findings effectively.
• Ensure all work is well-documented, reproducible, and able to withstand scrutiny.

Examples of Recent Work

• Analyzing how defaults, disclosures, and information design affect consumer and advertiser behavior.
• Conducting conjoint and simulation-based studies to assess switching, preferences, and competitive effects.
• Evaluating consumer understanding of data use, privacy practices, and platform communications.
• Designing experiments to assess how marketing claims and disclosures influence purchasing decisions and willingness to pay.

What You’ll BringEducation & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Behavioral Economics, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Marketing, Statistics, Data Science, Public Policy, or a related field (target GPA 3.6+).
• Graduate degree a plus.
• Experience in consulting, academic research, market research, or a related analytical role.
• Hands-on exposure to experimental design, survey methods, or behavioral research.
• Evidence of academic or professional excellence and leadership.

Analytical Skills

• Strong foundation in behavioral economics, microeconomics, psychology, or marketing science.
• Experience designing or analyzing surveys, experiments, or quasi-experimental studies.
• Ability to work with and analyze large or complex datasets using Python, R, Stata, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with conjoint analysis, choice modeling , or causal inference preferred.
• High standards for methodological rigor and defensible analysis.

Communication & Mindset

• Ability to clearly communicate complex ideas in writing and presentations.
• Ability to translate academic research into applied, real-world insights.
• Comfort working on ambiguous, high‑stakes problems.
• Strong attention to detail and quality.
• Intellectual curiosity, coachability, and motivation to grow as a consultant.
• Clear interest in behavioral science, consumer decision‑making, and its application in litigation and regulatory c