2040 Strategy Group

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.

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.