Senior Research Associate, Secondary and Qualitative Research – Higher Education Team

Hanover Research

. Support higher education clients through qualitative and secondary research .

Posted 9/15/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $53,800 - $60,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in qualitative and secondary research methodologies, including the ability to design and implement studies, analyze data, and produce client-ready deliverables. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for managing multiple projects and engaging with higher education stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Qualitative Research DesignSecondary Research AnalysisProject ManagementData SynthesisMicrosoft Office Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Qualitative ResearchSecondary ResearchThematic CodingData AnalysisInterview Protocol DesignFocus Group FacilitationMarket AnalysisReport WritingAcademic ResearchClient Deliverables

Soft Skills

Self-MotivatedIntellectually CuriousExcellent Communication SkillsOrganizational SkillsAttention to Detail

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointVideoconference SoftwareProprietary Datasets

Industry Keywords

Higher EducationMarket ResearchAcademic Program AnalysisEnvironmental ScansCompetitive BenchmarkingIPEDSChmura JobsEQU.S. Census Data

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support higher education clients through qualitative and secondary research
Design, develop, and implement qualitative research studies
Execute secondary research projects, including new academic program market analyses, best practices reports, environmental scans, and competitive benchmarking analyses
Manage multiple projects concurrently
Speak with students, faculty, staff, industry employers, and higher education administrators
Design interview and focus group protocols independently
Identify contacts for in-depth interviews and focus groups
Conduct outreach to recruit research participants
Conduct and record interviews and focus groups
Compile detailed notes and produce emerging findings
Analyze transcripts and perform thematic coding independently
Conduct secondary research addressing higher education research questions
Collect data from online sources and proprietary datasets
Produce client-ready deliverables, largely in PowerPoint
Independently manage project lifecycle phases over tight timelines and deliver reports requiring few edits
Perform other research tasks as needed
Report to a Research Director within the team

Requirements

What you’ll need

Self-motivated
Intellectually curious
Ability to work quickly and independently
Ability to manage concurrent research projects and prioritize project components effectively
Willingness to tackle complex, often unfamiliar research requests
Ability to synthesize content and develop insight effectively
Experience interacting professionally over the phone or videoconference software
High comfort level speaking with industry experts or senior administrators over the phone
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience writing and researching for a business or professional audience
Strong command of the English language and demonstrated writing and editing skills
High comfort level with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and Power Point
Bachelor’s in English, History, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related writing/research-intensive discipline is preferred; candidates with relevant experience and other degrees will be considered
Master’s degree preferred
1-3 years of business or academic experience conducting secondary and qualitative research and writing professionally is preferred
Applied market research experience is preferred
Experience working in or having a working understanding of the higher education industry is preferred
Familiarity using datasets such as IPEDS, Chmura JobsEQ, or U.S. census data is preferred
Experience with qualitative research (e.g., interviews, UX methods, focus groups) is preferred
Experience performing research as either undergraduate or graduate student is preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Starting at 18+ days Paid Time Off
14 paid holidays including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, Indigenous People’s Day, and personal holidays
401(K) employer matching program
Comprehensive health and dental benefits package
Health and wellness packages with discounts to local gym
Community service opportunities
In-office snacks and beverages
Retirement benefits and medical coverage