Research Analyst

This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between working from home and our office. Typically, employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other. It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives. Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

You’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

As a Research Analyst, this is what you’ll be doing:

• Metric Development & Innovation: Experiment with new approaches to measuring reputation, skills, research impact, and sustainability. Lead and collaborate on metric development projects, to propose and test ideas. Prepare robust, evidence‑based recommendations for validation by governance committees and advisory boards.
• Data Analysis & Quality: Conduct longitudinal and predictive analyses to identify sector trends and inform metric development. Collaborate with central data teams to ensure processes are documented and integrated into QS’s data operations. Support data verification, record checks, and quality assurance for key datasets. Proactively engage with external experts, advisors, and stakeholders to inform and validate metric development. Represent QS in advisory boards and sector forums as required.
• Content & Insights: Generate insights to support content creation for articles, webinars, and social media, highlighting the impact of QS’s metrics. Monitor global higher education policy developments and sector news to inform frameworks, ratings and rankings. Contribute to the ongoing review and enhancement of QS’s metrics, ensuring they remain world‑class and relevant. Any other duties that fall within the purpose and scope of this role.

Key skills and experience:

• Genuine curiosity and a growth mindset demonstrated through continuous learning, exploration of new ideas and staying abreast of sector developments.
• Strong analytical skills and experience working with large datasets.
• Ability to interpret complex data and communicate insights clearly.
• Excellent research skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach.
• Experience with Excel and data visualisation tools; familiarity with SQL, Python, or similar tools is advantageous.
• A high level of integrity, ethical judgement and awareness of the bigger picture.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distil complex concepts for diverse audiences.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment.
• Awareness of higher education sector terminology and metrics is helpful, but candidates from all sectors with transferable skills are encouraged to apply.

Please note, if you don’t meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success. We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures. Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800‑strong community of problem‑solvers, creators, collaborators and change‑makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London. With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide.

As standard you will have:

• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years
• Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous pension through Royal London
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality
• Cycle to work scheme
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs including a peer‑to‑peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.