Member of Technical Staff, Researcher/Economist

Profound•New York, NY

7d•$140,000 - $230,000•Onsite

About The Position

Profound is hiring an Economist and Researcher to develop trusted industry insights and measurement standards explaining how people use AI for search, shopping, and decision making. The role turns real user conversations and AI model behavior into public-facing research that shapes understanding of AI’s direction and how brands must adapt. The position is based onsite at Profound’s Union Square, New York City office. Profound supports visa sponsorship for qualified international candidates. The expected base salary range is $175,000–$265,000, with compensation varying by location and individual qualifications. The total compensation package includes base salary, equity, benefits, and perks.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience solving complex research problems in academia or industry.
Strong ability to validate assumptions, pressure-test results, and ensure research can withstand scrutiny.
Fluency in SQL and proficiency in R or Python for empirical analysis.
Excellent communication skills and comfort presenting research externally.
Ownership mindset, intellectual curiosity, and passion for answering important questions.
PhD in economics or a related quantitative field from a leading academic program.

Nice To Haves

Experience in technology economics, economic consulting, or policy research.
A record of published research or public-facing insights that influenced decision making.
Motivation to work with rare data on how people use AI to search and shop across major answer engines.
Interest in defining industry-standard metrics for AI visibility and AI shopping behavior.
Interest in publishing research cited by media, industry analysts, and academic partners.
Comfort with a fast-paced, high-trust environment where work shapes product direction, thought leadership, and category creation.
Interest in competitive compensation and meaningful equity at a rapidly growing company.

Responsibilities

Create accurate and rigorous research that serves as a trusted source of truth for AI usage trends and answer engine behavior.
Engage with media, academia, and industry leaders to educate the market using evidence-grounded analysis.
Identify emerging inflection points in AI search and AI shopping and quantify their impact on consumers and businesses.
Publish research papers, reports, and insights that inform the product roadmap and guide strategic decisions.
Uphold high standards of correctness, reproducibility, and transparency in published outputs.