Research Scientist

Spencer Stuart; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Spencer Stuart in Amsterdam seeks a Research Scientist to translate proprietary data into leadership, governance, culture, and business-performance insights. You will frame research questions, develop hypotheses, and apply rigorous statistical methods to address complex questions.

You will work with Python/SPSS, handle SQL-based data, and collaborate with the Lead Data Scientist to ensure robust analyses and clear executive narratives for client engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, Data Science, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 2–5 years of applied research experience (consulting, academia, think tank).
• Ability to apply statistical reasoning to real-world data and communicate results.

Responsibilities

• Design and support hypothesis-driven statistical research with testable hypotheses and identification strategies.
• Apply regression, GLMs, quasi-experimental designs, survival analysis, Bayesian methods to guide model selection and validation.
• Translate findings into executive-ready narratives with memos and client-facing materials.

Skills

Python

Statistics

Data analysis

SQL

Research

Hypothesis testing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Statistics / Mathematics / Data Science

Master's or PhD (strongly preferred)

Tools

SPSS

SQL databases

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Research Scientist to join our Data Analytics team. This role focuses on translating proprietary data into industry‑leading insights on leadership, governance, culture, and business performance. The Research Scientist will frame researchable questions, develop and test hypotheses, and apply rigorous statistical approaches to address complex, business‑critical questions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and support hypothesis‑driven statistical research, including formulation of testable hypotheses, definition of identification strategies, and critical evaluation of assumptions such as causal versus non‑causal inference.
• Apply advanced statistical methodologies—including regression and generalized linear models, quasi‑experimental designs (matching, difference‑in‑differences), survival and time‑to‑event analysis, latent‑variable approaches, and Bayesian frameworks—to guide model selection, validation, robustness testing, and interpretation.
• Translate analytical findings into clear, executive‑ready narratives, producing research memos, client‑facing materials, and thought‑leadership content that connect methodology and evidence to insight.
• Partner closely with the Lead Data Scientist to design, execute, validate, and document rigorous quantitative analyses aligned with high research standards.
• Actively participate in client‑facing analytical work, supporting consultants in live engagements where data and insight strengthen leadership advisory.
• Deliver or co‑deliver analytics demonstrations, showing how data and analytical tools can address client needs.
• Design and support Proofs of Concept (PoCs) and Proof‑of‑Value exercises tailored to client‑specific challenges and strategic questions.
• Help translate analytical capabilities into compelling value propositions, supporting early‑stage client conversations and contributing to the origination of analytics‑related opportunities.
• Work with curated datasets from the firm’s cloud‑based data platforms and research repositories, identifying data limitations, assumptions, and risks relevant to statistical analysis.
• Conduct diagnostics, robustness checks, and sensitivity analyses to ensure analytical credibility.
• Use Python/SPSS and related statistical tools to perform exploratory, inferential, and hypothesis‑driven work, ensuring reproducible, well‑documented workflows.
• Support revenue generation efforts by positioning analytics in opportunity development while not owning commercial targets directly.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, Data Science, Quantitative Social Science, or a related field; Master’s or PhD strongly preferred.
• Approximately 2–5 years of experience in an applied research setting (consulting, academia, think tank, policy institute).
• Demonstrated ability to apply statistical reasoning to complex, imperfect real‑world data.
• Proven writing ability, including research papers, policy reports, analytical publications, or client‑facing research.
• Experience collaborating with non‑technical stakeholders and translating analysis into actionable insight.
• Strong foundation in parametric and non‑parametric statistical inference and modeling, including regression, generalized linear models, quasi‑experimental approaches, survival analysis, and Bayesian thinking.
• Proficiency in Python for analysis, reproducible workflows, and data visualization.
• Comfort working with structured datasets derived from SQL‑based environments.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present results clearly to non‑technical audiences.
• Client‑facing confidence, commercial awareness, and a consultative mindset bridging research and application.
• High intellectual rigor, attention to detail, self‑motivation, collaboration, and ability to operate in a fast‑paced environment.

Location

Amsterdam office (preferred). The Data Analytics team operates globally, with additional opportunities in the United States.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all applicants.