Research & Insights Lead

Aarden; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Job summary

Aarden AI is seeking a researcher to own publishable research, combining our proprietary parcel data with storytelling for LinkedIn posts, white papers, and media coverage.

This is primarily a research and data analysis role. You will run analyses, test methodologies, and work with executives and the marketing team to publish findings in formats that reach the right audience. Seattle-based preference, with relocation if needed.

Qualifications

• 4–8 years in real assets research, market analysis, or data journalism.
• Proficient in Python, SQL, and data storytelling to go from raw data to published insights.
• Demonstrated methodological judgment and commitment to rigorous research.

Responsibilities

• Own Aarden's research agenda and identify questions data can answer.
• Identify compelling commentary in response to current events, including short timelines.
• Run original analyses using parcel data and ML/AI tools, testing hypotheses to validated findings.
• Build repeatable data narratives: recurring industry reports from Aarden.
• Partner with the data team to sanity-check methodology.

Skills

Data storytelling

Python

SQL

Independent research

Job description

Aarden is a land intelligence platform that helps landowners, investors, and developers figure out what a piece of land can actually be used for, and how to market it. We turn messy parcel, infrastructure, market, community, and ecological data into clear, bankable answers for land-dependent assets. Our goal is to become the default decision layer for land: helping physical projects start in places where they can be built and supported for decades.

The Role

Aarden aims to be a trusted industry leader on optimized, responsible, and data-driven land development. To support this vision, you will own Aarden's publishable research function, combining our cutting-edge data with impactful storytelling. You'll mine our proprietary data for findings the industry doesn't have anywhere else, pressure-test them methodologically, and work with executives and the marketing team to publish them in whatever form reaches the right audience (typically LinkedIn posts, white papers, and media).

This is primarily a research and data analysis role. The bar for every piece is simply: would this information help Aarden clients perform their job better or make their lives easier?

What You'll Do

• Own Aarden's research agenda: identify the questions our data can uniquely answer, and build a pipeline of validated findings around them.
• Identify compelling research commentary in response to current events, sometimes on short timelines.
• Run original analyses using our parcel data and proprietary ML and AI tools: rural land pricing and transaction dynamics, where solar and data center development pressure is reshaping land uses, the gap between current-use value and optionality, etc. Take analyses from hypotheses through validated findings and build or suggest new tools where needed.
• Build repeatable data narratives: recurring reports the industry comes to expect from Aarden.
• Partner with our data team to sanity-check methodology.

What We're Looking For

• 4–8 years in real assets research, market analysis, or data journalism, ideally with exposure to land, data centers, or energy development.
• Proficient in the data storytelling tech stack (Python, SQL, etc.), with demonstrated ability to go from raw dataset to published insight independently
• Proven methodological judgment, and an unwavering commitment to not publishing research that won't survive scrutiny.
• Comfort owning a function solo: setting your own research agenda, identifying interesting and valuable findings, and establishing an industry-leading quality bar.

Nice to Have

• Experience at a research shop (LBNL, NREL, Wood Mackenzie, BNEF, Grid Status–style analytics) or data-first startup.
• Ability to build data visualizations and/or design: i.e. proven ability to communicate visually.
• Experience writing and publishing your work.

Compensation & Logistics

$100,000 – $150,000 base salary, depending on experience. Equity commensurate with stage and role. Benefits including health coverage.

Title is flexible and may be adjusted based on candidate profile.

Seattle-based teammates are a strong preference. Remote candidates will be asked to relocate to Seattle for 12 months minimum. Remote work may be considered on a case by case basis following this period.

How to Apply

Along with your resume, send the 1-2 pieces of research you are most proud of. Format doesn’t matter: it could be a published paper, a media placement, a LinkedIn post, a Substack, or something else entirely.