Principal Researcher - AI/ML Market Intelligence

Principal Researcher - AI/ML Market Intelligence

Fractal Analytics is a strategic analytics partner to the most admired Fortune 500 companies globally and helps them power every human decision in the enterprise by bringing analytics & AI to the decision-making process. Fortune 500 companies recognize analytics as a competitive advantage to understand customers and make better decisions. We deliver insight, innovation, and impact to them by leveraging Big Data, analytics and technology and help them drive smarter, faster, and more accurate decisions in every aspect of their business. Fractal has consistently been rated as a Great Place to Work by The Economic Times in partnership with the Great Place to Work Institute. Fractal has been featured as a leader in the Customer Analytics Service Providers Wave™ 2019 by Forrester Research, and recognized as an "Honorable Vendor" in 2019 magic quadrant for data & analytics by Gartner.

Please visit Fractal | Intelligence for Imagination for more information about Fractal

Note

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship at this time

Location

New York City, NY or Bay Area, CA (Remote Okay)

Role Overview:

We're looking for a sharp, curious Technical Market Researcher to serve as the eyes and ears on the global AI/ML research landscape for the research organization of one of the world's most influential technology companies. This is a research intelligence role, not traditional market segmentation or sales research. You will map macro research trends, track academic and competitive advancements, and turn a constant stream of complex scientific signals into strategic intelligence that research leaders use to make decisions.

You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, owning your research programs from question to executive-ready deliverable, and representing the team in internal and external conversations. Your work will span applied sciences including health, education, sustainability, climate, weather, and quantum computing, so rapid learning and genuine technical curiosity are essential.

If you are energized by the frontier of AI, love finding the signal before everyone else does, and write and present with real polish, we encourage you to apply.

Job Responsibilities:

• End-to-End Research Plans: Independently define, manage, and execute intelligence initiatives that monitor the broader AI/ML scientific domain, emerging research labs, key technical innovations, and market shifts.
• Market and Ecosystem Synthesis: Rapidly distill large volumes of external information into prompt executive briefings, strategic landscape maps, and ecosystem deep-dives, often on demanding timelines.
• Executive Communications: Author high-impact analytical memos, narrative documents, and visually refined presentations for research leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Data Collection and Signal Mining: Apply creative, non-traditional methods, including custom web scraping, bibliometric analysis, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and alternative data tracking, to surface emerging trends early.
• Scientific Trend Benchmarking: Track advances across premier academic conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR), open-source communities, and venture-backed AI companies to benchmark our client's strategic position in the field.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Work independently with light-touch leadership check-ins, representing the team with confidence in internal and external meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5 to 10 years of experience in competitive intelligence, market research, strategic technology evaluation, or a closely related research discipline, with a focus on AI and machine learning.
• Deep technical fluency in AI and ML, with the ability to engage credibly with scientific literature, research trends, and technical frameworks.
• Proven track record analyzing research trends and benchmarking against academic labs, top-tier conferences, open-source communities, and venture-funded entities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, with demonstrated skill turning complex scientific information into concise memos, narrative briefs, and structured executive decks.
• Hands-on experience with non-traditional data collection techniques such as web scraping, bibliometric analysis, OSINT, or alternative data monitoring, including automated tracking tools and scripts that deliver under fast timelines.
• An agile, ownership-driven mindset, with the ability to move quickly and take full accountability for intelligence programs and deliverables.
• Proven ability to work with minimal supervision and represent a team independently in meetings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience within advanced technology labs, venture intelligence teams, or deep-tech strategy groups.
• Strength in turning ambiguous ecosystem questions into rigorous, well-structured analytical models.
• Familiarity with applied science domains such as health, education, sustainability, climate, weather, or quantum computing.
• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a technical or scientific discipline.

Pay:

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Fractal, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $135,000 - $170,000 with the potential for a higher base depending on experience, skills, and overall fit for the position. In addition, for the current performance period, you may be eligible for a discretionary bonus.

Benefits:

As a full-time employee of the company or as an hourly employee working more than 30 hours per week, you will be eligible to participate in the health, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability plans in accordance with the plan documents, which may be amended from time to time. You will be eligible for benefits on the first day of employment with the Company. In addition, you are eligible to participate in the Company 401(k) Plan after 30 days of employment, in accordance with the applicable plan terms. The Company provides for 11 paid holidays and 12 weeks of Parental Leave. We also follow a "free time" PTO policy, allowing you the flexibility to take the time needed for either sick time or vacation.

Fractal provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.