AI Principal Researcher

AI Research Analyst Preferred Locations: US Based - New York, New Jersey, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Boston Cognizant is seeking an exceptional AI Researcher to join our AI Market Unit Strategy team. This role is primarily about producing and publishing original Cognizant research and point of view on enterprise AI-led transformation — the research that defines how Cognizant talks about AI in the market, with clients, and with industry analysts. That same research also informs what solutions and offerings Cognizant chooses to build, but the core of this role is the research and the published word. This is a research-and-publishing role at heart. You will design studies, synthesize findings, and author the white papers, reports, and executive point-of-view content that establish Cognizant's voice on enterprise AI-led transformation — informed by real rigor, not just opinion. WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS Cognizant's published point of view on enterprise AI-led transformation starts with you. Analyst relations leans on your research and point of view to represent Cognizant credibly with Gartner, Forrester, IDC, and peers. Your research also becomes a foundation other teams draw on when shaping offerings and solutions. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Research & Publication Design and execute primary research studies on enterprise AI-led transformation, AI adoption, and business impact, using rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods. Write and publish white papers, industry reports, articles, and executive point-of-view content that define Cognizant's narrative on enterprise AI-led transformation. Adapt core research across formats — from a full white paper to a short article or executive social post — without losing analytical rigor or brand voice. Maintain a personal publication record and represent Cognizant's research agenda and point of view at conferences, symposia, and analyst events. Build and maintain proprietary research assets — benchmarks, maturity models, adoption indices — that give Cognizant's published point of view a distinct, evidence-based edge. Point of View for Analyst Relations Develop the research, data, and point of view that Cognizant's analyst relations team uses in briefings and inquiries with Gartner, Forrester, IDC, Everest Group, and peers. Track and interpret the latest AI trends — model releases, agentic systems, regulatory shifts — and translate them into a clear, current Cognizant point of view. Partner closely with analyst relations to prepare briefing materials, anticipate analyst questions, and keep Cognizant's positioning ahead of the market. Be available to join briefings directly when deep research or technical credibility is needed to make the case. Informing Offerings & Solutions Share research findings and market trends with offering and solution teams so new offerings are grounded in evidence. Flag where enterprise AI adoption gaps suggest an opportunity for Cognizant to build or extend an offering. Data & Analytical Rigor Apply structured research methodology: hypothesis formation, survey and data design, statistical analysis, source validation, and peer review. Work hands-on with quantitative data — survey results, model benchmarks, usage telemetry — to produce defensible, evidence-based findings. Build and maintain proprietary research assets: benchmarks, maturity models, and adoption indices that can be reused and cited across Cognizant's go-to-market content. Industry & AI Intelligence Maintain deep, current expertise in AI developments including generative AI, agentic systems, large language models, and applied enterprise AI. Track how AI is transforming specific industries and quantify business impact through original data rather than secondary sources. Monitor the competitive AI and analyst landscape to identify research gaps Cognizant is best positioned to fill. Cross-Functional Collaboration & External Relations Partner with offering, solution, content strategy, marketing, and business development teams so research consistently feeds both what Cognizant builds and what Cognizant says. Collaborate with AI engineers, data scientists, and solution architects to ensure technical accuracy of published research and proposed offerings. Engage with academic institutions, think tanks, and analyst firms to source data, validate findings, and pursue co-authored or co-branded research. Build and sustain relationships with editors of research and technical publications to place original research and bylines. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience & Background 8+ years of experience as a researcher or analyst producing published research — prior experience at a research or analyst firm such as Gartner, IDC, Forrester, or a research role at a consultancy such as McKinsey is strongly preferred. A demonstrable publication record — white papers, industry reports, articles, or research notes — showing the ability to produce original, evidence-based research and write it up for a business audience. Comfort operating as an individual researcher: owning a research agenda, running studies, and publishing under your own byline or firm's name. Experience researching across at least two industries (e.g., BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing, retail). Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, AI/ML, Data Science, Statistics, Business, Journalism, or a related field (or equivalent industry research experience). Skills & Competencies Deep fluency in AI/ML concepts, generative AI architectures, and enterprise AI use cases, with the ability to speak to the latest trends confidently and precisely. Strong quantitative and analytical skills; comfort designing studies, running analyses, and working with benchmark or survey data. Exceptional writing ability — able to turn research into clear, compelling published content for executive and practitioner audiences. Confident, articulate communicator who can hold their own in an analyst inquiry call or briefing and represent Cognizant's point of view live. Ability to independently scope, run, and deliver a research project end-to-end with minimal oversight. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Prior tenure as an analyst or researcher at a firm such as Gartner, IDC, Forrester, Everest Group, or McKinsey, with named or bylined published research. Track record of published, citable research and thought leadership (e.g., named reports, bylined articles, or widely referenced industry studies). Familiarity with Cognizant's AI services portfolio, including the Cognizant Neuro® AI Platform. Experience researching or writing on responsible AI, AI governance, or AI ROI measurement. Established relationships with individual analysts, editors, or journalists at major technology and business publications. WHAT WE OFFER A collaborative, high-performance culture where original research and intellectual curiosity are core to the mission. Access to Cognizant's global AI research agenda, proprietary data, and direct collaboration with AI practice leaders. Support and sponsorship for publishing, conference participation, and building an external research profile. Competitive compensation, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits. Continuous learning through Cognizant Academy and external research programs. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements. ABOUT COGNIZANT Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is one of the world's leading professional services companies, engineering modern businesses for the digital era. Our clients imagine, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses through the application of digital technologies, data science, and AI at scale. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. With over 300,000 associates across the globe, Cognizant is regularly recognized among the most admired companies in the world. Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Salary and Other Compensation Applications will be accepted until Sept 15, 2026. The annual base salary for this position is between $210,000 - $232,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans. Benefits Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off 401(k) plan and contributions Long-term/Short-term Disability Paid Parental Leave Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law. cognizant.com | careers.cognizant.com | © 2026 Cognizant #J-18808-Ljbffr Cognizant