Research Intern - *Internship opportunity only*

Job Title : Research Intern

Location: London, UK

Business unit: Institutional Performance

Job type: Internship - 12 weeks 

Working arrangement:  Hybrid

About QS

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

What inspires us?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

The role

QS is seeking a proactive, resilient and hard-working intern to contribute to the ongoing management and implementation of our programme of thought-leadership surveys. The surveys are destined for a global audience of graduate employers including high profile companies who recruit graduates at large scale.

The role will sit within the Institutional Performance Unit and will report into the Insights Manager / Innovation Manager. Supporting them through the identification and screening of potential partner groups for our Global Employer survey and arranging for the survey to be distributed to their members via the appropriate channels.

The role will be primarily focused on market scanning and desk research to identify, screen and make initial contact with potential partners for our Global Employer survey. The ideal candidate will play a key role in the initial identification of potential partner groups of employers who meet the right conditions for the survey and who have access to large organisational memberships. The principal objective is to help QS expand the scope and profile of its Global Employer survey to become the go-to source of insight on graduate employer mindsets. The successful candidate must be able to take a proactive approach towards the identification of partners, with strong communication and teamwork skills.

Role responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive desk research to identify potential partner groups of graduate employers with extensive organisational memberships.
• Screen and assess the suitability of identified partner groups, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the Global Employer survey.
• Initiate contact with selected groups, introducing QS and the purpose of the survey in a professional manner.
• Coordinate with the Insights Manager to develop outreach strategies and prioritise target organisations.
• Arrange for the distribution of the survey through appropriate partner channels, ensuring effective communication and follow-up as needed.
• Collaborate with team members to share insights and contribute to the ongoing refinement of the partner identification process.
• Support the broader goals of expanding the scope and enhancing the profile of the Global Employer survey within the graduate employer community.
• Effectively communicate the benefits of participation to potential partner groups

Key skills and experience

• Desk Research Proficiency: Ability to conduct comprehensive desk research, including identifying, screening, and evaluating potential partner organizations and synthesizing findings from diverse sources.
• Written and Verbal Communication: Clear, professional communication skills for introducing the survey to partners, drafting outreach messages, and reporting findings to the team.
• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate with the Insights Manager and other team members, sharing insights and supporting the refinement of processes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Confidence in initiating contact with external organizations and communicating the value of participation in the survey.
• Proactive & Self-Motivated: Demonstrated initiative in identifying new opportunities and taking ownership of assigned tasks.
• Resilience: Ability to handle setbacks, adapt to changing priorities, and persist in reaching out to potential partners.
• Organizational Skills: Strong time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive. 

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