Research Director, AI Economics in Needham, Massachusetts at IDC

About the Role & Team

IDC is seeking a Research Director to join our established worldwide artificial intelligence, data and automation (AD&A) research domain to focus on the modeling of AI business value and cost. The candidate must have demonstrable experience in building value assessment and cost estimation models related to technology investment. Experience with AI platforms is preferred. The candidate will also collaborate with other analysts covering adjacent technologies including other forms of AI and Automation technologies. Research will include understanding functional and industry use cases as well as the key determining factors of AI operational cost.

What You’ll Do

• Create a parametric model that can assist analysts and clients in evaluating the potential value of specific AI use cases.
• Create a quantitative construct that allows for the reasonable estimation of the costs to run specific AI use cases.
• Collaborate with the analyst community to build the model and to help them use the models in their own research.
• Work with AI leadership team and engineering to create an AI Economics interactive tool that are clients can use to manage their initiatives.
• Partner with our sourcing advisory team to incorporate ongoing price benchmarking into the models.
• Contribute to the production of both syndicated and custom research.

What You Bring

• Three to five years experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Practitioner experience working in a financial analysis and/or business transformation capacity implementing AI projects.
• First-hand experience building economic impact and/or financial models related to technology investment.
• Strong knowledge of the overall AI technology sector is preferred, along with the ability to analyze trends and provide actionable guidance to technology providers and buyers. Direct experience in this area is ideal.
• Up-to-date knowledge of innovations in large language models and the AI industry more broadly.
• Knowledge of AI deployment models and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze survey data and normalize findings to support the building of analytic models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyze, present, and articulate complex data sets.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with the capacity to work both independently and within a team.
• Proven ability to read and evaluate financial reports to analyze key drivers that impact companies’ ability to differentiate and remain competitive.
• Ability to travel 25-30% for client meetings, industry events, and customer projects.
• This role offers the flexibility to work remotely from an approved U.S. location, or onsite at our corporate office in Boston, MA.

Why This Role Stands Out
At IDC, your work helps shape how the world understands technology and where it goes next. You collaborate with curious, high-caliber colleagues who value rigor, integrity, and shared success. As the premier global provider of trusted technology intelligence, IDC equips business and technology leaders with the evidence they need to make confident decisions. Our insights inform strategy, investment, and innovation across industries and regions.

Recognized by IIAR as Analyst Firm of the Year for five consecutive years, IDC sets the standard for credibility and impact. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide and a truly global perspective, we combine deep expertise with practical relevance. Here, your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your contributions provide the insights leaders rely on every day. It is meaningful work, backed by a culture that supports growth, collaboration, and long-term career development with a globally respected brand.

What We Offer

• 15 vacation days (prorated based on start date)
• 12 company-paid holidays
• 6 paid sick days (prorated based on start date; may vary by state)
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 2 floating holidays (prorated based on start date)
• 1 volunteer day
• 401(k) company match (IDC matches 3% on the first 6% of employee contributions)
• Company-paid short-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
  
• Company-paid parental leave
  

Compensation Transparency

At IDC, we are committed to fair and equitable pay practices. Employees are compensated equitably for their work, aligned with their skills and experience. Salary and incentive structures are determined through a rigorous process that considers experience, education, certifications, role-specific requirements, internal equity, and verified U.S. market data from an independent third-party partner.

The expected total annual compensation, depending on location and experience, is between $150,000 – $190,000, inclusive of base salary and variable compensation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. Employment eligibility verification required. We participate in E-Verify.

IDC is currently able to employ remote workers in the following states: Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Washington D.C. (DC), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Kansas (KS), Massachusetts (MA), Maryland (MD), Maine (ME), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Missouri (MO), Mississippi (MS), North Carolina (NC), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Ohio (OH), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Virginia (VA), Vermont (VT), Washington (WA), and Wisconsin (WI).