As a Research Associate, you will support and execute research and advisory projects focused on international higher education, with a particular emphasis on the Middle East and Africa. The role involves conducting market research, policy analysis, competitive benchmarking, and stakeholder mapping to generate actionable insights for universities expanding into these regions.

You will work closely with the Research & Advisory team, leveraging data analytics, AI-enabled research tools, and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to deliver high-quality reports and client recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct primary and secondary research on higher education markets across the Middle East, West Asia and Africa

Monitor regional education policies, government initiatives, internationalization strategies, and emerging trends affecting higher education.

Collect, validate, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data using research and AI-enabled tools.

Prepare market intelligence reports, country profiles, competitor analyses, and client presentations.

Support the design and execution of surveys, interviews, and stakeholder consultations.

Identify and engage with regional stakeholders including universities, government bodies, education agencies, and industry partners.

Collaborate with internal teams to develop market entry strategies and advisory recommendations.

Maintain accurate research documentation and ensure high standards of data integrity.

Stay abreast of developments in international education,



particularly within GCC countries and the broader West Asia region.

Candidate Profile

Bachelor's or Master's degree in International Relations, Public Policy, Economics, Education, Business, Social Sciences, or a related field.

5-6 years of research or consulting experience, with demonstrated experience working on projects related to the Middle East, Africa, and/or West Asia.

Experience in higher education, education consulting, public policy, or international development is preferred.

Strong understanding of the higher education ecosystem and policy landscape in the GCC countries and Africa.

Experience conducting market assessments, policy research, and competitive analysis.

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and report-writing skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, research databases, visualization tools, and AI-assisted research platforms.

Solid written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to manage multiple research projects independently while collaborating across teams.

Familiarity with Arabic-speaking markets or knowledge of Arabic would be an added advantage.

Preferred Experience

Previous experience with projects in one or more of the following countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Kenya, or Nigeria.

Experience working with international universities, education consultancies, government agencies, or research organizations.

Understanding of international student mobility, transnational education (TNE), and higher education partnerships.

📌 Research Associate (Mumbai)
🏢 White Bridge Education
📍 Mumbai