Research Analyst

Axyde Analytics is seeking a senior Survey Methodologist and OMB/Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Clearance Specialist for a contingent U.S. Geological Survey economic-analysis project.Engagement: Senior project-based consulting; fully remote within the United States, with infrequent travel to USGS facilities if required.Compensation: Anticipated consulting fee of $150-$300 per hour, or a negotiated fixed price for a defined work package, depending on directly relevant experience and assignment requirements.Status: Contingent on Axyde proposal selection, contract award, and assignment authorization. No minimum workload is guaranteed.THE ROLELead the design, documentation, clearance support, administration, and analysis of stakeholder information collections supporting an economic assessment of a nationwide public geoscience mapping and data program.CORE RESPONSIBILITIES• Design defensible surveys, interview protocols, sampling plans, questionnaires, pilot tests, burden estimates, and data-quality procedures.• Prepare and coordinate OMB/PRA clearance packages and supporting statements.• Address agency and OMB review comments and maintain documentation through approval.• Plan mixed-mode data collection involving industry representatives, data users, subject-matter experts, and other stakeholders.• Integrate survey findings with economic valuation, benefit-cost, program evaluation, geospatial, and secondary-data analyses.• Support analysis of direct, indirect, market, non-market, operational, planning, risk-reduction, and societal benefits.• Produce traceable methods documentation, technical memoranda, presentations, and final-report content.• Coordinate closely with economists, geoscientists, GIS specialists, data analysts, and federal program personnel.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS• 10+ years of relevant survey research, program evaluation, economics, public policy, statistics, or social-science research experience.• Demonstrated, personally attributable experience preparing or leading federal OMB/PRA information-collection clearance packages.• Experience with survey design, sampling, questionnaire development, burden estimation, pilot testing, administration, and quantitative analysis.• Strong technical writing and experience responding to federal review comments.• Ability to document specific projects, clients, periods of performance, deliverables, and personal responsibilities.• Availability to support an anticipated 18-month assignment.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS• Advanced degree in economics, statistics, survey methodology, public policy, or a related discipline.• Experience supporting DOI, USGS, natural-resource, environmental, energy, mineral, Earth-observation, or geospatial programs.• Experience with economic valuation, benefit-cost analysis, non-market benefits, or return-on-investment studies.• Prior federal consulting or contracting experience.APPLICATIONSubmit a comprehensive résumé identifying specific OMB/PRA clearances and survey instruments you personally developed or led, including the agency, subject, approval outcome, dates, and your role. Shortlisted candidates may be asked for nonproprietary work samples and references.Axyde Analytics evaluates candidates solely on job-related qualifications and provides equal employment opportunity. Application does not guarantee proposal inclusion, award, hours, or assignment.