ICT research consultant
Snapshot
Are you fascinated by technology and enjoy uncovering insights from data? As an ICT research consultant, you'll help organisations understand the impact of technology, providing valuable recommendations to shape their strategies and improve their operations.
ICT research consultants are vital in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. You’ll work with clients across various industries to identify their research needs, design and execute studies, and translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations. This role combines analytical skills with strong communication abilities to deliver impactful results.
- • Designing questionnaires and surveys using ICT tools to gather relevant data.
- • Analysing data using appropriate ICT methods to identify trends and patterns.
- • Writing comprehensive reports detailing research findings and conclusions.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Information and communications technology professionals — 75 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus and 6 more.
Longest-running shortage: Austria, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could ICT research consultant fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Cooperation?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Future Outlook for ICT research consultant
The outlook for ICT research consultant reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could ICT research consultant change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could ICT research consultant change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- interact professionally in research and professional environments
- evaluate research activities
- manage intellectual property rights
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- apply statistical analysis techniques
- manage open publications
- conduct literature research
Tasks most exposed to automation
- synthesise information
- apply for research funding
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Digital Technology
A typical day as a ICT research consultant
09 09:00 · Morning create prototype of user experience solutions
10 10:30 · Mid-morning execute ICT user research activities
12 12:00 · Midday innovate in ICT
14 14:00 · Afternoon apply reverse engineering
15 15:30 · Late afternoon consult with business clients
17 17:00 · Wrap-up develop software prototype
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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innovation processes
The techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation.
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ICT market
The processes, stakeholders and the dynamics of the chain of goods and services in the ICT market sector.
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ICT system user requirements
The process intended to match user and organisation's needs with system components and services, by taking into consideration the available technologies and the techniques required to elicit and specify requirements, interrogating users to establish symptoms of problem and analysing symptoms.
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information categorisation
The process of classifying the information into categories and showing relationships between the data for some clearly defined purposes.
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information extraction
The techniques and methods used for eliciting and extracting information from unstructured or semi-structured digital documents and sources.
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LDAP
The computer language LDAP is a query language for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information.
- scientific research methodology
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conduct literature research
Conduct a comprehensive and systematic research of information and publications on a specific literature topic. Present a comparative evaluative literature summary.
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conduct scholarly research
Plan scholarly research by formulating the research question and conducting empirical or literature research in order to investigate the truth of the research question.
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manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable data
Produce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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conduct quantitative research
Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
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apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities
Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
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draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation
Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.
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disseminate results to the scientific community
Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.
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provide user documentation
Develop and organise the distribution of structured documents to assist people using a particular product or system, such as written or visual information about an application system and how to use it.
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publish academic research
Conduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.
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write scientific publications
Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
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operate open source software
Operate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.
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develop software prototype
Create a first incomplete or preliminary version of a piece of software application to simulate some specific aspects of the final product.
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apply reverse engineering
Use techniques to extract information or disassemble an ICT component, software or system in order to analyse, correct and reassemble or reproduce it.
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create prototype of user experience solutions
Design and prepare mock-ups, prototypes and flows in order to test User Experience (UX) solutions or to collect feedback from users, customers, partners or stakeholders.
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manage research data
Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.
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demonstrate disciplinary expertise
Demonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, related to research activities within a specific discipline.
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execute ICT user research activities
Perform research tasks such as recruitment of participants, scheduling of tasks, collecting of empirical data, data analysis and production of materials in order to assess the interaction of users with an ICT system, program or application.
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innovate in ICT
Create and describe new original research and innovation ideas within the field of information and communication technologies, compare to the emerging technologies and trends and plan the development of new ideas.
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think abstractly
Demonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.
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interact professionally in research and professional environments
Show consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.
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speak different languages
Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does ICT research consultant fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of ICT tools do ICT research consultants typically use?
- ICT research consultants frequently employ statistical software (like SPSS or R), survey platforms (such as SurveyMonkey or Qualtrics), data visualisation tools (Tableau, Power BI), and collaboration platforms for project management and communication.
- Is this role mostly office-based, or does it involve fieldwork?
- While much of the work involves data analysis and report writing, ICT research consultants often need to interact with clients and stakeholders. This can involve meetings, interviews, and potentially observing technology in use, though it’s not typically extensive fieldwork.
- What skills are most important for success as an ICT research consultant?
- Strong analytical skills, proficiency in ICT tools, excellent written and verbal communication, the ability to interpret data, and a keen eye for detail are essential. Adaptability and the ability to quickly learn new technologies are also highly valued.
- ICT Research Consultant — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 10 of the 14 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus and 6 more. Austria has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- ICT Research Consultant — what does it pay in the United States?
- $140,910 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $82,590 to $206,220. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.