Research Associate 2026

Research Associate

Location: Pune

Join a high-performing, tight-knit team with a unique approach to private equity investing. Kingfish Group partners with top financial and operating executives to pursue high-impact opportunities. This role combines research and qualitative analysis, with broad exposure across teams to support diverse skill development. We value excellence, innovation, and an entrepreneurial mindset. You’ll be expected to contribute from day one and take ownership of your work.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications:

● Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with 12 months of work experience in primary or secondary market research
● Demonstrated experience applying AI tools for research and project deliverables
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable collaborating with global teams
● Good understanding of business models across industries and market dynamics
● Sharp analytical and creative thinking skills, with a strong attention to detail
● Self-motivated and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines
● Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; experience with CRM platforms or data analytics tools is a plus

Position Summary

Research Associates are responsible for identifying high-quality advisors to meet client and project outcomes. They build targeted advisor lists, apply judgment on relevance and fit, and deliver accurately. Research Associates leverage structured research methods, proprietary tools, and external data sources to execute advisor identification at scale, refine search strategies, and build expertise across industries, roles, and private-equity use cases.

Key Responsibilities

● Conducts research independently on projects, using AI and research tools to identify advisors and competitors that meet project requirements, ensuring high-quality delivery within tight timelines.
● Delivers viable research strategy alternatives proactively through a deep understanding of industry dynamics.
● Collaborates effectively with a global team to align on expectations and deliver strong outcomes.
● Synthesizes research from multiple sources into deliverables (competitive landscapes, industry primers, etc.)
● Uses CRM dashboards and metrics to track project quality and progress.
● Contributes to firm-wide initiatives aimed at enhancing research quality, fostering innovation, advancing AI-enabled delivery, and improving tools and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of projects and cross-functional deliverables for Research Associate 2026.
• Collaborate closely with departmental peers and stakeholders to ensure seamless operational continuity.
• Monitor core performance KPIs, troubleshoot bottlenecks, and implement optimization protocols.
• Champion high quality standards, peer reviews, and comprehensive team documentation.