Occupation intelligence

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.

Summary

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.

Key responsibilities
  • • 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.
82%
Resilience Score

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.

Digital Technology Bachelor's or equivalent level 19% AI exposure
Start Career DNA assessment
Quick fit check

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.

Progress0/3

Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Cooperation?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?

NexFuture

Future Outlook for ICT research consultant

The outlook for ICT research consultant is exceptionally stable. While AI tools will assist with daily tasks, the core of this role relies on human judgment, resulting in a high resilience score of 82.4%.

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.

Play the future

How could ICT research consultant change as AI adoption grows?

Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 20 years (around 2046) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
82%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP24%
Human advantage
MOAT80%
2026
2037
2051
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 82% Human-owned
What still depends on people

This role remains strongly human-led where apply reverse engineering depends on trust, nuance, and real-world judgement.

The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on innovation processes and scientific research methodology. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 37% Assist
Where AI may become a co-pilot

AI is more likely to assist supporting tasks such as consult with business clients, documentation, search, and workflow coordination.

Automate 19% Automate
Tasks most exposed to automation

Automation pressure appears selective rather than broad, with the strongest signal currently coming from Generative AI.

Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs, AI Vectors & Megatrends

Show more

Vital Signs

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
Generative AI 37.4%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

Cognitive Software 21.5%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

AI / Machine Learning 13.3%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Robotic & Physical Automation 0%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Megatrend Signals

0-100%
Geopolitical Change 70%
Spatial Change 33%
Digital Transformation 19%
Regulatory Pressure 2%
Green Transition 0%
Demographic Shift 0%

Model-derived scores. Indicates structural exposure to megatrends, not direct demand.

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v2.0 Sources: O*NET 30.0, ESCO v1.2.0 Updated: May 2026

NexFuture™ v2.0 combines O*NET ability and activity profiles with ESCO skill group distributions and six global megatrend signals. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture™ Methodology White Paper for full details.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Digital Technology

Day in the life

A typical day as a ICT research consultant

09
09:00 · Morning
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.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
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.
12
12:00 · Midday
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.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
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.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
consult with business clients
Communicate with clients of a business or business project in order to introduce new ideas, obtain feedback, and find solutions to problems.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
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.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Adobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAppletreeC++Database softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareExtensible markup language XMLGraphics softwareIBM SPSS StatisticsJavaScriptMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft WordOnline library databasesOracle Java
Knowledge areas
  • innovation processes

    The techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation.

  • ICT market

    The processes, stakeholders and the dynamics of the chain of goods and services in the ICT market sector.

  • 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.

  • information categorisation

    The process of classifying the information into categories and showing relationships between the data for some clearly defined purposes.

  • information extraction

    The techniques and methods used for eliciting and extracting information from unstructured or semi-structured digital documents and sources.

  • LDAP

    The computer language LDAP is a query language for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information.

Cross-sector skills
  • scientific research methodology
Essential skills
conducting academic or market research
  • conduct literature research

    Conduct a comprehensive and systematic research of information and publications on a specific literature topic. Present a comparative evaluative literature summary.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • perform scientific research

    Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

  • conduct quantitative research

    Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.

  • 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.

technical or academic writing
  • draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation

    Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.

  • disseminate results to the scientific community

    Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • write scientific publications

    Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.

programming computer systems
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

managing information
  • 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.

  • 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.

conducting studies, investigations and examinations
  • 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.

  • 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.

communication, collaboration and creativity
  • 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.

  • 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.

working with others
  • 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.

using foreign languages
  • speak different languages

    Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

Skill DNA

Skill DNA

Work personality traits and values that define this role

Key traits you need
Dependability Cooperation Attention to Detail Independence Adaptability/Flexibility Integrity Self-Control Achievement/Effort Persistence Analytical Thinking Stress Tolerance Initiative Concern for Others Leadership Innovation Social Orientation
Key rewards you can expect
AchievementWorking Condit…RecognitionRelationshipsSupportIndependence
Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

Career landscape

Where does ICT research consultant fit?

This role
ICT research consultant This role

Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.

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Common questions

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.