Overview
Research Associate Jobs in Johannesburg Metropolitan Area at Timelaps
Title: Research Associate
Company: Timelaps
Location: Johannesburg Metropolitan Area
Why this role exists
We run continuous brand trackers for some of the biggest brands across three continents. A good tracker isn't just fielded. It's designed well, checked obsessively, and explained clearly.
We need a researcher to take it on: someone who can help shape a study, run it flawlessly, and sit in front of a client and make the numbers mean something.
Who we are
Timelaps is an AI-native brand intelligence platform, founded by two experienced entrepreneurs, including the founder behind the largest digital research agency in Africa. We've built and scaled in this space before.
Our platform is live and earning, running multiple trackers across three continents and scaling into new markets every month. We're based in the US and South Africa and operate with a global-from-day-one mindset.
What you'll own
- Study design. Helping choose the moments and associations that make each tracker sharp. Within a framework we lock together, then hold steady.
- Survey build. Programming trackers in Alchemer: accurate, on-spec, and identical wave to wave so the trends hold.
- Fieldwork. Launching waves, managing quotas and incidence, keeping data quality high and timelines on track.
- QC. Checking every wave before it reaches a client and knowing the difference between a real movement and noise.
- Interpretation and client support. Explaining what the data means, writing onboarding docs people can follow, and being the reliable answer when a client has a question.
Why this is probably not for you
- You want to be a strategist who hands the doing to someone else. This role is hands-on: you build the survey and run the fieldwork yourself.
- You need a fixed playbook. A lot of how we work isn't written down yet. You'll help write it, not follow it.
- You're not obsessive about detail. A mis-keyed question or a missed quota can break a wave permanently. Small errors here are big errors.
- You'd rather not deal with clients. You'll be the credible, friendly face in front of them. If that drains you, skip this one.
In short, this is research craft and operational discipline together, at startup pace.
Who we're looking for
If you're still reading, here's what we're looking for:
- A researcher who does. You've worked in market research – design, fielding, analysis – and you're happy in the operational detail, not just the thinking.
- Survey and fieldwork experience. You've programmed surveys and managed fieldwork before. Alchemer is a plus; Qualtrics, Decipher, Forsta and the like transfer fine.
- Obsessive about accuracy and consistency. You check, then check again, and maybe one more time.
- A clear explainer. You can turn a chart into a story a client acts on, and write docs people can actually follow.
- Organised and reliable. You juggle multiple trackers and waves without dropping a thing.
- Self-directed. You run the day-to-day and know when to flag something for a second pair of eyes.
- A plus: familiarity with brand tracking, or with mental availability and Category Entry Point thinking.
The deal
- Competitive salary.
- Fully remote, ideally South Africa-based.
- A direct line to the founders and a front-row seat as we scale into new markets.
How to apply
Email us at [email protected] with the subject line: “Research Associate ” and share your resume, LinkedIn profile, X profile, links to personal projects and anything else that you think could be helpful or relevant.