Research Associate

Infrastructure Insights

Location: UK or Ireland

Work mode: Home Based - Hybrid

Position Summary:

The Research Associate - Infrastructure Insights plays a key role in advancing Bentley’s mission to inform and inspire positive change across the global infrastructure ecosystem. Sitting within the Infrastructure Policy & Advocacy (IPA) initiative, this role leads industry-insight monitoring and reporting for Bentley’s leadership team.

You will design and manage a scalable research process to identify and track emerging trends in infrastructure markets, develop productive relationships with industry membership bodies, and deliver quarterly data-driven reports that help shape Bentley’s strategic direction. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate across teams and ensure research outputs are accessible, inclusive, and aligned with Bentley’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and equity.

Note: This role is internally titled Infrastructure Insights Lead, reflecting its strategic scope and leadership responsibilities within the IPA initiative.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the IPA’s industry-insight monitoring and reporting function, developing a scalable process for market research and reporting that can grow across regions and business functions.
• Conduct desk-based research and engage stakeholders — including industry associations and relevant bodies — to analyze:

• Global developments across infrastructure sectors (transport, water, energy, etc.)
• Infrastructure policy and investment trends in Bentley’s key markets
• Innovative funding, finance, and delivery models
• Digital transformation trends in infrastructure

• Synthesize research findings into quarterly insight reports, briefing notes, market scans, and landscape analyses to support Bentley’s programs and partnerships.
• Develop and maintain a knowledge base of relevant data sources, stakeholders, and industry initiatives, ensuring insights are accurate, timely, and broadly accessible to internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support inclusive decision-making and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, management, engineering, urban planning, economics, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred but not required.
• 5+ years of experience in research, consulting, or policy analysis, ideally within infrastructure or the built environment.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (near-native fluency required); additional languages are a plus.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative mindset.
• Familiarity with infrastructure markets, public policy, and international business — or the ability to quickly learn and adapt.
• Commitment to Bentley’s values, including sustainability, innovation, and fostering an inclusive workplace.
• We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet 100% of the listed qualifications.

What We Offer:

• A great Team and culture – please see our colleague video. 
• An exciting career as an integral part of a world-leading software company providing solutions for architecture, engineering, and construction - watch this short documentary about how we got our start. 
• An attractive salary and benefits package. 
• A commitment to inclusion, belonging and colleague wellbeing through global initiatives and resource groups. 
• A company committed to making a real difference by advancing the world’s infrastructure for better quality of life, where your contributions help build a more sustainable, connected, and resilient world. Discover our latest user success stories for an insight into our global impact. 

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