Research Assistant
Position Overview
The Sorenson Impact Institute is hiring a Research Assistant to support its current work on The Impact Cliff Project, a collaborative research initiative in partnership with the Ford Foundation, to identify and advance solutions that preserve mission integrity during periods of growth, financing, and exit for mission-driven enterprises.
As the impact investing sector matures, enterprises increasingly face pressure to prioritize financial returns at precisely the moments when mission is most vulnerable: mid-stage capital raises, ownership transitions, and exits. This phenomenon, referred to as the “impact cliff,” reflects two core structural challenges: limited access to mission-aligned Series B/C capital and a lack of standardized governance and ownership tools to protect impact through exit.
The Impact Cliffs Project will use interviews, case analysis, and landscape research to produce a series of co-branded research publications examining governance, ownership, capital, and policy mechanisms that sustain mission over time. The project includes phases for problem framing, case development, and synthesis, culminating in strategic guidance and early policy recommendations for the field.
The Research Assistant will play a critical supporting role in advancing the analytical rigor, evidence base, and comparative insights of the Impact Cliff Project. Working closely with the project lead and broader project partners, the Research Assistant will support literature review, qualitative analysis, case development, and synthesis across all project phases.
Role & Responsibilities
The Research Assistant is a part-time, project-specific role with flexible working hours. Candidates must be available to attend weekly team meetings and communicate promptly with the project team. The role is hybrid, with preference for in-office work on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Sorenson Impact Institute offices.
Research & Literature Review
- Conduct targeted literature review and research related to impact investing, governance, ownership structures, and mission preservation.
- Identify and synthesize relevant frameworks, benchmarks, and emerging models (e.g., steward ownership, purpose trusts, alternative exit pathways).
Qualitative Analysis & Case Support
- Identify and research relevant U.S. and global case examples that illustrate both mission erosion risks and resilient structures.
- Prepare case study background packets to support comparative analysis and publication development.
- Conduct qualitative research via interviews with companies, funds, and other stakeholders with related insights.
- Develop clear, structured summaries of case study interviews, including coded notes aligned with project research questions.
Data Organization & Synthesis
- Assist in constructing data tables, comparative matrices, and analytical frameworks that surface patterns related to growth funding or exits across cases, capital types, and ownership models.
- Track citations and maintain a well-organized research library to ensure accuracy, consistency, and ease of reference across deliverables.
Drafting & Outputs
- Produce research memos and background briefs to inform project analysis and narrative development.
- Contribute to initial synthesis drafts and analytical sections of project deliverables.
Qualifications
Required or Strongly Preferred
- Graduate-level training or equivalent experience in public policy, economics, finance, business, social entrepreneurship, international development, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience conducting qualitative research, including literature reviews, interview analysis, and synthesis.
- Experience with coding qualitative data or comparative case analysis.
- Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to distill complex concepts into clear, structured insights.
- Familiarity with or strong interest in impact investing, mission-driven enterprises, governance, social innovation, inclusive capital ecosystems, ownership models, or market-based solutions.
- High attention to detail and comfort managing citations, sources, and research libraries.
Working Style & Collaboration
The Research Assistant should be comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with the project lead on evolving research questions and deliverables. This role requires strong organizational skills, excellent time management, clear communication with the project team, and adaptability as insights and outputs evolve throughout the project.
About the Sorenson Impact Institute
Proudly housed at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, our mission is to expand the market for impact investing and to equip the next generation of impact leaders, forging a future where impact is seamlessly integrated across sectors worldwide. Through our diverse expertise, we connect capital to measurable social, environmental, and financial outcomes. Leveraging our unique position at a leading public university, we drive critical innovations and research, amplify thought leadership, and provide world-class experiential learning and academic programming. Our headquarters, the Impact & Prosperity Epicenter, is a pioneering live/work ecosystem that fosters a shared vision for the betterment of people and the planet. Learn more at sorensonimpactinstitute.com.
