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ICT research consultant

Also called IT research advisor, ICT research advisor, IT research consultant

ICT research consultants perform targeted ICT research and provide a final report to the client. They also use ICT tools to design questionnaires for surveys, analyse the results, write reports, present the results and make recommendations based on the research findings.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 10 countries now. 59 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.ICT professionalsWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €2,900 (Slovakia) to €7,300 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · ICT professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree8 in 10 have a degree.ICT professionalsWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Systems analysts · ILO

What you'd do

Systems analysts · ILO
  • Consulting with users to formulate and document requirements and with management to ensure agreement on systems principles
  • Identifying and analysing business processes, procedures and work practices
  • Identifying and evaluating inefficiencies and recommending optimal business practices and system functionality and behaviour
  • Taking responsibility for deploying functional solutions, such as creating, adopting and implementing system test plans
  • Developing functional specifications for use by systems developers
  • Expanding or modifying systems to improve workflow or serve new purposes
  • Coordinating and linking the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility
Develop software prototypeExecute ICT user research activitiesInteract with users to gather requirementsCreate prototype of user experience solutionsUse methodologies for user-centered design+ 41 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Varied tasks, little repetition
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "Computer and Information Research Scientists"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

10 EU countries are short of systems analysts now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as ICT professionals in the EU
2.77m4.86m6.75m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,516,000 new jobs 1,592,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
ICT professionals59
All jobs29
Right now
10 of 27 countries report a shortage of systems analysts, 5 a surplus.
Systems analysts · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,900 a month (Slovakia) to €7,300 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in software and applications development and analysis is the usual route.

Highest qualification of ICT professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 81%Vocational 10%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 2%
Field that teaches it
Software and applications development and analysis
Vocational route, EU
4 in 10 trainees in this field
ICT graduates in a matching job
77% in the EU

887 institutions in the EU offer ICT bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.49 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Developing functional specifications for use by systems developers0.56
Coordinating and linking the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility0.55
Consulting with users to formulate and document requirements and with management to ensure agreement on systems principles0.49
Identifying and evaluating inefficiencies and recommending optimal business practices and system functionality and behaviour0.48
Identifying and analysing business processes, procedures and work practices0.46
Taking responsibility for deploying functional solutions, such as creating, adopting and implementing system test plans0.45
Expanding or modifying systems to improve workflow or serve new purposes0.43

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for systems analysts. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).