Research and Development Expert for Compliance and Regulatory

Location: Remote Availability: Full-time / Long-term (Contract) Working Hours: Australian business hours (Please note that this is a full-time role (38 hours per week) and requires someone who is amenable to working in the Australian/Melbourne timezone). Start: ASAP We’re looking for an experienced Research and Development Specialist to support ongoing work in regulatory research, policy development, compliance, and market intelligence. You’ll work closely with startups and growth-stage businesses operating in regulated industries. This is a long-term freelance opportunity for the right candidate. What you’ll be working on Regulatory and legal research across multiple jurisdictions Policy drafting, compliance frameworks, and internal documentation Market and competitor research, including industry deep-dives Business planning and go-to-market support Interpretation of regulatory and licensing requirements Preparation of clear reports and stakeholder-ready presentations What we’re looking for • Experience in compliance, regulatory or legal research, or paralegal work • Background supporting startups or high-growth businesses • Strong experience in market/competitive research, regulatory and licensing frameworks, policy development, and compliance documentation • Proven ability to conduct thorough research and set up new businesses • Business planning and research experience is essential • Highly responsible; adheres to agreed working terms and hours • Able to analyze complex regulations and provide practical guidance • Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment • Multi-region research experience is a plus • Excellent written and spoken English • Strong presentation and communication skills • High attention to detail and ability to work independently • 5-star Upwork feedback preferred Why work with us Fully remote Long-term, ongoing work Interesting projects in regulated industries Please include: A brief summary of relevant experience Examples of similar work (if available)