Specialist, Market Research

Job Description
Job Summary:
As a strategic partner to the business, the Specialist, Primary Market Research is responsible for understanding business challenges and supporting the delivery of customer, market, and competitive insights that inform commercial decision-making. This role supports U.S. and Global markets through the design, execution, and application of primary market research and integration of secondary data sources.
Working closely with the Team Leader, more senior market research colleagues, and cross-functional stakeholders, the Specialist helps identify key business questions, develops research approaches, and translates insights into actionable recommendations that support business strategy and execution. This individual is expected to demonstrate curiosity, collaboration, and a learning mindset while leveraging innovative research methodologies, data sources, and emerging technologies to enhance insight generation and business impact.
A successful Specialist will demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment, manage competing priorities, adapt to changing business needs, and contribute to the ongoing transformation of market research capabilities.
Primary Responsibilities:
In partnership with the Team Leader and more senior members of the market research team, the Specialist will contribute to the planning, execution, and application of market research by:
Framing business questions and identifying information needs that support commercial strategy and decision-making
Developing research and analysis plans aligned with business objectives
Drafting research briefs, requests for proposals, and hypotheses to be tested
Supporting the identification and selection of external research partners
Managing assigned market research projects from design through execution and insight delivery, with guidance as appropriate
Applying appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and leveraging innovative research approaches when appropriate
Utilizing primary market research, syndicated data, secondary data, and analytics to develop integrated insights and recommendations
Exploring and applying AI-enabled market research tools, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies—including synthetic respondents, digital personas, or other approved methodologies—to enhance insight generation, improve efficiency, and support decision-making
Synthesizing data and research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable business recommendations
Communicating insights effectively and supporting stakeholder alignment and business action
Ensuring adherence to all compliance, privacy, and ethical standards associated with market research activities
Managing project budgets and timelines and adjusting plans as business needs evolve
Education:
Minimum Required: BA/BS in Business, Marketing, Healthcare or related field
Preferred: MBA, MS, MPH, or other advanced degree in a relevant discipline
Required Experience and Skills:
Up to 2 years of relevant experience in market research, analytics, marketing, sales, finance, forecasting, business analytics, or related commercial functions
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
Foundational knowledge of quantitative and qualitative market research methodologies and research design
Ability to translate business questions into research objectives and actionable insights, with guidance as appropriate
Ability to synthesize multiple sources of information into concise, business-focused recommendations
Foundational knowledge of the pharmaceutical and healthcare environment
Strong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environment
Demonstrated curiosity and commitment to continuous learning and capability development
Ability to work effectively within a team environment while taking ownership of assigned responsibilities
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Prior pharmaceutical market research, analytics, marketing, sales, or related commercial experience
Experience supporting brands, products, or therapeutic areas
Knowledge of U.S. and Global healthcare markets
Experience working within a large, matrixed, multinational organization
Familiarity with AI-enabled research tools, advanced analytics, or emerging insight-generation methodologies
Experience integrating primary market research with secondary, syndicated, epidemiology, claims, digital, or other commercial data sources
Demonstrated use of generative AI tools and applications in a responsible and compliant manner to improve productivity, insight generation, and business decision support.
Required Skills:
Marketing, Researching, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Supplier Management, User Experience (UX) Research, Waterfall Model
Preferred Skills:
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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
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As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
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The salary range for this role is
$79,200.00 - $124,700.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including t