Specialist, Market Research

Job DescriptionJob 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-makingDeveloping research and analysis plans aligned with business objectivesDrafting research briefs, requests for proposals, and hypotheses to be testedSupporting the identification and selection of external research partnersManaging assigned market research projects from design through execution and insight delivery, with guidance as appropriateApplying appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and leveraging innovative research approaches when appropriateUtilizing primary market research, syndicated data, secondary data, and analytics to develop integrated insights and recommendationsExploring 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-makingSynthesizing data and research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable business recommendationsCommunicating insights effectively and supporting stakeholder alignment and business actionEnsuring adherence to all compliance, privacy, and ethical standards associated with market research activitiesManaging project budgets and timelines and adjusting plans as business needs evolveEducation:Minimum Required: BA/BS in Business, Marketing, Healthcare or related fieldPreferred: MBA, MS, MPH, or other advanced degree in a relevant disciplineRequired Experience and Skills:Up to 2 years of relevant experience in market research, analytics, marketing, sales, finance, forecasting, business analytics, or related commercial functionsStrong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skillsFoundational knowledge of quantitative and qualitative market research methodologies and research designAbility to translate business questions into research objectives and actionable insights, with guidance as appropriateAbility to synthesize multiple sources of information into concise, business-focused recommendationsFoundational knowledge of the pharmaceutical and healthcare environmentStrong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement skillsAbility to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environmentDemonstrated curiosity and commitment to continuous learning and capability developmentAbility to work effectively within a team environment while taking ownership of assigned responsibilitiesPreferred Experience and Skills:Prior pharmaceutical market research, analytics, marketing, sales, or related commercial experienceExperience supporting brands, products, or therapeutic areasKnowledge of U.S. and Global healthcare marketsExperience working within a large, matrixed, multinational organizationFamiliarity with AI-enabled research tools, advanced analytics, or emerging insight-generation methodologiesExperience integrating primary market research with secondary, syndicated, epidemiology, claims, digital, or other commercial data sourcesDemonstrated 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 ModelPreferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERECurrent Contingent Workers apply HEREUS and Puerto Rico Residents Only:Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.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:EEOC Know Your RightsEEOC GINA Supplement​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.Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State ActsThe salary range for this role is$79,200.00 - $124,700.00This 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 .You can apply for this role through (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 OrdinanceLos 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 the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring OrdinanceSearch Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. Employee Status: RegularRelocation:No relocationVISA Sponsorship:NoTravel Requirements:No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:HybridShift:Not IndicatedValid Driving License:NoHazardous Material(s):N/AJob Posting End Date:10/16/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date. SummaryLocation: USA - New Jersey - Rahway; USA - Pennsylvania - North Wales (Upper Gwynedd)Type: Full time