Qualitative Research Lead

ZS; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards package

Job summary

ZS is a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life outcomes. We seek a senior qualitative researcher to design and lead qualitative research across clinical development, trials, and patient experiences.

You will synthesize insights into strategic recommendations and mentor teams in best practices. Join a collaborative culture with cross-functional client work, travel expectations, and a strong focus on patient-centered research and methodological leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive qualitative research experience in healthcare.
• Strong understanding of the clinical development landscape and trial lifecycle.
• Experience conducting qualitative research with patients, caregivers, HCPs, investigators, and site personnel.
• Deep expertise in qualitative design, discussion guides, moderation, analysis, and insight generation.
• Hands-on moderation experience with in-depth interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative approaches.

Responsibilities

• Partner with cross-functional teams to design and deliver qualitative research addressing challenges across clinical development and patient experience.
• Lead qualitative research across the trial lifecycle, informing trial design, feasibility, recruitment, and retention.
• Develop tailored research frameworks, discussion guides, and interview protocols.
• Synthesize findings into actionable recommendations for clinical development strategies and patient-centered trial design.
• Provide methodological leadership and quality oversight in qualitative research design and analysis.
• Mentor others and contribute to methodological innovation in qualitative research.

Skills

Qualitative research

Clinical trials

Research synthesis

Client management

Communication/ storytelling

Education

Advanced degree preferred (public health/psychology/behavioral or life sciences)

Job description

Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Evanston, Illinois United States Consulting Insights & Analytics $150,000.00 - $163,000.00

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you'll work side‑by‑side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life‑changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client‑first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life‑changing impact to ZS.

What You’ll Do:

• Partner with cross-functional ZS and client teams to design and deliver impactful qualitative research that addresses complex challenges across clinical development, clinical trials, and the patient experience. Bring deep methodological expertise and a patient‑centered perspective to help clients make informed decisions throughout the clinical trial lifecycle.
• Drive qualitative research excellence across the clinical trial lifecycle, bringing methodological expertise to inform trial design, protocol feasibility, patient burden, recruitment, enrollment, retention, and overall trial experience.
• Design and execute fit‑for‑purpose qualitative research using a range of methodologies, including in-depth interviews, focus groups, advisory boards, ethnography, and other innovative approaches.
• Develop tailored research frameworks and materials, including discussion guides and interview protocols, to uncover meaningful insights from patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals (HCPs), investigators, and clinical trial stakeholders.
• Lead and moderate complex qualitative discussions across diverse stakeholder groups, navigating sensitive healthcare topics with empathy, curiosity, and methodological rigor.
• Serves as a strategic thought partner by synthesizing complex qualitative findings into compelling insights, strategic implications, and actionable recommendations that inform clinical development and trial‑related decisions.
• Provide methodological leadership and quality oversight, advising teams on best practices in qualitative research design, moderation, analysis, and insight generation.
• Build qualitative research capabilities across ZS through coaching, knowledge sharing, and the advancement of best‑in‑class approaches for clinical development research.
• Support business development and client engagement, helping identify opportunities, shape research strategies, and develop compelling qualitative research proposals.
• Drive innovation in qualitative research, contributing to the development of new methodologies, frameworks, and thought leadership that advance patient‑centered clinical research.

What You’ll Bring:

• 7+ years of progressive qualitative research experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical research, or broader healthcare industry, including meaningful experience supporting clinical trials or clinical development.
• Strong understanding of the clinical development landscape, including the clinical trial lifecycle, patient and site experiences, and key challenges related to trial design, feasibility, recruitment, enrollment, and retention.
• Demonstrated expertise conducting qualitative research with patients, caregivers, HCPs, investigators, clinical trial site personnel, and other healthcare stakeholders.
• Deep methodological expertise across qualitative research design, discussion guide development, moderation, analysis, synthesis, and insight generation.
• Extensive hands‑on moderation experience, including in‑depth interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative approaches, with the ability to navigate complex, nuanced, or sensitive healthcare discussions.
• Proven ability to translate research into strategic impact, connecting qualitative insights to practical recommendations that inform clinical development strategies and patient‑centered trial design.
• Strong consulting, client management, and collaboration skills, with experience partnering across multiple project teams, managing qualitative research workstreams, and communicating effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to distill complex findings into clear, persuasive, and actionable client deliverables.
• Passion for advancing qualitative research excellence, including experience mentoring others, developing new research approaches, and contributing to methodological innovation.
• Advanced degree preferred in public health, psychology, behavioral or social sciences, life sciences, health services research, or a related field; equivalent relevant professional experience will also be considered.
• Fluency in English
• Client‑first mentality
• Intense work ethic
• Collaborative spirit and problem‑solving approach

How you’ll grow:

• Cross‑functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills-building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you'll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on‑site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face‑to‑face connections.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client‑facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Inclusion and belonging:

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.

Work Authorization:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.

Find Out More At:

www.zs.com