Senior Research Associate

Syneos Health; Rhode Island; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Syneos Health in the United States is seeking a Senior Research Associate for Real World Evidence. The role supports development of real-world evidence across drug development, collaborating with the RWLP team to design and execute retrospective and prospective studies.

You’ll contribute to study design, analysis, and dissemination of findings, including reports, manuscripts, and posters. The position emphasizes rigorous methods, consulting with senior staff, and leveraging emerging technologies

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, health sciences, or related field (or equivalent).
• 1–2 years (Research Associate), or 2+ years (Senior Research Associate) in life sciences.
• Foundational understanding of real-world research methodologies and study design.
• Understanding of drug development lifecycle.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to study design and methodology development.
• Develop innovative approaches to client problems.
• Deliver project outputs meeting quality standards, timelines, and budgets.
• Conduct literature reviews and targeted secondary research to support RWE initiatives.
• Participate in qualitative research activities, including patient interviews.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative real-world data for deliverables.
• Present results to external clients.
• Develop study protocols, technical reports, manuscripts, posters and client presentations.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Communication

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in public health or related field

Tools

SAS

R

Stata

Job description

Description
Senior Research Associate
Syneos Health® is a leading fully-integrated life sciences services organization built to accelerate customer success. We partner with innovators at every point across the drug development and commercialization continuum, helping them navigate complexity, anticipate change and accelerate progress.
Our Clinical Solutions team members act with a drug development mindset, applying their years of experience and deep expertise to truly understand customer needs and represent those in the solutions we shape.
Whether you join us in a Functional Service Provider partnership or a Full-Service environment, you’ll collaborate with passionate problem solvers, innovating as a team to help our customers achieve their goals. We are agile and driven to deliver – for one another, our customers, and, most importantly, for those in need.
Discover what your 25,000 future colleagues already know:
Why Syneos Health

• We are passionate about developing our people, through career development and progression; supportive and engaged line management; technical and therapeutic area training; peer recognition and total rewards program.
• We are committed to building an inclusive culture – where you can authentically be yourself. Central to this is our purpose – Driven to Deliver – which captures the passion of our colleagues to show up each day and shape solutions that have the ability to dramatically impact someone’s life.
• We are continuously building the company we all want to work for and our customers want to work with. Why? Because we know that when we bring together smart colleagues from across the world, we can shape the future of healthcare, driving impact for customers and defining the pace of patient progress.

Job ResponsibilitiesJOB TITLE: Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, Real World EvidenceSELECT ONE: Clinical SolutionsJOB CODE: SH1317/ SH1323REPORTS TO: Associate Director, Real World Evidence; or designeeBusiness Unit: Real World & Late Phase (RWLP)Industry: Life SciencesLocation: US or Canada (Hybrid/Remote)Position OverviewThe Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, Real World Evidence (RWE) is part of the global Real World & Late Phase (RWLP) Business Unit, supporting the generation of real-world evidence, and patient outcomes evidence across the drug development lifecycle.
In this role, you will contribute to and or lead real-world research initiatives that inform clinical strategy, regulatory engagement, and market access decisions for life sciences clients. Working closely with senior team members, you will support the design and execution of retrospective and prospective studies while developing your expertise in RWE and outcomes research methodologies.
This position is well suited to professionals seeking meaningful exposure to or to deepen their expertise in evidence generation within a collaborative, well-supported team environment that values high-quality work and sustainable performance.Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to study design and methodology development
• Develop innovative approaches, frameworks and solutions to client problems
• Deliver project outputs that meet established quality standards, timelines, and budget requirements.
• Conduct structured literature reviews and targeted secondary research to support RWE initiatives.
• Participate in qualitative research activities, including patient interviews, to generate actionable healthcare insights.
• Analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative ‘real-world’ data for deliverables
• Conduct workshops and moderate discussions
• Present results to external clients
• Contribute to the development of:
  • Study protocols
  • Technical reports
  • Manuscripts and scientific posters
  • Client presentations
• Develop and format materials using PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Summarize and synthesize complex clinical and outcomes data into clear, structured findings.
• Support retrospective and prospective real-world studies under senior guidance.
• Demonstrate openness to leveraging emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to improve efficiency, analytical rigor, and personal productivity.

QualificationsRequired

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, health sciences, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 1–2 years (Research Associate), or 2+ years (Senior Research Associate) of relevant experience within the life sciences industry (e.g., HEOR, RWE, clinical research, pharmaceutical industry, healthcare consulting, or academia).
• Foundational understanding of real-world research methodologies and study design.
• Overall understanding of the drug development lifecycle.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, Stata, or similar).
• Business-level conversational English (written and spoken).

Preferred

• Graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant discipline.
• Academic or industry research experience.
• Conducting analyses in databases and/or registries

Key Competencies

• Clear and professional communication skills
• Strong teamwork and collaboration
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a structured, deadline‑driven environment
• Intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous improvement, including adoption of new technologies
• Willingness to travel (:10%)

Work EnvironmentAs part of a global RWLP team, you will work within an international, cross‑functional environment with access to experienced mentors and structured development opportunities. Our hybrid model offers flexibility, and our team culture emphasizes high standards, collaboration, and sustainable performance to support long‑term career growth in the life sciences industry.Get to know Syneos HealthOver the past 5 years, we have worked with 94% of all Novel FDA Approved Drugs, 95% of EMA Authorized Products and over 200 Studies across 73,000 Sites and 675,000+ Trial patients.
No matter what your role is, you’ll take the initiative and challenge the status quo with us in a highly competitive and ever‑changing environment. Learn more about Syneos Health.
http://www.syneoshealth.comAdditional InformationTasks, duties, and responsibilities as listed in this job description are not exhaustive. The Company, at its sole discretion and with no prior notice, may assign other tasks, duties, and job responsibilities. Equivalent experience, skills, and/or education will also be considered so qualifications of incumbents may differ from those listed in the Job Description. The Company, at its sole discretion, will determine what constitutes as equivalent to the qualifications described above. Further, nothing contained herein should be construed to create an employment contract. Occasionally, required skills/experiences for jobs are expressed in brief terms. Any language contained herein is intended to fully comply with all obligations imposed by the legislation of each country in which it operates, including the implementation of the EU Equality Directive, in relation to the recruitment and employment of its employees. The Company is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the provision of reasonable accommodations, when appropriate, to assist employees or applicants to perform the essential functions of the job.