Senior Specialist, Market Research & Analytics ONC

Merck; North Wales (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks a Senior Specialist, Primary Market Research to partner with the business, delivering customer, market, and competitive insights that inform commercial decisions across U.S. and Global markets through primary and secondary data integration.

The role drives research design, execution, and synthesis, collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders, applies innovative methodologies, and supports transformation of market research capabilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 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.
• Ability to synthesize multiple sources of information into concise, business-focused recommendations.
• Working 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 independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.

Responsibilities

• 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 market research projects from design through execution and insight delivery.
• 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 influencing stakeholders to drive 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.

Skills

Business Analysis

Marketing

Researching

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Supplier Management

User Research

Waterfall Model

Education

BA/BS in Business, Marketing, Healthcare or related field

MBA, MS, MPH, or other advanced degree

Job description

Job Description

As a strategic partner to the business, the Senior Specialist, Primary Market Research is responsible for understanding business challenges and delivering customer, market, and competitive insights that inform commercial decision-making. This role supports an area in oncology, across 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 and cross-functional stakeholders, the Senior Specialist identifies 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 Senior Specialist will demonstrate the ability to work independently 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:

• 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 market research projects from design through execution and insight delivery.
• 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 influencing stakeholders to drive 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:

• Minimum of 3 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.
• Ability to synthesize multiple sources of information into concise, business-focused recommendations.
• Working 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 independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Prior pharmaceutical market research experience.
• Experience supporting multiple 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:

• Business Analysis
• Marketing
• Researching
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Supplier Management
• User Research
• Waterfall Model