Specialist, Market Research

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Specialist, Primary Market Research to partner with the business and deliver insights that inform commercial decisions.

You will design and execute primary market research, integrate secondary data, and translate findings into actionable recommendations across US and Global markets. Collaborate with team leaders and cross-functional partners, apply qualitative and quantitative methods, explore AI-enabled tools, and manage projects, budgets, and timelines while

Qualifications

• Up to 2 years of relevant experience in market research 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.

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 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.

Skills

Marketing

Researching

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Supplier Management

User Experience (UX) 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 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

• 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

Benefits

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 .

Salary

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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:

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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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Job Location and Working Conditions

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 the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: No relocation

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A