Sr. Observational Research Scientist (Oncology)

McKesson’s Corporate; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

McKesson’s Ontada Real World Research team seeks a Research Scientist to lead development of scientific protocols and apply RWD/HEOR methods to oncology studies. You will collaborate with sponsors and cross-functional teams to interpret results and deliver evidence-based insights.

The role requires 7+ years of relevant experience, strong statistical and medical writing skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects with high accuracy.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in observational/real world data (RWD) based research or HEOR.
• Proficiency with real-world data sources (EHR, claims, mortality, SDOH, PROs).
• Strong quantitative research methods; qualitative/mixed-methods preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and research expertise across multiple concurrent projects.
• Serve as scientific point of contact for sponsors and cross-functional teams.
• Attend client meetings to discuss methods, results, and interpretation.
• Lead development of scientific protocols and statistical analysis sections.
• Collaborate with data teams to ensure proper data collection and specifications.
• Prepare client-ready deliverables including reports and presentations.
• Review and interpret statistical analyses to support conclusions.

Skills

RWD research

HEOR/RWR

Medical writing

Client collaboration

Data analysis

Communication

Statistical interpretation

Education

MS in Public Health or related field

PhD preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Teams

Copilot

Databricks

Job description

About McKesson

McKesson is an impact-driven, Fortune 10 company that touches virtually every aspect of healthcare. We are known for delivering insights, products, and services that make quality care more accessible and affordable. Here, we focus on the health, happiness, and well-being of you and those we serve – we care. What you do at McKesson matters. We foster a culture where you can grow, make an impact, and are empowered to bring new ideas. Together, we thrive as we shape the future of health for patients, our communities, and our people. If you want to be part of tomorrow’s health today, we want to hear from you.

Role Overview

As part of Ontada’s Real World Research team, the Research Scientist provides scientific and research expertise across real-world oncology research studies. This role leads development and refinement of scientific protocols, including statistical analysis sections, and applies knowledge of real-world data sources to define study data requirements and support appropriate data collection. The Research Scientist serves as a scientific point of contact for project sponsors and cross-functional teams, contributing expertise to study discussions, interpretation of results, and development of accurate, evidence-based client deliverables. The role supports multiple concurrent projects by aligning scientific input with study scope, timelines, and deliverable expectations, while contributing to amendments and proposals for new research opportunities as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides scientific and research expertise across multiple concurrent research projects, supporting alignment with study scope, timelines, budget considerations, and deliverable expectations.
• Serves as the scientific point of contact for project sponsors, providing research expertise to support study discussions and decision-making.
• Attends client meetings to provide scientific expertise and support discussion of research methods, results, and interpretation.
• Applies research and analytic expertise to evaluate complex research questions posed by internal and external stakeholders.
• Serves as the scientific and research expert for the cross-functional project team throughout the research lifecycle: Leads development of scientific protocols by writing all sections, including the statistical analysis section, incorporating targeted cross-functional input and appropriate refinements based on client feedback.
• Applies knowledge of real-world data sources, including unstructured/structured electronic health records, claims, and external mortality and SDOH data, to define study data requirements based on feasibility assessments and available data sources.
• Collaborates with abstraction and biostatistics teams to ensure appropriate data collection, including development and review of eCRFs and data specifications.
• Applies medical writing expertise to prepare client-ready project deliverables, including but not limited to writing/formatting of final reports, presentations, and summaries of analytic findings Critically reviews and interprets statistical analysis results to assess data quality and support development of accurate, evidence-based research conclusions.
• Completes regulatory and compliance documents as required.
• Identifies and supports pursuit of additional project opportunities through amendments to existing studies and occasional development of proposals for new research studies.

Minimum Requirement

• Degree or equivalent and typically requires 7+ years of relevant experience.

Critical Skills

• Degree or equivalent and typically requires 7+ years of relevant experience in observational/ real world data (RWD) based research or Health Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR) Master's degree in Public Health, Population Science, Pharmacy, Healthcare Economics, Clinical Research or related clinical discipline is required. Doctoral degree preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise using real-world data sources, including structured and unstructured EHR, claims, mortality, SDOH, and patient-reported outcomes data, to support study design, execution, and interpretation.
• Strong knowledge of quantitative research methods required; additional familiarity with qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches preferred.
• Medical writing expertise required, including experience developing literature reviews, scientific protocols, reports, presentations, abstracts, posters, and manuscripts.
• Skilled at cultivating trusted, collaborative relationships with clients and partners.
• Ability to critically review and interpret research findings and statistical analysis results to support accurate, evidence-based conclusions Oncology and pharmaceutical/CRO experience required.
• Solid knowledge of healthcare, safety, regulatory, and compliance processes.
• Ability to contribute scientific expertise across multiple concurrent HEOR/RWR studies with varied timelines and deliverables while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving matrix environment and adapt to new processes, technologies, and AI-enabled approaches to research execution.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required, including ability to provide clear, professional, and scientific contributions in client-facing and multidisciplinary team discussions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and Copilot required; additional familiarity with Claude and Databricks preferred.
• Must be authorized to work in the US. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Our Base Pay Range for this position $141,900 - $236,500

In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered.

For more information regarding benefits at McKesson.

McKesson job postings are posted on our career site: careers.mckesson.com.

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For additional information on McKesson’s full Equal Employment Opportunity policies, visit our Equal Employment Opportunity page.

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