Research Associate III, Patient Preference and Experience

Thermo Fisher Scientific•Bethesda, MD

1d•Remote

About The Position

This position is home-based across the US region within Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Patient-Centered Research (PCR) group. The PCR group focuses on incorporating the patient voice into healthcare decisions, spanning development, regulatory processes, reimbursement, and product launch. The team integrates various scientific fields, including health sciences, psychometrics, epidemiology, psychology, and health economics. Their work aims to identify unmet clinical needs, assess burden of illness, and evaluate patient outcomes, preferences, and adherence, supporting global promotional and labeling claims. The Research Associate III will play a crucial role in this research, supporting the delivery of patient preference and patient experience research. This involves leading scientific input from junior Research Associates and collaborating with other functions (e.g., Project Management Office, Editorial Service, Data Collection Management & Analysis) under the guidance of study Principal Investigators (PIs). The role is essential for planning, conducting, reporting, and disseminating best-practice research. It is a client-facing position, offering opportunities to work with diverse study sponsors and grow scientific knowledge and consulting skills in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

PhD in relevant scientific discipline or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline and at least three years of experience in relevant field or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline and at least five years of experience in relevant field
Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication and scientific writing skills
Demonstrated ability to proactively and independently drive research projects
Experience and skill in design, implementation, and interpretation of surveys to assess patient experience and preference studies or preference elicitation techniques, including DCEs, BWS and thresholding techniques
Experience and skill in design, implementation, analysis and interpretation of qualitative research to support development of quantitative surveys and/or preference instruments
Proficient in the use of MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Nice To Haves

Experience in the analysis of quantitative survey data desirable
Experience with PubMed, or similar literature databases, advantageous

Responsibilities

Support in the development and fielding of both patient preference and experience studies using relevant methodologies (qualitative and quantitative methods including but not limited to online surveys, DCE, BWS, thresholding etc.)
Support study PIs in the development of study design (including preference instrument experimental design), budget and proposals
Develop deliverables ready for PI and client review (e.g., protocol, statistical analysis plan, technical report)
Coordinate and support junior staff throughout projects
Communicate and manage internal and external recruitment partners (e.g., vendors, patient advocacy groups, other departments)
Manage data analysis and data quality control
Contribute to scientific dissemination, where applicable (incl., manuscripts, posters, oral presentations at conferences)
Report project time accurately at the end of each week
Contribute to research projects of the wider Patient-Centered Research (PCR) team, depending on capacity and availability
Complete relevant training courses on time (e.g., adverse event training, SOPs, ethics)
Efficiently delegate and communicate with project teams
Take active responsibility for on-the-job learning of junior project team members
Work with the Project Management Office to track and drive the project timelines and budget use
Be familiar with electronic and paper filing requirements, relevant SOPs and IRB needs
Communicate effectively with clients
Stay up to date with relevant research
Contribute to initiatives in the Patient-Centered Research (PCR) team (e.g., budget-review committee, practical process improvements, contribution to training in the PCR University, serve as mentor or buddy to junior staff)
Take part in team meetings and organizational discussions
May supervise junior staff

Benefits

A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO)
10 paid holidays annually
Paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave)
Accident and life insurance
Short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
Variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results