Senior Researcher-Patient Centered Outcomes Assessment

RTI International•Durham, NC

About The Position

RTI Health Solutions (RTI-HS), a wholly owned subsidiary of RTI International, is an independent and internationally recognized research organization. With offices in the US, UK, Spain, France, and Sweden, we provide healthcare consulting and research expertise to optimize decision making for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device products across the development and marketing lifecycle. Clients rely on our expertise, quality standards, and integrity to guide their product development and regulatory and market access strategies. Our various practice areas include Value, Access, and HEOR; Patient-Centered and Outcomes Research; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Medical Communications; Global Business Operations; and Strategic Consulting and Growth. RTI Health Solutions is seeking an experienced and highly collaborative Senior Scientist to join our Patient-Centered Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) team. This role is ideal for a senior researcher who thrives at the intersection of hands-on execution, scientific leadership,, and collaboration. As a senior member of the PCOA team, you will lead multidisciplinary project teams while remaining actively engaged in the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of patient-centered research. You will serve as both a scientific leader and a working manager—providing strategic direction, mentoring staff, and ensuring project success while directly contributing to high-impact client deliverables. You will partner with pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients to generate patient-centered evidence throughout the drug development lifecycle, supporting regulatory, reimbursement, and market access objectives.

Requirements

A postgraduate master’s level degree plus a minimum of 8 years of experience conducting patient-centered research, or a PhD plus a minimum of 5 years of experience conducting patient-centered research.
Demonstrated experience leading complex patient-centered research projects and multidisciplinary teams within a consulting, pharmaceutical, regulatory, CRO, or academic research environment supporting patient-focused drug development.
Demonstrated success managing client relationships, mentoring research staff, and leading project teams.
Substantial experience developing and successfully executing patient-centered evidence-generation strategies for pharmaceutical clients.
Proven experience interacting with regulatory agencies, including FDA, EMA, or other global health authorities as well as supporting evidence needs for access stakeholders (payers HTA, and prescribers).
Experience leading proposal development and contributing to business growth initiatives.
Strong publication record and experience presenting research at scientific conferences.

Responsibilities

Lead complex patient-centered outcomes research programs from study design through final delivery.
Serve as project lead for multidisciplinary teams, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to the highest scientific standards.
Provide strategic oversight of study design, methodology, regulatory engagement, and evidence generation plans.
Manage project risks, client expectations, resource allocation, and team performance.
Serve as a trusted scientific advisor to clients and internal stakeholders.
Personally contribute to the design, execution, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of qualitative and mixed-methods research studies.
Design and lead qualitative research conducted with patients, caregivers, patient advocates, and clinical key opinion leaders, including both stand-alone and clinical trial-based studies.
Lead the development, adaptation, and evaluation of clinical outcome assessments (COAs), including patient-reported outcomes (PROs), observer-reported outcomes (ObsROs), clinician-reported outcomes (ClinROs), and related measures.
Review and critically appraise published literature, COA development programs, and psychometric evidence.
Develop patient-centered evidence strategies to support regulatory, access & reimbursement, and healthcare decision-making needs.
Contribute directly to study reports, client presentations, evidence dossiers, briefing books, and negotiations with key decision makers to support patient-centered value messaging for medicines.
Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.
Lead scientific discussions with pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors regarding patient-focused drug development strategies.
Support business development efforts through proposal development, client meetings, capability presentations, and identification of growth opportunities.
Contribute to strategic planning and expansion of RTI-HS PCOA capabilities.
Lead and contribute to scientific publications, conference abstracts, posters, presentations, and manuscripts.
Represent RTI-HS at scientific meetings, industry conferences, and client engagements.
Stay current with evolving regulatory guidance, methodological advancements, and industry best practices in patient-centered outcomes research.
Provide day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and coaching to junior and mid-level researchers.
Foster technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and professional development across project teams.
Support staff development through project leadership opportunities, scientific review, and career mentoring.
Contribute to building a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

Benefits

competitive base salary
generous paid time off policy
merit based annual increases
bonus opportunities
robust recognition program
competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability)
access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan
paid parental leave for all parents
financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments
financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities
an employee assistance program
numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance