Health Equity Research Associate Director

In BARDS (Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences), a distinguished department within our company’s renowned Research and Development division, quantitative scientists, in partnership with other subject matter experts, apply state-of-the art scientific methodologies and tools to enable the discovery, development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, and marketing of medical drugs and vaccines for the benefit of patients and global human health.

About the role

The Health Research (HER) Associate Director will join a hybrid scientific working team that generates patient-centric real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) to inform clinical program design, access strategies, and policy for high-priority therapeutic areas. Reporting into the HER leadership within the RWE Capabilities & Analytics organization, this role leads design and execution of mixed-methods and RWD/RWE studies, integrates social determinants of health (SDoH) and patient-reported measures, develops partnerships with Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), safety-net providers and community organizations, and translates findings into actionable protocol, site, and policy recommendations that embed equity-by-design across the development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of patient-centered RWD/RWE projects by therapeutic area that quantify disease burden, access, testing, treatment patterns, and outcomes across under-represented populations.
• Develop mixed-methods studies (EHR/claims analyses, registry data, SDoH integration, patient surveys, and qualitative interviews) and ensure outputs are timed to inform clinical programs, as well as relevant policy and commercial colleagues.
• Work cross-functionally to develop study protocols, statistical analysis plans, and methodological approaches that address selection bias, missingness in race/ethnicity/SDOH variables, causal inference, and subgroup inference.
• Integrate policy analysis into evidence generation: identify policy levers (e.g., Medicaid policy, payer coverage, reimbursement pathways) and translate study findings into policy recommendations.
• Manage strategic external collaborations and vendor relationships: identify and evaluate data partners, MSIs, FQHCs, safety-net hospitals, community-based organizations.
• Co-lead co-development of primary research with external partners (MSIs, FQHCs, community organizations) to ensure non-extractive, trust-based engagement and sustainable relationships that support recruitment and retention and post-study continuity of care.
• Work closely with embedded/internal cross-functional partners to translate evidence into protocol design recommendations, site selection guidance, eligibility optimization, and outreach strategies.
• Produce actionable deliverables: TA-specific, patient-centric RWD/RWE publications and plain language summaries and dissemination materials for both scientific and non-technical audiences.
• Present findings to internal forums and to external stakeholders; publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Mentor and build capacity across the HER Champion community; contribute to HER learning materials, SharePoint resources, and training modules.
• Ensure research adheres to ethical standards, privacy/regulatory requirements (HIPAA/GDPR where applicable), and community engagement best practices.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, health services research, biostatistics, health policy, social science, nursing, social work, or a related quantitative discipline required.
• Doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, or MD with research training) preferred.

Requirements

• 3+ years with PhD, or 5+ years with Master's degree, hands-on experience in the design and implementation of quantitative and/or qualitative science methods in healthcare industry.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing RWD/RWE and/or primary mixed-methods studies (EHR/claims/registry analyses, patient surveys, qualitative methods).
• Experience designing, conducting, and managing research in international settings, including ex-US observational, real-world data/evidence, and/or primary research studies, with knowledge of country-specific data sources, healthcare systems, regulatory requirements, and cultural considerations.
• Strong applied quantitative skills and familiarity with geospatial and small-area estimation techniques and handling missingness in race/ethnicity/SDOH data.
• Experience integrating SDoH, PROs, and other patient-relevant measures into research and evaluating representativeness of datasets.
• Experience working with external partners (MSIs, FQHCs, community organizations, data vendors, health systems) and managing data governance and compliant collaborations.
• Familiarity with regulatory, payer and policy environments and how evidence informs access, reimbursement, and policy decisions.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal communications (written and oral) and consistent ability to execute on objectives.
• Outstanding organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Proven ability to operate in a matrixed, cross-functional environment and to manage multiple stakeholders and project timelines.
• Commitment to community-engaged, culturally competent research and ethical practices.

Skills

• Patient-centered scientific mindset, cultural humility, and strong community engagement orientation.
• Strategic thinker who links evidence generation to policy and access outcomes.
• Collaborative: excels at building internal and external partnerships and translating science into operational change.
• Results oriented with strong project management, prioritization, and organizational skills.

Team model and working relationships

• Member of the HER Hybrid Scientific Working Team, working closely with HER Champions embedded across the organization to operationalize equity-by-design in scientific process platforms.
• Hybrid work model: typically three days on site per week (per enterprise policy) unless designated remote or business needs require otherwise.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $142,400.00 - $224,100.00. 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.

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.

Schedule

• Travel Requirements: 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid