Research Project Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Science and Medicine Group is a leading business information and media firm serving the life science, analytical instrument, clinical diagnostic, diagnostic imaging, and dental industries. The company's portfolio includes market intelligence brands BioInformatics, IMV Medical Information, Amplion, Instrument Business Outlook, Kalorama Information, and Strategic Directions International as well as media brands AuntMinnie.com, DrBicuspid.com, LabPulse.com, and ScienceBoard.net.

The Science Advisor/Project Manager, Custom Market Research is responsible for leading and executing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodology market research projects from inception through final delivery. This role serves as both a project manager and research practitioner, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to the highest quality standards while generating actionable business insights for clients.

The Project Manager works closely with clients, sales, and operations to design research approaches that address complex business questions across the life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical diagnostics, diagnostic imaging, and healthcare sectors. The successful candidate will possess strong expertise across the full research lifecycle, including research design, survey development, discussion guide design, qualitative interviewing, quantitative analysis, mixed-methods integration, data visualization, insight generation, and executive-level reporting. Comfort working in a fast-paced, client-focused environment is essential.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on researcher who excels at qualitative and quantitative research. The candidate must be able to work closely with science professionals and industry stakeholders, translating complex scientific perspectives into clear, actionable insights. Responsibilities adjust to organization/department needs, but typically align to the following:

Project and Client Management

• Manage qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methodology market research projects from project kickoff through delivery.
• Serve as the primary client contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead project planning, timeline development, resource coordination, and risk management activities.
• Collaborate with sales and business development teams to assess project feasibility and recommend appropriate research methodologies.
• Translate client business questions into effective research designs and analytical frameworks.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders including programming, fielding, and panel operations.
• Monitor project progress and proactively resolve issues that may affect budget, timelines, quality, or client satisfaction.
• Ensure adherence to market research and project management best practices, quality standards, and data privacy requirements.

Quantitative Research Design and Execution

• Design and develop quantitative research studies including surveys, trackers, segmentation studies, concept tests, customer experience studies, market assessments, and ad hoc custom research.
• Author and review survey questionnaires to ensure scientific rigor, logical flow, respondent engagement, and alignment with research objectives.
• Conduct programmed survey testing and quality assurance reviews to identify logic, routing, display, and data integrity issues prior to launch.
• Collaborate with programming and fielding teams to ensure successful execution of quantitative studies.
• Monitor fieldwork performance, incidence rates, quotas, and respondent quality.
• Analyze quantitative datasets using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques as appropriate.
• Interpret crosstabs, significance testing, segmentation analyses, and other analytical outputs.
• Develop data visualizations that translate complex findings into clear and actionable business insights.

Qualitative Research Design and Execution

• Design qualitative research methodologies to address client objectives and information gaps.
• Develop screeners, discussion guides, ethnographic protocols, and observation frameworks.
• Moderate in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus groups, cognitive interviews, and other qualitative methodologies.
• Conduct ethnographic and observational research with healthcare professionals, scientists, laboratory personnel, patients, and other stakeholders when required.
• Manage qualitative fieldwork logistics, recruitment activities, scheduling, recordings, and transcription processes.
• Perform thematic analysis, coding, text analytics, content analysis, and synthesis of qualitative findings.
• Ensure methodological rigor and respondent engagement throughout all qualitative research activities.

Mixed Methods Research and Insight Integration

• Design and manage mixed-methodology research studies that integrate qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Synthesize findings from multiple research methodologies into cohesive narratives and strategic recommendations.
• Identify convergence, divergence, and complementary findings across datasets.
• Translate research findings into actionable business recommendations and growth opportunities for clients.
• Support development of custom frameworks, personas, customer journeys, segmentation models, and decision-support tools.

Insight Development and Communication

• Translate qualitative and quantitative findings into actionable insights and recommendations
• Develop written deliverables including reports, slide decks, executive summaries, and client presentations
• Present findings clearly and confidently to internal stakeholders and external clients
• Deliver visually appealing research reports that tell the describe relevant insights as they relate to the research questions

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Expertise in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research methodologies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex studies simultaneously.
• Advanced survey design and questionnaire development expertise.
• Experience conducting and moderating qualitative interviews and discussion-based research.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking capabilities.
• Experience synthesizing multiple data sources into actionable insights.
• Data visualization and storytelling expertise.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong client-facing and presentation skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and data visualization tools.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior researchers.

Education & Experience

• Degree in life sciences, social sciences, market research, public health, healthcare, business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing custom market research studies.
• Demonstrated experience leading both qualitative and quantitative market research projects end-to-end.
• Proven expertise in:
  • Survey design and questionnaire development
  • Survey programming review and testing
  • Quantitative data analysis
  • Data visualization and reporting
• Experience presenting research findings and strategic recommendations to clients and executive audiences.
• Strong client management and stakeholder management experience.

Preferred qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences (biology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, medicine, health science, etc.)
• Previous experience in pharma or biotechnology industry (e.g., life science sales, product development, marketing, technical support)
• Experience conducting market research within pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, medical devices, healthcare services, or diagnostic imaging.
• Experience with survey programming platforms and qualitative analysis software.
• Experience with advanced analytics, segmentation, text analytics, or multivariate analysis techniques.
• Experience with ethnographic observation.

Additional Info

• Occasional domestic travel

FLSA Status (US employees only): Exempt

EOE: We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.