Health Equity Research Associate Director

Job Description

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.

The Health Equity Research (HER) Associate Director will join a hybrid scientific working team that generates equity‑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.

Primary responsibilities (but are not limited to):

• Lead design and execution of equity‑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, equity-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.

Education

• 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.

Required experience and skills

• 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).

• 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 equity‑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.

Competencies and attributes

• Equity‑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.

BARDS2020

#eligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Bioethics, Biostatistics, Clinical Programs, Data Governance, Data Management, Health Equity, Interpersonal Communication, Qualitative Research, Recruitment Support, Researching, Social Determinants of Health, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Analysis Plans, Strategic Planning

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

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.

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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/19/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.