Associate Principal – Qualitative Research

We are seeking a highly experienced qualitative Market Researcher with at least 10 years' expertise designing, executing, and directing research programs for healthcare, biotech, and life sciences clients.

What you will do

• Develop compelling proposals and research solutions, supporting pitches and working with sales team to identify and generate new business opportunities.
• Lead complex, multi-country qualitative primary market research, from research design through to insight and strategic recommendations.
• Apply qualitative approaches including in-depth interviews, focus groups, online communities, ethnographic and observational research, and workshop design and facilitation, selecting the right methodology for the client challenge.
• Act as a trusted adviser to senior clients, translating complex findings into clear strategic narratives and recommendations that influence decision-making.
• Contribute qualitative expertise to demand and forecasting research, uncovering the behaviours and market dynamics influencing future demand.
• Build strong sustainable client relationships and drive business growth by identifying and developing expansion opportunities.
• Demonstrate commercial and financial management of projects, including oversight of project budgets, revenue and profitability.
• Collaborate across qualitative, quantitative, digital and data teams to solve complex client challenges.
• Mentor junior colleagues and help strengthen our qualitative research capability.

Required experience

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, Psychology, Behavioural Science, Market Research, Healthcare/Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Significant healthcare primary market research experience, with deep qualitative expertise and experience leading international studies.
• Strong knowledge of qualitative research design, moderation, analysis, synthesis and insight generation.
• Experience with pharmaceutical, biotech and/or med-tech clients and life sciences commercialisation challenges.
• Strong senior client advisory and consulting skills, with experience influencing senior stakeholders through evidence-based insights and recommendations.
• Strong proposal writing skills and an appetite for business growth, with experience contributing to pitches, identifying opportunities and developing client relationships.
• Commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing the financial performance of research projects.
• Curiosity, adaptability and enthusiasm for working in a fast-moving environment with varied and evolving challenges.
• Fluent English; additional languages are an advantage.