How To Become A Program Research Specialist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a program research specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Heather Tanner Ph.D.

Professionals that undertake duties connected to an organization's business research program are known as program research specialists. These experts are in charge of several large marketing research projects aimed at evaluating CRM solutions, marketing automation, and customer care processes. As you work in this office, you must gather qualitative data and analyze it to develop internal reports and provide recommendations to clients about how to improve services. In addition, you must employ a variety of software tools to summarize and evaluate statistical data.

Program research specialist's traits include strong analytical skills, communication skills, and attention to detail. When it comes to educational requirements, you will need at least a degree in biology, psychology, or political science. Some employers may demand a master's degree or some years of experience. However, the average hourly wage for a program research specialist is $25.0, making their annual income $52,003.

What general advice would you give to a program research specialist?

Heather Tanner Ph.D.

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

Most entry-level jobs have lots of boring elements, which is frustrating when you can't wait to jump in and tackle exciting challenges. However, it would help if you showed your immediate supervisor and the company/institution that you are a good team member, capable, and willing to take on tasks (challenging and boring). Routinely ask your supervisor for new jobs or projects to expand your skillset and knowledge of the company/institution. It would help if you also manage your expectations about how quickly you'll be promoted; it can be frustratingly slow. Finally, it's essential to recognize that you need to manage your reputation - this is a workplace where you need to be perceived as a responsible and competent professional. Therefore, only share information about your personal life and leisure time as if talking to your grandparents.

ScoreProgram Research SpecialistUS Average

Salary

4.8

Avg. Salary $60,904

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.13%

Asian 14.21%

Black or African American 4.73%

Hispanic or Latino 11.24%

Unknown 4.89%

White 64.80%

Gender

female 60.95%

male 39.05%

Age - 34

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a program research specialist

Explore program research specialist education requirements

Most common program research specialist degrees

Bachelor's

70.6 %

Master's

16.3 %

Associate

5.6 %

Start to develop specific program research specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Data Analysis	13.69%
Data Collection	10.32%
Mathematics	9.69%
Public Health	7.30%
Research Program	5.81%

Complete relevant program research specialist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program research specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a program research specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program research specialist resumes.

Research program research specialist duties and responsibilities

Manage study documentation throughout study life cycle including IRB annual renewals, modifications, patient study charts and regulatory binder.
Used SAS to review further information for merging projects.
Time code numerous videos for postdoctoral research on developmental behavior and violence -convert subject data into statistical input using IBM SPSS.
Evaluate antibodies by sandwich ELISA to determine their ability to capture or detect proteins.

Prepare your program research specialist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your program research specialist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a program research specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable program research specialist resume templates

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