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What does a program research specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

Program research specialists are professionals who are responsible for performing duties related to the business research program of an organization. These specialists must manage several major marketing research projects that aim to assess CRM solutions, marketing automation, and customer service processes. They must collect qualitative data and perform data analysis to create internal reports and provide recommendations to clients to improve services. Program research specialists must also use various software packages that can summarize and interpret statistical results.

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Program research specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real program research specialist resumes:

  • 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.
  • Modify ELISA and western-blotting protocols to investigate biotin-labele protein-DNA complexes.
  • Participate in and run biofeedback experiments in the field of psychophysiology.

Program research specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Program Research Specialists are proficient in Data Analysis, Data Collection, and Mathematics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Program Research Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Data Analysis, 14%

    Performed data analysis of Medicaid claim data.

  • Data Collection, 10%

    Operated flourometry, spectrophotometry, and spectroradiometry in data collection.

  • Mathematics, 10%

    Attended seminars and lectures on various research topics in mathematics.

  • Public Health, 7%

    Maintained existing methodologies for environmental and public health testing and developed new methodology to increase laboratory productivity and abilities.

  • Research Program, 6%

    Designed, researched, and implemented an ecological study as part of a university-funded research program.

  • Research Studies, 5%

    Utilized resources to expand current knowledge about similar research studies and interpret literature review

"data analysis," "data collection," and "mathematics" are among the most common skills that program research specialists use at work. You can find even more program research specialist responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a program research specialist to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Program research specialists often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "evaluate data collection, quality control and data utilization methods to study epidemiological problems and issues. "

Detail oriented. Many program research specialist duties rely on detail oriented. "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data.," so a program research specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways program research specialist responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "developed detailed protocols for software usage, street outreach, and data collection. "

Communication skills. program research specialists are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to program research specialist responsibilities, because "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." A program research specialist resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "support large-scale communications or research projects as necessary. "

See the full list of program research specialist skills

The three companies that hire the most program research specialists are:

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Compare different program research specialists

Program research specialist vs. Marketing internship

Marketing interns are usually marketing students or fresh graduates who are interested in getting actual work experiences before taking on a full-time job. They usually have an interest or academic background related to marketing. They assist marketing teams in most of their daily activities, sit in their meetings, record minutes of these meetings, take note of action plans, and attend other events related to marketing. They also assist in preparing collateral and other marketing materials, join brainstorming sessions, or any other activity that will help enrich their experience.

The annual salary of marketing interns is $30,644 lower than the average salary of program research specialists.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a program research specialist are more likely to require skills like "data collection," "mathematics," "public health," and "research program." On the other hand, a job as a marketing internship requires skills like "digital marketing," "facebook," "marketing campaigns," and "press releases." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Marketing interns really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $33,333. Comparatively, program research specialists tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $76,082.marketing interns tend to reach lower levels of education than program research specialists. In fact, marketing interns are 10.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Program research specialist vs. Marketing consultant

A marketing consultant is responsible for utilizing their extensive retail expertise to develop strategies on how to strengthen client base and achieve better sales. Furthermore, a marketing consultant must perform research and analysis to determine opportunities for financial gains, devise plans to improve client satisfaction, assess the competition, look out for any risks, and develop its brand and image. They should also ensure that all steps taken adhere to the policies and regulations of the organization.

A career as a marketing consultant brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a program research specialist. In fact, marketing consultants salary is $9,689 higher than the salary of program research specialists per year.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real program research specialist resumes. While program research specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "data analysis," "data collection," "mathematics," and "public health," marketing consultants use skills like "customer service," "web content," "media sales," and "digital marketing."

Marketing consultants earn a higher average salary than program research specialists. But marketing consultants earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $93,209. Additionally, program research specialists earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $76,082 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Marketing consultants tend to reach similar levels of education than program research specialists. In fact, they're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Program research specialist vs. Marketing coordinator

A marketing coordinator supports the marketing department on deciding strategies and business efforts to develop the brand image and boost customer satisfaction. Marketing coordinators' duties include assisting in advertising campaigns, scheduling promotional events, monitoring sales status, researching current market trends, maintaining a record of existing and potential clients, and contributing ideas to improve the brand's profitability. A marketing coordinator must have excellent critical thinking and writing skills to help with the creation of social media advertisements and marketing content. It also requires impressive time-management and multi-tasking skills, especially on meeting deadlines and making adjustments on the initial plans as needed.

An average marketing coordinator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of program research specialists. The difference in salaries amounts to marketing coordinators earning a $12,578 lower average salary than program research specialists.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, program research specialists are more likely to have skills like "data analysis," "data collection," "mathematics," and "public health." But a marketing coordinator is more likely to have skills like "digital marketing," "customer service," "marketing campaigns," and "email campaigns."

Marketing coordinators make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $53,831. On the other hand, program research specialists are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $76,082.When it comes to education, marketing coordinators tend to earn lower degree levels compared to program research specialists. In fact, they're 9.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Program research specialist vs. Marketing assistant

A marketing assistant's general responsibility is to support the marketing programs and campaigns by sharing recommendations and useful insights to improve the brand's image. Marketing assistants' duties also include reaching out to other personnel for necessary files needed on promotional advertisements, assist the team in creating designs and developing content, publishing brochures for potential clients, analyzing sales reports, and researching the current market trends. A marketing assistant should have excellent organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines and perform various tasks as required.

Marketing assistants tend to earn a lower pay than program research specialists by an average of $21,462 per year.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between program research specialists and marketing assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a program research specialist might have more use for skills like "data analysis," "data collection," "mathematics," and "public health." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of marketing assistants require skills like "customer service," "marketing campaigns," "facebook," and "trade shows. "

Marketing assistants enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $43,819. For comparison, program research specialists earn the highest salary in the technology industry.The average resume of marketing assistants showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to program research specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 10.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 3.2%.

Types of program research specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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