Research Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Research Specialist jobs in Pennsylvania are in steady demand, concentrated in academic research, pharmaceutical and life sciences, healthcare systems, and public policy, with openings ranging from entry-level research assistant through senior investigator roles. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the greater Lehigh Valley are the primary hiring centers, anchored by institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, UPMC, and Merck. The most sought-after specialties in Pennsylvania include clinical research coordination, biomedical and translational research, and policy analysis. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 32+ Research Specialist jobs
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)Environmental Conditions
OfficeJob Description
Position Summary:
The Account Development Specialist (ADS) is responsible for re-engaging, developing, and growing a portfolio of existing but underpenetrated customer accounts through virtual selling channels. This role is focused on proactive prospecting, customer outreach, and business development to drive incremental revenue and strengthen customer relationships. The ADS works closely with Inside Sales Representatives (ISR) to deliver a seamless customer experience and accelerate growth across assigned accounts. In addition to supporting a shared territory in partnership with an Inside Sales Representative, the ADS also independently manages and grows a defined portion of the territory as their own book of business, with direct responsibility for customer engagement and revenue growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and grow a defined portfolio of low-frequency customer accounts
- Independently manage and develop an assigned portion of the territory, with direct responsibility for driving customer engagement, account growth, and incremental revenue
- Partner with ISR to support shared territory growth, coordinate account development activities, and drive expansion across aligned accounts
- Proactively prospect and engage customers via phone, email, videoconferencing, and other virtual tools to identify account potential and drive revenue growth
- Identify opportunities for account expansion and cross-selling based on customer profiles, purchase history, and business needs
- Maintain accurate documentation of customer activity, opportunities, and next steps in CRM
- Guide customers toward digital self-service tools and online purchasing where appropriate
- Partner with Inside Sales Representatives to transition reactivated or high-potential accounts for ongoing management
- Participate in regular coaching sessions and training to strengthen prospecting, virtual selling, and account development skills
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree required, no prior experience required
- Preferred fields of study: Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, or related field
- Prior sales, lab experience, or business development experience is an asset
- Strong communication, prospecting, and virtual selling skills
- Proficiency in Salesforce (or similar CRM) and Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to deliver excellent customer service
- Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills
- Collaborative team player with a customer-first mindset
- Demonstrated aptitude for learning technical and scientific concepts
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Travel occasionally for customer meetings and training (10–20%)
- Demonstrates the Thermo Fisher values (The Four I’s): Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)Environmental Conditions
OfficeJob Description
Position Summary:
The Account Development Specialist (ADS) is responsible for re-engaging, developing, and growing a portfolio of existing but underpenetrated customer accounts through virtual selling channels. This role is focused on proactive prospecting, customer outreach, and business development to drive incremental revenue and strengthen customer relationships. The ADS works closely with Inside Sales Representatives (ISR) to deliver a seamless customer experience and accelerate growth across assigned accounts. In addition to supporting a shared territory in partnership with an Inside Sales Representative, the ADS also independently manages and grows a defined portion of the territory as their own book of business, with direct responsibility for customer engagement and revenue growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and grow a defined portfolio of low-frequency customer accounts
- Independently manage and develop an assigned portion of the territory, with direct responsibility for driving customer engagement, account growth, and incremental revenue
- Partner with ISR to support shared territory growth, coordinate account development activities, and drive expansion across aligned accounts
- Proactively prospect and engage customers via phone, email, videoconferencing, and other virtual tools to identify account potential and drive revenue growth
- Identify opportunities for account expansion and cross-selling based on customer profiles, purchase history, and business needs
- Maintain accurate documentation of customer activity, opportunities, and next steps in CRM
- Guide customers toward digital self-service tools and online purchasing where appropriate
- Partner with Inside Sales Representatives to transition reactivated or high-potential accounts for ongoing management
- Participate in regular coaching sessions and training to strengthen prospecting, virtual selling, and account development skills
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree required, no prior experience required
- Preferred fields of study: Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, or related field
- Prior sales, lab experience, or business development experience is an asset
- Strong communication, prospecting, and virtual selling skills
- Proficiency in Salesforce (or similar CRM) and Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to deliver excellent customer service
- Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills
- Collaborative team player with a customer-first mindset
- Demonstrated aptitude for learning technical and scientific concepts
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Travel occasionally for customer meetings and training (10–20%)
- Demonstrates the Thermo Fisher values (The Four I’s): Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement
See All 32 Research Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Specialist JobsResearch Specialist Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Specialist Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Pennsylvania14
- University of Pittsburgh3
- UPMC2
- The Wistar Institute2
- Penn State University2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research specialist jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, public health, or social sciences
- Experience designing and executing research studies or literature reviews
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as SPSS, SAS, R, or Python
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, regulatory compliance, and research ethics standards
- Strong written communication skills for preparing reports, publications, or grant materials
- Ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams in a university or healthcare setting
Research Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research specialist in Pennsylvania?
Most research specialist positions in Pennsylvania require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, psychology, public health, or a social science. Many roles, particularly in clinical research, expect candidates to hold or pursue a Certified Clinical Research Professional credential through the Society of Clinical Research Associates. Pennsylvania does not require a state-issued license for general research work, but clinical research roles at university medical centers and hospital systems like UPMC or Jefferson Health often require Good Clinical Practice training and IRB certification before hire.
Which companies hire research specialists in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring research specialists in Pennsylvania right now include University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, and UPMC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of major academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and policy research organizations makes it one of the more active research hiring markets in the northeastern United States.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most research specialist jobs?
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and University Park lead Pennsylvania for research specialist openings. Philadelphia dominates because of its dense cluster of universities, hospital systems, and pharmaceutical headquarters, while Pittsburgh draws consistent demand from Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh, and UPMC's research divisions, and smaller hubs reflect regional anchor institutions and life sciences employers in the greater Lehigh Valley corridor.
Are there remote research specialist jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, and more than many fields, though availability depends heavily on the sub-specialty. About 55% of research specialist openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a genuine split in the market. Roles focused on literature review, data analysis, policy research, and survey design tend to be the most remote-compatible, while positions requiring laboratory work, clinical site coordination, or participant interaction remain primarily on-site.
How can I get hired as a research specialist in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a research coordinator or research assistant role at one of Pennsylvania's large academic medical centers, which regularly bring on candidates who are recent graduates or career changers. UPMC, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Thomas Jefferson University all run structured programs that pair early-career researchers with established investigators. Completing Good Clinical Practice training online and volunteering on a faculty-led study through a Pennsylvania university strengthens an application considerably before the first paid role.
Where can I find and apply to research specialist jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to research specialist jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the positions that match your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 32 Research Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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