Qualitative Analyst

Role Summary

• Responsibilities: You will support development of our qualitative service offerings, while working on real-world evidence projects to generate and analyse qualitative data, providing insights into patient, caregiver and healthcare professional experiences. You will also work on projects that involve the detailed analysis and presentation of quantitative primary and secondary data, which are instrumental to the successful uptake of novel therapies  
• Salary: £39,000 per annum
• Benefits: Discretionary profit share bonuses paid twice per year, hybrid and flexible working options, generous holiday allowance, private medical insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, full funding for external training and more
• Role Type: Full-time, permanent
• Start Date: We are currently recruiting for start dates from January 2027 onwards, and you will be asked to state your availability on your application form
• Application Deadlines: Whilst there are no set application deadlines, we strongly recommend applying as early as possible. The role, or particular start dates, may close when suitable candidates are found
• Location: This role is available in our Global Headquarters in Cambridge, as well as our, London, Manchester and Bristol offices

About the role

The Qualitative Analyst will play a central role in delivering and growing qualitative research within our real-world evidence offering. The role combines three areas of work: supporting the design and delivery of qualitative research projects, contributing to a broader range of evidence generation projects, and supporting leadership with growth and development of our qualitative capabilities and service offering across the company.

Qualitative research will be the main focus of the role. This may include developing research materials, conducting and analysing interviews or other qualitative data, and synthesising findings into clear, insightful deliverables. Outputs may include reports, slide sets, posters, manuscripts and other materials tailored to different audiences, helping clients understand patient, caregiver and healthcare professional experiences and use these insights to support evidence generation and decision-making. Alongside this, you will apply your skills flexibly across other evidence generation projects, such as Delphi panels, surveys and literature reviews. This breadth will give you exposure to a wide range of methodologies and disease areas, and an understanding of how qualitative insights complement other forms of evidence.

As one of the first members of our growing qualitative team, you will also have the opportunity to shape how the service develops. This includes sharing your expertise with colleagues through training and upskilling in qualitative methods, and supporting business development activities such as contributing to proposals, scoping new opportunities and helping to communicate the value of qualitative research to clients.

The work is structured on a project-by-project basis, and you will usually contribute to several projects across different disease areas at any one time. You will work in project teams alongside experienced colleagues, who provide one-to-one training in project management and effective client communication, as well as in the wider evidence generation methods used across the team. Delivering project work requires close collaboration with clients and, following a successful induction period, you will increasingly participate in teleconferences and face-to-face meetings with clients and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing qualitative research materials and conducting and analysing interviews and other qualitative data
• Synthesising qualitative findings into clear, insightful deliverables tailored to different audiences, including reports, slide sets, posters and manuscripts
• Contributing to other evidence generation projects, including Delphi panels, surveys and literature reviews
• Supporting the development of qualitative expertise across the company by training and upskilling colleagues in qualitative methods
• Supporting business development for qualitative research, including contributing to proposals and helping to identify and scope new opportunities
• Collaborating closely with clients and external stakeholders, including participating in teleconferences and face-to-face meetings
• Supporting project management and client communication while managing several projects across different disease areas
• Working with teams across the company to build a broad understanding of our service offerings and how qualitative insights support real-world evidence generation and decision-making

A Day in the Life of an Analyst

To learn more about a typical day for an Analyst at Costello Medical, please click here: Working At Costello Medical | Costello Medical

About Costello Medical

Costello Medical is a rapidly growing global healthcare agency specialising in medical communications, market access and health economic and outcomes research. We work with a wide range of clients, including the industry’s most successful pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, patient and public health bodies and charitable organisations. We have been listed on the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For list since 2017, as well as receiving B Corporation Accreditation in 2022. Please click here to learn more about us, our work and our mission: https://www.costellomedical.com/ 

About you

In addition to the specific scientific skills and experience you need to succeed in your role, we have developed a framework that details the key skills, approaches and mindsets that are essential for all Analysts to display in order to excel in their role with us. Embodying these will support your growth and development throughout your career at Costello Medical.

Essential Requirements for this role:

• An undergraduate degree level qualification in a scientific discipline (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) in a scientific, health-related or social science discipline. Postgraduate qualifications (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) would be an advantage, but they are not a requirement for the role. We welcome applications from candidates with a diverse range of specialisms, including but not limited to biology, chemistry, pharmacy, medicine, psychology, public health, health sciences and sociology
• Hands-on experience of conducting qualitative research, including developing research materials such as interview or focus group guides, and conducting interviews or other forms of qualitative data collection, preferably outside of a taught university setting (university sponsored research would be considered relevant)
• Experience applying qualitative analysis methods, such as thematic analysis, framework analysis or qualitative content analysis, to interpret interview and other qualitative data
• An aptitude for, and experience of, planning and writing scientific documents, which could include lab reports, dissertations, poster or oral presentations, articles for websites or student magazines, peer-reviewed scientific publications, book chapters, grant applications, and regulatory documents
• A flexible approach to work, with a willingness to apply your skills to other evidence generation (including quantitative and mixed-methods projects)
• An ability to share your qualitative expertise with others, for example by training, mentoring or supporting colleagues who are new to qualitative methods
• An interest in contributing to the growth of a new service area, including supporting business development activities such as proposal writing and communicating the value of qualitative research to clients
• A self-motivated and enthusiastic approach, with a genuine interest in healthcare and an eagerness to learn and develop your skills
• An exceptional level of attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage your time to work across multiple projects at the same time and prioritise tasks appropriately to maximise productivity
• Exceptional written English, which you will use in client work, email communication and internal messaging
• Effective verbal communication skills, which you will use when working with colleagues and clients, and when engaging with research participants
• The ability to tailor your communication style to a variety of audiences, including patients and caregivers, healthcare professionals, patient groups, suppliers, clients, non-scientific colleagues and governmental bodies
• A proactive mindset, including the ability to recognise challenges and suggest solutions with limited guidance
• A collaborative approach to working, where you share knowledge with others in your team to promote the attainment of a common objective, and work together to overcome obstacles to success
• The self-awareness to reflect on your own work and performance, alongside a willingness to take ownership of your work and the development of your career
• A willingness to get involved with, and contribute to, your wider team
• Embodying Costello Medical’s values, which includes being committed to delivering quality work, championing innovation in healthcare, acting with integrity and supporting your colleagues as they would support you
• Fluency in NVivo (or other qualitative analysis software), Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

What we offer

Alongside our award-winning company culture, where every team member is celebrated, respected, and has their voice heard, we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• A starting salary of £39,000 per annum, as well as a discretionary profit share bonus paid twice per year. Please note that we have established salary bands that ensures a fair and consistent approach for all applicants, eliminating the need for individual negotiations
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank and public holidays, as well as a holiday buy and sell scheme
• Flexible working hours and the chance to work from home for up to half of your working time after passing probation
• Flexible benefits scheme offering cash payments, additional pension contributions and more
• Private Medical Insurance which offers comprehensive cover on a “medical history disregard” basis
• Paid study leave and funding for external qualifications
• Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection and Life Assurance
• Paid and unpaid sabbaticals based on length of service

Please click here to learn about our full reward package and the other benefits of working for Costello Medical: https://www.costellomedical.com/careers/benefits-package-in-the-uk/

Hybrid Working Policy: We believe that having face-to-face time in the office holds many benefits and is central to ensuring that the community we have created, where people have a workplace, they belong to and feel part of, is never lost. At the same time, we recognise that homeworking can improve work life balance, reduce commuting times and costs, and provide the opportunity to juggle personal commitments.

Therefore, we offer flexible working arrangements that allow our colleagues who have passed probation to work from home for up to half of the time, measured across a 2-week rolling period. During your probationary period (normally the first 6 months of the role), you will be able to work from home for 1 day per week.

The Application Process

You are required to submit your CV and a cover letter via our online application form. In your cover letter, you must explain why you think you would be suited to the role and why you would like to join Costello Medical, with examples to support both. Your CV should clearly state the dates of all qualifications and grades achieved where applicable.

Then, our recruitment process includes a proofreading and written assessment for you to complete in your own time. If successful, you will be invited to an interview which will include a short presentation you can prepare for in advance.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and, throughout the recruitment process, there are a number of reasonable adjustments we can provide. Please click here to learn more.

Please note that, whilst we embrace AI to innovate and improve processes, your role may involve confidential data that cannot be uploaded to AI. Therefore, it is important for us to assess your own skills and abilities, so we recommend that you do not rely solely on this technology to generate any application materials.

Visa Sponsorship

Due to the Skilled Worker visa regulations, you will only be eligible for visa sponsorship if you meet at least one of the following criteria:

• You are classified as a New Entrant. This means you are under the age of 26, currently studying in the UK or a recent graduate in the UK (Please read more about the New Entrant criteria: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-caseworker-guidance/skilled-worker-caseworker-guidance-accessible#bookmark63)
• You have a PhD in a STEM subject
• You have a PhD in a subject that is relevant to the Qualitative Analyst role

You will be asked to provide details of your right to work in the UK within your application, which will be used to help assess your eligibility for visa sponsorship.

Please check the following link to read more about the criteria on the UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less. Please contact recruitment@costellomedical.com should you have any questions.