About this role
Job Description
Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.
Westat has an immediate opening for a Principal Research Associate with strong expertise in quantitative analysis, psychometrics, statistical programming, and data reporting, as well as extensive qualitative and mixed-methods research experience for health services and healthcare-related research projects. The successful candidate has strong project management skills to lead and conduct quantitative and qualitative projects as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting a portfolio of federal health services research projects. Projects focus on healthcare delivery and may include work on patient safety, patient experience with care, survey research, advanced statistical data analysis and results reporting, qualitative data collection and analysis, and program evaluation. Demonstrated experience working on health services projects for Federal agencies is highly desirable.
This is a hybrid role, working in our Bethesda, Maryland office 2 days per week.
Job Responsibilities
- Use various analytic methods to lead and conduct quantitative analyses of health services and survey data using SAS, STATA, R and/or MPlus.
- Prepare data for analysis including data cleaning, data manipulation, and variable creation.
- Conduct advanced statistical data analysis, various types of regression, and other types of statistical modeling.
- Expertise conducting psychometric analysis (e.g., confirmatory factor analysis, multilevel analyses, reliability analysis)
- Conduct and oversee quality control checks of data and reports.
- Conduct qualitative data collection including in-depth interviews and cognitive interviews.
- Conduct and oversee coding and analysis of qualitative data and prepare reports of findings.
- Conduct project management tasks including managing projects, preparing progress reports, and managing budgets and timelines.
- Develop and lead research study designs and data analytic plans.
- Write reports from quantitative and qualitative analysis for a variety of audiences.
- Write papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at professional conferences.
- Collaborate with team members with various levels of experience and subject matter expertise.
- Oversee and coordinate the work of more junior analysts and staff on quantitative and qualitative work.
- Participate in business development and proposal activities.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in social sciences, statistics, health services research, or a related field focused on health and 10+ years of research experience OR master’s degree in social sciences, statistics, health services research, or a related field focused on health and 15+ years of research experience with progressively increasing responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience conducting health services research independently and on multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated experience conducting psychometric analysis of survey data with at least one peer-reviewed, co-authored psychometric analysis publication.
- Demonstrated experience using advanced statistical analysis techniques.
- Demonstrated experience with quantitative analysis software, SAS, STATA, R and/or MPlus.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience working on federal contracts, especially contracts with the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and/or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Ability to summarize or synthesize information for different audiences and purposes.
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively to coordinate completion of projects and tasks.
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
- Sick Leave (9 days per year)
- Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
- Professional Development
- Health Advocate
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and may be removed from posting after 100 applications have been received.
Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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