Health Policy Researcher

RAND • Santa Monica, CA

12d

About The Position

RAND’s Economics, Sociology and Statistics (ESS) department seeks Health Policy Researchers to conduct high-impact research on health care markets, coverage, and costs. Researchers lead and contribute to projects that produce objective, rigorous evidence for policymakers, federal agencies, foundations, and the public. They work on multidisciplinary teams using advanced quantitative methods and administrative and survey data. Project areas include evaluations of Medicare and commercial insurance market policies, prescription drug pricing, and health care market concentration.

Successful candidates will be hired as an Associate Researcher or Full Researcher, based on their education and experience. The role is based in Santa Monica, California; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; or Boston, Massachusetts. Applicants must submit a CV, cover letter, peer-reviewed writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. The application notice is open until November 16, 2026.

Requirements

• Demonstrated training in quantitative research methods.
• Strong analytical skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of inclusive, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commitment to RAND’s core values of quality and objectivity.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one health policy domain: Medicare program policy, coverage, payment, or utilization; commercial insurance markets, coverage design, or insurer behavior; health care market dynamics, provider or insurer consolidation, and market concentration; prescription drug policy, pricing, or access; or Medicaid program policy.
• Demonstrated quantitative research skills and experience with at least two of the following: causal inference methods; Medicare fee-for-service or Medicare Advantage claims data; state all-payer claims databases; CMS Transparency in Coverage files or other insurer-reported data; MEPS, HCUP, or similar large-scale public-use datasets; or advanced statistical or econometric modeling applied to health data.
• Strong evidence of research experience, demonstrated through authorship of academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional reports.
• Ability to conceptualize new research studies and contribute to grant proposals.
• Currently completing a PhD or have 1 to 4 years of post-graduate experience in a research setting.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in economics, policy analysis, statistics, sociology, or a closely related field; this is preferred.
• Experience leading or contributing to externally funded research projects is valued.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute rigorous empirical research studies addressing high-priority health policy questions.
• Apply causal inference and other advanced quantitative methods to large administrative and survey datasets.
• Use technologies such as AI and machine learning responsibly to improve research quality and efficiency.
• Interpret and synthesize research results to support stakeholder and policymaker decision-making.
• Communicate findings to policy audiences through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and oral presentations.
• Contribute to business development, including proposal writing and cultivating funder relationships.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive research environment.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Paid time-off
• RAND sabbatic pay, which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree