(Hybrid) Research Associate - Health Affairs Institute

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Health Affairs Institute at West Virginia University is seeking a Research Associate to join their team. This role is part of an emerging State-University partnership between the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center and the West Virginia Department of Human Services. The Research Associate will work collaboratively with the state to leverage data, support analytic and policy needs, conduct policy and evaluation research, and provide oversight to other data analysts. While employed by West Virginia University, this individual will be embedded within the Health Affairs Institute and work full-time from the Charleston, West Virginia office.

Requirements

• PhD in health or data science-related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience:
• Record of research and achievement in health outcomes and policy research (health services research, public health informatics, health policy, clinical outcomes) as evidenced by publications and / or sustained involvement in a research program.
• Experience conducting research/evaluation using large health data sources within the healthcare industry or academic or governmental sectors.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in utilizing large health databases for research, program evaluation, and policy development.
• Experience analyzing Medicaid administrative claims data.
• Extensive knowledge in the use of standard statistical analysis packages such as SAS or R.
• Experience designing and overseeing large research projects using administrative claims data.
• Record of successfully publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts in the field of health services research.
• Experience training and / or supervising other individuals in using statistical analysis packages to analyze administrative claims data.
• Ability to project and maintain a positive and collaborative attitude.
• Record of accomplishments in health data analytics.
• Strong ability to communicate goals, methods, and results of research initiatives with key stakeholders.
• Proficiency presenting the results of data analyses to diverse groups of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a University representative and liaison to the West Virginia Department of Human Services for the planning and performance of projects, programs and activities involving health data analytics and program evaluation.
• Work as part of a team to advance the partnership between the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center and the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
• Facilitates communication and efficient collaboration between research partners at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center and the staff of the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
• Oversee and conduct analyses of Medicaid claims data using SAS and other statistical analysis packages at the direction of the Director of Health Data Analytics or leadership within the Department for Human Services.
• Support both West Virginia University faculty as well as leadership within the Department for Human Services in using Medicaid claims data as well as other state data sources to answer research questions of interest to the state.
• Train other West Virginia University faculty in analyzing Medicaid claims data and other state data sources using SAS or other statistical analysis packages.
• Ensure that data analytic and research/evaluation activities are compliant with university-level policies for the responsible conduct of research as well as federal, and state policies.
• Provides consultation to faculty and government partners regarding preparation of research proposals, design and methodology, data analytics and interpretation of results.
• Identify opportunities for potential collaborations between the Health Sciences Center and the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
• Prepares reports as required by the University, the Health Sciences Center administration, and external agencies. Communicates results of analytic projects and program evaluations with relevant staff of the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
• Conducts or directs special projects as assigned. Acts in other matters and capacities as delegated by the Associate Vice President for Health Affairs or the Director of Health Data Analytics.
• Assist with the publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks.
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

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