(Hybrid) Research Specialist - Health Affairs Institute

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Health Affairs Institute (HAI) at West Virginia University (WVU) is seeking a Research Specialist to join their team. HAI provides leadership for collaborative activities involving WVU's Health Sciences Center, the West Virginia Department of Health Services (WV DoHS), and other partners. Their work includes data analytics, program evaluation, technical assistance, and project management. The Research Specialist will play a key role in HAI's collaborative research and evaluation efforts with external partners. Responsibilities include supporting data collection, conducting literature searches, recruiting participants, and writing reports. The position operates under the general supervision of project leaders and involves technical and complex research/evaluation activities. The role supports research and evaluation teams and contributes to the planning and execution of projects and programs.

Requirements

• Master's degree in health science related field.
• A minimum of six (6) months experience in health-related research or evaluation.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Able to work independently with general supervision.
• Ability to read and interpret verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and follow through on assignments.
• Requires precision and attention to detail.
• Must have strong decision-making skills and be able to exercise good judgment.
• Ability to prepare and present findings that are clear and understandable to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong ability to communicate understandable ideas, information, and project results in writing for different audiences (i.e., public, stakeholders, sponsors, policy-makers).
• Strong ability to present information and respond to questions from groups or individuals.
• Knowledge and experience using and identifying health data and literature.
• Ability to project and maintain a positive and collaborative attitude and work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills both internally within HAI and externally.
• Demonstrated ability in health-related research and/or evaluation techniques.
• Ability to develop action plans and systems to facilitate and track implementation of activities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with statistical and qualitative analysis activities and software such as SPSS, SAS, Atlas Ti, and NVivo.
• Experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research design and methods.
• Experience working collaboratively with state-level policy stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Completes research and evaluation activities according to prescribed project workplans.
• Designs, implements, and maintains data collection tools and summarizes data collection processes, procedures, and activities.
• Performs data collection activities such as conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups using telephone, video conferencing, paper/pencil, in-person, online, or other modalities.
• Reviews literature for related research developments and techniques and compiles findings.
• Helps prepare IRB applications and materials.
• Compiles, and assists with interpretation of data. May perform analyses of secondary and/or primary data depending on the needs of the project.
• Prepares written materials, charts, graphs, reports, and presentations on research results, methods, and findings.
• Communicates results of analytic projects and program evaluations with external partners and stakeholders.
• Ensures research and evaluation activities are compliant with WVU, federal, and state policies and procedures for the responsible conduct of research, and that activities adhere to established HAI Program Development and Management Office policies and procedures.
• Communicates regular updates on tasks, activities, and related project topics to internal project teams using HAI established procedures and collaboration platforms (i.e., SharePoint, Monday.com, Teams, etc.).
• May help develop peer-reviewed manuscripts, abstracts, conference presentation materials.
• May present findings at local, state, or national conferences and/or meetings in collaboration with project team.
• Conducts and/or assists with special projects or other duties as assigned.

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: Mid Level