Hybrid Senior Research Specialist - Health Affairs Institute

Description

The Health Affairs Institute at West Virginia University is accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Senior Research Specialist position.

The Health Affairs Institute within the WVU Health Sciences Center provides organizational leadership for collaborative activities involving the Health Sciences Center, the West Virginia Department of Health Services (WV DoHS), and other partners. These activities include data analytic support, program evaluation expertise, technical assistance, and project management support. With offices in Morgantown and Charleston, the Health Affairs Institute (HAI) employs over 90 full-time staff and collaborates with faculty and staff from other university units to fulfill its service mission to the state.

The Senior Research Specialist is a key participant in HAI and its collaborative research and evaluation work with external partners. Responsibilities include conducting research and evaluation activities such as data collection, literature searches, participant recruitment, and preparing reports, documents, or other deliverables, through participation on interdisciplinary research and evaluation teams. The position works under minimal supervision of project leaders and independently conducts a wide range of technical and complex research/evaluation activities.

Under guidance of project leaders, portfolio leaders, research associates, and/or program or project directors, the Senior Research Specialist contributes to planning and performance of projects, programs, and activities by applying knowledge of advanced research techniques.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and offer generous benefits, including a 37.5-hour work week, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, health insurance, retirement savings with a 6% employer match, wellness programs, and other benefits.

• Conducts research/evaluation activities using independent judgment in applying or adapting scientific techniques to tasks outlined in prescribed project workplans.
• Facilitates the planning, direction, and execution of specific segments of the research project.
• Investigates and recommends alternative approaches to improve the quality of results.
• Provides mentoring, training, and support to entry level Research Specialists.
• Serves as a technical resource for other science personnel.
• Compiles and interprets data; may perform analyses of secondary and/or primary data depending on project needs.
• Designs, implements, and maintains data collection tools and summarizes data collection processes, procedures, and activities.
• Performs data collection such as surveys, interviews, focus groups using multiple modalities (telephone, video, in-person, online, etc.).
• Reviews literature for related research developments and techniques and compiles findings.
• Completes IRB applications and materials.
• 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/evaluation activities comply with WVU, federal, and state policies and procedures for responsible conduct of research and with HAI program policies.
• Communicates regular updates on tasks and project topics to internal project teams using established collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint, , Teams).
• Contributes to the development and design of new projects.
• Co-authors or authors peer-reviewed manuscripts, abstracts, and conference materials in collaboration with the project team.
• Presents findings at local, state, or national conferences and meetings with the project team.
• Assists with special projects or other duties as assigned.

• Master's degree in a health science-related field.
• Experience:
  
  at least one year in health-related research or evaluation, including quantitative and/or qualitative research design and methods.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  experience with statistical and qualitative analysis software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, Atlas.ti, NVivo) and experience collaborating with state-level policy stakeholders (3 years).
• All qualifications must be met by the…