Lead Research Scientist - Stars Decision Science

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Come join the Performance and Decision Intelligence team within the larger Stars Analytics organization at Humana!

The Lead Research Scientist
- Stars Decision Science is responsible for developing and applying advanced analytics, optimization frameworks, and decision science methodologies that translate complex business problems into actionable recommendations. This role will also work with a team of scientists and engineers, building organizational capabilities that strengthen Star Rating performance across the enterprise.

The Lead Research Scientist
- Stars Decision Science is equipped with a variety of skills enabling them to support decision‑making under the condition of uncertainty and facilitate decision‑making by groups. This role will inject decision science concepts into the analytical workflow across the department, enabling richer insights and clear visibility to trade‑offs. This role employs risk and decision analysis techniques, such as decision trees and Bayesian modeling, to quantify benefits and risks of various decisions impacting our Medicare Advantage members, their health and our quality performance scores.

Routine responsibilities include:

• Create frameworks that support evidence‑based decision making across quality and operational teams
• Build decision science capabilities to prioritize opportunities based on expected impact, feasibility and financial value
• Design simulation frameworks to evaluate potential outcomes under alternative business strategies
• Advance existing capabilities across to team to make insight generation and decision‑making simpler for our team and business partners
• Deliver executive‑ready recommendations that connect analytics to business action

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Operations Research, or another related quantitative or analytical field (including but not limited to similar disciplines)
• 4 or more years in healthcare analytics, decision science, actuarial science, strategy analytics or related fields
• 2 or more years of project leadership experience
• Experience developing and applying predictive modeling, optimization modeling, decision science frameworks or causal inference methodologies
• Strong proficiency with SQL and analytical programming languages such as Python, R, or SAS
• Strong proficiency with Databricks
• Demonstrated ability to articulate ideas effectively in both written and oral forms
• Ability to communicate complex analytical findings to executive audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality results with minimal supervision

• Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Operations Research or related field
• Strong knowledge of CMS Medicare Advantage Star Rating program, including methodology and individual measures

Remote, strong preference for hybrid office in Louisville, KY

While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

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$138,900 - $191,000 per year

This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.

Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, “Humana”) offers competitive benefits that support whole‑person well‑being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, volunteer time off, paid parental and caregiver leave), short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender…