American Institutes for Research · 20 hours ago
Principal Researcher, Health Implementation & Monitoring
United States
Contract
Remote
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$148K/yr - $197K/yr
7+ years expAmerican Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research. The Principal Researcher will contribute to large-scale implementation and monitoring initiatives for federal health agencies, focusing on alternative payment models and federal program operations.
EducationHealth CareNon Profit
No H1B
Responsibilities
Serve as a subject matter and methodological expert in the implementation and monitoring of federal health programs, especially alternative payment models, and value-based care initiatives
Provide leadership in designing monitoring frameworks, performance metrics, data collection plans, and analytic strategies for implementation and monitoring contracts
Contribute to AIR’s technical vision for CMS and CMMI work, helping shape approaches that meet federal expectations for rigor, transparency, and accuracy
Direct large, complex implementation and monitoring or evaluation projects—or a portfolio of smaller projects—ensuring alignment with federal requirements and high quality delivery, on time and on budget
Oversee the planning, design, and implementation of project procedures, including monitoring plans, analytic plans, research protocols, monitoring reports, risk summaries, and stakeholder engagement strategies
Serve as a senior contributor to model testing, monitoring, and evaluation tasks, including real-time monitoring, operational assessments, and rapid cycle learning
Collaborate with data and analytic teams to connect monitoring indicators to underlying data sources (claims, administrative, practice‑based, state‑based)
Guide development of data protocols, dashboard requirements, and reporting structures for monitoring deliverables
Serve as a thought partner to AIR leadership on work conducted for CMS/CMMI, interpreting federal priorities, model goals, and policy developments
Lead or significantly contribute to proposal development involving monitoring, implementation, and operational oversight including designing methodological approaches, reviewing narratives for soundness, and leading staffing and budgeting decisions
Cultivate and maintain relationships with federal clients and partners, helping position AIR for future CMS and HHS opportunities
Coach, mentor, and support junior and midcareer staff, setting developmental goals and modeling high quality technical and analytic work
Collaborate with colleagues across research, analytics, communications, TA, and operations teams to ensure integrated, high quality products
Contribute to a collaborative environment that values and respects a wide range of perspectives, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences
Qualification
Required
Ph.D. in Economics, Health Services Research, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience managing and conducting research or related work or Master's degree and at least 11 years of relevant experience
Minimum of 5 years project leadership experience or large task leadership experience on complex implementation, analytics, research, or evaluation projects
Direct experience working on CMS implementation, monitoring, evaluation, or operational support
Proven track record of winning or contributing to winning new business with CMS or other HHS agencies
Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policy, Medicaid and/or Medicare Advantage
Experience working with Medicare or Medicaid claims, and other publicly available datasets
Demonstrated monitoring expertise, including developing monitoring plans, indicators, protocols, and analysis to support federal program oversight
Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills appropriate for a senior‑level researcher
Extensive experience in conceptualizing, analyzing, and contributing to large‑scale federally funded projects
Excellent written communication skills with a commitment to accuracy, clarity, and evidence‑based messaging
Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners
Strong strategic thinking and ability to see the broader context of complex research and implementation projects
Company
American Institutes for Research
An independent, not-for-profit corporation which performs basic and applied research
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$9.86MKey Investors
U.S. Department of EducationJim Joseph Foundation
2017-11-01Grant· $7.8M
2014-09-08Grant· $0.8M
2010-10-10Grant· $1.26M
Leadership Team
David Myers
President & Chief Executive Officer
Richard Jacik
Chief Technology Officer
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