Research Assistant II Non-Lab

Overview

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.

Job Summary: The Healthcare Quality and Outcomes Lab (HQO) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management is a research center focused on producing actionable evidence to promote quality, equity, and resilience across health care delivery systems. HQO brings together a multidisciplinary team of physicians, health policy researchers, health economists, biostatisticians, and data science experts across the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals to evaluate and inform national and international health reform efforts.

HQO faculty members seek an energetic and organized individual to assist with a portfolio of multidisciplinary health policy and health services research projects. Our research team uses Medicare and other large national claims datasets to evaluate the effectiveness and unintended consequences of US health reform.

Project topics include, but are not limited to:

• Variations in cost, quality, and outcomes for surgical, emergency, hospital, and cancer care
• Quality of care for socially vulnerable patient populations, including low-income Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries
• Healthcare quality, outcomes, and disparities among older people with HIV
• Access, quality, and efficiency in the Veterans Health Administration
• Impact of the innovative alternative payment models (e.g., Accountable Care Organizations and bundled payment Initiatives) on healthcare value and equity for older adults
• Changing market dynamics of the growing Medicare Advantage program, including restrictiveness and accessibility of healthcare provider networks
• Climate change and health system resilience

This is an ideal position for a candidate seeking to gain research experience prior to pursuing further graduate education, including medical school or PhD programs. In addition to the research aims described above, a key aspect of the HQO mission is to train the next generation of health policy and health system leaders. HQO faculty are enthusiastic about providing opportunities for mentorship and professional growth that align with the successful candidate's long-term goals.

Learn more about the Department of Health Policy and Management here: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

The successful candidate will be able to work with faculty and research team members on a wide range of project-related tasks. These duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Preparation of scientific manuscripts and presentations, with opportunities for co-authorship
• Performing literature reviews and managing references
• Assistance with grant-writing and research proposals
• Coordination of project communications; research meeting coordination and documentation
• Producing charts and tables for manuscripts and presentations
• Writing policy briefs, op-eds, press releases, and other products
• Compiling and cleaning data sources
• Statistical programming and analysis
• Website maintenance (e.g., periodically updating HQO website to feature new publications)
• Other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: Short-listed finalists will be asked to write an abstract based on a selected article and create a few Power Point slides as part of the selection process. This position has a term appointment of one year from the date of hire with the possibility of extension.

Basic Qualifications:

• 2+ years of related work experience; a combination of education and experience may be considered

Additional

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree in health sciences, social sciences, or statistics
• Demonstrated knowledge of health policy and health services research
• Experience working with healthcare-related topics such as health policy or health services research or coursework
• A strong writing background
• Experience with Endnote, Mendeley, and/or other reference management software
• Experience with statistical analysis and data science (running and interpreting regressions, data visualization)
• Experience in quantitative research methods and analysis
• Experience with Microsoft software applications (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Experience with SAS, Stata, or R is a plus
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Outstanding communication skills