Hybrid Senior Research Specialist - Health Affairs Institute

Job Description - (Hybrid) Senior Research Specialist - Health Affairs Institute (28923)

(Hybrid) Senior Research Specialist - Health Affairs Institute 28923

Description

The Health Affairs Institute at West Virginia University is currently 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 include, among others, providing data analytic support, program evaluation expertise, technical assistance, and project management support. With office locations in both Morgantown and Charleston, the Health Affairs Institute (HAI) employs over 90 full‑time staff and engages numerous faculty and staff from other units of the University 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. The general responsibilities include conducting research and evaluation activities, such as data collection, literature searches, recruiting participants, writing reports, documents, or other deliverables, through participation on interdisciplinary research and evaluation teams. This position works under minimal supervision of the project leader(s) and independently conducts a wide range of highly technical and complex research/evaluation activities.

Under guidance of the project leader(s), (portfolio leaders, research associate(s), and/or program or project director), the Senior Research Specialist contributes to the planning and performance of projects, programs, and activities by applying knowledge of advanced research techniques.

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year
• Health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance and other retiree perks
• Wellness programs

• Conduct research/evaluation activities using independent judgment in applying or adapting scientific techniques to accomplish 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 the needs of the project.
• Designs, implements, and maintains data collection tools and summarizes data collection processes, procedures, and activities.
• Perform 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.
• 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 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, , Teams, etc.).
• Contributes to the development and design of new projects.
• Co-authors or authors peer‑reviewed manuscripts, abstracts, conference presentation materials in collaboration with project team.
• Presents findings at local, state, or national conferences and/or meetings in collaboration with project team.
• Co…