(Hybrid) Research Associate - Health Affairs Institute

About the role

The Health Affairs Institute at West Virginia University is seeking a Hybrid Research Associate to join its team. This position involves collaborating with the West Virginia Department of Health Human Services (DoHS) on various health data analytics and program evaluation projects.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a University representative and liaison to the West Virginia Department of Human Services for the planning and performance of projects, programs, and activities involving health data analytics and program evaluation.
• Works as part of a team to advance the partnership between the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center and the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
• Facilitates communication and efficient collaboration between research partners at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center and the staff of the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
• Oversees and conducts analyses of Medicaid claims data using SAS and other statistical analysis packages at the direction of the Director of Health Data Analytics or leadership within the Department for Human Services.
• Supports both West Virginia University faculty as well as leadership within the Department for Human Services in using Medicaid claims data as well as other state data sources to answer research questions of interest to the state.
• Trains other West Virginia University faculty in analyzing Medicaid claims data and other state data sources using SAS or other statistical analysis packages.
• Ensures that data analytic and research/evaluation activities are compliant with university-level policies for the responsible conduct of research as well as federal, and state policies.
• Provides consultation to faculty and government partners regarding preparation of research proposals, design and methodology, data analytics, and interpretation of results.
• Identifies opportunities for potential collaborations between the Health Sciences Center and the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
• Prepares reports as required by the University, the Health Sciences Center administration, and external agencies.
• Communicates results of analytic projects and program evaluations with relevant staff of the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
• Conducts or directs special projects as assigned.
• Acts in other matters and capacities as delegated by the Associate Vice President for Health Affairs or the Director of Health Data Analytics.
• Affords assistance with the publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Qualifications

• PhD in health or data science-related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience:
• Record of research and achievement in health outcomes and policy research (health services research, public health informatics, health policy, clinical outcomes) as evidenced by publications and/or sustained involvement in a research program.
• Experience conducting research/evaluation using large health data sources within the healthcare industry or academic or governmental sectors.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in utilizing large health databases for research, program evaluation, and policy development.
• Experience analyzing Medicaid administrative claims data.
• Extensive knowledge in the use of standard statistical analysis packages such as SAS or R.
• Experience designing and overseeing large research projects using administrative claims data.
• Record of successfully publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts in the field of health services research.
• Record of successfully training and/or supervising other individuals in using statistical analysis packages to analyze administrative claims data.
• Ability to project and maintain a positive and collaborative attitude.
• Record of accomplishments in health data analytics.
• Strong ability to communicate goals, methods, and results of research initiatives with key stakeholders.
• Proficiency presenting the results of data analyses to diverse groups of stakeholders.

Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License and ability to travel on an intermittent basis if/when required.