Principal Research Associate- Long-Term & Post-Acute Care Policy

Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.

About the Role

The successful candidate will conduct healthcare analytics, statistical programming, reporting, and task management, working across multidisciplinary teams to support health services research projects focused on healthcare delivery, policy, and quality improvement. We value regular in-person collaboration; hybrid candidates will work a minimum of 2 days per week at our Bethesda, Maryland office or at one of our other Westat office locations.

Responsibilities

• Serve in various technical roles using quantitative research methods for large, complex projects for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal clients, such as the Administration for Community Living.
• Independently conduct data programming and analysis using SAS, SQL, Python, R, Databricks, or other statistical packages to ingest, link, clean, create, and manipulate data.
• Design and lead projects and tasks using quantitative methods.
• Conduct quantitative analysis, interpret results, and prepare internal and client-facing reports and deliverables.
• Provide project leadership, including overseeing project staff.
• Communicate quantitative results verbally and in writing for a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Manage projects and tasks, including budgets, deliverables, and timelines.
• Serve as a technical lead or writer on proposals for government clients and contribute to strategic growth and business development activities.

Qualifications

• A master's degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., economics, statistics, public health, or computer science) and 8+ years of experience in a healthcare-related field with progressively increasing responsibilities, or a PhD and 5+ years of experience in a healthcare-related field with progressively increasing responsibilities.
• Deep understanding of federal survey and certification regulations for nursing homes.
• Quantitative expertise using SAS, SQL, Python, R, Databricks, or other programming languages.
• Ability to summarize or synthesize information for different audiences and purposes.
• Experience conducting health services research independently and on multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing projects, including budgets, timelines, and multidisciplinary staff.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with CMS data, including the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Medicare claims data.
• Demonstrated track record of expertise in long-term and post-acute care, as evidenced through publications and/or experience securing research funding.

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
• Sick Leave (9 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is $115,000 - $144,000, commensurate with experience. Bonus eligibility is included.