Principal Researcher, Prescription Drug Policy

About the role

Join AIR as a Principal Researcher, Prescription Drug Policy with our Healthcare Innovations team. This position leads complex CMS/CMMI prescription drug policy research, drives federal business development, and provides senior expertise on drug pricing and payment models to generate rigorous, actionable evidence for policymakers.

Responsibilities

• Leads project and task execution and business development, specifically for work conducted for CMS and the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI).
• Directs execution of large complex projects or portfolio of smaller projects; oversees the planning, design, and implementation of project procedures.
• Provides senior subject matter expertise related to prescription drug prescribing, pricing, and rebate programs to delivery teams and/or proposal teams.
• Led proposal efforts including review of proposals for sound practices and techniques, briefings, and client relation/development activities.
• Serves as industry expert for alternative payment models, value-based reimbursement, or Medicare payment policies, especially as they relate to prescription drug policies and pricing.
• Effectively coaches and manages others to promote their development; sets developmental goals and measurements for staff.
• Fosters an environment that values a wide range of perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and individual strengths.

Qualifications

• Education, Knowledge, and Experience: Ph.D. in Economics, Health Services Research, Pharmacoeconomics 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 of experience leading or managing large federal contracts.
• Direct experience on prior or current CMMI alternative payment model contracts or CMS drug pricing programs.
• Proven track record of winning new business with CMS, AHRQ, or other HHS agencies.
• Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policy, Medicare Advantage, and/or Medicaid.
• Knowledge of Medicare claims, provider claims, survey data, and publicly available datasets, including Part D encounter data and other prescription drug event data.

Skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to align research with policy and practice needs.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and present complex findings to varied audiences.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Advanced project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and relationship-building.
• Commitment to equity, rigor, and innovation in research.