Research
Associate (Real-World Evidence Focus)
The Robert J. Margolis, MD, Center for Health
Policy at Duke University (Duke-Margolis) seeks to address critical health
policy challenges and improve health, health equity, and the value of health
care through practical, innovative, and evidence-based policy solutions. The
interdisciplinary nature of Duke-Margolis brings together policy experts,
researchers, health care professionals, and students from across Duke's schools
of medicine, nursing, law, public policy, business, and engineering, and
fosters extensive relationships with stakeholders both internal and external.
These relationships span foundations, private sector organizations, state and
federal governments, and global entities. The Center fosters excellence,
leadership, and scholarship at every level.
Occupational
Summary
Duke-Margolis has an opening for a Research
Associate within the Center's biomedical innovation portfolio to support projects
focused in real-world evidence (RWE) and real-world data (RWD). The individual
in this position will contribute to projects related to improving the use of
RWE and RWD within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's regulatory
framework, as well as more systematic uses of RWE and RWD to support biomedical
innovation; real world methods, study designs and outcomes; health informatics;
precision health; and health privacy. The Research Associate may also
collaborate in a broad range of other health policy topics of interest to the
Center, including but not limited to: health equity, regulatory science,
medical device and pharmaceutical policy, health care delivery and payment
reform, global health, and the intersection of scientific and regulatory
advancement with broader US health policy reforms.
Research Associates manage the day-to-day execution
of complex Duke-Margolis research and policy projects and provide significant
subject matter expertise within specific areas of health policy. In this
content and project management-focused role, the Research Associate produces
high-quality work products independently, demonstrates technical leadership and
collaboration with other team members, and delegates project tasks while consistently
meeting internal and contractual deadlines. Primary responsibilities include management
of complex research and policy activities to achieve project objectives; researching
and analyzing complex health policy-focused topics, including conducting background
research; drafting written products including summary documents, blog posts, peer-reviewed
publications, and policy briefs; effectively engaging policymakers and other external
stakeholders; and managing Center events and convenings.
The worksite for this position is anticipated
to be the Duke-Margolis office in Washington, DC, but candidates interested in working in the Durham, NC office will also be considered. Employees are currently teleworking locally to the area (DC/MD/VA)
while on-site access is restricted due to COVID-19.
Work
Performed
- This position is
focused on improving the use of RWE and RWD within the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration's regulatory framework, as well as more systematic uses of
RWE and RWD to support biomedical innovation, real world study designs and
outcomes, health informatics, precision health, and health privacy, but
may also collaborate in other subject areas including but not limited to: health
equity, regulatory science, medical device and pharmaceutical policy, health
care delivery and payment reform, global health, and the intersection of
scientific and regulatory advancement with broader US health policy
reforms.
- Oversee
day-to-day management of complex projects in areas of health policy
expertise regarding RWE and RWD in collaboration with principal
investigators and/or senior researchers. Coordinate and oversee internal
project team activities to ensure research tasks and deliverables are
completed in accordance with the project plan, contractual requirements,
Duke policies, and deadlines. Manage complex external sponsor and partner
engagement
- Responsible for
outlining and conceptualizing the content and structure of project deliverables.
- Individually contribute
to and manage the efforts of other project team members in drafting
research and policy deliverables including white papers, issue briefs,
blogs, and peer-reviewed publications. Tasks may include substantive
writing, analysis, and synthesis to achieve project and Center goals.
- Produce
high-quality written work products and deliverables. Evaluate and select
appropriate sources of quantitative and/or qualitative data to achieve
project objectives. Synthesize and translate complex information from a
wide range of inputs into clear and accessible written material for a
range of audiences. Review and provide editorial comments for project
materials and documents drafted by other team members.
- Prepare and edit
a range of written materials and reports for principal investigators, senior
researchers, executive staff, and external partners to support project
development, provide recommendations and/or conclusions, and disseminate
findings. Materials may include project progress reports, research papers,
presentations, and other communications.
- Monitor and
analyze developments in specialized content areas. Identify those with the
potential to affect the work of colleagues in other areas across the
Center and share pertinent information across teams. Provide in-depth
analysis of impacts to the health care system and/or health policy
landscape to inform implications for current projects and/or future
research direction.
- Collaborate with
Center executive leadership, faculty, principal investigators, and other
senior staff to develop and implement work plans, deliverable content,
research agendas, and timelines; coordinate execution of work by project
teams. Contribute to content development through topic-focused policy
research, preparatory analysis, and writing to craft clear and concise
materials for stakeholder and expert review and response.
- Track and manage
progress to achieve project milestones, deliverables, and timeline goals
through collaboration with colleagues, subcontractors/vendors, and
external stakeholders. Coordinate internal and external communication as
needed for team projects.
- Work with principal
investigators and/or senior researchers, executive leadership, and
financial staff to ensure project activities are conducted within budget parameters.
- Foster collaborative
relationships with internal and external stakeholders, industry
representatives, and policy professionals to support project execution,
data collection, dissemination of findings, and develop opportunities for
funding. Assist in the development of project concepts and preparation of
funding proposals.
- Mentor junior
employees in task management and development of content expertise.
- Oversee design
and implementation of a varied range of project convening events (e.g.,
expert roundtables, workshops, conference panels, seminars, large-scale
public events). Collaborate with senior researchers and executive leaders on
agenda development, identification and selection of panel participants,
and content development.
- Work
collaboratively with events and communication teams to direct
communication strategies and event management and planning.
- Manage event
execution and preparation including participant outreach, panel prep
calls, pre-event materials, and follow-up.
- Support senior
and executive staff and collaborate with communications and events staff
in disseminating project deliverables through the Duke-Margolis website,
popular and trade press, peer-reviewed publications, and other venues.
- Interact and
coordinate communications with a broad range of external stakeholder
groups and organizations.
Education/Experience
Requirements
At the Research Associate level:
- Bachelor's
degree in a relevant field required. Master's degree or higher in a
relevant field (e.g., health outcomes research; data science; population
health; epidemiology; health economics; implementation science; health
product development/regulatory science; or other relevant scientific,
engineering, or other technical fields) strongly preferred.
- Six
years of experience in policy/research/data analysis or other relevant position,
which may be met by a combination of relevant education and experience. Examples
could include:
- Bachelor's degree and
at least 6 years of relevant work experience
- 2-year master's
degree in a relevant field (e.g., health outcomes research; data science;
population health; epidemiology; health economics; implementation science;
health product development/regulatory science; or other relevant
scientific, engineering, or other technical fields) and at least 4 years
of relevant work experience
- Advanced
professional degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD, JD) and additional experience
depending on degree length
Or an equivalent combination of relevant education
and/or experience.
Applicants not
meeting the Research Associate minimum qualifications could instead be
considered at the Senior Policy
Analyst level if they meet educational requirements (Bachelor's
degree required; Master's degree preferred) and have a minimum of four years' relevant
experience.
Knowledge/Skills
Requirements - Excellent
research and writing skills. Proven competence in leading research
projects.
- Excellent organizational, project and
event management, and communication skills, including the ability to
transform complicated information into materials that are easy to
understand.
- Demonstrated proficiency in policy
research, including the ability to synthesize content from a broad range
of sources. Knowledge of real world methods and study design is preferred.
Quantitative and qualitative data
analysis and interpretation capabilities are preferred.
- Proven
ability to plan and organize content with creativity and attention to
detail, crafting an argument for specific audiences and appropriately
translating scientific or technical details.
- Knowledge/experience
in specialized areas of health policy relevant to the position, including
familiarity with current trends and regulations.
- Ability
to interact professionally and foster positive collaborative relationships
with senior-level individuals (e.g., local, state, and national
policymakers), stakeholders, and organizations.
- Ability
to exercise good judgement and initiative.
- Must be
able to function independently and collaborate effectively with others.
- Ability
to coordinate a variety of tasks simultaneously, complete tasks with
limited oversight and supervision, and manage a project team effectively.
- Must be
comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with varied
responsibilities, and able to assess the impact of and respond flexibly to
changing conditions.
- Knowledge
of Microsoft Office and relevant research and analytic software.
- Training or experience in the fields of health
outcomes research; data science; population health; epidemiology; health
economics; implementation science; health product development/regulatory
science; or other relevant scientific, engineering, or other technical
fields is
preferred.
- Ability
to travel approximately 10% when appropriate (Duke travel is currently
restricted).
The
above statements describe the general nature and level of work to be performed
in this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all
responsibilities and duties required. Employees may be directed to perform
job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Engagements are
renewable annually upon funding availability from the Center. To be considered
for this position, applicants must submit materials online. Applications
will be considered on a rolling basis.
Application Materials Required:
- Cover letter (please include worksite preference)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three references
(names and email addresses)
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
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