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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

Reporting to the Duke-Margolis Senior Research Director of Biomedical Innovation, the Research Director will be responsible for directing a portfolio of projects related to the science, economics, and regulation of medical product development. The Research Director interacts regularly with external project sponsors and collaborators, including government agencies, academic centers, advocacy organizations, medical product manufacturers, and health care organizations. The individual in this role collaborates with Duke-Margolis executive leadership and manages the day-to-day implementation of multiple projects to ensure the successful execution of project objectives and the Center’s strategic goals. This position is based in Washington, DC and requires some travel to Durham, NC to collaborate with Center faculty and staff based on Duke’s main campus.

The Research Director is responsible for oversight and direction of a portfolio of projects within this area that are managed either personally or by staff the Research Director supervises. The Research Director is a subject matter expert; leads the strategic design, management, and direction of the program area; and has significant responsibility for cultivation of funding opportunities and management of program area personnel. In addition to a primary focus in medical product development and regulatory policy, the Research Director may also collaborate in a broad range of other health policy topics of interest to the Center, including but not limited to: health equity, medical device and pharmaceutical policy, health care delivery, global health, and the intersection of scientific and regulatory advancement with broader US health policy reforms.

Employees based in the DC office are currently working in a hybrid capacity with a combination of teleworking locally to the area (DC/MD/VA) and in-person team collaboration. 

Work Performed

Program and Research Leadership

Collaborate with the Duke-Margolis leadership team, Center faculty, and senior researchers to develop project direction, focus, priorities, and strategies to meet the research and project needs within a program area. Manage execution.

Recognized as a context expert in medical product development and regulatory policy. Provide content leadership and direct project staff in substantive content components of work products.

Interact closely with external collaborators including government agencies, research and/or policy organizations, industry and health system or health care organizations, and other stakeholders.

Develop, secure, and manage research funding. Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration and funding, including developing and maintaining relationships with external collaborators and funders, drafting proposals, and engaging with Duke University faculty to identify related project or staffing opportunities.

Monitor and keep abreast of developments of significance to the research portfolio and area(s) of expertise in the government, press, biomedical, health policy, service delivery, or health financing literature as applicable, and in the actions of key external organizations.

Develop systems for the establishment and refinement of guidelines in the collection and/or analysis of data and administration of research projects; design and evaluate alternative methodology as necessary.

Engage high-level research and writing skills to create project documents and reports and refine materials drafted by others. Ensure quality and accuracy of project deliverables which may include event-related materials, research papers, policy briefs, policy analyses, blog posts, white papers, peer-reviewed publications, and/or other high-impact knowledge products.

Seek opportunities for collaboration and cross-pollination of research and policy work across program areas within the Center.

Serve as an articulate and effective spokesperson for Duke-Margolis. Represent Duke-Margolis and Duke University at conferences and other key meetings to present findings and foster relationships.

Interact closely with external collaborators including government officials, research and/or policy organizations, industry and health system or health care organizations, and other stakeholders to gather and disseminate information and to initiate, build and expand working relationships.

Support other key activities of the Center on an as-needed basis, which may include teaching, student mentorship, or other work related to the educational mission of Duke-Margolis.

Collaborate with Center leadership to set, define, and reach performance goals for the program area. Identify strengths, gaps, constraints, and needs. Allocate and forecast resource utilization. Contribute to operational sustainability planning for the program area, ensuring timely tracking of project status, personnel allocation projections, and cost projections.

Develop, implement, and oversee the execution of portfolio research and administration, typically in collaboration with faculty principal investigators (PIs) for individual projects. May serve as PI when appropriate.

Work with Center leadership, project PIs, and financial and compliance staff to create, negotiate, and monitor budgets from the proposal stage through project completion; ensure project staffing and activities are within budget projections and scope; adhere to Duke University policies; and meet contractual obligations. Demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

Consider the full breadth of implications, benefits, and risks, including financial, when evaluating varied project approaches and operational strategies.

Work collaboratively with leadership and project teams to develop and implement work plans, deliverable content, research agendas, and timelines and direct communication strategies and event management and planning. Coordinate execution of work.

Work with staff to develop, document, and implement best practices to promote knowledge management and efficiency of future projects.

Recruit, manage, and directly supervise staff, including formulating performance standards, conducting evaluations, and recommending personnel actions. Assess hiring needs in consideration of projected workload and funding.

Support project team members and direct reports to ensure their success; foster a productive team environment that encourages professional growth. Mentor junior staff (direct reports and others) in management of work activities, prioritization, and career interests.

Serve as a point of contact for current and potential sponsors to discuss potential support and partnerships. Facilitate ongoing communication with sponsors, program staff, and key stakeholders to advance projects effectively and maintain positive external and internal relationships.

Communicate effectively with others, regardless of reporting relationship, to accomplish shared work objectives.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Work requires analytical, communications, and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a Master’s degree or higher (e.g., PhD, PharmD, MD, JD) in a field relevant to the specific position (e.g., health outcomes research; data science; population health; epidemiology; health economics; implementation science; law; health product development/regulatory science or other relevant scientific, engineering, or other technical fields). Advanced degree preferred.
• With Master’s degree, 10 years of progressive experience in policy/research/data analysis or other relevant position.

Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, high initiative, discretion, poise, and mature judgment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in policy research with strong analytical skills. Proven track record of successfully managing teams, mentoring, and developing staff.
• Proven ability to write business documents and manage project execution, including budget development and financial management.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences clearly and precisely.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with senior-level individuals, stakeholders, and complex organizations.
• Professional demeanor with a positive approach to working in a team environment and demonstrated proficiency in managing teams to achieve project objectives.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with varied responsibilities; able to assess the impact of and respond flexibly to changing conditions.
• Specialized experience in areas of health policy relevant to the position, including familiarity with current trends and applicable regulations.
• Record of impactful policy-relevant publications.
• Flexibility to work at alternate times (evening, early morning, weekend), if required.
• Ability to travel approximately 10% (travel is currently limited in consideration of COVID-19 conditions). 

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. As part of Duke University’s COVID-19 policies and procedures, all faculty and staff are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption as a condition of employment.

Application Materials Required:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three references (names and email addresses)

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.