Department Overview

The Center for Evidence-based Policy (Center) is a national leader in evidence-based decision-making and policy design. The Center works with state policymakers in more than 25 states to use high-quality evidence to guide decisions, maximize resources, and improve health outcomes. The Center is objective and non-partisan, working in states across the country to support evidence-based decision-making. The Center does not lobby, and does not accept funding from industry, advocates, or trade associations. Though embedded within OHSU, the Center is entirely self-supporting.

The Center staff members work closely with state and federal policymakers to research existing policies, programs, and develop policy options. The Center actively seeks staff partners who share its commitment to evidence, integrity, innovation, tangible results, and products that are independent, high-quality, evidence-based, and effective in meeting the needs of decision makers. The Center actively recruits and retains the highest quality personnel who are committed and passionate about achieving its mission. The Center strives to be a healthy and thriving work environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work. We are committed to an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, and perspective. We are dedicated to continuous improvement that enables inclusive collaboration among staff with diverse skills and perspectives with the goal of enhancing quality and accessibility of our work for our clients. The Center promotes leadership that inspires innovation, motivates people to perform at their highest levels, and makes the Center a great place to work.

The position's primary function is to lead the development and presentation of data analytic research products. The position will lead and co-lead data analyses using state-level and multi-agency data for public payers and policy decision makers. Successful candidates will have significant experience in using statistical software programs (e.g., R, STATA), particularly focused on analyzing exposures or interventions and outcomes through univariable and multivariable statistical models. Successful candidates will also have a demonstrated record of being able to synthesize data and findings in writing and give oral presentations, including presenting in different formats and to different audiences. Candidates should have experience working within teams of people conducting complex data analysis.

Function/Duties of Position

Independently Plan, Conduct and Write Data Analytic Research Products

• Co-lead data analyses, such as building multivariable models, to assess associations between exposures or interventions, and outcomesWork with a team to interpret
• resentations focusing on policy-relevant findings and applications
• Develop or contribute to scopes of work and outline data analysis plans
• Obtain, store, and clean large, state-level and multi-agency datasets containing claims, encounter, administrative data, and other data sources
• Provide quality assurance for imported data and work with partner agencies, as needed
• Provide meticulous recordkeeping in statistical code and decision making for analyses
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of data dictionaries
• Present research findings to clients via webinar or in-person meetings and conferences
• Research and analyze the context of the question(s) that clients are asking and convert questions into structured, answerable research questions
• Create and manage references in a citation management software program (e.g., EndNote)

Project Management

• Track report progress, anticipating next steps, and gather required information from internal team, colleagues, and external contacts to produce high-quality, timely research products
• Respond to peer review and editor comments in a productive and timely manner and adhere to all timelines for projects

Communication and Dissemination

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with Center clients
• Represent the Center at selected national and state-level conferences, meetings and other events, preparing materials for distribution and making presentations that effectively communicate research and the Center's goals and mission

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in relevant health research field and at least 3 years of relevant combined experience; OR
• Master's degree in biostatistics or statistics and at least 3 years of relevant combined experience; OR
• PhD in relevant health research field and at least 1 year of relevant combined experience; OR
• PhD in biostatistics or statistics and at least 1 year of relevant combined experience

Experience:

• At least 1 years (PhD) or 3 years (Master's degree) of combined experience conducting data analysis using statistical software programs (e.g., R, STATA) and communicating findings in written reports and oral presentations of these data
• Experience conducting data analysis for use in decision-making
• Experience with analyzing primary and secondary datasets, particularly state-level datasets from programs such as Medicaid
• Experience adapting data analytic methods to individual research projects
• Experience working with large database
• Experience using a private server to store and analyze datasets
• Experience working with a citation management software application (e.g., EndNote)
• Experience presenting research to various audiences, including public sector decision makers
• Experience working collaboratively and closely with colleagues on research projects
• Experience working on multiple research projects simultaneously, with excellent organizational skills
• Public policy experience

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• High-level of proficiency in the use of statistical software programs (e.g., R, STATA) for data analysis and management purposes
• Knowledge of data matching (e.g., deterministic matching, probabilistic matching)Functionally operate as a co-lead on data analysis projects and data-oriented research products
• Ability to work with clients to identify their data analytic needs
• Lead the development of writing and presenting research products or written and verbal interpretation of data analysis results, which are designed to be used as actionable tools by public and health policymakers with oversight from the Center's research directors and mentorship from senior-level researchers
• Independently manage research processes and products (e.g., check-in meetings, follow Center style guide, meet milestones and deadlines)
• Support the development and execution of data analysis plans for relevant Center research products
• Contribute to feedback on research methods used at the Center
• Proficiency in relevant software programs for the development of data analytic products (e.g., EndNote)
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with Center clients (e.g., state policymakers)
• Ability to translate complex findings into digestible and actionable written research products, and oral presentations
• Excellent writing, grammatical, and proofreading skills, including the ability to follow Center and client style guides
• Excellent ability to communicate, in writing and orally, in the English language
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to respond positively and proactively to peer review and editor comments
• Ability to exercise discretion when dealing with issues of a sensitive nature and to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to develop interview questions for interviews with key informants
• Ability to interact with a wide variety of stakeholders and internal and external customers
• Ability to be self-motivated, prioritize effectively, and achieve deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in relevant health research field with more than 5 years of experience
• Master's degree in biostatistics or statistics with more than 5 years of experience
• PhD in relevant health research field with more than 3 years of experience
• PhD in biostatistics or statistics with more than 3 years of experience

All required experience as listed plus:

• Significant experience tailoring data analyses to public decision makers
• Experience with evidence synthesis data approaches (e.g., meta-analysis)
• Experience working on medical devices and technologies, pharmaceutical, and genetics related projects
• Experience with data visualization software programs (e.g., Tableau)
• Experience managing a private server that stores large, integrated datasets
• Some health policy (local, state, or federal government or equivalent) experience

All required knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed plus:

• Knowledge of effective and efficient approaches to searches using Cochrane Library, PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and skills with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
• Ability to interpret cost-benefit-analyses, program evaluations, and economic analyses
• Knowledge of medical devices and technologies, genetic tests and interventions, and pharmaceuticals
• A strong track record of methodological development relevant to information sciences, health technology assessment, and systematic reviews
• Ability to develop interview protocols to conduct semi-structured interviews with key informants

All are welcome