Research Assistant II Non-Lab (Research Assistant)

Job Summary:

The Healthcare Quality and Outcomes Lab (HQO) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management is a research center focused on producing actionable evidence to promote quality, equity, and resilience across health care delivery systems. HQO brings together a multidisciplinary team of physicians, health policy researchers, health economists, biostatisticians, and data science experts across the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals to evaluate and inform national and international health reform efforts. 

HQO faculty members seek an energetic and organized individual to assist with a portfolio of multidisciplinary health policy and health services research projects. Our research team uses Medicare and other large national claims datasets to evaluate the effectiveness and unintended consequences of US health reform.

Project topics include, but are not limited to:

• Variations in cost, quality, and outcomes for surgical, emergency, hospital, and cancer care

• Quality of care for socially vulnerable patient populations, including low-income Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries

• Healthcare quality, outcomes, and disparities among older people with HIV

• Access, quality, and efficiency in the Veterans Health Administration

• Impact of the innovative alternative payment models (e.g., Accountable Care Organizations and bundled payment Initiatives) on healthcare value and equity for older adults

• Changing market dynamics of the growing Medicare Advantage program, including restrictiveness and accessibility of healthcare provider networks

• Climate change and health system resilience

This is an ideal position for a candidate seeking to gain research experience prior to pursuing further graduate education, including medical school or PhD programs. In addition to the research aims described above, a key aspect of the HQO mission is to train the next generation of health policy and health system leaders. To this end, HQO faculty are enthusiastic about providing opportunities for mentorship and professional growth that align with the successful candidate's long-term goals.

Learn more about the Department of Health Policy and Management here: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/health-policy-and-management/

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be able to work with faculty and research team members on a wide range of project-related tasks. These duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Preparation of scientific manuscripts and presentations, with opportunities for co-authorship

• Performing literature reviews and managing references

• Assistance with grant-writing and research proposals

• Coordination of project communications; research meeting coordination and documentation

• Producing charts and tables for manuscripts and presentations

• Writing policy briefs, op-eds, press releases, and other products

• Compiling and cleaning data sources

• Statistical programming and analysis

• Website maintenance (e.g., periodically updating HQO website to feature new publications)

• Other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: Short-listed finalists will be asked to write an abstract based on a selected article and create a few Power Point slides as part of the selection process.

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of one year from the date of hire with the possibility of extension.