Analytics & Research Senior Scientist

Press Ganey; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Press Ganey seeks a Senior Research & Analytics Scientist to drive methodological excellence across measurement programs and benchmarking initiatives. You will lead survey design, validation, and analytics, partnering with Product, Engineering, Data Science, and executives to translate findings into actionable improvements.

You will ensure validity, comparability, and trust in patient-experience metrics, guiding governance and innovation while elevating patient voices in healthcare

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a quantitative field (survey methodology, statistics, psychometrics, or related).
• 7+ years of experience in survey research, analytics, or related fields.
• Deep expertise in survey methodology, questionnaire design, sampling, weighting, bias mitigation.
• Ability to translate analytical findings into actionable insights.
• Strong interpersonal effectiveness and cross-stakeholder collaboration.
• Proficiency in SPSS, R, Python, SQL, or equivalent tools.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary methodological authority for assigned products and benchmarking programs.
• Provide scientific leadership on measurement, benchmarking, analytics, reporting, and methodology decisions.
• Translate complex findings into actionable recommendations for clients and leadership.
• Establish governance standards for benchmarking methodologies and governance.
• Lead survey design, validation, and ongoing methodology improvements.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Data Science, Operations, Client Support, and Executive leadership.

Skills

Survey methodology

Psychometrics

Statistical analysis

Communication

Collaboration

Data interpretation

Education

Ph.D. in Survey Methodology, Statistics, Psychometrics, Sociology, Psychology, or related

Tools

SPSS

R

Python

SQL

Job description

Company DescriptionPress Ganey is the leading experience measurement, data analytics, and insights provider for complex industries—a status we earned over decades of deep partnership with clients to help them understand and meet the needs of their key stakeholders. Our earliest roots are in U.S. healthcare –perhaps the most complex of all industries. Today we serve clients around the globe in every industry to help them improve the Human Experiences at the heart of their business. We serve our clients through an unparalleled offering that combines technology, data, and expertise to enable them to pinpoint and prioritize opportunities, accelerate improvement efforts and build lifetime loyalty among their customers and employees.Like all great companies, our success is a function of our people and our culture. Our employees have world-class talent, a collaborative work ethic, and a passion for the work that have earned us trusted advisor status among the world’s most recognized brands. As a member of the team, you will help us create value for our clients, you will make us better through your contribution to the work and your voice in the process. Ours is a path of learning and continuous improvement; team efforts chart the course for corporate success.Our Mission:We empower organizations to deliver the best experiences. With industry expertise and technology, we turn data into insights that drive innovation and action.Our Values:To put Human Experience at the heart of organizations so every person can be seen and understood.Energize the customer relationship: Our clients are our partners. We make their goals our own, working side by side to turn challenges into solutions.Success starts with me: Personal ownership fuels collective success. We each play our part and empower our teammates to do the same.Commit to learning: Every win is a springboard. Every hurdle is a lesson. We use each experience as an opportunity to grow.Dare to innovate: We challenge the status quo with creativity and innovation as our true north.Better together: We check our egos at the door. We work together, so we win together.Press Ganey is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans in the hiring process. If you need assistance or an accommodation to apply for a position online or for your interviews or assessments, please contact us at [e-mail] Please provide your contact information and the details of your request so we can best assist you.The Senior Research & Analytics Scientist is a senior individual contributor who provides scientific leadership across a portfolio of products, programs, and strategic initiatives focused on measuring patient experience in healthcare. Serving as the primary methodological authority, this role ensures the validity, reliability, actionability, and comparability of survey-based measures, benchmarking and comparative performance measurement programs, analytics solutions, and emerging data products.The Senior Scientist partners closely with Product, Engineering, Data Science, Operations, Client Support, Advisory, and Executive Leadership to solve complex measurement challenges, guide strategic decisions, and drive innovation. The role focuses on survey science, benchmarking methodology, psychometrics, and applied analytics, distinguishing it from traditional data science roles centered on model or software development.As a trusted advisor, the Senior Scientist translates complex scientific concepts into actionable recommendations while balancing methodological rigor with business and operational needs. The role establishes and maintains the standards, governance frameworks, and validation processes that ensure data, measures, and insights are trustworthy, methodologically sound, and fit for use in client decision-making, benchmarking, quality improvement, and advanced analytics.This position offers the opportunity to combine scientific rigor with creativity to develop new measurement approaches and analytics solutions. A central focus is elevating the patient voice by ensuring patient experiences are accurately captured, meaningfully interpreted, and translated into insights that improve healthcare quality and outcomes.Key ResponsibilitiesScientific Leadership & ConsultationServe as the primary methodological authority for assigned products, benchmarking programs, and strategic initiativesProvide scientific leadership and consultation on measurement, benchmarking, analytics, reporting, and methodology decisionsRepresent Research & Analytics in cross-functional, client, and executive discussions, translating complex findings into actionable recommendationsServe as an escalation point for complex methodological issues, client concerns, and critical business decisions requiring scientific guidanceEvaluate the benefits, risks, and methodological implications of key decisions, ensuring measurement quality, benchmark integrity, and stakeholder trustSurvey Science & Measurement MethodologyLead the design, evaluation, and continuous improvement of survey instruments and measurement frameworksApply expertise in survey methodology, questionnaire design, sampling, weighting, bias mitigation, and survey operationsEnsure the reliability, validity, comparability, and intended use of measures through validation studies, equivalency testing, and evaluation of survey design and administration approachesMaintain methodological standards and best practicesProduct EnablementPartner with Product and Engineering across the product lifecycleEvaluate and guide the methodological design, validation, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of products, reporting capabilities, survey content, and measurement solutionsBenchmark Integrity & GovernanceLead the development, governance, and evolution of benchmarking and comparative performance measurement methodologies, ensuring that performance comparisons remain valid, reliable, interpretable, and fit for purposeEstablish and maintain benchmarking governance standards, adjustment methodologies, quality criteria, and related frameworksEvaluate the impact of methodological changes on benchmark validity, trends, and reportingServe as the organization's subject matter expert on benchmarking methodology and governanceAnalytics & Statistical ConsultingApply statistical and analytical methods to identify drivers of patient experience performance, emerging trends, and opportunities for quality improvementDevelop, evaluate, and validate analytical frameworks, methodologies, and reporting approaches that support measurement, benchmarking, and strategic decision-makingTranslate complex analytical findings into actionable insights that inform decisions and drive improvementInnovation Validation & Emerging MethodologiesLead the design and evaluation of pilot studies, validation efforts, and innovation initiatives involving emerging measurement approaches, data sources, and technologiesEstablish evidence standards and decision frameworks for assessing the readiness of new methodologies, AI-enabled capabilities, and alternative measurement approaches for benchmarking, reporting, and operational useIdentify risks, limitations, and governance requirements when evidence is insufficient to support adoptionHealthcare & Domain ExpertiseServe as a subject matter expert in healthcare experience measurement, patient-centered research, and healthcare analyticsGuide the development and evolution of measurement programs, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practicesEnsure methodologies accurately capture patient experiences and generate meaningful, actionable, and scientifically sound insightsMonitor industry developments and recommend enhancements to measurement programs and methodologiesThought Leadership & Organizational EnablementDevelop and disseminate research, educational resources, and thought leadership materials that advance organizational understanding of survey science, benchmarking, analytics, and healthcare measurementRepresent the organization in client and industry settingsQualificationsRequiredPh.D. in Survey Methodology, Statistics, Psychometrics, Sociology, Psychology, or another quantitative social science or healthcare-related discipline7+ years of professional experience in survey research, analytics, or related fieldsDeep expertise in survey methodology, questionnaire design, psychometric testing, sampling, weighting, and bias mitigationExperience implementing appropriate research methodologies to address complex measurement questions, including, for example, experimental designs, A/B testing, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), qualitative research, and mixed-methods studiesDemonstrated experience translating analytical findings into actionable insights used for decision-making or improvementStrong interpersonal effectiveness, including the ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, collaborate constructively, build trust, navigate disagreement professionally, and develop productive relationships across a wide range of stakeholdersProficiency in SPSS, R, Python, SQL, or equivalent toolsPreferredExperience with healthcare measurement, analytics, or regulatory survey programsExperience with benchmarking governance or large-scale measurement frameworksExperience evaluating AI-enabled or alternative methodological approachesDon’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Press Ganey we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.Additional Information for US based jobs:Press Ganey Associates LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and well committed to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Notice – Press Ganey will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.Our privacy policy can be found here: https://www.pressganey.com/legal-privacy/