Associate Research Scientist

Fit Minded Inc; United States; Remote; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Fit Minded Inc. is hiring an Associate Research Scientist with a clear path to Level 2 within one year. You will work with Level 2 and Level 3 researchers on client projects, learning our needs assessment and science map process while taking on more client-facing responsibilities.

This role offers a salary of $90,000 with a path to increase upon promotion to Level 2, typically within 9–12 months. Start date is immediate, and the work spans multiple digital health client engagements.

Qualifications

• PhD in Behavioral Health, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Public Health, or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year experience conducting research in industry, startup, or consulting environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct research studies including RCTs, from literature review and conceptualization through IRB submission, data analysis, and interpretation under senior guidance.
• Develop statistical analysis plans and document analyses using R, SPSS, or similar tools.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals and contribute to scientific presentations, white papers, or reports.
• Assist Level 2 and 3 Researchers with client projects and learn needs assessment/science map methodology.
• Collaborate with lead scientists on proposals, publications, and innovation initiatives.
• Progress toward independent client engagement and lead project components as you advance.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Scientific writing

Communication

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Behavioral Health/Clinical/Public Health

Tools

R

SPSS

IRB knowledge

Job description

Schedule: Full-time; Remote with benefits | 2 weeks PTO + federal holidays

Payment: $90,000 with a salary increase upon promotion to Level 2, reflecting demonstrated independent client readiness, typically within 9 to 12 months.

Start Date: Immediate

About Fit Minded

Fit Minded is a strategic applied science firm for digital health companies, integrating scientific research with business strategy to drive growth, boost revenue, and build credibility. We work with clients at every stage, some starting from scratch, others scaling existing research, helping them turn science into competitive advantage. Our team is composed of experienced scientists who thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments where research directly influences product decisions, funding rounds, and company trajectories. Learn more at fit-minded.com

The Work Environment

This isn't an academic research role, but it's not a standard industry role either. You will work across a number of clients simultaneously, each at different stages of scientific maturity, each in different areas of digital health, each with distinct business priorities. Nothing is cut-and-paste here. Every client requires you to learn their product, understand their competitive landscape, and translate their business goals into rigorous science. You will context-switch constantly and you're expected to get up to speed quickly without sacrificing scientific rigor.

This role is rooted in our values: Courageous Ownership , Balanced Excellence , Fearless Innovation , and Clear & Accountable . You’ll be expected to take initiative, make thoughtful judgment calls, and move work forward even when things aren’t fully defined. We value proactive, ongoing communication and trust you to problem‑solve first, then share your approach. You’ll also be navigating shifting priorities in a fast-moving environment, so adaptability, curiosity, and comfort with variety are key. If you’re energized by that kind of pace and want your work to directly shape how multiple companies grow, you’ll likely thrive here. We welcome postdoctoral scientists, and we’re direct about what this requires. Strong candidates from academic settings have already driven work without a PI setting the agenda, whether by leading projects end to end, managing several at once, or partnering with industry. If that describes you, the Associate period is designed to build the rest.

The Position

We are seeking an Associate Research Scientist with a clear path to Level 2 within one year. You will work alongside our Level 2 and Level 3 Research Scientists on client projects, learning our proprietary needs assessment and science map process while steadily taking on more client-facing responsibilities. At Level 2, you will work independently with clients, directly influencing product, clinical, and business decisions and contributing to innovation in digital health.

This is a mutual investment. The Associate period is a structured development period at $90,000, with a salary increase upon promotion to Level 2, reflecting demonstrated independent client readiness, typically within 9 to 12 months. Advancement is based on demonstrated readiness, not time in role. We’re looking for someone committed to building their career with Fit Minded long term.

What you’ll build here is hard to replicate elsewhere. You’ll gain hands‑on exposure to a breadth of digital health companies, research problems, and business contexts, working simultaneously across clients at different stages of scientific maturity, in different health domains, with different product and funding pressures. That breadth accelerates your development as a scientist and strategist in ways a single‑lab or single‑company role rarely does. Our scientists publish, present, and build track records that span industries. If you’re motivated by variety, ownership, and the chance to watch your science directly shape how companies grow, this is the right environment.

How You'll Contribute

As an Associate Research Scientist, your core responsibilities include:

• Design and conduct research studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), from literature review and conceptualization through IRB submission, data analysis, and interpretation under the guidance of Level 2 & 3 Research Scientists. You will be expected to take direction, apply it independently, and communicate progress without being prompted.
• Develop statistical analysis plans matched to research questions; implement and document analyses using R, SPSS, or similar tools. When you encounter methodological decisions (e.g., covariate selection), you will use available resources to make informed choices and document your reasoning.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals and contribute to scientific presentations, white papers, or reports. This includes using templates correctly, meeting deadlines, and coordinating with team members on their sections without needing reminders.
• Assist Level 2 and Level 3 Research Scientists with client projects, learning to apply our needs assessment and science map methodology. You will be expected to problem‑solve when instructions are incomplete and communicate your approach.
• Collaborate with lead scientists on research aligned with broader strategic goals, contributing to proposals, publications, and innovation initiatives. Collaboration here means proactive communication, not waiting to be asked for updates.
• Progress toward independent client engagement , including attending meetings and leading project components as you advance toward Level 2.

We need someone who:

• Can define their own path forward from a business problem. You won’t be handed a research agenda or a fully scoped protocol. Client goals are the starting point, and you’re expected to translate those into rigorous science independently. If your work has mostly been within a PI’s predefined research program, show us where you drove decisions yourself.
• Communicates proactively (e.g., end‑of‑day updates on what you’re tackling next, flagging blockers before they become problems)
• Takes initiative when problem‑solving (tries multiple approaches, uses resources, doesn’t freeze when something is unclear)Moves fast without sacrificing quality (tight timelines are standard, not exceptions)
• Is socially aware and collaborative (you don’t need to be extroverted, but you do need to read the room, coordinate effectively, and engage professionally with clients and teammates)

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Behavioral Health, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Public Health, or a related field
• Minimum of 1 year experience conducting research in an industry, startup, or consulting environment; digital health or health technology strongly preferred. Experience during PhD or Postdoctoral positions will satisfy the requirement if the candidate demonstrates independent ownership of research, such as leading a study or major study component, managing multiple concurrent projects, collaborating with industry partners, or engaging directly with external stakeholders.
• Experience in behavior change research with strong interest in both mental and physical health
• Experience contributing to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as part of a research team, including protocol development, recruitment, or data collection
• Strong proficiency in conducting advanced quantitative analyses using R or similar statistical software
• Experience with NIH grant writing and a track record of publishing research in peer‑reviewed journals
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with AI tools for workflow optimization and strategic applications
• Experience writing Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols
• Ability to efficiently gather and synthesize information through scientific literature and market reviews
• High‑level proficiency in qualitative research (interviews, thematic analysis)
• Strong independent work ethic with ability to collaborate effectively in a remote team setting
• Comfort working remotely while maintaining regular, proactive communication with supervisors and teammates
• Industry internship, consulting, or startup experience during or after graduate training

About our CEO, Dr. Jennifer Huberty

Dr. Jennifer Huberty is a distinguished behavioral research scientist with over 25 years of experience, serving as a cornerstone between academia, science, and business—a rare and invaluable skill set. She specializes in digital approaches to promote behavior change and enhance well‑being, driving science‑driven growth and business innovation. Dr. Huberty is the former Head of Science at Calm and the CEO at Fit Minded Inc., and holds academic roles at Arizona State University and adjunct faculty roles at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio/Mays Cancer Center, and Banner Health/University of Arizona. With over 200 peer‑reviewed publications, she is a recognized leader in clinical study design, brand positioning research, and scientific content marketing to support data‑driven business strategies. Learn more here .