Health Research Analyst

Mathematica, Inc.; Columbia, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Coworking spaces

Job summary

Mathematica seeks Health Research Analysts to contribute to domestic health policy and public health projects. You will support project teams with rigorous, data-driven research for clients like AHRQ, HRSA, ASPE, CMS, SAMHSA, and foundations.

Responsibilities include literature reviews, interviews, coding qualitative data, and drafting memos and reports. You’ll work on 2–4 projects, with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration within a collegial team.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, or related field with coursework in research methods.
• Coursework or work experience in qualitative research methodology.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to write clear and concise memos, briefs, and presentations.
• Experience working with AI platforms, such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.
• Ability to support multiple projects and balance priorities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans summarizing current health policy topics.
• Collaborate with senior research staff to support rigorous qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Develop interview guides; conduct or take notes during interviews; use qualitative data analysis software to code data; synthesize data.
• Serve as a Project Manager, helping keep projects on schedule and on budget; facilitate communications across stakeholders.
• Draft client memos, chapters of analytic reports, issue briefs, and other written products.

Skills

Qualitative research methods

Critical thinking

Time management

Written communication

Oral communication

AI platforms experience

Multitasking / multi-project mgmt

Education

Master’s degree in public health / public policy

Tools

Qualitative data analysis software

Job description

About Mathematica:

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development.

Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength.

Read more about our benefits here: Benefits at a Glance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

We are inviting Health Research Analysts to join us incontributing to domestic health policy and public health projects. The analyst willsupport project teams in the management and execution of rigorous, data-driven researchprojects for clients such as: the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality(AHRQ), the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), the Officeof the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), the Centers forMedicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Substance Abuse and Mental HealthServices Administration (SAMHSA), leading health foundations, and numerousstate and local agencies.

Health research analysts work on a variety of projectsspanning policy and programmatic areas. Topics vary and may include: healthcare access and quality, community health centers, primary care, behavioralhealth care, maternal and child health, HIV treatment, rural health care,public health data modernization, Medicaid, Medicare, aging populations, andmore. Analysts typically work on two to four projects at a time and are matchedto projects that suit their skills and offer opportunities for professionalgrowth.

Responsibilities:

Health Research Analysts will participate in key projectactivities, which vary by project and may include:

• Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans summarizing current health policy topics
• Collaborate with senior research staff to support rigorous qualitative data collection and analysis
  • Develop interview guides
  • Conduct or take notes during interviews
  • Use qualitative data analysis software to thematically code qualitative data (transcripts or notes)
  • Synthesize qualitative data using structured frameworks
• Serve as a Project Manager, working closely with the Project Director to help keep projects on schedule and on budget
  • Help Project Directors plan, manage, and close out complex projects
  • Use company-standard project management tools and processes to track project budgets and schedules
  • Facilitate communications across and between internal and external stakeholders
• Draft client memos, chapters of analytic reports, issue briefs, and other written products

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, or a related field with coursework in research methods.
• Coursework or work experience in qualitative research methodology.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to write clear and concise technical memos and documents and accessible stakeholder-facing memos, briefs, and presentation materials.
• Experience working with AI platforms, such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot
• Ability to complete tasks on tight deadlines without compromising quality.
• Ability to support multiple projects and balance competing priorities.

This position offers an anticipated base salary of $70,000 - $95,000 annually.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

At Mathematica, we understand the importance of building relationships with colleagues. If you’re not located near one of our offices but would like opportunities to meet up with co-workers, we offer coworking spaces where available. Ask your Talent Acquisition partner for more information about this opportunity and whether it’s an option in your area.

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon passing a background check. Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance. Additionally, if you participate in or complete the application process and are denied, Mathematica may choose to terminate your employment.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work.