Principal Researcher – CMMI Evaluations

American Institutes for Research; United States; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

American Institutes for Research (AIR) is seeking a Principal Researcher – CMS Innovation Center (CMMI) Evaluations within its Healthcare Innovations team. The role leads CMS/CMMI evaluations, oversees project execution, and shapes strategic growth through capture planning and senior leadership in quasi-experimental designs and claims analyses.

The position supports remote work within the United States and may be based in AIR Offices.

Qualifications

• PhD in Economics, Health Services Research, or related field with 7 years of experience managing and conducting research; or Master’s with 11 years of experience.
• Minimum of 5 years project management experience.
• Leadership roles on one or more CMMI model evaluation contracts.
• Proven success in winning CMS, AHRQ, or other HHS proposals.
• Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policy, Medicare Advantage, and/or Medicaid.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development activities for CMS and CMMI, including capture planning and proposal development.
• Serve as Project Director or senior evaluation leader for complex evaluations of Medicare models.
• Provide senior technical leadership for evaluations, including quasi-experimental designs and claims analyses.
• Coach and manage staff, promoting professional development.
• Foster an inclusive environment with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Skills

Stakeholder relations

Leadership

Project management

Business development

Communication

Education

PhD in Economics, Health Services Research, or related field

Master’s degree with 11+ years of relevant experience

Job description

Join AIR as a Principal Researcher – CMS Innovation Center (CMMI) Evaluations with our Healthcare Innovations team. Our team works collaboratively to unravel the intertwined challenges of health care quality, costs, and access. Our team of experts – nurses, physicians, psychologists, economists, sociologists, data scientists, and public health experts – advance evidence and save lives by leading rigorous research and evaluation; results-driven technical assistance and training; and leading-edge data science and technology tools.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

• Lead business development activities for CMS and CMMI, including capture planning, client engagement, opportunity shaping, proposal development, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Serve as Project Director or senior evaluation leader for complex evaluations of Medicare payment and service delivery models, overseeing all aspects of project execution, quality, staffing, client relationships, and strategic direction.
• Provide senior technical leadership for evaluations of CMMI models and demonstrations, including technical expertise with quasi-experimental designs, mixed-methods research, Medicare and/or Medicaid claims analyses, beneficiary and provider outcomes, and sub-group analyses.
• Effectively coach and manage others to promote their development; set developmental goals and measurements for staff.
• Foster an environment that values a wide range of perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and individual strengths.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Ph.D. in Economics, Health Services Research, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience managing and conducting research or related work or Master’s degree and at least 11 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5 years project management experience.
• Served in a leadership role (e.g., Project Director, Deputy Project Director, Technical Director, Task Lead, or similar) on one or more CMMI model evaluation contracts.
• Demonstrated success leading or contributing to winning proposals for CMS, AHRQ, or other HHS agencies.
• Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policy, Medicare Advantage, and/or Medicaid.
• Knowledge of Medicare claims, provider claims, survey data, and publicly available datasets.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with federal clients and partners.
• Ability to communicate complex evaluation findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Must possess strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills at a senior level.
• Ability to lead teams, especially for business development activities as part of pre-RFP planning and design, and through proposal response.
• Extensive success in writing, conceptualizing, analyzing, and consulting on large-scale federally funded projects.
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locs, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

Accessibility Notice: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [e-mail] or call 202.403.5000.

AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range

$150,000 - $180,000 USD