Research Associate

University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); Remote; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa invites applications for a Research Associate in the IPQCC within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The role focuses on evaluating population-level maternal morbidity/mortality trends and assessing impact of large-scale quality improvement initiatives across health systems.

The position is primarily remote within Iowa with occasional on-site work and frequent travel requirements.

Qualifications

• Master’s in Public Health or equivalent with relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of Maternal-Child Health.
• Experience with quality improvement or implementation science frameworks.
• Experience with population datasets including vital records and billing data to derive health outcomes.
• Experience with clinical data and PHI regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead writing, analysis, and editing of research manuscripts and reports.
• Coordinate MCH-related activities with stakeholders across Iowa.
• Develop and implement quality improvement processes for perinatal care.
• Co-design and conduct data collection for quality improvement.
• Design and facilitate community dissemination, including reports and presentations.
• Track and report project activities for process evaluation.
• Engage priority stakeholders to support MHI projects.
• Support program evaluation with MHI leadership.
• Assist MHI leadership with grant-related activities.

Skills

Public Health

Maternal-Child Health

Quality Improvement

Data Analysis

PHI Handling

Education

Master's in Public Health

Job description

The University of Iowa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is seeking a Research Associate for IPQCC. The Iowa Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative (IPQCC) is a statewide organization supported by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) to facilitate collaboration among maternal and neonatal health stakeholders in Iowa, including healthcare, public health, community organizations, and patients. The IPQCC facilitates Iowa’s participation in the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM), a national quality improvement initiative to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.

The operations of the IPQCC are contracted from Iowa Health and Human Services to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. As an IPQCC Research Associate in the Department of OBGYN, duties include evaluation of population-level trends in maternal morbidity and mortality and assessing the impact of large-scale quality improvement initiatives across health systems.

This position is eligible for primarily remote work but may require limited work onsite at times. Remote work must be performed at a location within the state of Iowa and comply with the remote work program and related policies.

Must have the ability to travel frequently, including overnight stays and rarely on weekends.

Length of appointment: 2-3 years

Position Responsibilities

• Lead and collaborate on the writing, analysis, and editing of research manuscripts and community reports.
• Coordinate MCH-related activities with stakeholders in Buena Vista County, Wapello County and throughout Iowa, including site visits.
• Support the development and implementation of a quality improvement process for perinatal health care.
• Co-design and conduct data collection for quality improvement, including focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.
• Design and facilitate community dissemination, including reports, community gatherings, and presentations.
• Track and report all project activities and meetings for process evaluation.
• Facilitate listening visits and engagement with priority stakeholders to support Maternal Health Innovation (MHI) projects.
• Support program evaluation in collaboration with MHI leadership.
• Support MHI leadership in other grant-related activities as they arise.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s in Public Health or comparable discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience
• Solid foundation of knowledge in Maternal-Child Health
• Experience with quality improvement and/or implementation science frameworks
• Experience with using population datasets including vital records (birth certificates) and billing data to derive health outcomes
• Experience with using clinical data, including knowledge of regulations related to working with protected health information (PHI)

Position And Application Details

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Research Associate
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: Remote within Iowa

Compensation

• Pay Level: 4A

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Cassie Burrill
• Contact Email: [e-mail]