Researcher, Military & Veterans Affairs

The Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University is seeking a Researcher, Military & Veterans Affairs to lead sponsored research focused on military-connected populations within the Battelle Center. You will design studies, coordinate PI-based work, and ensure timely, high-quality outputs for sponsors and university leadership.

The role requires strong leadership, public-policy minded research, and collaboration across university units and external partners to advance military and veterans initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience; 5 years of relevant experience with Bachelor's, or 3 years with Master's.
• Relevant research experience, preferably in survey research, program evaluation, population health, or veterans-related work; ability to lead tasks on large projects; strong research methods knowledge; proficiency in statistical software and data management.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects focused on military-connected and veteran populations and design/implement surveys, assessments, and other research activities.
• Prepare IRB submissions and ensure research compliance; analyze data and develop actionable recommendations; lead Ohio Military-Connected Community Assessment and related research efforts.
• Coordinate meetings, manage timelines, budgets, deliverables, sponsor reporting, and ensure documentation, data security, and cross-unit collaboration.

Skills

Survey research

Project leadership

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree

PhD preferred

Tools

R

Stata

SPSS

Python

Job description

Job Title:Researcher, Military & Veterans Affairs

Department:John Glenn | Battelle Center

The Researcher, Military & Veterans Affairs serves as the lead researcher for sponsored research related to military and veteran populations in the Battelle Center for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy within The John Glenn College of Public Affairs. The Researcher, Military & Veterans Affairs will support, coordinate and manage military-connected research and strategic initiatives (for example, for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, the National Veterans Leadership Foundation, and others) across the university from within the Battelle Center. This includes: leading the biennial Ohio Military-Connected Community Assessment for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS); working closely with or serving as the Principal Investigator (PI) and subject-matter experts to meet project goals and ensure high-quality, actionable outputs; independently leading research activities, contributing to study design, implementing and refining research methods, preparing IRB submissions, analyzing and synthesizing diverse sets of data, and supporting project leadership in ensuring the successful execution of all phases of the assessment; working with center and university leadership to manage existing and develop new relationships with mil-vet organizations and funders.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in science or engineering with experience in public interest research, excellent leadership and communication skills, and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and public impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Research

Lead research projects focused on military-connected and veteran populations. Design and implement surveys, assessments, and other research activities. Prepare IRB submissions and ensure research compliance requirements are met. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data and develop actionable recommendations. Lead the biennial Ohio Military-Connected Community Assessment and related sponsored research efforts. Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans to inform research and policy development. Collaborate with faculty, sponsors, and community partners to advance military and veterans initiatives. Contribute to grant proposals, publications, presentations, and project deliverables. Provide guidance and oversight to research assistants and student staff.

Reporting

Prepare reports, presentations, and research deliverables for sponsors and stakeholders. Analyze and synthesize research findings into actionable recommendations. Communicate project outcomes and research impact to funders, university leadership, and community partners. Produce periodic and final project reports that meet sponsor requirements. Contribute to publications, presentations, and strategic planning efforts.

Administration

Manage project timelines, budgets, deliverables, and sponsor reporting requirements to ensure successful execution of grant-funded research initiatives. Coordinate meetings, stakeholder communications, and project logistics across university units, funders, and external partners. Maintain project documentation, data security protocols, and records in accordance with university and sponsor requirements. Support strategic planning, partnership development, and operational activities that advance the University and Battelle Center's military and veterans research agendas.

Additional Information

This is a 100% grant-funded, 3-year term (fixed term) position, contingent upon available funding and performance.

The salary for this position will be determined by internal equity, budget, and the candidate’s education and experience.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship and requires an onsite physical presence at the Ohio State main campus.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a relevant field (public policy, social sciences, public health, psychology, statistics, or related discipline), or equivalent experience. or equivalent experience required; 5 years of relevant experience required with Bachelor's Degree, or 3 years of relevant experience required with Master's Degree.
• Relevant research experience, preferably in survey research, program evaluation, population health, or veterans-related work. Demonstrated ability to independently lead research tasks on projects of large scope and complexity. Strong understanding of research methods, survey design, sampling approaches, and analytical techniques. Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS, Python) and data management.

Desired Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (public policy, social sciences, public health, psychology, statistics, or related discipline), 7-9 years of relevant experience, and robust connections within military and veterans communities.

Compensation & Benefits

The full range of health, retirement, tuition, vacation benefits offered at Ohio State are available to this position. To learn more, please visit https://hr.osu.edu/benefits/

The College

The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is ranked 16th in the nation and #1 in Ohio among 271 Public Affairs schools by U.S. News and World Report. This marks the college’s 10th year within the top 10% of public affairs graduate professional programs in the country. The college is also ranked among our peers in the following specialty areas: public management and leadership (7), nonprofit management (9), local government (18), social policy (19), public policy analysis (20), urban policy (22), and public finance and budgeting (25). Additionally, The Ohio State University ranked No. 5 internationally and No. 1 in the U.S. in public administration according to ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Location and Job Details

Location: Page Hall (0061) Position Type: Term (Fixed Term) Scheduled Hours: 40 Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.