Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.
Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Westat has an immediate opening for a Principal Research Associate, Scientific Lead to join our team of leading public health researchers in supporting community-engaged research and evaluation studies. Projects may focus on chronic conditions, social determinants of health, climate change impact on health, and engaging Tribal Nations and/or Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders. Work may include partnership engagement, training and technical assistance in program development, research, and evaluation to address health disparities and health equity in health promotion and disease prevention. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in project management, evidence-based and multi-level community interventions, evaluation research, training and technical assistance, and business development.
A hybrid work arrangement is preferred (1-2 days on-site from a Westat office). This position is also eligible for a remote work arrangement (U.S. based).
Job Responsibilities
• Lead and support qualitative and/or quantitative research, including major input to study design, instrument development, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Lead the provision of technical assistance to community-engaged research teams, including overseeing teams' workplans and developing training materials and workshops.
• Lead and partner with cross-functional project teams.
• Serve as subject-matter expert in community-engaged research, including frameworks, best practices, and resources.
• Provide subject-matter expertise in multi-level, evidence-based interventions to address chronic conditions, social determinants of health, and/or climate and health.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert to projects with an authentic lens toward engaging American Indians and Alaska Natives and/or Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.
• Provide operational support, overseeing and monitoring project costs as well as financial performance.
• Meet and communicate regularly with research teams to review progress, provide strategic guidance, and identify risks and potential solutions to ensure that teams’ deliverables are on time and high quality.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with project leadership about successes and challenges with research teams and contribute to developing solutions.
• Lead and participate in business development activities including capture and proposal development.
• Contribute to report results for publication in peer-reviewed and technical journals.
Basic Qualifications
• PhD and 5 years post-doc of related experience.
• Experience managing project plans (e.g., budgets, deliverables, timelines) and project teams that include academic researchers and community partners.
• In depth scientific knowledge of public health programs, intervention research, infrastructure, and current issues and evidence-based practices.
• Experience in health equity and community-engaged research.
• Knowledge of and experience developing American Indian and Alaska Native and/or Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health-related and behavior change programs and collaborating with organizations focused on American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and nations.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working in or collaborating with academic institutions
• Familiarity with implementation science research
Minimum Required Qualifications:
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
- Sick Leave (10 days per year)
- Holiday Leave (7 Government Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays per year)
- Professional Development
- Health Advocate
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.
#LI-WST1
#Remote
