Hybrid Senior Research Associate, Health & Human Service

at Vital Research

• Job title: Senior Research Associate, Health & Human Service
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: $105,000 - $120,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Postgraduate Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Los Angeles, United States

About the role

• Senior Research Associate managing complex quantitative projects and leading research teams in health and human services for Vital Research. Involves data analysis, client engagement, and team mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage research teams, ensuring achievement of project goals while fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment
• Oversee team performance, providing constructive feedback and ensuring timely project delivery with high-quality outcomes
• Promote cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders, clients, and senior leadership team to achieve project success
• Supervise Research Associates and mentor junior research staff, supporting their professional development and promoting continuous improvement
• Serve as the primary client liaison, provide expert consultation, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure client satisfaction
• Support business development efforts, including proposal writing and contributing to publications or presentations
• Lead end-to-end project execution for quantitative projects, including overall design, development of sampling frames, survey instrument development, data collection, quality assurance measures, and dissemination of findings, along with client communication
• Manage, clean, and analyze large datasets such as Medicare/Medicaid claims data using tools like Excel, Access, or SPSS
• Conduct data modeling and advanced statistical methods such as creating and applying sample weights, propensity score matching, and multi-level modeling
• Interpret findings to inform actionable recommendations.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in health, social science, or related field with 7+ years of postgraduate experience leading complex quantitative projects
• Proven experience in health and human services research or evaluation; background in public health or human services preferred
• Consulting experience outside academia with familiarity across diverse settings and deliverables
• Strong quantitative research and statistical analysis expertise, including univariate/multivariate methods, survey design, sampling, and data visualization; psychometrics a plus
• Proficient in statistical software (SPSS required; experience with SAS, Stata, or R preferred) with ability to write syntax
• Skilled in Microsoft Office 365 and online survey tools
• Proven leadership in managing projects, supervising teams, and mentoring staff
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Flexible, collaborative, and proactive, with the ability to work independently or within teams while establishing research best practices
• Proven experience in writing proposals and developing business development materials.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision
• Flexible vacation and work hours
• 401(k) after one year
• EAP
• Annual professional development stipend