Principal Researcher, Health Innovations

Join AIR as a Principal Researcher and use your experience and knowledge to help us deliver on our mission: to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world for all. The Principal Researcher provides strategic direction across complex research initiatives, cultivates partnerships, and contributes thought leadership to AIR’s mission of generating and using rigorous evidence to create a better, more equitable world. The Principal Researcher serves as a trusted advisor to clients and collaborators, guides multidisciplinary teams, and shapes the future of AIR’s research agenda through innovation, mentorship, and enterprise-level contributions. 

The Principal Researcher will report to AIR's Healthcare Innovations Team, which supports high-quality implementation and produces rigorous evidence on the effectiveness of new approaches to care and payment—translating findings into actionable insights for policymakers, payers, providers, and patients.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s 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

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of complex, multi-method research studies across AIR’s client services portfolio.
• Serve as principal investigator or senior advisor on high-profile projects, ensuring methodological rigor, relevance, and impact. 
• Shape AIR’s research strategy by identifying emerging trends, funding opportunities, and areas for innovation. 
• Guide multidisciplinary teams in developing study designs, analytic plans, and dissemination strategies. 
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with clients, funders, and partners across sectors. 
• Provide thought leadership through publications, presentations, and participation in national forums. 
• Mentor and develop senior researchers and project staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning. 
• Lead proposal development efforts, including strategy, writing, and client engagement. 
• Oversee data collection and analysis activities, ensuring alignment with research goals and ethical standards. 
• Translate complex findings into actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders. 

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Masters in a relevant field (e.g., Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Public Policy) with a minimum of 11 years of postdoctoral experience in applied research.
• Extensive experience leading research projects in contract research, evaluation, or academic settings. 
• Deep understanding of implementation science and systems-level change. 
• Proven track record of securing funding and managing large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects. 
• Experience with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and associated software (e.g., STATA, R, NVivo, Excel). 
• Established reputation and professional network in relevant fields.