Research and Evaluation Associate I: Child Health Initiatives

Job Description Summary:

Job Description:

The Research and Evaluation Associate I plays an important supporting role in advancing the Weitzman Institute’s research portfolio focused on primary care transformation, workforce development, behavioral health, and other initiatives affecting Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and safety-net systems nationwide. This position will specifically support research efforts focused on early relational health, child development, and child mental health and wellbeing. This position supports day-to-day research and evaluation activities under the guidance of senior research scientists, research scientists, and other senior project staff. This role contributes to data collection, instrument development, intermediate-level data analyses, research dissemination products, and development of research proposals while continuing to build independent research capacity.

The Research and Evaluation Associate I assists with research tasks, such as designing data collection instruments, conducting analyses, and drafting manuscript sections, with significant supervision and mentorship. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, analytic competence, and the ability to translate findings into clear written products. Major oversight and review are expected across research design, analysis, and writing tasks.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Research & Data Analysis

Under significant guidance from senior staff, the Associate I will:

• Lead 2–3 research tasks per quarter, such as developing data collection instruments, conducting analyses, or synthesizing findings.
• Design or revise at least 2 data collection instruments annually (e.g., surveys, interview guides, abstraction tools).
• Conduct intermediate quantitative or qualitative analyses for at least 2 projects per year, including:
  • T-tests, ANOVAs, correlations, cross-tabulations
  • Basic regression models
  • Thematic coding and qualitative synthesis
• Maintain ≥95% accuracy in data collection, cleaning, documentation, and analytic outputs.
• Contribute to 2–4 manuscripts per year as first-author or co-author.
• Support compliance with research ethics and regulatory standards, including:
  • Preparing IRB submissions or modifications
  • Maintaining protocol documentation
  • Ensuring adherence to approved study procedures.

Dissemination & Reporting

With guidance from senior staff, the Associate I will:

• Contribute content to 2–4 reports or presentations per year, including PowerPoint slides, figures, tables, and conference abstracts.
• Draft 2–3 full annual report sections.
• Deliver at least 2 internal presentations per year to research or cross-functional teams.
• Translate analytic findings into clear summaries for operational, clinical, and policy audiences.

Project Management & Proposal Support

• Independently manage timelines for at least one defined project component, ensuring deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Contribute to at least 2 grant proposals per year by preparing supporting materials, including:
  • Timelines and work plans
  • Tables and figures
  • Biosketches and letters of support
  • Background materials

Professional Development & Team Collaboration

• Participate actively in team meetings and analytic discussions.
• Seek and incorporate feedback to strengthen research design, analysis, and writing skills.
• Contribute to collaborative team culture and shared learning.
• Develop increasing independence in analytic reasoning and scientific writing over time.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Skills and Education

• Master’s degree in public health, health services research, epidemiology, biostatistics, or related field

Required Experience & Skills

• Experience supporting applied research or program evaluation projects focused on children and youth (e.g., youth mental health initiatives, early developmental research).
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative data analysis, with additional qualitative analysis experience preferred.
• Proficiency in at least one statistical software package (e.g., R, SPSS).
• Strong written communication skills, with experience drafting reports or manuscript sections.
• High attention to detail and ability to maintain documentation accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with supervision.
• Familiarity with research ethics and IRB processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience analyzing longitudinal, electronic health r