Senior Economist, Healthcare Innovations

AIR is currently seeking a Senior Health Economist to conduct policy-related research and evaluation studies focused on domestic health care programs, including topics such as Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health insurance programs; innovative delivery and payment models; rural hospitals; aging and long-term care; health plan performance and quality measurement; telehealth; and health information technology.

The Senior Economist 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 design and implementation of conceptual frameworks for complex research projects. 
• Direct the management and analysis of large-scale datasets using advanced econometric techniques. 
• Apply rigorous quantitative methods to evaluate programs, policies, and interventions. 
• Oversee the documentation of analytic procedures and ensure reproducibility and transparency. 
• Author technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and policy briefs; present findings to clients, stakeholders, and academic audiences. 
• Lead proposal development, including conceptual design, methodology, and budgeting. 
• Mentor and supervise junior economists and research analysts, fostering professional growth and technical excellence. 
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams and ensure high-quality deliverables aligned with client expectations. 
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, providing strategic and analytical expertise. 
• Contribute to AIR’s strategic initiatives and thought leadership in economics and public policy. 
• Contribute to a collaborative environment that values and respects a wide range of perspectives, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, or a related social science field, with demonstrated expertise in econometrics or applied statistics. 
• Minimum of 3 years of experience conducting quantitative research in policy-relevant domains. 
• Extensive experience with STATA and proficiency in other statistical tools (e.g., R, Python) is preferred, but not required.
• Proven track record of designing and executing experimental and quasi-experimental studies. 
• Prior research experience on health care delivery and payment models using advanced methods (e.g., fixed effects, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables).
• Experience managing complex projects and working with government, nonprofit, or philanthropic clients. 

Skills

• Strong business development acumen and proposal writing experience. 
• Exceptional quantitative and analytical skills. 
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical findings for non-technical audiences.