About the position
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. With a commitment to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging, and equity for all, Westat believes that its greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences of its employees. The Principal Research Associate will join a team of leading public health researchers to oversee and support community-engaged research studies in a multi-state initiative intended to serve as a national model for community-engaged research. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in evidence-based and multi-level community interventions, evaluation research, training and technical assistance, and project management. This role is eligible for a remote work arrangement (U.S. based). In this position, the Principal Research Associate will manage a portfolio of community-engaged research studies focused on intervention research addressing social determinants of health and chronic conditions. They will provide programmatic, administrative, and scientific oversight to the portfolio, serving as a subject-matter expert in community-engaged and health equity research. The role involves identifying cross-portfolio opportunities for collaboration among research teams, developing initiative-level research questions, and contributing to publications in peer-reviewed and technical journals. Regular communication with research teams and project leadership is essential to review progress, provide strategic guidance, and ensure high-quality deliverables.
Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of community-engaged research studies focused on intervention research addressing social determinants of health and chronic conditions.
- Provide programmatic, administrative, and scientific oversight to the portfolio.
- Serve as subject-matter expert in community-engaged and health equity research, including frameworks, methodologies, best practices, and resources.
- Provide technical assistance to ensure rigorous research reflecting principles of meaningful community engagement.
- Identify cross-portfolio opportunities for collaboration among research teams and develop initiative-level research questions.
- Contribute to publications in peer-reviewed and technical journals.
- Meet and communicate regularly with research teams and community partners to review progress and provide strategic guidance.
- Monitor research teams' project costs, financial performance, and contractual deliverables.
- Lead or contribute to corporate business development activities.
Requirements
- PhD and 5 years post-doc related experience or master's degree and 8 years of post-graduate related experience.
- Experience managing project plans (e.g., budgets, deliverables, timelines) and project teams that include academic researchers and community partners.
- Experience providing training and/or technical assistance to academic researchers and community partners.
- In-depth scientific knowledge of public health programs, intervention research, infrastructure, current issues in science, and evidence-based practices, including a track record of publications and presentations.
- Experience in health equity and community-engaged research.
Nice-to-haves
- Knowledge and/or experience about social determinants of health research is a plus.
- Familiarity with implementation science research.
- Experience leading discussions with clients and stakeholders.
Benefits
- 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 1 floating holiday)
- 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
