Research Scientist

Focus: Health services research, implementation science, geriatrics

The West Health Accelerator (WHA) at Mass General Brigham, in collaboration with the Center for Aging and Serious Illness at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Mass General Brigham (MGB) health system, is seeking a full-time investigator to facilitate the research direction of the WHA at MGB. The ideal candidate will be a health services research professional with expertise in implementation science. Potential candidates will be PhD (or equivalent) investigators with scholarly expertise in health services research and/or one or more of its many constituent fields, such as health policy, psychology, anthropology, sociology, statistics, economics, and related areas. Expertise in geriatrics and inpatient program evaluation is highly desirable.

The WHA Program will expand the Superior Treatment of Elders Pathway (STEP) from the Center for Geriatric Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital to nine hospitals in the MGB system and package the learnings into a scalable national model. The Research Scientist will be responsible for leading the evaluation of STEP expansion, including both implementation science and effectiveness evaluation.

Reporting to the WHA co-Director and the Director of the Center for Aging and Serious Illness at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), this role will drive the WHA’s research agenda to determine acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability of implementing the STEP pathway across MGB hospitals. The candidate will contribute to driving the Center’s overall strategic research agenda and be expected to actively engage in the development and execution of research initiatives in collaboration with the Center for Geriatric Surgery, as well as other related departments across the health system. This position will also be expected to foster collaborative relationships. WHA stakeholders including West Health leadership, the WHA co-directors, content leaders, and staff, the Center for Surgery and Public Health (CSPH) and The Patient-Reported Outcomes, Value and Experience (PROVE) Center. Housed within the Center or Aging and Serious Illness at MGH, this Research Scientist will have access to robust research infrastructure, including support staff, mentorship, software, and institutional resources. The role will require frequent collaboration with teams at BWH, including in-person meetings.

Responsibilities:

• Direct and manage a scientifically rigorous research program at the highest international standards, ensuring a competitive research portfolio.
• Meet regularly with programmatic leadership to discuss strategic planning, opportunities to enhance operations, and management approaches.
• Oversee data collection and ensure the integrity and ethical conduct, maintaining the highest standards of data quality.
• Cultivate a rich research environment predicted upon professionalism, integrity, inclusivity, and dedicated to conducting rigorous and impactful quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods implementation science research.
• Select, mentor, and direct post-doctoral research fellows, medical students, and research assistants associated with local residency programs and federal training grants who will make substantive contributions to the research program.
• Consult and assist faculty and trainees on project design, grant applications, study protocols, manuscripts, or IRB submissions.
• Work collaboratively to establish outcome measures to evaluate clinical care and for clinical research associated with the WHA.
• Monitor personnel resource allocations and advise research leadership on factors affecting delivery of milestones.
• Work closely with research management and program management staff to deliver research projects within budget and on time.
• Delegate project tasks among project teams and proactively take steps to help others move forward, whether it is planning project-specific meetings, getting people to make decisions, bringing in additional resources, etc.

Required Qualifications:

• A scientist or clinician-scientist with a PhD, ScD, DrPH, or equivalent degree in Health Services Research, Implementation Science, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• In particular, candidates should have a strong quantitative background and demonstrate a research portfolio that leverages implementation science to advance care quality and health equity within the healthcare system.
• Proven track record in managing multidisciplinary projects and cross-functional teams.
• Deep knowledge of the standards for the responsible conduct of research and IRB requirements.
• Productive track record of seeing research protocols and projects from inception to publication.
• A history of successful and productive relationships with mentees.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed healthcare environment with diverse colleagues and roles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, paired with strong analytical and logical reasoning abilities.
• Time management skills with the capability to prioritize among multiple requests from multiple individuals and the ability to change direction in response to a fluctuating work environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in managing timelines, budgets, and study milestones.
• Ability to manage diverse teams with different skillsets, work styles, and professional roles.
• Problem-solving ability, including the ability to gather information, identify resources, and imagine alternatives.
• Competency utilizing and presenting data to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working with, teaching, or mentoring/supervising diverse groups along with the ability to contribute to fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research that directly impacts patient care and outcomes across a leading health system. We seek candidates whose interests complement and enhance our existing strengths. Applications will be evaluated regarding the applicant’s record of scholarly activity and the relevance of their research. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

If you’re excited about the position but don’t meet all the qualifications listed above, please apply anyway! The West Health Accelerator at MGB is committed to fostering an environment founded in principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Please attach a cover letter to your application submission. The cover letter should express your interest in the position and highlight how your education, training, skillset, and/or professional experience have prepared you for this role.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and productively.
• Strong research design and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to problem solve.
• Strong teaching skills and ability to supervise trainees and students.
• In depth knowledge of field of research; genetics, immunology, and tumor models.
• Extensive post-graduate experience with small animal surgery and tumor models, molecular biology, immunobiology.

EDUCATION:

• PhD or MD required

EXPERIENCE:

• More than 5 years of post-doctoral experience in a research-related field required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Provides oversight to students and research trainees.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Normal lab environment.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

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