Principal Researcher, Healthcare Implementation & Monitoring

Join AIR as a Principal Researcher with our Healthcare Innovations team. Our team works collaboratively to unravel the intertwined challenges of health care quality, costs, and access. Our team of experts – nurses, physicians, psychologists, economists, sociologists, data scientists, and public health experts – advance evidence and save lives by leading rigorous research and evaluation; results-driven technical assistance and training; and leading-edge data science and technology tools.

This Principal Researcher will contribute to large-scale implementation and monitoring initiatives for federal health agencies. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in monitoring frameworks, analytic design, alternative payment models, and federal program operations—particularly Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI).

This role emphasizes monitoring expertise, methodological rigor, and the ability to lead large projects or tasks, contribute to thought leadership, project execution, and business development in AIR’s large and growing implementation and monitoring portfolio.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our 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:

Thought Leadership & Technical Expertise

• Serve as a subject matter and methodological expert in the implementation and monitoring of federal health programs, especially alternative payment models, and value-based care initiatives.

• Provide leadership in designing monitoring frameworks, performance metrics, data collection plans, and analytic strategies for implementation and monitoring contracts.

• Contribute to AIR’s technical vision for CMS and CMMI work, helping shape approaches that meet federal expectations for rigor, transparency, and accuracy.

Project Execution & Oversight

• Direct large, complex implementation and monitoring or evaluation projects—or a portfolio of smaller projects—ensuring alignment with federal requirements and high quality delivery, on time and on budget.

• Oversee the planning, design, and implementation of project procedures, including monitoring plans, analytic plans, research protocols, monitoring reports, risk summaries, and stakeholder engagement strategies.

• Serve as a senior contributor to model testing, monitoring, and evaluation tasks, including real-time monitoring, operational assessments, and rapid cycle learning.

• Collaborate with data and analytic teams to connect monitoring indicators to underlying data sources (claims, administrative, practice‑based, state‑based).

• Guide development of data protocols, dashboard requirements, and reporting structures for monitoring deliverables.

CMS Facing Expertise & Business Development

• Serve as a thought partner to AIR leadership on work conducted for CMS/CMMI, interpreting federal priorities, model goals, and policy developments.

• Lead or significantly contribute to proposal development involving monitoring, implementation, and operational oversight including designing methodological approaches, reviewing narratives for soundness, and leading staffing and budgeting decisions.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with federal clients and partners, helping position AIR for future CMS and HHS opportunities.

Team Leadership, Mentorship & Collaboration

• Coach, mentor, and support junior and midcareer staff, setting developmental goals and modeling high quality technical and analytic work.

• Collaborate with colleagues across research, analytics, communications, TA, and operations teams to ensure integrated, high quality products.

• 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, Health Services Research, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience managing and conducting research or related work or Master’s degree and at least 11 years of relevant experience.

• Minimum of 5 years project leadership experience or large task leadership experience on complex implementation, analytics, research, or evaluation projects.

• Direct experience working on CMS implementation, monitoring, evaluation, or operational support.

• Proven track record of winning or contributing to winning new business with CMS or other HHS agencies.

• Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policy, Medicaid and/or Medicare Advantage.

• Experience working with Medicare or Medicaid claims, and other publicly available datasets.

Skills

• Demonstrated monitoring expertise, including developing monitoring plans, indicators, protocols, and analysis to support federal program oversight.

• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills appropriate for a senior‑level researcher.

• Extensive experience in conceptualizing, analyzing, and contributing to large‑scale federally funded projects.

• Excellent written communication skills with a commitment to accuracy, clarity, and evidence‑based messaging.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.

• Strong strategic thinking and ability to see the broader context of complex research and implementation projects.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [email protected] call 202.403.5000.

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AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range
$147,600—$196,800 USD