Research Scientist - Qualitative - Lincoln, RI or Telecommute

We're changing the way health care works for the better. That means consulting with our members, partnering with our physicians, and delivering drugs in the most efficient and effective way. Join us and start doing your life's best work.(sm)
 
Optum’s Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO) Division (formerly QualityMetric), is committed to improving healthcare through quality measurement in PRO survey design, development, validation, and outcomes analysis and reporting. The group supports customers across the life cycle of drug development for regulatory needs, payers’ needs, and observational studies. We also work with other clinical outcome assessments such as clinician-reported outcomes and observer-reported outcomes. This small team of experienced experts in psychometrics, with backgrounds in cognitive and clinical psychology, sociology, public health, biostatistics, and epidemiology, is based in Lincoln, RI, within driving distance from Massachusetts and Connecticut. Our team is collegial and supportive of work-life balance.
 
We are hiring a Research Scientist with a qualitative research focus. This position will support a broad range of studies aimed to better understand the patient’s experience related to conditions, their treatments, and the healthcare system. This includes (but is not limited to) development of new assessments, modification of existing assessments, and burden of disease studies.  Our projects involve research among patients, providers and other stakeholders.  Ability to develop presentations, technical reports, and manuscripts is required. Projects range from small, rapid turnover projects to large, multi-phase projects and range across multiple disease areas. The person hired for this position will lead multiple projects, working with a team, and may mentor junior level staff.
 
Primary Responsibilities:

Designs qualitative research studies, conducts interviews/moderates focus groups, analyzes data, interprets and reports results
Prepares technical reports, summaries, and protocols
Prepares and publishes scientific reports and manuscripts
Prepares for and presents at professional meetings and client-sponsored events, and prepares and publishes associated abstracts
Maintains substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art theory and application of qualitative research methods and of clinical outcome assessments
Responsible for all final project deliverables for which s/he is PI in terms of scientific quality and presentation quality, timeliness, and financial project performance
Interacts with clients, clinical experts, and research support staff to ensure that projects are completed in a timely fashion and in accordance with quality standards
Manages projects efficiently and effectively within guidelines of company and department standard operating procedures
Interacts effectively and collegially with all employees, fostering a supportive and cross departmental working environment
Delegates work as needed, provides supervision and training/mentoring to junior-level staff
Responsible for a moderate amount of participation in client calls and proposals for business development

Required Qualifications:

PhD in a relevant field (or Master’s for outstanding candidates with significant experience)
2+ years of post-doctoral experience (or 5+ years with Master’s) with direct experience conducting qualitative research in Healthcare

Experience designing and conducting qualitative research studies and knowledge of qualitative research methods
Proven track record of scientific accomplishment including publication history
Travel requirements Moderate; some travel required to conduct in person interviews estimate 5 trips per year at 2-3 days per trip; also one conference attendance per year
Preferred Qualifications:

Qualitative interview skills and experience with concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing interviews

Knowledge of survey development and survey research methods.
Experience using qualitative software (such as nVivo or ATLAS)

Experience moderating focus groups
Strong work ethic, ability to work independently, and demonstrated organizational skills
Strong oral and written communication skills: conveys messages clearly, accurately and concisely; work requires few clarifications/editions
Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment
Proven track record in meeting timelines and ability to manage multiple competing priorities
Self-starter who can creatively problem-solve, make decisions, and take initiative to lead and drive projects to completion
Strong integrity, follows ethical research standards
Demonstrates commitment, dedication, cooperation, positive behavior, adaptability and flexibility with changes in responsibilities and duties
Careers with Optum. Here's the idea. We built an entire organization around one giant objective; make health care work better for everyone. So when it comes to how we use the world's large accumulation of health-related information, or guide health and lifestyle choices or manage pharmacy benefits for millions, our first goal is to leap beyond the status quo and uncover new ways to serve. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, brings together some of the greatest minds and most advanced ideas on where health care has to go in order to reach its fullest potential. For you, that means working on high performance teams against sophisticated challenges that matter. Optum, incredible ideas in one incredible company and a singular opportunity to do your life's best work.(sm)
 
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
 
 
Job Keywords: Research Scientist, Qualitative, Research, Survey, Protocols, Manuscripts, Interviews, Focus Groups, Report, Lincoln, RI, Rhode Island