Research Associate, Healthcare Innovations

Join AIR as a Research Associate focused on Medicaid Policy and Programs with our Healthcare Innovations team. Our team works collaboratively to address complex challenges related to Medicaid coverage, care delivery, cost containment, and health equity, supporting federal and state partners in improving outcomes for low‑income and medically vulnerable populations.

The Research Associate 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 role will contribute directly to studies that inform Medicaid policy design, program evaluation, and system transformation.

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:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.  

Responsibilities:

• Assist project teams in compiling and synthesizing information (e.g., conducting literature reviews and policy scans). 
• Prepare and assist with primary source data collection through interviews, focus groups, and surveys; organize materials; and contribute to content development. 
• Participate in the collection and review of research and evaluation data. 
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data and contribute to the reporting and interpretation of findings. 
• Prepare documents, portions of reports, briefs, charts, and graphs that describe and interpret findings of analyses. 
• Support proposal writing and business development activities. 
• Support project management tasks, including developing project timelines, coordinating meetings, and tracking project progress. 

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of experience, or a Master’s degree in the social sciences or related fields. 
• Direct experience with Medicaid policy and/or data is required.
• Experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative data collection. 
• Experience using or working on analyses with Python or R, highly desirable.

Skills

• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in data collection and report writing. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite. 
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment. 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills. 

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 any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locks, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. 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 tboone@air.org or call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

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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 Hourly Rate Range$33—$40 USD