American Institutes for Research (AIR)

Principal Researcher, Prescription Drug Policy

Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Economics, Health Services Research, or related field with 7+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's with 11+ years.
  • 5+ years of experience leading or managing large federal contracts.
  • Direct experience with CMMI alternative payment models or CMS drug pricing programs.
  • Proven track record of securing business with agencies like CMS and HHS.
  • Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policies and programs.

Responsibilities

  • Lead project execution and business development for CMS and CMMI initiatives.
  • Direct large complex projects and oversee project planning and implementation.
  • Provide expert advice on prescription drug pricing and rebate programs.
  • Lead proposal efforts, including proposal reviews and client relationship building.
  • Act as an industry expert on alternative payment models and Medicare-related pricing policies.
  • Mentor and coach team members to foster their professional growth.
  • Promote a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Benefits

  • Flexibility for remote work within the U.S. or from select office locations.
  • Comprehensive rewards program designed to motivate and compensate staff well.
Full Job Description
Join AIR as a Principal Researcher, Prescription Drug Policy with our Healthcare Innovations team. This position leads complex CMS/CMMI prescription drug policy research, drives federal business development, and provides senior expertise on drug pricing and payment models to generate rigorous, actionable evidence for policymakers.

The Principal Researcher will report into 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 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.
Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include:
  • Leads project and task execution and business development, specifically for work conducted for CMS and the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI).
  • Directs execution of large complex projects or portfolio of smaller projects; oversees the planning, design, and implementation of project procedures.
  • Provides senior subject matter expertise related to prescription drug prescribing, pricing, and rebate programs to delivery teams and/or proposal teams.
  • Leads proposal efforts including review of proposals for sound practices and techniques, briefings, and client relation/development activities.
  • Serves as industry expert for alternative payment models, value-based reimbursement, or Medicare payment policies, especially as they relate to prescription drug policies and pricing.
  • Effectively coaches and manages others to promote their development; sets developmental goals and measurements for staff.
  • Fosters an environment that values a wide range of perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and individual strengths.
Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience
  • Ph.D. in Economics, Health Services Research, Pharmacoeconomics 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 of experience leading or managing large federal contracts.
  • Direct experience on prior or current CMMI alternative payment model contracts or CMS drug pricing programs.
  • Proven track record of winning new business with CMS, AHRQ, or other HHS agencies.
  • Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policy, Medicare Advantage, and/or Medicaid.
  • Knowledge of Medicare claims, provider claims, survey data, and publicly available datasets, including Part D encounter data and other prescription drug event data.

Skills

  • Strategic thinker with the ability to align research with policy and practice needs.
  • Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and present complex findings to varied audiences.
  • Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
  • Advanced project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Skilled in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and relationship-building.
  • Commitment to equity, rigor, and innovation in research.


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.

#LI-AS1 #LI-REMOTE

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

$155,700-$190,000 USD

About American Institutes for Research (AIR)

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan behavioral and social science research, evaluation, assessment, and technical assistance organization based in Washington, D.C. AIR was established in 1946 as a behavioral and social science research organization. AIR's mission is to conduct and apply the best behavioral and social science research and evaluation towards improving people's lives, with a special emphasis on the disadvantaged. AIR has more than 2,000 employees and offices across the United States and abroad.
Learn more about American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1946

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