Research Associate (Rural Health)

Summary

The University of Connecticut’s Innovations Institute is evaluating the Connecticut Rural Health Transformation Program, a statewide initiative focused on improving rural healthcare access and outcomes. The Research Associate 1 will support research design, quantitative and mixed-methods analysis, data management, stakeholder technical assistance, project coordination, compliance, reporting, and dissemination of findings.

Responsibilities

• Assist with, facilitate, and co-lead the design and development of research and evaluation plans, including study design, sampling, measurement, data collection procedures, and analytic strategy across assigned projects
• Work directly with stakeholders and project teams to identify research and evaluation needs and translate them into rigorous, feasible study designs that support continuous quality improvement (CQI) and evaluation goals
• Assist with, facilitate, and co-lead quantitative and mixed-methods analytic plans, applying appropriate statistical methods and interpreting findings to generate actionable insights
• Manage complex data sets and primary data using statistical software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, SAS, R, STATA), and establish processes to ensure data quality, accuracy, and analysis readiness
• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize evidence to inform study design, contextualize findings, and support evidence-based recommendations
• Provide technical assistance to service providers and public agencies in developing data collection procedures, building instruments, reviewing data, and resolving data quality issues
• Develop data visualizations tailored to internal and external stakeholders that clearly communicate complex findings
• Facilitate the preparation and management of Data Use Agreements (DUAs), IRB submissions, and related compliance documentation
• Independently write and co-author products, including academic manuscripts, public-facing one-pagers, and technical reports for decision-makers
• Supervise, mentor, and provide guidance to graduate students and other research staff on data collection, analysis, storage, and reporting, and review their work for quality and accuracy
• Serve as a subject-matter expert in program evaluation, implementation science, and quantitative data analysis for internal and external partners
• Assist with the Rural Health Evaluation Advisory Board and the evaluators' Community of Practice (CoP)
• Coordinate and facilitate internal and external communications and meetings
• Co-author manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at academic and professional conferences
• Contribute to the development and writing of federal, state, and private grant proposals
• Contribute to and manage work plans, ensuring milestones and reporting deadlines are met
• Perform other duties as needed

Skills

• Master's degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Education, Public Policy, Public Health, Health Science, Statistics, Economics, or another field of study related to research
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relevant subject-matter knowledge related to rural health, health services, program evaluation, and the RHTP initiative areas
• Experience performing literature reviews and presenting results
• Demonstrated knowledge of research study design and data collection procedures, and the ability to understand and use scientific terminology and research theory
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulations governing the confidentiality of subjects and the ability to maintain the confidentiality of information obtained
• Evidence of skill in statistical programming, data and statistical analysis, and interpreting findings using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, STATA)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at once, respond to tight timelines, pay close attention to detail, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Social Work, Education, Public Policy, Public Health, Health Science, Statistics, Economics, or another field of study related to research
• Experience developing and maintaining effective working relationships with partners, including funders, internal colleagues, and other stakeholders, and partnering with diverse stakeholders to develop research agendas related to outcomes, feedback, and evaluations
• Demonstrated skill in using measurable and verifiable information for making decisions and judgments
• Experience supervising or mentoring graduate students, trainees, or junior research staff in a research or evaluation setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of implementation science, rapid-cycle evaluation, and data visualization
• Experience supervising other analysts, including drafting evaluation plans
• Demonstrated ability to convey complex information clearly, in writing and orally, so that it is easily understood by stakeholders and organizations
• Stated willingness to learn and effectively use new technology, maintaining productivity and using strategies to increase knowledge base

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Master's degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Education, Public Policy, Public Health, Health Science, Statistics, Economics, or another field of study related to research
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relevant subject-matter knowledge related to rural health, health services, program evaluation, and the RHTP initiative areas
• Experience performing literature reviews and presenting results
• Demonstrated knowledge of research study design and data collection procedures, and the ability to understand and use scientific terminology and research theory
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulations governing the confidentiality of subjects and the ability to maintain the confidentiality of information obtained
• Evidence of skill in statistical programming, data and statistical analysis, and interpreting findings using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, STATA)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at once, respond to tight timelines, pay close attention to detail, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment

Nice to Haves

• Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Social Work, Education, Public Policy, Public Health, Health Science, Statistics, Economics, or another field of study related to research
• Experience developing and maintaining effective working relationships with partners, including funders, internal colleagues, and other stakeholders, and partnering with diverse stakeholders to develop research agendas related to outcomes, feedback, and evaluations
• Demonstrated skill in using measurable and verifiable information for making decisions and judgments
• Experience supervising or mentoring graduate students, trainees, or junior research staff in a research or evaluation setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of implementation science, rapid-cycle evaluation, and data visualization
• Experience supervising other analysts, including drafting evaluation plans
• Demonstrated ability to convey complex information clearly, in writing and orally, so that it is easily understood by stakeholders and organizations
• Stated willingness to learn and effectively use new technology, maintaining productivity and using strategies to increase knowledge base

Benefits

• Positions with the Innovations Institute are fully remote.
• Employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn.
• A highly desirable work environment.