Research Scientist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Design and execute independent and collaborative research and evaluation studies that support the priorities of the 988 Lifeline.

• Perform quantitative and qualitative analyses utilizing 988 Lifeline data, survey data, pilot data, and other pertinent sources.

• Examine crisis service data to evaluate practices, outcomes, and opportunities for service enhancement.

• Create and facilitate research, pilot studies, and evaluation initiatives using methodologies suitable for crisis service environments.

• Develop, refine, and assess surveys, measurement tools, and other data collection instruments.

• Implement research frameworks and methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and quality of practices, interventions, and measures.

• Assist 988 departments with evaluation design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results.

• Maintain and periodically update the biannual literature review, which includes evidence searches, study summaries, citation tracking, and synthesis of findings.

• Prepare analytical summaries, reports, manuscripts, conference abstracts, presentations, briefs, and other materials for dissemination.

• Collaborate with Research and Evaluation colleagues, Lifeline departments, Data Analytics, Data Governance, and other internal partners.

• Interpret findings in light of operational context, research design, data quality, methodological constraints, and implications for practice.

• Keep clear documentation of methods, analytical decisions, limitations, and findings.

• Provide status updates, analytical findings, limitations, risks, and potential challenges to the Lead Research Scientist.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral-level research qualifications in Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, Health Services Research, or a related discipline is required.

• Equivalent qualifications may include ABD status (All but Dissertation) or, in exceptional cases, a Master’s degree with a significant record of independent research accomplishments comparable to doctoral-level preparation.

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in designing, conducting, analyzing, interpreting, or disseminating research or evaluation studies.

• A minimum of three to five years of relevant experience in conducting quantitative and/or qualitative analyses along with documenting methods, findings, and limitations.

• A minimum of three to five years of relevant experience in preparing literature reviews, evidence summaries, analytical summaries, reports, manuscripts, abstracts, or presentations.

• Proven experience in designing or supporting implementation studies, pilot studies, applied evaluation studies, public health research, behavioral health research, or crisis services research.

• A strong understanding of applied research, evaluation design, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and evidence synthesis.

• Proficiency in statistical software such as RStudio or similar tools for quantitative analysis and data visualization.

• Capability to conduct or assist in qualitative data collection, coding, thematic analysis, and mixed-methods interpretation.

• Ability to select and apply suitable statistical methods or modeling techniques to complex datasets, including those with missing data.

• Familiarity with research ethics, transparent documentation, and reproducible research practices.

• Proficiency with relevant statistical, qualitative, productivity, project management, and collaboration tools.

• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and effectively in a fully remote environment using asynchronous communication tools.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.

• Will regularly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.

• Will frequently engage in communication over video calls with internal and external stakeholders.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Supplemental income insurance

• Employer paid disability insurance

• Employer paid life insurance

• Pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care

• 401K