Senior Research Scientist - Medicare and/or Medicaid Research - Remote or Hybrid Office

Company: NORC at the University of Chicago
Location: Bethesda
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

JOB DESCRIPTION: NORC at the University of Chicago seeks a qualified Senior Research Scientist to direct program and policy projects related to Medicare and/or Medicaid, including projects involving policy analysis, focus groups, literature reviews, structured interviews with stakeholders including health care providers, insurers, policymakers, and patients, and quantitative analysis. NORC recognizes that talented and skilled researchers live throughout the U.S. and actively supports remote work arrangements. As a condition of employment, all NORC employees and contractors – including those working remotely - must be fully vaccinated (as defined by current CDC guidance) against COVID-19. DEPARTMENT: Health Care Evaluation and Programs NORC’s expertise and ongoing work in health care delivery and financing — including access to insurance, payment and delivery-system reform, benefit design, and quality measurement — advance stakeholders’ understanding of policies and programs, facilitate implementation, and contribute to important improvements in cost and quality. NORC’s expert staff has extensive knowledge of all aspects of health care delivery, from private marketplaces and employer-sponsored insurance to Medicare and Medicaid; from large health care systems to small clinics; and from the needs of children to those of older adults, people with disabilities, and ethnic and racial minorities. Our expert team includes social scientists that acquire, collect, and analyze data from health care organizations and patients; evaluators; health services researchers; health-policy analysts; and professionals with first-hand experience running and supporting health care programs. RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide consultative policy analysis, evaluation expertise, and operational and technical support for federal clients focused on key domains of health-services research, including but not limited to Medicare, Medicaid, payment and delivery-system reform, population heath, health-care quality, and social determinants of health Design and conduct quantitative and qualitative research studies, evaluations, and analyses; develop structured interview protocols and content; and lead stakeholder interviews Independently draft and manage contract proposals and grant applications, communicating effectively with clients, consultants, and members of the policy and research community Participate in and contribute to internal discussions and strategic thinking concerning future research opportunities and the implications of ongoing policy-making for NORC Manage contracts and work closely with clients to ensure that contractual requirements (deliverables and timelines) and client expectations are met using the highest standards of quality and collegiality Manage multiple project teams of senior, mid-level, and junior staff, and bring in experts as needed, to meet client expectations and contractual requirements Supervise and mentor junior staff Monitor and oversee the financial and administrative aspects of ongoing projects. REQUIRED SKILLS: Master or Doctoral degree in public policy or related fields (training in an array of social science disciplines will be considered). At least 9 years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility in evaluation research, policy analysis, survey research or related field (or equivalent education) including at least 3 years of social science project management. Knowledge of the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs, including delivery system reform, provider payment, access to care, and beneficiary experience. Familiarity with Medicare, Medicaid, and/or commercial claims data Experience working for the federal government or a federal contractor, ideally with work focusing on the Medicare and/or Medicaid program. Experience with conducting policy analysis in a government or professional services environment. Experience with and knowledge of the principles of quantitative and qualitative research design, data collection, and data analysis. Experience with estimating project and proposal costs and managing project budgets. Excellent oral and written communication skills and aptitude in leading and working with project teams, coordinating multiple projects (including those run by others within NORC). Occasional travel for site visits and meetings may be required. WHAT WE DO: NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge. WHO WE ARE: For over 75 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale. EEO STATEMENT: NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics. LI-MS1 LI-Remote

Keywords: NORC at the University of Chicago, Bethesda , Senior Research Scientist - Medicare and/or Medicaid Research - Remote or Hybrid Office, Science, Research & Development , Bethesda, Maryland