Sr. Research Associate -Mental Health/Substance Use - Remote

Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.

Job Summary:
Westat has an immediate opening for a Senior Research Associate to join our team of leading researchers in our continued work on behavioral health and health policy. You will be supporting projects that address the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use conditions.

In this highly collaborative role, you will work closely with project leadership and multi-disciplinary project teams to translate science into resources for diverse audiences including federal and state agency partners, provider and consumer organizations, and individuals and families. Your subject matter expertise will enable you to consult on behavioral health issues as needed with researchers within and outside of Westat and contribute to peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports based on your project work. Additional substantive opportunities include work on mental health financing, behavioral health program evaluation, mental health and substance use services research, health equity, social determinants of health, and opioids.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day operations of complex behavioral health research projects including project management, data collection/data management, data analysis, report writing and manuscript preparation
• Take a lead role in operationalizing project scope, goals, and deliverables including: 
• Develop, monitor and adjust long- and short-term plans for project deliverables
• Set target milestones and goals for adhering to deadlines
• Define staffing needs, roles, and responsibilities
• Delegate tasks to appropriate team members
• Lead in the development and implementation of methods to monitor the effectiveness of processes, protocols, and procedures
• Direct and manage evaluations, technical assistance, and training contracts
• Lead on business development opportunities with networks of internal and external staff on proposals and projects from a variety of federal agencies, states, and foundations
• Lead on qualitative or quantitative data analysis, interpretation, and write up findings for multiple audiences
• Lead on the development and presentation of research findings at conferences and other meetings

Basic Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in health policy, economics, or a social science discipline such as psychology, sociology, or analytical methods such as applied statistics with +6 years relevant experience; or a PhD in health policy, economics, or a social science discipline such as psychology, sociology, or analytical methods such as applied statistics with 2-4 years of relevant post-doctoral experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience writing technical reports (such as literature reviews, study plans, methodology reports, summaries of research findings) or contributing to peer-review journal articles
• Experience in behavioral health conditions and disabilities research

Other Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated communication skills
• Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
• Sick Leave (10 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays plus 2 floating holidays)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.

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