The Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management at Boston University School of Public Health is seeking a full-time (40 hours/week) Postdoctoral Research Associate to support project coordination and research activities focused on how Medicaid accountable care models impact quality and equity of care for pregnant and postpartum patients. The candidate will work under the direction of Dr. Megan Cole Brahim (PI) and Dr. Lois McCloskey.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will play a key role in the day-to-day research activities of a five year research project, funded by the NIH National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). They will work with a multidisciplinary research team made up of clinicians, health services researchers, health economists, social epidemiologists, and biostatisticians from Boston University and Boston Medical Center (BMC), in collaboration with health system partners from across Massachusetts. The aims of the research project are to: (1) evaluate the effect of Medicaid accountable care organizations (ACOs) on quality of care measures for pregnant patients across the prenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods, including differential impacts across racial and ethnic groups, using administrative claims data, (2) evaluate how different Medicaid ACO model designs impact maternal health outcomes, using administrative claims data, and (3) assess how efforts to address maternal health outcomes and equity are being operationalized and prioritized within Medicaid ACOs, and how this varies by model type, by conducting key informant interviews with ACO leadership and clinicians.

Essential functions:

The primary responsibilities will include managing relationships and communications with ACO partners, including scheduling and recruiting interview participants (20%); providing research support across the lifecycle of the project’s qualitative components (e.g., drafting interview guides, testing interview guides, coding and analyzing transcripts) (30%); conducting literature reviews (15%); creating tables and figures based on quantitative output (5%); supporting manuscript writing and preparation of presentations (20%); and other project coordination activities as needed (10%). There will also be dedicated time to support professional development and career growth.

Required skills:

• Highly organized and detail oriented
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated and able to work well independently, while also working well with teams
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and efficiently manage time
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience conducting qualitative research (e.g., transcript coding and analysis)
• Proficiency in NVivo software
• Experience conducting literature reviews
• Interest in maternal health, Medicaid policy, quality of care, equity of care, and/or value-based payment models
• Doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, or equivalent) in health policy, health services research, health care management, epidemiology, sociology, community health sciences, or a related field

Preferred skills:

• Experience coordinating or managing academic research projects
• Experience working with health care leadership
• Experience working with health care data sets
• Proficiency in using SAS or Stata
• Coursework or experience with introductory statistics or biostatistics
• Candidates from historically excluded or marginalized groups are especially encouraged to apply

We seek a 2 year commitment for this position. Up to 5 years of grant funding is available. Position is located in Boston, MA, with a hybrid in-person and remote work schedule.

To apply:

To apply, please submit a (1) cover letter and (2) resume or CV to mbcole@bu.edu. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Position is availability immediately.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement  within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions ). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources  site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.