Research Scientist – Value-based payment (VBP) and delivery system transformation - Chicago, Washington DC or Remote

JOB SUMMARY:

Join the Health Care Programs Department at NORC as a Research Scientist and contribute to one of the nation’s most respected research institutions during a period of strategic growth. This role supports federal and state health policy initiatives through applied research, policy analysis, and technical assistance, with a strong and growing emphasis on value-based payment (VBP) and delivery system transformation.

The Research Scientist will provide task leadership on projects supporting Medicare and Medicaid programs, including policy analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, and technical assistance to federal and state agencies. The role will contribute to work focused on health care financing and payment reform, including helping clients analyze, implement, and refine value-based purchasing and alternative payment approaches.

The successful candidate will support projects such as analyzing Medicare and Medicaid policy changes, informing program design and operations, and helping clients understand how payment structures, incentives, and performance measurement drive cost, quality, and access outcomes.

Work Location

This is a hybrid role based in either our Chicago Loop or Washington, DC office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office. Remote work status may be considered for outstanding candidates.

Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

DEPARTMENT: Health Care Programs Research

NORC’s Health Care Programs team provides a wide array of services and expertise to support federal and state government and foundation clients in addressing health system transformation and delivery, payment reform and implementation, and a range of policy issues facing public health insurance programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace coverage.

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, and people with disabilities. 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:

Serve as a task or team leader on complex analytic and technical components of projects, or across a portfolio of smaller projects, as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Conduct policy analysis and applied research on Medicare and Medicaid programs, with a focus on health care financing, provider payment, and value-based payment strategies.

Support technical assistance to federal and state clients by translating policy goals into operational and analytic approaches, particularly in the context of payment reform and delivery system transformation.

Design and implement qualitative and quantitative analyses using survey, administrative (e.g., claims), and other data sources to assess utilization, cost, quality, and beneficiary experience.

Conduct analyses examining how payment models and financial incentives influence provider behavior, care delivery, and program outcomes, including within managed care and fee-for-service environments.

Contribute to work supporting value-based payment and alternative payment models, including analytic and policy support related to:

patient attribution approaches

risk adjustment methodologies

cost and utilization measurement

quality and performance metrics

benchmarking and target setting

payment structures and incentive design

Analyze and synthesize findings to inform policy development, program design, and operational decision-making, including identifying trade-offs and implementation considerations.

Develop data collection instruments, including surveys and structured interview protocols; lead or co-lead stakeholder interviews with providers, plans, and policymakers.

Assist with project management activities, including oversight of budgets, timelines, and deliverables; coordinate with project leadership and clients to ensure high-quality execution.

Author sections of reports, policy briefs, and client deliverables; contribute to presentations and briefings for federal and state clients.

Support business development activities, including drafting proposal sections and contributing to analytic and methodological approaches for projects related to policy analysis, technical assistance, and payment reform.

Supervise and mentor junior staff, as appropriate; contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in public policy, health services research, economics, or a related field (PhD preferred).

At least 7 years of experience in policy analysis, applied research, tec