Research Scientist - Value-based payment (VBP) and delivery system transformation - Chicago, Washing

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, technical assistance, or a related field, including at least 3 years of project management experience. Strong knowledge of Medicare and/or Medicaid programs, including delivery system reform, provider payment, access to care, and beneficiary experience. Demonstrated familiarity with value-based payment, alternative payment models, or managed care financing, including how payment structures influence cost, quality, and provider behavior. Understanding of core value-based payment design elements, such as: patient attribution risk adjustment cost benchmarking and target setting quality and performance measurement incentive structures and payment flows Experience analyzing administrative data (e.g., Medicaid or Medicare claims) and/or survey data to assess utilization, cost, quality, and outcomes. Experience supporting federal or state government clients, particularly in policy analysis, technical assistance, or program support roles. Strong grounding in quantitative and/or qualitative research design, data collection, and analytic methods. Experience contributing to proposals and managing project budgets. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate analytic findings into clear, actionable insights for policy and program audiences. Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. SALARY AND BENEFITS: The pay range for this position is $106,000 - $130,000. This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to: Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment Dental and vision insurance A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). NORC is committed to equity and transparency in its pay practices. We publish salary ranges and benefit information for every job. The listed hiring range reflects what we, in good faith, expect to pay at the time of posting, though actual compensation may vary and may be adjusted over time. A candidate’s placement within the range depends on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs. 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 80 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 equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics. #LI-MS1 Aimwel