Research Associate, Personnel Health Research & Data Analytics

Research Associate: Personnel Health Research & Data Analytics, Military (Washington, D.C.) This position is a contingent hire, meaning it is contingent on Fors Marsh winning an upcoming proposal. The interview process will be the same as our standard process, and the offer letter (should we decide to move forward) will serve as a letter of commitment. The research associate will support a portfolio of quantitative social science and data science research projects for our Personnel Health Research & Data Analysis team, focusing on improving service members’ well‑being, advancing data science insights, and informing policies and organizational decision‑making. This role is suited for someone who enjoys applying innovative methods to solve challenging analytic problems, has experience working with large data sets, and thrives in a collaborative environment. Responsibilities Analytical and Technical Skills Conduct exploratory data analysis, data cleaning, and analysis on large‑scale data. Execute advanced statistical techniques such as multi‑level modeling, data reduction techniques (PCA, factor analysis, clustering), predictive model selection (LASSO, Ridge), natural language processing, and machine learning. Develop data visualizations and dashboards. Support all phases of the data science and social science analytics process, including survey research analysis and integration of datasets. Execute survey workflows for population specification and sample frame development, including data source identification, cleaning, deduplication, and quality checks. Resolve analytic problems requiring methodological knowledge and the ability to learn new techniques. Communicate trade‑offs of analytic approaches to technical and non‑technical audiences. Conduct quality checks on data extracts, analyses, and deliverables. Use R and Python for automation tasks, package creation, data wrangling, exploratory analysis, and advanced analytics. Work with or learn Databricks. Team Orientation Work under the supervision of a senior team member. Collaborate with a mixed team of data and social scientists to operationalize personnel‑related metrics and analyze large, complex quantitative datasets. Client and Stakeholder Interaction and Communication Assist in briefing clients and stakeholders under senior supervision. Prepare research reports/briefs for technical and non‑technical audiences and other communications summarizing methods, findings, and implications. Qualifications Degree in a heavily quantitative social science (e.g., sociology, political science, psychology), data science, or related field; Master’s preferred. Master’s degree with 2+ years of applicable industry experience; Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of applicable industry experience. Experience conducting quantitative research, especially using advanced statistical modeling. Knowledge of quantitative methodologies such as multi‑level modeling, data reduction techniques, and natural language processing. Experience with diverse data sources, including survey, personnel, and administrative data. Knowledge of survey workflows supporting population definition, sample frame construction, and feature table creation using R and Python. Experience working in R/R Studio. Experience with Databricks. Experience with Python. Experience with SQL (preferred). Experience with Gitlab (preferred). Strong verbal and written communication skills for both technical and non‑technical audiences. Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills. Ability to work independently and as a team member. Applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility criteria for access to sensitive information. Ability to work on‑site in the Washington, D.C., area 2–3 days a week. Must be a U.S. citizen and consent to a full background check due to federal contract requirements. Benefits Ability to make an impact on people’s lives, both internal and external to the organization. Top‑tier health, dental, vision, and short‑ and long‑term disability coverage at 100% premium for employee coverage. Company culture that values balance and allows leave taken as needed without accruation concerns. A floating holiday bank. Generous matching retirement contributions with no vesting period starting in the third month of employment. Dedicated training and development budgets. Paid volunteer time off. Participation in Fors Marsh staff‑led affinity groups. Employee discounts through the certified B Corp network. Salary: $70,000–$80,000 annual Location: Hybrid. Individuals are expected to work on‑site 2–3 days a week in Alexandria, VA during business hours. Position Status: Contingent Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr Fors Marsh