Senior Researcher, Healthcare Innovations

Company: American Institutes for Research
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Join AIR as a Senior Researcher with our Healthcare Innovations team. Our team works collaboratively to unravel the intertwined challenges of health care quality, costs, and access. Our team of experts – nurses, physicians, psychologists, economists, sociologists, data scientists, and public health experts – advance evidence and save lives by leading rigorous research and evaluation; results-driven technical assistance and training; and leading-edge data science and technology tools. The Senior Researcher leads and executes applied research projects end to end—designing rigorous studies, managing teams and budgets, overseeing data collection and analysis, developing proposals, and communicating actionable findings while serving as a trusted partner to clients and stakeholders. This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations . This does not include U.S. territories. About AIR: Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all. Responsibilities: Manage day-to-day project operations in roles such as principal investigator, project director, or task lead, ensuring deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard. Lead collaborative project teams by developing timelines and coordinating staff assignments. Identify research problems and design rigorous applied studies, including aligned research questions, methodologies, and analytic plans. Apply subject-matter expertise to design and implement relevant, responsive, and impactful research projects. Lead and contribute to research proposals for federal, state, foundation, and other clients. Devise and implement innovative solutions to practical challenges in applied research. Lead data collection and analysis efforts, including the design of qualitative and/or quantitative data collection tools (e.g., interview protocols, focus group guides, surveys). Supervise field-based data collection activities, including interviews, observations, focus groups, and document reviews. Conduct or oversee data analysis using appropriate tools and techniques for various data types. Communicate study progress and findings clearly and effectively through reports, briefs, visualizations, and other materials. Represent the organization professionally in client interactions and manage client and stakeholder relationships with awareness of the broader policy and practice landscape. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients, partners, and stakeholders, and foster positive, collaborative working relationships. Contribute thoughtfully and creatively to project teams. Qualifications: Education, Knowledge, and Experience PhD in a related field (e.g., Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Public Policy, or a related discipline) with 3 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with 7 years of relevant experience. Demonstrated ability to translate complex ideas into actionable work plans and timelines. Experience with qualitative data collection methodologies (e.g., structured interviews, observations, survey research) and analytic software (e.g., NVivo), and/or quantitative analysis using tools such as Stata, R, Python, or Access. Experience managing project and/or task teams on research and evaluation projects. Experience building and maintaining strong client and partner relationships. Experience supporting business development efforts, including grant and proposal writing. Experience analyzing claims and other large or complex data sets. Experience working in contract research and/or evaluation organizations. Skills Strong organizational and interpersonal skills including strong communication skills with the ability to produce concise, high-level summaries and briefings. Strong negotiator and communicator, with excellent client management skills. Strong presentation, professional development delivery, and facilitation skills. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing. Can collaborate effectively in a virtual work environment. Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements. American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000. Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams. LI-AS1 LI-REMOTE AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States. Anticipated Annual Salary Range $122,000 - $162,700 USD

Keywords: American Institutes for Research, Chicago , Senior Researcher, Healthcare Innovations, Executive , Chicago, Illinois