Senior Economist, Healthcare Innovations

Company: American Institutes for Research
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

AIR is currently seeking a Senior Health Economist to conduct policy-related research and evaluation studies focused on domestic health care programs, including topics such as Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health insurance programs; innovative delivery and payment models; rural hospitals; aging and long-term care; health plan performance and quality measurement; telehealth; and health information technology. The Senior Economist will report to AIR's Healthcare Innovations Team, which supports high-quality implementation and produces rigorous evidence on the effectiveness of new approaches to care and payment—translating findings into actionable insights for policymakers, payers, providers, and patients. 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: The responsibilities for the position include: Lead the design and implementation of conceptual frameworks for complex research projects. Direct the management and analysis of large-scale datasets using advanced econometric techniques. Apply rigorous quantitative methods to evaluate programs, policies, and interventions. Oversee the documentation of analytic procedures and ensure reproducibility and transparency. Author technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and policy briefs; present findings to clients, stakeholders, and academic audiences. Lead proposal development, including conceptual design, methodology, and budgeting. Mentor and supervise junior economists and research analysts, fostering professional growth and technical excellence. Manage multidisciplinary project teams and ensure high-quality deliverables aligned with client expectations. Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, providing strategic and analytical expertise. Contribute to AIR’s strategic initiatives and thought leadership in economics and public policy. Contribute to a collaborative environment that values and respects a wide range of perspectives, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. Qualifications: Education, Knowledge, and Experience Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, or a related social science field, with demonstrated expertise in econometrics or applied statistics. Minimum of 3 years of experience conducting quantitative research in policy-relevant domains. Extensive experience with STATA and proficiency in other statistical tools (e.g., R, Python) is preferred, but not required. Proven track record of designing and executing experimental and quasi-experimental studies. Prior research experience on health care delivery and payment models using advanced methods (e.g., fixed effects, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables). Experience managing complex projects and working with government, nonprofit, or philanthropic clients. Skills Strong business development acumen and proposal writing experience. Exceptional quantitative and analytical skills. Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical findings for non-technical audiences. Excellent organizational and time management skills. Ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Effective collaborator in virtual and cross-functional team settings. 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 $131,500 - $175,300 USD

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