Senior Research Economist – U.S. Health Policy

RTI International

. Serve as a task and project leader for new and ongoing research studies and operational support activities .

Posted 11/4/2026full-timeRemote • North Carolina • United StatesSenior💰 $166,000 - $203,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in health economics and domestic US health policy research, with a strong ability to lead complex projects, manage teams, and translate analytic findings into actionable insights. Proficient in designing studies, analyzing large datasets, and developing proposals for federal agencies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

PhD Or Master's Degree With Relevant ExperienceHealth Economics ResearchMedicare Program ExpertiseProposal Writing For CMSData Analysis And Statistical Methods

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Research DesignStatistical MethodsData AnalyticsMachine Learning TechniquesTechnical ProgrammingProject ManagementBudget ManagementQuality Control ProcessesComplex Data AnalysisHealth Policy Analysis

Soft Skills

LeadershipCommunicationNegotiationMentoringClient Relationship Management

Tools & Technologies

Advanced SoftwareFederal Agency Data Processing SystemsAdministrative DatasetsHealth Survey DataCommercial Claims Data

Industry Keywords

Centers For Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicare ClaimsHealth Care PolicyFederal AgenciesProposal Responses

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a task and project leader for new and ongoing research studies and operational support activities
Lead and direct analyses for health economics and domestic US health policy research
Apply research design and statistical methods to solve complex health care policy issues
Define, investigate, formulate, and execute approaches and solutions to complex client project and program problems
Plan and direct preparation of technically complex or strategically important proposals
Perform research tasks and develop innovative technical solutions
Direct teams conducting complex research tasks and modeling
Translate analytic findings into actionable insights for technical, policy, and client audiences
Author technical reports, memoranda, articles, documentation, and regulations
Manage quality control processes and ensure accurate, high-quality deliverables
Manage and mentor junior, mid-level, and senior staff
Develop and manage project budgets, timelines, and plans
Communicate and negotiate work plans, timelines, budgets, and results with clients
Design and execute analyses of large, complex administrative datasets using advanced software, programming languages, data analytics, and machine learning techniques
Maintain data security and confidentiality
Build professional and organizational reputation through publications, presentations, and client engagement
Develop business opportunities and maintain close client relationships
Identify, evaluate, pursue, and lead responses to federal and state requests for proposals

Requirements

What you’ll need

PhD with at least 8 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with at least 12 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 15 years of relevant experience
Experience writing successful proposals for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Expertise in designing studies using medical and/or pharmaceutical claims, analyzing data to answer complex analytic questions, and presenting results to stakeholders
Ability to interpret regulation and legislation to model impacts of changes on stakeholders
Deep understanding of the Medicare program and other health care policy contextual knowledge
Recognized expertise in one or more domestic US health care policy areas
Experience working with Medicare claims, encounter data, commercial claims data, and health survey data
Experience designing analysis of very large data sets, including technical programming specifications and languages
Familiarity with or ability to acquire expertise in federal agency data processing systems/environments and requirements
Strong track record of leading projects focused on program design and support, outcome evaluations, or quantitative analysis
Experience managing project and task research teams focused on policy, methods, data science, statistics, and/or economics
Legally authorized to work in the United States
Must not require now or in the future sponsorship for employment visa status
Preferred: Experience managing complex projects for federal agencies such as CMS, ASPE, HRSA, CDC, and AHRQ, or state counterparts

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive base salary
Generous paid time off policy
Merit based annual increases
Bonus opportunities
Robust recognition program
Competitive insurance plans, including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability
Retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan
Paid parental leave for all parents
Financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments
Financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities
Employee assistance program
Other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance