Policy Research Assistant Margolis Institute for Health Policy Hybrid (Washington, DC or Durham, NC)

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Policy Research Assistant – Hybrid (Washington, DC or Durham, NC)

Robert J. Margolis, MD, Institute for Health Policy

Robert J. Margolis, MD, Institute for Health Policy

The Robert J. Margolis, MD, Institute for Health Policy at Duke University (Duke-Margolis) seeks to address critical health policy challenges and improve health, health equity, and the value of health care through practical, innovative, and evidence-based policy solutions. The interdisciplinary nature of Duke-Margolis brings together policy experts, researchers, health care professionals, and students from across Duke’s schools of medicine, nursing, law, public policy, business, and engineering, and fosters extensive relationships with stakeholders both internal and external. These relationships span foundations, private sector organizations, state and federal governments, and global entities. The Institute fosters excellence, leadership, and scholarship at every level.

Occupational Summary

Duke-Margolis has multiple openings for Policy Research Assistants within the Institute’s Biomedical Innovation research portfolio.

These positions will support projects focused in real-world evidence (RWE) and real-world data (RWD), regulatory science, drug and medical device development, clinical research modernization, and pharmaceutical policy. Individuals in this position will contribute to projects related to improving the use of RWE and RWD within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulatory framework, as well as more systematic uses of RWE and RWD to support biomedical innovation; real world methods, study designs and outcomes; health informatics; precision health; and health privacy. In addition, they will contribute to researching, planning, and executing meetings (e.g. conferences, workshops, and roundtables), and synthesizing those findings for a broad range of issues related to FDA medical products, policy, and surveillance methods and systems. The position also supports the broader clinical trial modernization portfolio of work at the Institute.

The Policy Research Assistant may also collaborate in a broad range of other health policy topics of interest to the Institute, including but not limited to: health equity, health care delivery and payment reform, global health, and the intersection of scientific and regulatory advancement with broader US health policy reforms.

Duke-Margolis has offices in both Washington, DC and on Duke's main campus in Durham, NC. The base worksite for these positions may be either location. Employees are currently working in a hybrid capacity with a combination of teleworking locally to the base office area (DC/MD/VA or NC, respectively) and in-person team collaboration.

Work Performed

Support and perform a variety of complex activities in research, writing, and analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data within the scope of research projects at Duke University, focused on specializations in health policy. Contribute to one large or multiple smaller projects under the oversight of a principal investigator and/or senior researcher. These positions will have a primary focus in biomedical innovation; they may also have the opportunity to contribute to projects in other domains of interest to the Institute, such as healthcare delivery and payment reform.

Collaborate with senior researchers to conduct research, perform literature reviews, draft summary documents, and perform extensive writing for a range of deliverable types (e.g., policy briefs, white papers, blog posts, public reports and recommendations, peer-reviewed journal articles) as assigned on a broad range of health policy topics.

Contribute to the identification of potential sources of qualitative and quantitative data, evidence, and information as appropriate for addressing project questions and objectives. Evaluate and interpret data collected from diverse sources. Synthesize and translate complex information from a wide range of inputs into clear and accessible written material for a range of audiences. Prepare oral and/or written reports and analyses to present findings, establish progress, analyze trends.

Produce high-quality written work products and deliverables. Implement and coordinate activities to execute assigned elements of plans and projects.

Support the execution of Duke-Margolis public and expert convenings (e.g., workshops, roundtables, seminars, other varied stakeholder meetings) through topic-focused policy research, preparatory analysis and writing to craft clear and concise materials for stakeholder and expert review and response, coordination, and logistics management for events ranging in size from focused expert panels to large-scale public events.

Support principal investigators and senior researchers in developing draft presentations and speaking points.

Maintain liaison with project participants, project personnel, faculty members, and other relevant parties to support project deliverables and objectives. Coordinate project activities and logistics with stakeholders, industry representatives, and policy professionals as required to support project execution, data collection, and/or dissemination of findings.

Support senior researchers in event planning and preparation. Coordinate with senior researchers and administrative staff to organize and plan convening activities and events relevant to targeted scientific and policy issues.

Contribute to strong and supportive working relationships across the project team(s) and Institute.

Minimum Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training: Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in a field related to the position (e.g., policy, public health, public administration, economics, science, engineering, law, or field directly related to the position).

Experience: No experience required above education/training requirements.

Desired Skills:

• Strong research and writing experience.
• Policy research skills, including the ability to synthesize content from a broad range of sources.
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to transform complicated information into easy to understand materials.
• Ability to interact professionally with senior-level individuals (e.g., local, state, and national policymakers), stakeholders, and organizations.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with varied responsibilities and able to respond flexibly to changing needs.
• Proficient in use of standard computing software (including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint); capacity to learn additional job-specific programs as required.
• Training or experience in the fields of health policy, public policy, or public health.
• Administrative, project coordination, and/or project management experience.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Engagements are renewable annually upon funding availability from the Institute. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Candidates seeking work experience prior to pursuing graduate or other professional school training are encouraged to apply.

Application Materials Required:

• Cover letter, including statement of work site sought (Durham, NC or Washington, DC)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three references (names and email addresses)

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD 50,450 to USD 76,400. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, clinical compensation, or other items. See hr.duke.edu/benefits for more info.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.