Principal Research Scientist - Health Communications Research

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a highly experienced Principal Research Scientist with health marketing/communications experience and expertise for our Bethesda, Maryland office. We are also open to someone working from a different location. The position will be based in the Public Health Research Department but will work collaboratively across the Health Care Programs, Health Care Evaluation and Health Sciences Research departments at NORC, as well as with researchers from across the organization.

NORCs health communication research practice offers a full range of research, planning, and evaluation services to clients. NORCs communication researchers specialize in formative research including media/environmental scans; social media listening and analysis; audience descriptive and segmentation studies; concept development research; message and materials testing; and web usability research. They also specialize in development of evidence-based communication strategies and plans as well as campaign measurement, evaluation and effectiveness studies. The health communication practice is highly experienced in the design and evaluation of a variety of campaigns and communication initiatives including advertising, earned media, partner-directed, and social mobilization efforts.

The practice is committed to the use of development methods that facilitate creation and implementation of culturally and linguistically appropriate, evidence-based programs that make full use traditional and digital media. Additionally, our health communication scientists bring experience and expertise in public health, health care, health systems and health policy to the practice area and Public Health team. The practice draws on NORCs historic leadership in survey research and a large number of in-house experts on a wide array of health topics, populations and rigorous, innovative, science-based research methods.

NORC recognizes that talented and skilled researchers live throughout the U.S. and actively supports remote work arrangements.

To comply with the Executive Order issued by President Biden on September 9, 2021, all NORC employees and contractors - including those working remotely - must be fully vaccinated by Wednesday, December 8, 2021, as a condition of employment. This means that a 2nd injection (if applicable) must be given two weeks prior to the deadline (by November 24, 2021.)

The Public Health Research team conducts work on a variety of public health topics including chronic disease prevention and health promotion, rural health, health equity, health care delivery, and social determinants of health. Our team includes prominent health policy experts, nationally recognized public health researchers with general and specialized expertise in qualitative and quantitative methods, substantive areas such as rural health and indigenous populations, social determinants of health, health disparities, and health equity, and leaders in the field of survey design, sampling and implementation. Our staff also brings expertise in populations of special interest and the intersection of public health and health care delivery. We offer broad, multidisciplinary experiences spanning public health, public affairs, epidemiology, statistics, policy, developmental psychology, economics, sociology, social work, and political science.

• Independently design and direct health marketing/communications, policy and behavioral research projects
• Assume responsibility for the technical and scientific oversight of research studies as well performance monitoring, quality control and contract/budget adherence
• Participate as an active member of project teams e.g. in the design of data collection protocols, data analysis/interpretation and reporting
• Participate in the development of research-based communication strategies and plans for clients
• Provide leadership on business development including participation in market research and outreach as well as the development of strategies, plans and proposals
• Provide guidance, teaching and mentoring to junior staff.

• PhD degree in marketing, communications or some related field is preferred; Masters degree is required
• At least 12 years of experience in the direction of health marketing/communication studies including both formative and outcome evaluation studies
• At least 12 years of experience in the leadership of research project teams including responsibility for budget development, performance monitoring, project quality control, and team and client/sponsor communication
• High level of technical competence in study design, particularly mixed-method design, data collection protocol development, data analysis and reporting of findings
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative methods
• At least 5 years of experience in business development including the formation of strategy and plans, outreach and relationship management and proposal development
• Ability to contribute to the growth of the health marketing/communication research practice at NORC
• Ability to work in fast paced, multi-tasking environment across multiple projects
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong problem solving, project leadership and relationship management skills
• Substantive expertise in multiple important public health or health care issues
• Publishing track record strongly preferred
• Occasional travel for site visits and meetings may be required.
  

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

For over 75 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which were known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.