Lead Research Assistant

Site: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

 

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

 

 

Job Summary

Through a collaboration between Harvard Medical School Office for Research Initiatives and Global Programs and the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Program in Global Primary Health Care (PGPHC) aims to create high-quality, sustainable primary health care systems that advance health equity. Our theory of impact focuses on recentering health care systems toward people and communities, where the majority of care is delivered at the primary care level through a people-centered approach. We do this through research, education, advocacy, and implementation science in collaboration with governments, community organizations, private sector partners, non-governmental organizations, and people with lived experience.

We are seeking a Research Assistant Lead to take on an independent and supervisory role across multiple global health delivery research projects within PGPHC. The RA Lead will work with significant autonomy, contributing to study design, leading data collection and analysis, developing quality assurance systems, and overseeing the work of junior research staff. In addition to these technical responsibilities, the RA Lead will contribute to manuscript development and project management to ensure timely execution of workplans. The candidate will have the opportunity for mentorship from BWH faculty with extensive experience in global health delivery research.

The candidate will need to be highly organized and self-directed, with 3–5 years of relevant research experience and a demonstrated commitment to global health equity. Advanced knowledge of research design and data management is required, along with strong communication and team leadership skills. Experience in implementation science, co-design approaches, and people-centered care — or a strong willingness to develop these competencies — is expected. Experience living or working in low-resource settings and/or with marginalized communities is ideal. The position includes opportunities for international travel.

Essential Functions
Research and Analysis
• Lead data collection, management, manipulation, analysis, and reporting across designated global health delivery research projects, applying quantitative and qualitative study tools aimed at documenting the design, delivery, and outcomes of people-centered care
• Plan, perform, and design statistical analyses independently, exercising judgment on methodological approaches appropriate to each study
• Contribute to study design and implementation protocols, including independently assessing the suitability of study populations and data sources
• Lead and/or contribute to the development of research manuscripts, including conceptualization, analysis, and writing, with faculty oversight
• Collate, organize, and draft material for research papers, progress reports, grant applications, and other outputs for publication and/or presentation

Quality Assurance and Project Management
• Develop and maintain systems for quality assurance and control across research projects, ensuring consistency and rigor in data and outputs
• Monitor study budgets, flagging risks or variances to supervisors in a timely manner
• Provide logistical and technical support to research partners and working groups, including developing agendas, documenting meetings, tracking tasks and deadlines, and monitoring progress toward objectives
• Submit regular project status reports to supervisor, proactively identifying challenges and recommending solutions

Team Leadership and Supervision
• Train, orient, and assess the competence of junior research assistants and students, supporting their development as emerging global health researchers
• Schedule staff and allocate work across the research team to ensure timely, high-quality outputs
• In the absence of the Project Manager, assume full management responsibility for day-to-day team operations

Other
• Travel (1–2 times/year, including international travel) to participate in and support programmatic activities

 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a health, science, or international development related field required; experience may be considered in lieu of degree
• 3–5 years of relevant research and data management experience required
• Demonstrated experience contributing to manuscript development and research outputs
• Passion for global health and commitment to a career advancing health equity

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including in cross-cultural contexts
• Careful attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize across a variety of concurrent tasks and projects
• Advanced computer literacy including database and data management tools
• Ability to work independently and lead teams with professionalism
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior colleagues preferred

 

 

Hybrid

 

20 Shattuck Street

 

40

 

Regular

 

Day (United States of America)

 

Pay Range

$50,502.40 - $82,014.40/Annual

 

Grade

6

 

At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.

 

2200 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

 

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework