Program Officer, Implementation Science
Under the direction of the Program Director, Dissemination and Implementation (D&I), as a Program Officer (D&I) at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), you will be responsible for high-level program planning, management, and monitoring of a program portfolio and program activities (e.g., advisory panels, workgroup meetings) in the area of implementation science and related fields. PCORI is the leading funder of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research in the US.
Advancing our research agenda and the National Priorities for Health, your primary focus will be to support program development and provide scientific oversight for funded research awards, development of funding announcements, and evaluation and implementation of program activities to further the strategic direction of the program.
It often takes years for new evidence from clinical research to influence health care. Many times, these findings never reach patients and families who could benefit from the information. The D&I program is the home of PCORI’s initiatives to promote the awareness, uptake, and integration of evidence from PCORI-funded studies into real-world practice. We are committed to improving the quality and relevance of evidence available to help patients, caregivers, clinicians, and others make better-informed health decisions.
How You’ll Make an Impact
- You will take a leading role in PCORI’s growing focus on Implementation Science. With a deep understanding of the field and where it’s going, you’ll think creatively to identify areas where we can make progress and contribute to the science in ways that promote PCORI’s goals of improving patient-centered care.
- You will assist the Associate Director, Program Director, and PCORI leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives to advance the Science of Dissemination, Implementation, and Health Communication.
- You will launch a research program and set priorities impacting millions of dollars in research funding. This is an incredible opportunity to move the field forward with innovative thought leadership and the action to make it happen.
Work Environment and Benefits
- You’ll enjoy a purpose-driven hybrid work environment collaborating with your team 1-2 days per week in our Washington, DC office, with the option to telework the rest of the week.
- We are securely funded and offer an excellent compensation package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; long-term and short-term disability; 401(a) plan; life insurance; and more.
- You are joining a team of dedicated, mission-driven professionals who are smart, dedicated, hardworking, friendly, and genuinely interested in helping each other succeed. Your efforts will be appreciated.
Responsibilities
General Program Management
- Collaborate with staff from the D&I program and PCORI Science programs, as well as staff in Contracts Management and other departments, in the conduct of program activities.
- Work closely with a team of PCORI staff in managing research awards.
Portfolio Management
- Identify and manage activities related to developing program-specific PCORI funding announcements (e.g., convening workgroup and advisory panel meetings, working with external organizations including government organizations).
- Develop, in collaboration with other PCORI staff, program-specific PCORI funding announcements. Focus areas may include the effectiveness and comparative effectiveness of implementation strategies, effective approaches to dissemination, health communications science, and methods in implementation science.
- Advise potential applicants regarding their applications and the application process.
- Actively engage in PCORI’s processes for reviewing and awarding applications received through the PCORI funding announcement process.
- Advise awardees on the execution of their contracts.
- Engage in active portfolio management by monitoring awardees’ attainment of contract milestones and overall study progress.
- Collaborate with contract management staff to assess the status of projects.
- Evaluate the program’s portfolio to ensure balance and identify needs for modifying strategic funding directions and opportunities.
Organizational Responsibilities and Contributions
- Represent PCORI publicly regarding program direction, funding, the application process, and award results.
- Participate in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and professional status.
- Lead, contribute to, and participate in internal groups and teams and cross-cutting initiatives.
- Keep Program Director and team apprised of developments and occurrences in the field that are likely to affect program decision-making, strategies, and/or award decision-making.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated expertise in study design, execution and oversight, and research methods, which may be reflected by prior success in publishing first-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals.
- Preference for topical expertise in implementation research that assesses both implementation outcomes (reach, fidelity, adoption) and effectiveness outcomes (healthcare and health impacts).
- Familiarity with barriers and facilitators to practice change in healthcare settings.
- Specific credentials in Implementation Science are desirable but not required. However, relevant expertise, familiarity with relevant study designs (e.g., hybrid studies, stepped wedge designs, cluster-randomized trials) and standard observational and experimental designs, and a willingness to gain additional expertise are essential.
- Doctoral degree and 2+ years of experience in a research discipline relevant to patient-centered outcomes research (e.g., clinical epidemiology, health services research, sociology, psychology, health policy, biostatistics, economics, bioinformatics, data science, education or health education) OR a master’s degree in relevant field (e.g., MPH, MPA, MPP; or MBA) and 7+ years of experience.
- Proven track record and leadership in research; extensive experience or scientific leadership in implementation science; extensive experience plus proven leadership in a funding research agency/organization; and/or extensive experience and proven leadership in research program and staff management.
- Ability to handle and manage multiple priorities effectively; must be adept at organizing time efficiently; high tolerance for ambiguity; ability to understand and work effectively with PCORI staff members.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture.
- Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management.
- Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.
- Ability to make decisions, justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with funding announcement applicants.
- Ability to travel, as required, including for site visits and representing PCORI at external meetings.
- Ability to link organizational goals to individual department mission and activities.
Senior Program Officer
In addition to the aforementioned duties, responsibilities, and skill set, candidates with a doctoral degree plus a minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in a research discipline relevant to patient-centered outcomes research and/or extensive experience plus proven leadership in a funding research agency/organization may be considered for a Senior Program Officer role.
About Us
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010 and reauthorized in 2019. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers, and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI seeks input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.
To Apply
We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.
Simply email your resume to Aileen Hedden at resumes@staffingadvisors.com with “PCORI – Program Officer, Implementation Science #2023-2756 SA” in the subject of the email.
Job responsibilities are similar to the following positions: Research Investigator, Implementation Scientist, Associate Director.
Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended an evidence-based approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
