About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

The Health Policy Center analyzes trends and underlying causes of changes in health insurance coverage, access to care, and use of health care services by the entire U.S. population. Researchers address issues that arise from the inevitable trade-offs among health care costs, access, and quality and the challenges of identifying and analyzing policies and practices that could reduce historical racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities in the health care system. The center's focus has been on Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance markets, health care reform, social determinants of health, maternal and infant health, hospital services, provider access and supply, and payment incentives. HPC is currently looking for strong research professionals with training or experience using rigorous quantitative methods to address racial, ethnic, and other inequities and also have interest in exploring other critical health policy issues.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct health policy research and report findings; write papers and briefs addressing critical health policy topics.




• Explore historical and structural policies and practices that have contributed to racial, ethnic and socioeconomic inequities in healthcare access, use, and other determinants of health, and conduct research that identifies policies that can help reduce or eliminate them.




• Assist in the development of research questions and data collection and in the selection and application of statistical techniques and appropriate research designs.




• Direct analyses using STATA, SAS or other statistical packages to manage and analyze raw data from data sources ranging from federal surveys such as the Current Population Survey or the American Community Survey to administrative sources such as the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS), Medicare claims files, and hospital discharge records.




• Provide quantitative expertise in executing descriptive analyses, drawing causal links using quasi-experimental designs or RCTs where available, and estimating predicted effects of policy actions using microsimulation modeling.




• Communicate results related to health insurance coverage, access to care, utilization, spending, and health equity to a wide and varied audience including researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders.




• Studies will center on short-term and longer-term implications of Medicare and Medicaid reform, investigating policies that affect safety net participation or social determinants of health, documenting racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in access, use and quality of care received and identifying interventions that can narrow them.




• Collaborate with researchers in Urban’s newly formed Office of Race and Equity Research and with the first cohort of Urban’s Equity Scholars.

What you’ll bring:

We are seeking a candidate who values diversity and inclusion; thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; and possesses strong quantitative research, writing, oral communication, problem-solving, time management, and relationship management skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Quantitative analytical and writing skills, relevant substantive knowledge, and social policy research experience needed to perform the duties described above, or the academic knowledge of and research experience in a discipline that is generally associated with the attainment of the Ph.D. in health services research, public health, public policy, economics, political science, sociology, social work, statistics, or another related field. Masters-level candidates with 3-5 years work experience who have a written track record demonstrating similar skills are also welcome to apply.




• Strong interest and experience in conducting and writing about research related to racial and socioeconomic equity and addressing structural racism as a cross-cutting issue.




• Knowledge of historical and current issues related to health equity, racial justice, and health disparities




• Comprehensive knowledge of the U.S. health policy landscape, including health equity, public and private health coverage, health care access and use, health system reform, the health care safety-net, and social determinants of health.




• Experience using STATA, SAS, or other major statistical programming languages to manage and analyze data.




• Experience in implementing high-quality quasi-experimental research designs and rigorously testing/validating model assumptions.




• Strong presentation, written, and oral communication skills.




• Capacity to work effectively on and manage competing priorities for multiple tasks, teams, and projects.




• Ability to adapt to changes in work assignments, deadlines, and project management styles; willingness to adjust team roles and responsibilities to achieve results.

What you’ll experience

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after five months of service and 1,000 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 that requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by January 18, 2022, and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work.  Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated.  Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.

The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Urban Institute is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected status under applicable law.

The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.