Medicaid Policy Post-Doctoral Fellowship

The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute offers advanced training in health services research and related health policy research focused on Medicaid through its Policy, Analytics, & Community Research Program (PAC) for individuals who have completed requirements for a PhD or related doctoral degrees in public health – epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, or related discipline; social policy, health economics; or related fields. The ideal candidates will have a foundational level of policy knowledge and interest and/or professional experience focused on Medicaid, which the program will supplement with additional hands-on training and mentorship.

The primary goal of this fellowship is to conduct rigorous research to inform policy and practice using large, secondary databases, including national Medicaid claims data. PAC has national Medicaid data linked to multiple additional sources and seeks to advance the understanding of gaps and opportunities in Medicaid policy using these population-level data sources. Policy-oriented research projects focused on Medicaid health policy could also include embedded research opportunities with local, state, and federal entities through public and industry partnerships. Research responsibilities will be matched to applicants’ interest and expertise and may include analysis of quantitative claims data; analysis of Medicaid health and mental health service utilization and systems-level data, and secondary data analysis of area- and person-level data.

Our faculty and researchers have expertise in analysis of large administrative datasets from the Medicaid and Medicare, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Social Security programs; social network analysis; secondary analysis of population-level surveys; and primary data collection through several funded projects.

Up to two postdoctoral fellowship opportunities will be offered focused on health service systems eligibility, implementation of funded health services, and community-engaged research processes. This postdoctoral position is funded for a period of 1 year, potentially renewable for an additional year, depending upon the time required for the kind of project activity identified in conjunction with a program mentor.

Training emphasis is placed on understanding and analyzing the organization, utilization, efficacy, quality, and implementation of health and mental health services through Medicaid as a primary health payer in the United States.

The program will facilitate opportunities and prioritize the possibility for collaboration and publication with faculty within our institute, the Dornsife School of Public Health, colleagues at local universities, and local political leaders. Additionally, our community partnerships offer established connections for engaging policy stakeholders to inform research focus and to contribute to policy-driven dissemination planning.

Essential Functions

Primary responsibilities of the post-doc will include conducting data analyses using large data sources; drafting scientific papers; community engagement throughout the research process; literature reviews; and participating in grant writing as aligned with interests and ongoing projects. Dissemination activities may include social media and legislative outreach, and preparation of research and policy briefs.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or related doctoral degree by start of position, to be negotiated in 2023.
• Evidence of scholarship (e.g., publications, presentations, grant submissions).
• Experience using advanced methodologies.
• Experience managing research data sets, knowledge of a range of research methodologies, advanced data analysis skills, and competencies with advanced statistical software (e.g., SAS, STATA, R).
• Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm EST
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
• Excellent scientific writing ability and strong oral communication skills.
• Ability to produce verbal and written communication appropriate for a range of audiences, including scholarly reports, lay-friendly publications, and policy advocacy messaging.
• Interpersonal skills that foster teamwork and collaboration, the ability to work effectively individually and as part of a team, and the ability to coordinate multiple projects and staff.
• Demonstrated understanding of operational requirements for a successful research project and managing resources.
• Skills in implementing research
• Ability to identify and fulfill the academic writing requirements for target publications.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking

Location

Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement – Philadelphia, PA

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Other Required Documents

• A cover letter detailing your qualifications and areas of research expertise and interest
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose (up to two double-spaced pages)
• Three recommendations
• Writing samples – ideally, one peer-reviewed publication; one publication directed at a non-science audience. A dissertation chapter or excerpt may be submitted as a writing sample as well