Job Description
Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.
Job Summary:
Westat has an immediate opening for a Senior Research Associate to join our team. Our work focuses on evaluations and technical assistance to strengthen behavioral health and public health policies. You will be supporting projects that address the needs of individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
In this highly collaborative and fast paced position, you will work closely with project leadership and multi-disciplinary project teams to translate science into resources for a variety of audiences. Audiences could include federal and state policy makers, clinical service providers, and individuals affected by mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Content areas include prevention, promotion, treatment, and recovery services for an entire array of mental illness and substance use disorders. In this role, you will have opportunities to contribute to research on behavioral health topics such as behavioral health system transformation, healthcare financing, mental health and substance use services, recovery and resilience, substance misuse prevention, overdose prevention, opioid and stimulant use disorders, and advancing access to effective behavioral health care. Strong writing skills and having the ability to work fast are essential to our quick turnaround process for developing resources which typically include federal reports, clinical services implementation guides, policy analyses reports, and peer-reviewed journal articles.
We value regular in-person collaboration and preference will be given to candidates who can work 2 days per week at our Bethesda, Maryland office or at one of our other Westat office locations.
Job Responsibilities:
* Manage day-to-day implementation of behavioral health research projects, which may include project management, directing and supervising junior staff, data collection/data management, data analysis, report writing, manuscript preparation, and client management.
* Assist with operationalizing project scope, goals, and deliverables including:
o Develop, monitor, and adjust long- and short-term work plans for project deliverables
o Set target milestones and goals for adhering to deadlines
o Define staffing needs, roles, and responsibilities
o In collaboration with the project director, delegate tasks to appropriate team members
* Provide direction, management, and support to evaluation, technical assistance, and training activities on federal contracts
* Participate in business development with networks of internal and external staff on proposals and projects for a variety of federal agencies, states, and foundations
* Lead and support qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods evaluations and be able to interpret the results for broad audiences
* Lead meetings with federal clients and internal project teams
Basic Qualifications:
* A master's degree in public policy, economics, or a social science discipline such as psychology, sociology, or analytical methods such as applied statistics with 6 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in public policy, economics, or a social science discipline such as psychology, sociology, or analytical methods such as applied statistics with 2 or more years of relevant experience
* Experience conducting evaluations on mental health and substance use relevant topics
* Experience being the lead writer on technical reports (such as literature reviews, study plans, methodology reports, summaries of research findings) or peer-reviewed journal articles
* Experience with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods evaluation approaches and using analytic software as appropriate
* Experience using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) to produce visually-appealing reports, tables, graphs, and presentation slides
* Experience working on federal contracts
* US Citizenship is required by contract
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience working with Medicaid/Medicare claims and other Medicaid/Medicare administrative data
* Demonstrated communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical information into written products that use plain language and data visualizations for various audiences
* Experience working with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or other HHS agency
* Demonstrated ability to mentor more junior staff and work collaboratively with more senior staff
* Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver presentation content for various audiences
* Demonstrated ability to work at a fast pace, working across several projects simultaneously
* Experience working on and delivering training and technical assistance activities
* Experience conducting quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods evaluations
* Excellent organizational skills
* Experience leading meetings with clients and staff
* Detail-oriented
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation Leave
- Sick Leave
- Holiday Leave
- Professional Development
- Health Advocate
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual's specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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Westat
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, flexible benefit account, parental leave, vacation time, sick time, short term disability, long term disability, 401(k), retirement plan
Aug 20, 2026