Program Officer, Implementation Science

Overview Program Officer, Implementation Science

As a Program Officer, Implementation Science at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), you will be responsible for high-level program planning and management, oversight of an award portfolio, and leadership of program activities supporting PCORI’s implementation science agenda. 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 goal will be increasing our focus on implementation science, providing 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.

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 headway, create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue, and inspire others to work toward achieving goals.

You will assist PCORI program leadership in the Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research Division and the Dissemination and Implementation Program in identifying and implementing strategic objectives to advance the Science of Dissemination, Implementation, and Health Communication.

You will coordinate a research program and set priorities impacting millions of dollars in policy. 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 2-3 days in our Washington, DC, office, with the option to telework the rest of the week. We may consider full-time remote work for the right match of skills and experience.

We are securely funded and offer an excellent compensation package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; long-term and short-term disability; a 401(a) plan; life insurance; tuition assistance; professional development; and more.

You are joining a team of dedicated, mission-driven professionals who are smart, dedicated, forward-thinking, hardworking, friendly, and genuinely interested in helping each other succeed. Your efforts will be appreciated.

Responsibilities

Programmatic and Strategic

Assist the Associate Director, Program Director, and PCORI leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives for PCORI.

Work with program leadership and staff to set priorities for and to represent PCORI’s activities to advance the Science of Dissemination, Implementation, and Health Communication.

Provide continuity and coordination to maintain and enhance the linkages PCORI has in place between our Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research unit and the Dissemination & Implementation unit, which promotes the uptake of findings from PCORI-funded research in practice.

Convene thought leaders in implementation and dissemination to inform PCORI’s research focus in these areas.

Assess PCORI’s research portfolio in the area of implementation science and dissemination research and identify opportunities to strengthen PCORI’s contributions to advancing the science in these areas.

Propose, operationalize, and manage activities to inform PCORI priorities in these areas, such as convening workgroups or technical advisory panels and working with external organizations.

Portfolio Management

Develop program-specific PCORI funding opportunities. Focus areas may include the effectiveness and comparative effectiveness of implementation strategies, effective approaches to dissemination, and methods in implementation science.

Develop areas of emphasis or funding announcements focusing on strategic goals for research in implementation science.

Provide scientific oversight and management for a portfolio of hybrid implementation-comparative clinical effectiveness research awards, including management of contract milestones and monitoring of overall study progress.

Maintain active knowledge of current PCORI funding opportunities that support implementation science and dissemination and implementation projects.

Advise potential applicants regarding the fit of their concepts and the application process requirements.

Actively engage in PCORI’s processes for reviewing and awarding applications received in the area of implementation science as assigned.

Advise awardees on the execution of their contracts. Collaborate with contract management staff to assess the status of projects.

Collaborate with colleagues in the Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) Program in the review and award of applications in response to D&I funding initiatives.

Provide input and support for staff across PCORI’s Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research Division with respect to review of research with implementation science aims.

Provide input and support for staff in PCORI’s Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) unit with respect to study design and evaluation in implementation awards.

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 Directors and teams 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, as well as research methods, which may be reflected by prior success in publishing first-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Preference for topical expertise in hybrid effectiveness-implementation research studies that assess both implementation outcomes (reach, fidelity, adoption) and effectiveness outcomes (healthcare and health impacts).

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), standard observational and experimental designs, and a willingness to gain additional expertise are essential.

Familiarity with healthcare settings – including the conduct of implementation research in these settings, as well as barriers and facilitators to practice change.

Doctoral degree and 7+ 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)

Proven track record and leadership in research; and/or 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 management.

Ability to handle and manage multiple priorities effectively -- must be adept at organizing time efficiently.

High level of intellectual flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity. The ability to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue, to identify major opportunities in a specific area, and 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 be responsive and clear with funding announcement applicants.

Ability to travel occasionally, as required, including for site visits and representing PCORI at external meetings.

Ability to link organizational goals to individual department missions and activities.

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.

Use the "Apply" button on this page or simply email your resume to Aileen Hedden at resumes@staffingadvisors.com with “ PCORI – Program Officer, Implementation Science #2024-2820 SA ” as the subject of the email.

Job responsibilities are similar to the following positions: Research Scientist, Graduate Research Scientist, Research Associate, Research Assistant,

Associate Professor, Assistant Professor.

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.

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