Research Scientist - Orthopedics

General Summary of Position

We are actively recruiting for a Health Services Researcher in Orthopaedic Surgery Research including Spine & Joints to join our team at MedStar Health Research Institute in Washington, DC.

Vision and Impact

There is tremendous opportunity to advance evidence-based, patient-centered care in musculoskeletal health through healthcare delivery research. By leveraging innovative research methodologies and collaborative partnerships, we can enhance treatment strategies, optimize healthcare resources, and improve long-term outcomes for individuals with joint and spine conditions. To help achieve this, recruitment of a mid- to senior level doctoral researcher with a strong track record of securing funding for innovative studies, preferably in joint health and spine research, is necessary. With expertise in health outcomes, healthcare utilization, and policy evaluation, the researcher will apply advanced research methodologies to improve patient care, treatment effectiveness, and healthcare delivery in musculoskeletal medicine. The goal is to grow a sustainably funded research core to continue advancing applied research in this area.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, lead, and manage complex surgical outcomes research projects.

• Author and co-author manuscripts for publication in high-impact journals; present findings at national and international conferences.

• Collaborate with surgeons, residents, clinical staff, epidemiologists, and health services researchers.

• Mentor junior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students to grow into a national research center of excellence.

• Identify funding opportunities and lead the preparation of grant applications (NIH, AHRQ, PCORI, foundations).

• Translate research findings into clinical guidelines, policy recommendations, and quality improvement initiatives.

• Support strategic planning and development of the Institute's research agenda.

Candidate Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have expertise in studying the accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and quality of care for individuals with joint disorders (such as osteoarthritis), and spinal conditions. Their work will integrate large-scale data analysis, patient-reported outcomes, and comparative effectiveness research to inform clinical decision-making and health policy. The candidate should have a minimum of three to five years of experience and have a track record of securing grants from federal agencies (e.g., NIH, PCORI, AHRQ), private foundations, and industry partners. The candidate will have experience successfully leading multidisciplinary teams in high-impact studies and actively collaborate with clinicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and healthcare policymakers to translate research findings into practice. We will consider candidates that do not have specific domain expertise but have a track record of funded research and demonstrate the ability to learn new domains and grow research capacity.

Key Expertise

• Healthcare delivery research ideally in musculoskeletal conditions
• Epidemiology and outcomes research in sports injuries, joint, and spine disorders
• Big data analytics and predictive modeling for patient outcomes
• Health economics and policy evaluation in orthopedic and rehabilitation care
• Implementation science and real-world evidence generation

Proposed Funding & Support Package

The researcher will receive robust internal funding and startup support, including:

* Years 1, 2, and 3: 100% internal salary coverage plus a $100,000 per year of discretionary funding (to be used for a research assistant/analyst, equipment, etc.)

* Years 4 and 5: 75% internal salary coverage and $50,000 per year of discretionary funding

* Year 6 and beyond: 20% internal salary coverage, with the expectation of securing external funding

Structure of the Position

We recommend having this position sit inside of the MedStar Health Research Institute's healthcare delivery research portfolio so that this investigator has robust administrative support, seamless collaboration with other healthcare delivery researchers, and the ability to foster strong partnerships that will drive funding.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• PhD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree required, or Master's degree with equivalent experience in a related field required

Experience

• Experience conducting research in a healthcare setting (hospital, ambulatory care environment, outpatient clinics) strongly preferred
• 1-2 years Experience contributing scientifically and collaboratively as part of a grant-funded research team required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical skills and background in quantitative and/or qualitative methods.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

This position has a hiring range of $80,995 - $152,027