Description

Collaborative Health Services Researcher 

Focus:  Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs), Advanced Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Health Equity
 

The Patient-Reported Outcomes, Value and Experience (PROVE) Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston, Massachusetts, is an initiative in collaboration with Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The center is seeking an Instructor in health services research, with expertise in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), health outcomes assessment, advanced biostatistics, epidemiology, and health equity.
 

At the PROVE Center we envision a future in which patient-reported data are collected for all patients as a standard component of care across all surgical disciplines. We focus on clinical outcomes such as mortality and hospital readmissions, but we often fail to measure patient-reported symptoms, well-being, and functional status - critical data that inform the success of our medical care. We believe that healthcare would work better if insights derived from these data can be made immediately available to compare probable outcomes of different interventions, assist with clinical decision-making, and enhance the quality and safety of surgical care.
 

Responsibilities:

• Assume primary research responsibilities within the PROVE Center and contribute to the PROVE Center’s mission and vision through high impact research activities, including supporting the growth of the Center (e.g., by contributing to research proposals for extramural support) and assisting with administrative duties as needed.
• Sustain and lead an innovative, scientifically rigorous, and independent research program at the highest international level and to maintain an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program.
• Mentor research fellows and medical students within the PROVE Center and across institutions.
• Work collaboratively to implement patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in clinical care and for clinical research.
• Establish and maintain an international reputation as demonstrated through national and international collaborations, dissemination of research through scientific conferences, peer-reviewed publications, and reports.
• Consult and assist faculty and research fellows on PROMs-related project design, grant applications, study protocols, manuscripts, or IRB submissions.
   

Qualifications and Skills:

• PhD (or comparable terminal degree) in Health Services Research, Public Health, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 2 years relevant postdoctoral experience.
• In particular, candidates should have a strong quantitative background and demonstrate a research portfolio that leverages PROMs data to advance care quality and health equity within the healthcare system.
• Advanced biostatistical techniques, including causal inference (e.g., instrumental variables), latent class analysis, and repeated measures analysis.
• Proficient in statistical software (e.g., STATA, SAS, R) and management of large databases (SQL, Python)
• Experience working with, teaching, or mentoring/supervising diverse groups along with the ability to contribute to fostering diversity within the Department of Surgery.
• Superb communication, presentation, and writing skills.
• Active engagement in societies, groups, conferences, and committees.
• A deep understanding of PROM development and validation, including modern psychometrics analyses.
• An ability to initiate collaborations and work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams is highly desirable.
   

We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths. Candidates will have an established international reputation and will be expected to sustain and lead innovative and independent research, and to maintain an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program. Applications will be evaluated regarding the applicant’s record of scholarly activity, national/international reputation, relevance of their research, and expectation for ongoing academic achievement and contributions to the field. Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
 

Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Department of Surgery are committed to ensuring our diverse community feels welcome, cared for, and valued. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and patients, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences in these areas.
 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
 

A selection committee, headed by Dr. Andrea Pusic, Director of the PROVE Center and Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, will be reviewing all applicants. Interested candidates should submit their curriculum vitae and letter of interest by email to: Gerard M. Doherty, M.D., Chair, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital at: surgeryfacultyaffairs@bwh.harvard.edu.