WCRI STAFF MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
 

RESEARCH ANALYST

WCRI currently has an opportunity for a Research Analyst in our Cambridge, Massachusetts office. 

Key Responsibilities

You will be part of a group of researchers that annually benchmarks the performance of state workers’ compensation systems. The benchmarks include medical prices and utilization, income benefits paid, timeliness of payment, litigiousness, and labor supply. We also survey injured workers to gather data on access to care, satisfaction with care, earnings recovery, and post-injury recovery of health and function. 

You will perform analyses to identify significant trends and interstate comparisons, and formulate the major findings of the analysis. You will update, improve and implement methodologies and apply them to a large database maintained at WCRI. The data contain detailed information about the payments made to and on behalf of millions of injured workers. It is a unique database and we have only begun to scratch the surface. 

Desired Competencies

• Masters degree in economics, statistics, public health, public policy or similar field
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience
• Demonstrated experience analyzing complex descriptive data and developing valuable findings
• Understanding of social science research methods; understanding of statistical methods appropriate for descriptive statistics using samples
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Attention to detail; commitment to meeting deadlines
• Interest in public policy issues a plus

Located in Cambridge Massachusetts, The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is a highly regarded, non-partisan public policy research organization focusing on the performance of state workers’ compensation systems. The Institute publishes peer-reviewed book-length monographs based on original empirical research. Workers’ Compensation is a $50 billion social insurance program, with a privatized delivery system.  Each year it affects the health and welfare of 10% of the workers and impacts the competitiveness of American business. 

WCRI offers competitive salary and benefits. Submit applications to Personnel, WCRI, 955 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139—or personnel@wcrinet.org. Please submit a cover letter, vita, and research paper. Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST

Key Responsibilities

Lead studies and deliver the findings to state government officials and advocates for business, organized labor, and health care providers. The studies will be actively used in major public policy debates about health care costs and patient outcomes, benefits paid to injured workers, and costs paid by employers.

You will be part of a group of researchers that annually benchmarks the performance of state workers’ compensation systems. The benchmarks include medical prices and utilization, income benefits paid, timeliness of payment, litigiousness, and return to work. We also survey injured workers to gather data on access to care, satisfaction with care, earnings recovery, and post-injury recovery of health and function.

You will have responsibility for 5-8 states—building and maintaining relationships with public officials and advocates for business, labor, and health care providers, in order to establish and strengthen the credibility and impact of the studies. You will collaborate with other team members to develop valuable major findings from the data being analyzed. You will also make presentations of the study findings at various meetings and conferences to disseminate the findings and promote the benchmarking program. And you will have responsibility for obtaining and maintaining funding for these 5-8 states.

Some travel is required.

The data come from a large database maintained at WCRI that contains detailed information about the payments made to and on behalf of millions of injured workers. It is a unique database and we have only begun to scratch the surface.

Desired Competencies

• Knowledge of workers’ compensation or health policy issues

• Masters degree in economics, statistics, public health, public policy or similar field or equivalent experience

• At least 10 years of relevant and increasingly responsible professional experience

• Demonstrated experience presenting analyses of complex descriptive data, developing valuable findings, and writing reports for senior officials

• Experience building and maintaining support for a project among diverse interest groups

• Project management experience

• Familiarity with basic statistical methods appropriate for descriptive statistics using samples

• Willingness to be an analyst, not an advocate

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is a highly regarded, non-partisan public policy research organization focusing on the performance of state workers’ compensation systems. The Institute publishes peer-reviewed book-length monographs based on original empirical research. Workers’ compensation is a $50 billion social insurance program, with a privatized delivery system. Each year, it affects the health and welfare of 10 percent of workers and impacts the competitiveness of American business.

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) seeks a DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH. This position leads the multi-disciplinary research staff of 13 with advanced degrees in economics, public policy, statistics and law. The Director of Research is a member of the WCRI leadership team, serves as chief quality officer, chief scientist, and recruiter and mentor of the research staff. The person hired will also collaborate with WCRI program managers to develop the annual research agenda, evaluating the technical feasibility of proposed projects and projecting the resources required for project completion. The Director of Research leads research projects and assists in dissemination of WCRI findings to public officials and the public.

Education: PhD in Economics, Statistics, Health Policy or Public Policy with very strong technical training and experience.

Applicants should have 8-15 years experience conducting relevant public policy research and leading research projects or programs within a research institution or university; deep experience applying standard and innovative research techniques to challenging public policy problems—e.g., methods for selection correction or medical decision models; and experience recruiting/developing researchers. Experience with labor and/or health policy issues desirable.

WCRI is recognized worldwide as the leading public policy research organization on workers’ compensation issues. WCRI conducts and publishes peer-reviewed studies, benchmarks system performance, analyzes trends and the impacts of reforms, and examines a wide range of labor economics and health policy issues. The studies, regularly used by public officials and diverse system stakeholders to improve their systems, meet high standards of publishable journal articles, while providing practical, actionable research findings. WCRI does not take positions on issues nor make recommendations.

WCRI offers competitive salary and benefits. Submit applications to Personnel, WCRI, 955 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139—or personnel@wcrinet.org. Please submit a cover letter, vita, and research paper. Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
 

Jobs are posted as they become available. Thank you for your interest in joining WCRI's team committed to excellence in research.