Description
Who We Are
The Department of Population Medicine (DPM) at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute (HPHCI) is a research and teaching collaboration between Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Our mission is to improve health care delivery and population health through research and education, in partnership with health plans, delivery systems, and public health agencies. As the nation’s first medical school appointing department based in a health plan, we are strategically positioned to improve population health and health care delivery locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Division of Health Policy and Insurance Research (HPI) is one of five divisions within DPM. Our researchers apply state-of-the-art quasi-experimental and other research methods to study pressing health policy questions. We have extensive experience in curating and using electronic health system data including health insurance claims, medical records, and surveys. HPI areas of interest include public and private health insurance, delivery systems, pharmaceuticals, and maternal health policies, and a wide range of disease areas (e.g., diabetes, mental health, cancer).
DPM is also home to the new Center for Maternal Health Innovation, Research and Action (MIRA).
HPHCI is part of Point32Health. Point32Health is a leading not-for-profit health and well-being organization dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable healthcare. Serving nearly 2 million members, Point32Health builds on the legacy of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan to provide access to care and empower healthier lives for everyone.
Job Summary
The Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to help implement and lead health policy research. The Postdoctoral Fellow will participate in studies that evaluate the effects of Medicaid policies and health care delivery models on access to and quality of care, with a focus on maternal and child health. Training in quasi-experimental, econometric, or causal inference methods is required. Must be proficient in Stata and/or SAS. Experience or interest in maternal health, Medicaid policy, and/or safety-net health systems is strongly preferred. The candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Megan Cole Brahim.
The post-doctoral fellow will play a key role in the day-to-day research activities of grant-funded projects. They will work with a multidisciplinary research team made up of clinicians, health services researchers, health economists, social epidemiologists, and biostatisticians, in collaboration with other academic institutions and state and health system partners.
The post-doctoral fellow will also participate in the Health Policy and Insurance Research (HPI) Fellowship Program, which trains clinician-researchers, medical and PhD students, and post-doctoral researchers to develop evidence for health policy.
Job Description
- Contribute to the creation of analytic data sets using large, complex data from multiple sources, such as claims data (All Payer Claims Data, CMS Medicaid TAF data) and EHR data, in collaboration with study team programmers and analysts
- Lead the implementation of statistical analyses, using quasi-experimental, causal inference, and/or econometric methods
- Lead and support the drafting of manuscripts and presentations
- Participate in team meetings to help shape the direction of the existing research projects
- Develop new research ideas or help prepare proposals
- Provide additional research support, such as documenting state policies or conducting literature reviews
Requirements
- Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, DrPH, MD, or equivalent) in Health Services Research, Health Policy, Economics, Public Health, Social Work, or related field
- Strong quantitative analytical skills and experience analyzing large data sets
- Experience implementing quasi-experimental, econometric, and/or causal inference methods
- Proficiency in at least one statistical programming language (e.g., Stata, SAS)
- Content expertise or strong interest in Medicaid policy, maternal health, and/or safety-net health systems
- Experience using claims data preferred
- Experience or coursework in qualitative methods is a plus, but not required
- At least one first author publication preferred
- Excellent writing skills
- Highly organized and detail oriented
- Self-motivated and able to work well independently, while also working well with teams
Other Notes
- All applications should include a CV and cover letter. References to be requested at a later date.
- Application review will begin November 3rd – applications received by this date will receive priority.
- Start date is flexible – between January 2026 and July 2026
- All applicants must apply using the Point32 link below
Compensation & Total Rewards Overview
As part of our comprehensive total rewards program, colleagues are also eligible for variable pay. Eligibility for any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits remains in the Company's sole discretion and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Point32Health offers their Colleagues a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package which currently includes:
- Medical, dental and vision coverage
- Retirement plans
- Paid time off
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance with additional buy-up coverage options
- Tuition program
- Well-being benefits
- Full suite of benefits to support career development, individual & family health, and financial health
For more details on our total rewards programs, visit https://www.point32health.org/careers/benefits/
Location: Boston, MA, with flexible hybrid work environment. Our offices are located at 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215.
