Organization

Founded in 1968, the Guttmacher Institute is a global leader in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. Through a unique and interrelated program of high-quality research, evidence-based advocacy and strategic communications, the Institute works to generate new ideas, encourage enlightened public debate, and promote sound policy and program development; its overarching goal is to ensure the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people worldwide. The Institute is engaged in building a more inclusive, transparent and equitable organization.

Position summary

A Senior Research Scientist (SRS) is responsible for serving as a project principal and leading or playing a major role on multiple research projects, including planning and carrying out data collection, data analysis, and manuscript writing. An SRS also contributes to a range of other administrative and institutional activities, serves as a project manager, directs the work of midlevel and junior staff who are working on the projects she/he leads, and acts as supervisor for one or more midlevel and/or junior staffers. An SRS reports to a Principal Research Scientist (PRS) or to the Director of Domestic/International Research.
 

Responsibilities

Research responsibilities as project manager/project principal

• As project principal, lead, organize and oversee the execution and management of research projects, usually with the support of midlevel and/or junior staff:
   
  1. Review related literature and past work.
  2. Specify questions to be addressed, data sources, variables to be used, data collection strategies, analyses to be undertaken and analytic techniques, including statistical or qualitative approaches to be applied.
  3. Carry out primary data collection and primary and secondary analysis.
  4. Write journal articles and reports.
  5. Lead work with research partners, depending on the project.
      
• Present and disseminate research findings to academic, journalistic and other audiences; help prepare communications materials such as news releases, infographics and fact sheets.
• Review and comment on work of other staff
• Stay current on literature related to ongoing projects and core areas of expertise
• Maintain informal and formal relationships various aspects of project development, including idea generation, budget estimates, proposal drafting and review, and interaction with funders
   

Administrative

• As project manager (or, in partnership with the project manager), develop and monitor project activities, timelines and budgets; coordinate project activities involving staff across divisions; orient, train and oversee midlevel and junior staff work; assist with reports to funders; ensure reproducibility and archiving of completed projects
• As project principal, ensure that project plans and timelines provide for obtaining guidance from senior staff in research (at the Principal Research Scientist/Director/VP levels) and relevant staff in other divisions, as appropriate
• Supervise and mentor one or more midlevel or junior research staffers; in this capacity, an SRS will be responsible for her/his supervisees’ professional development, annual appraisals and mentorship
• Manage communications and project-related administrative work with consultants, collaborating organizations, and other research partners as needed

Other

• Represent Guttmacher at conferences, meetings and other events held by external organizations or government agencies.
• Carry out public education activities (e.g., seminars, university lectures, “brown bags,” etc.)
• Respond to internal and external inquiries related to one’s area of expertise or work (e.g., responding to reporters’ and researchers’ questions or doing media interviews)
• Participate in staff recruitment and selection by serving as a member of hiring teams
• Perform any other job related tasks as requested by division management or supervisor.

Qualifications and skills

• Doctoral degree in the social sciences, public health, health sciences or a closely related field; or MD/DO with social science research experience
• Recent doctoral graduates as well as more experienced candidates are encouraged to apply
• Commitment to policy-relevant research in the US context
• Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health in the United States and globally, including some of the following areas: fertility, contraception, abortion, sex education and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, STIs/HIV, provision and costs of reproductive health services, and health care systems
• Experience in carrying out research on sexual and reproductive health behaviors and services, their determinants and consequences, and related program and policy issues in the United States
• Training and experience in some of the following areas:
  • Social and structural determinants of health
  • Statistical, demographic, epidemiological, econometric and health economics methods
  • Bayesian methods
  • Survey methods, including survey design, fieldwork, data processing and analysis.
  • Qualitative data collection and analysis
  • Mixed-methods research
• Experience in manuscript writing and presentation; prior publication record desirable.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills
• Originality and creativity
• Strong project management, planning and organizational skills
• Ability to supervise and mentor midlevel and junior staff as well as have timely communication with senior supervisory staff
• Ability to work as part of a team; interest in working collaboratively within the Institute and with external partners
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to interact with diverse internal and external individuals
• Ability to represent the Institute at external meetings
• Willingness and ability to travel
• Initiative, self-motivation, resourcefulness, dependability, and strong attention to detail

Salary and benefits

Salary starting at $132,000 to $173,000 commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits that include medical, dental, vision and life insurance; vacation, personal and sick time, paid parental leave; tuition reimbursement; commuting subsidy; and 401(k) with employer match. The Guttmacher Institute strives to provide the training and support staff need to be successful in their positions and to grow professionally.

The Guttmacher Institute is an equal opportunity employer.