NOTE: Although this position is mostly remote, it will require residence in California
The Department of Research & Evaluation (R&E) at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) seeks to expand our health equity and implementation research portfolio to improve the health and well-being of our diverse community. The primary objective of this overall research program is to build sustainable partnerships with KPSC health system leaders, front line clinicians, patients and families, R&E scientists, and other national, state and community collaborators to develop, implement and rigorously evaluate scalable programs, practices, and innovations to eliminate persistent health disparities in the diverse communities of Southern California. Priority health equity focus areas include cardio-metabolic diseases, medication adherence, vaccinations, cancer care, maternal health, mental health, obesity management, and digital access.
This is an open-rank Research Scientist position (equivalent to an Assistant (I), Associate (II) or Full (III) Professor) for an investigator with relevant experience and expertise in health equity and implementation science research. Qualifications include a PhD or equivalent in health services research, implementation and improvement science, systems science, epidemiology, nursing, psychology or related field, or MD or equivalent with a master’s degree in a related field. The candidate must be able to consistently demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors necessary to design and conduct culturally sensitive research with all communities, although it will be especially beneficial for candidates to be culturally knowledgeable and have a deep understanding of issues impacting the diverse communities that we serve.
Job Summary:
Designs, develops, obtains funding for, and directs epidemiologic, behavioral science, health services, or related research projects that are consistent with institutional, state, and national health care priorities. Contributes to the overall achievements of the Department of Research & Evaluation (R&E) and the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG).
Essential Responsibilities:
General:
Designs, develops, obtains funding for, and directs research projects that are consistent with institutional, state, and national health care priorities.
May prepare grant proposals, internal reports, and manuscripts for publication in high-quality peer review journals both independently and collaboratively.
Provides service to the scientific community through reviewing manuscripts for publication and serving on editorial boards, grant review panels, and national boards of directors.
May consult with local, state, and national non-profit and government agencies.
Makes presentations to R&E and SCPMG as requested.
Presents papers in oral or poster format at national and international scientific meetings.
Serves on and may Chair departmental committees and SCPMG committees based on experience and expertise.
Mentors postdoctoral fellows and junior research scientists when experience and opportunities permit.
Rank Specific:
Research Scientist II:
Requires substantial professional experience (seven (7) years of postdoctoral experience).
Serves as PI on 1-2 and a Co-I on 1-4 extramurally-funded research projects.
Publishes 1-2 papers per year as a first author, 1-3 papers per year as a senior author, and 3-5 papers per year as a collaborating author.
Makes presentations at one or more internal meeting and 2-3 external meetings.
Serves on internal departmental and SCPMG committees.
May serve on a grant review committee (foundation, NIH).
Review 6-8 papers per year for indexed peer review journals.
May serve on an editorial board for a peer review journal.
This is the second level in a career progression.
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
N/A.
Education
Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Sc.D., Dr.P.H.or similar degree designation) in epidemiology, behavioral science, health services research, or related field or doctoral degree in medicine (M.D., D.O. or similar degree designation) with additional research education (M.P.H., M.S., or similar degree designation) and training.
High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.
License, Certification, Registration
N/A
Additional Requirements:
Competent in advanced research methods, including statistical techniques and study design commonly used in epidemiologic, behavioral, health services research, or similar studies.
Professional experience (years dependent on rank) in designing and conducting original research, presenting results at national scientific meetings and publishing in peer review journals.
Ranks of Research Scientist I-III are consistent with Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor in traditional academic settings.
Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Independent research and peer-reviewed publications in areas central to the issues of health equity and social justice.
Knowledge of health equity theories and frameworks.
Ability to communicate in Spanish fluently.
Notes:
KPSC is a leading integrated health care system that provides comprehensive care for approximately 4.8 million members in Southern California, of whom 42% identify as Hispanic, 11% Asian, and 7% Black. The health care provided to members is tracked through a system-wide electronic health record (EHR), which includes membership, utilization, vital signs, laboratory, and pharmacy records. R&E has access to unparalleled data resources, including data warehouses that combines curated EHR data for both inpatient and outpatient visits with additional data from external registries and outside claims.
By joining the KPSC research team, you will work with other researchers in a collegial setting that fosters public domain research, independent thinking, and adherence to the highest scientific standards. R&E investigators are primarily supported by grant and contract funding from federal and other external sources, especially the National Institutes of Health.
A description of the Department of Research & Evaluation is available on the web (http://kp.org/research). It is home to over 40 research scientists, post-doctoral fellows, and clinician investigators and over 400 support staff. The department is located in Pasadena, a community of 140,000 residents 15 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. Information about the community can be found at www.visitpasadena.com.