Research Psychologist - Health Services & Population Research

Overview

Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful award of a contract currently under bid.

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices. 

Summary:

Goldbelt Apex is seeking an experienced Research Psychologist (Health Services & Population Research) to support the Defense Health Agency's Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE). This position provides scientific expertise in health services research, population health, behavioral health research, and program evaluation to improve the delivery of psychological health services across the Military Health System.

The successful candidate will conduct research that evaluates healthcare utilization, access to care, treatment effectiveness, patient outcomes, and population-level behavioral health trends. This role works closely with Government stakeholders, clinicians, epidemiologists, statisticians, implementation scientists, and researchers to generate evidence that informs policy, improves healthcare delivery, and strengthens military readiness.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct health services and population health research supporting the Defense Health Agency Psychological Health Center of Excellence.
• Design, execute, and evaluate behavioral health and psychological health research studies using quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Analyze healthcare utilization, treatment effectiveness, patient outcomes, and behavioral health trends across military populations.
• Support research initiatives focused on resilience, suicide prevention, traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep health, substance misuse, and other psychological health priorities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop research protocols, evaluation plans, and study methodologies.
• Analyze large datasets and interpret research findings to support strategic decision-making and policy development.
• Prepare scientific manuscripts, technical reports, executive briefings, presentations, and research summaries.
• Support survey development, data collection, and evaluation activities associated with behavioral health research programs.
• Translate research findings into practical recommendations that improve healthcare delivery and psychological health programs.
• Monitor emerging behavioral health research and identify opportunities to improve Military Health System programs and services.
• Participate in technical working groups, scientific advisory panels, and stakeholder meetings.
• Ensure all research activities comply with accepted scientific, ethical, and methodological standards.
• Collaborate with Government personnel and partner organizations to support ongoing research initiatives and program evaluations.      

Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of health services research and behavioral health research methodologies.
• Knowledge of population health, healthcare utilization, and program evaluation.
• Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research studies.
• Knowledge of epidemiological research principles and healthcare outcomes research.
• Experience analyzing complex healthcare and behavioral health datasets.
• Strong scientific writing, technical communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to interpret research findings and develop actionable recommendations.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific and healthcare teams.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Psychology, Health Services Research, Public Health, Behavioral Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Meet all education and experience requirements identified in the solicitation for the Research Psychologist labor category.
• Demonstrated experience conducting health services research, population health research, or behavioral health research.
• Experience evaluating healthcare delivery systems, patient outcomes, or healthcare utilization.
• Experience designing and executing research studies using accepted scientific methodologies.
• Experience preparing scientific manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and executive briefings.
• Experience collaborating with clinicians, researchers, statisticians, epidemiologists, and Government stakeholders.
• Experience supporting healthcare organizations, federal agencies, academic institutions, or comparable research organizations.
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust background investigation and Common Access Card (CAC).
• Occasional travel may be required in support of contract performance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference may be given to candidates with experience supporting:
  • Defense Health Agency (DHA)
  • Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE)
  • Military Health System (MHS)
  • Department of Defense (DoD)
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Experience conducting health services research within military or federal healthcare systems.
• Experience evaluating behavioral health programs and healthcare delivery models.
• Experience with healthcare utilization analyses, outcomes research, and population health initiatives.
• Experience supporting federally funded research programs.
• Experience publishing peer-reviewed scientific research.
• Experience with survey research, healthcare databases, and large population-based datasets.
• Knowledge of implementation science and healthcare quality improvement methodologies.

Pay and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $155,000 to $175,000. This is a proposal-contingent position. The salary range provided represents the anticipated compensation for this role; however, final compensation will be based on the successful contract award and the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.