Senior Policy Analyst - Health Policy

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Senior Policy Analyst

Robert J. Margolis, MD, Institute for Health Policy

The Robert J. Margolis, MD, Institute for Health Policy at Duke University (Duke-Margolis) seeks to address critical health policy challenges and improve health, health equity, and the value of health care through practical, innovative, and evidence-based policy solutions. The interdisciplinary nature of Duke-Margolis brings together policy experts, researchers, health care professionals, and students from across Duke’s schools of medicine, nursing, law, public policy, business, and engineering, and fosters extensive relationships with stakeholders both internal and external. These relationships span foundations, private sector organizations, state and federal governments, and global entities. The Institute fosters excellence, leadership, and scholarship at every level.

Occupational Summary

Duke-Margolis is hiring a Senior Policy Analyst to join the Institute’s Health Care Transformation research team.

The individual in this position will manage and perform a variety of complex activities in research, writing, and analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data within the scope of research and policy projects at Duke University. The anticipated hire will support research and policy work related to Medicare Advantage, Original Medicare, payment and delivery reform, implementation science, technology-enabled care, and rapid learning.

Primary responsibilities of this position include conducting health policy-focused research and analysis (including literature reviews), extensive writing for a range of deliverable types (e.g., policy briefs, white papers, blog posts, peer-reviewed publications), and managing completion of project team activities and deliverables. Project activities may include management and/or coordination of Institute events and public or private stakeholder convenings that require considerable skill in external communication.

Duke-Margolis has offices in both Washington, DC and on Duke's main campus in Durham, NC. While Washington, DC is the preferred location for this position, exceptional candidates in either location may be considered. Employees are currently working in a hybrid capacity with a combination of teleworking locally to the base office area (DC/MD/VA or NC, respectively) and in-person team collaboration.

Work Performed

Manage and perform a variety of complex individual activities in research, writing, and analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data within the scope of research projects at Duke University, focused on health care transformation. Contribute to one large or multiple smaller projects under the limited guidance of a principal investigator and/or senior researcher.

This position will have a focus in work aimed at improving the efficiency of the Medicare system, including evaluating Medicare policies and guidance; assessing payment and delivery system models; and examining regulatory, policy, and care delivery drivers that shape provider behavior, beneficiary outcomes and access, and adoption of value-based care innovations. The individual in this role may also contribute to other areas of interest to the Institute that may include but are not limited to: health care delivery and payment reform with a focus on Medicaid and Medicare, health systems transformation, accountable care policy, rapid evidence generation, data standardization and interoperability, and health equity.

Collaborate with principal investigators and/or senior researchers to conduct health policy-focused research and analysis (including literature reviews), perform extensive writing for a range of deliverable types (e.g., policy briefs, white papers, blog posts, public reports and recommendations, peer-reviewed journal articles), and manage completion of project team activities and deliverables.

Identify and evaluate potential sources of qualitative and quantitative data, evidence, and information as appropriate for addressing project questions and objectives. Make recommendations for use. Evaluate and interpret data collected from diverse sources. Synthesize and translate complex information from a wide range of inputs into clear and accessible written material for a range of audiences. Prepare oral and/or written reports and analyses to present findings, establish progress, analyze trends, and provide recommendations and/or conclusions.

Produce high-quality written work products and deliverables.

Develop and begin to demonstrate technical leadership in specialized content areas relevant to the position. Develop specialized insights and familiarity with relevant federal, state, and international governmental agencies; healthcare system, industry, nonprofit, or other groups; and/or disease and patient advocacy groups.

Assist in the identification of content experts and stakeholder groups to engage in projects and events through independent research, phone interviews, and correspondence.

Monitor developments in relevant content areas by attending meetings and engaging in ongoing review of relevant sources (e.g., news, legislation, policy statements, etc.); prepare internal briefing materials on assigned topic areas. Independently notify colleagues of policy changes and provide in-depth analysis of impacts to the health care system and/or health policy landscape to inform implications for current projects and/or future research direction.

Support principal investigators and senior researchers in developing draft presentations, speaking points, and policy briefs.

Manage the completion of well-defined projects with limited guidance from principal investigators or senior researchers, including engaging with external partners in content matters. Execute assigned elements of complex plans and projects with limited guidance.

Assist in tracking and reporting on progress to achieve project milestones, deliverables, and timeline goals in accordance with the project plan, contractual requirements, and deadlines.

Manage and/or coordinate Duke-Margolis events and public or private convenings (e.g., workshops, roundtables, seminars, other varied stakeholder meetings) in collaboration with principal investigators and/or senior researchers. Contribute to content development through topic-focused policy research, preparatory analysis, and writing to craft clear and concise materials for stakeholder and expert review and response. Manage event execution.

Maintain liaison and foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders, industry representatives, and policy professionals as applicable to support project execution, data collection, and/or dissemination of findings.

Suggest project ideas, innovations, and workflow improvements. Contribute to strong and supportive working relationships across the project team(s) and Institute.

Minimum Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training: Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in a field related to the position (e.g., policy, public health, public administration, economics, science, engineering, law, or field directly related to the position). Master's degree preferred.

Experience: Work requires four years of experience in policy/research/data analysis or related position.

Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with stakeholder convening, facilitation, or learning collaboratives.
• Experience with mixed-methods or implementation-focused policy research.
• Proficiency or familiarity with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, R, Stata, SAS, or Python) to clean, analyze, and visualize data.
• Strong research and writing experience with excellent skills in both areas.

Policy research skills, including the ability to synthesize content from a broad range of sources. Data analysis capabilities are preferred.

• Strong written communication skills and the ability to transform complicated information into easy-to-understand materials.
• Ability to interact professionally and foster positive relationships with senior-level individuals (e.g., local, state, and national policymakers), stakeholders, and organizations.
• Familiarity with current trends and regulations in topic areas relevant to the specific position.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with varied responsibilities and able to respond flexibly to changing needs.
• Proficient in use of standard computing software (including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint); capacity to learn additional job-specific programs as required.
• Training or experience in the fields of health policy, public policy, public health, data science, or patient safety is preferred.
• Project coordination and/or project management experience is preferred.

Engagements are renewable annually upon funding availability. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Materials Required:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three References (names and email addresses)

Revised 7/11/26 RW