Research Associate (RWJF)

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is the largest philanthropy in America dedicated solely to health. Since 1972 we have been providing funding, assistance, and research for projects and programs to help people, their families, and their communities be as healthy as possible. RWJF is committed to working alongside others to build a Culture of Health where everyone has a fair and just opportunity for health and well-being.

Diversity, inclusion, and collaboration are fundamental principles at RWJF. Our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives enriches our work and strengthens our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues. With a career at RWJF you will make a difference.

The research associate in the Research-Evaluation-Learning (REL) Unit is a professional staff member responsible for supporting, creating, developing, implementing and managing the research and evaluation aspects of the Foundation’s initiatives. The associate will work closely with the associate vice president of REL and REL officers, directors, team members to assist in developing and guiding research initiatives.

As with staff at all levels of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, associates in Research-Evaluation-Learning are expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to the Foundation’s mission.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Assist in developing and guiding research initiatives, including identifying areas of investment, helping determine appropriate methodology, managing research projects, and analyzing and summarizing study findings for wider dissemination and impact.
Work with staff and evaluator grantees to assess, evaluate, and disseminate results of programs and projects. Work with staff to develop measures of impact for major programs and activities.
Expedite the variety of necessary steps and quality assurance tasks inherent in development and oversight of REL initiatives, including but not limited to: consulting relevant RWJF staff; engaging internal and external stakeholders; helping develop a request for proposals; communicating required deliverables; assuring quality grantees and proposals; managing research timeline; interpreting and sharing findings as appropriate.
Synthesize and produce clearly written products that integrate findings from RWJF funded projects and highlight lessons learned for internal and external audiences.
Work with REL officers to foster Foundation learning efforts, including internal assessments of organizational performance and external assessment.
Coordinate research and evaluation activities and to gather and share lessons across the Foundation, for greater strategic coordination and program development.
Participate in staff presentations and presentations at policy, research, and professional conferences.
Analyze existing datasets and survey data and create summary documents and academic publications. Maintain data files and corresponding documentation of methods.
Conduct literature reviews, develop and implement plans for disseminating the results of research, assist in preparing and co-author articles, reports and presentations for internal and external use.
Assist vice president and associate vice president in preparing and refining internal and external presentations, both written and oral.
Build a network of colleagues doing similar work in other foundations and related fields; bring back promising practices from their work, and contribute lessons from RWJF's experience to them.

Minimum Requirements

Master's degree or equivalent education and experience in public health or a related health, behavioral or social science field; or Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years related experience and/or training.
Two (2) years of related work experience in health or health care related field, health or health care related field, preferably in the non-profit or government sector; experience with or knowledge of philanthropy desirable.
Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and general office equipment. Experience with statistical packages such as SPSS or SAS is helpful.
Experience with file sharing systems (Dropbox, Google Docs) and Human Resource systems (Workday, etc.) preferred. Proficiency with general systems and ability to learn new systems is required.
Ability to foster an inclusive environment working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds.
Understanding of and experience with research synthesis/review.
Strong project and people management skills, including demonstrated ability to think independently, to be flexible and to balance multiple priorities for multiple managers, and to be tolerant of ambiguity and differences in approaches.
Excellent analytic skills and ability to synthesize and translate complicated material into clear and simple language for multiple audiences. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals and periodicals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Excellent written and oral presentation skills. Ability to effectively present material to a variety of audiences (internal and external) in various settings and formats.
Excellent interpersonal skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop trusted and positive relationships with colleagues, grantees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management.
Intellectual curiosity and ability to apply learnings to work.
Good judgment, self-aware and mature. Ability to make decisions, justifies recommendations, responsive and clear.
Ability to work on a self-directed basis and as part of a team.
Personally motivated to support the Foundation’s mission and goals; creative, flexible; able to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to novel and innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work toward achieving goals.
Ability to travel as required.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The incumbent performs job duties in a normal business office environment. Tasks are generally carried out with no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands. While performing the duties of this job the incumbent is regularly required to sit at a desk and work with a computer for extended periods of time. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment such as personal computers, duplicating machines, fax machines and standard office telephones. The incumbent may be required to attend meetings, both on-site and off-site, via phone or videoconference.