Research Programmer I, Health Research, USC Schaeffer Center

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The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics is one of the nation’s premier health policy research centers.  Housed jointly in the School of Pharmacy and Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California (USC), its mission is to measurably improve value in health care through evidence-based policy solutions, research excellence, and private and public sector engagement.  Center experts are frequently cited by the media, White House, Congress, the Congressional Budget Office, the Federal Reserve Board, and other agencies.

A diverse staff of 40+ work alongside 60+ affiliated faculty to ensure the Center’s activities are rigorous, independent, and policy-relevant.  This includes research staff, a finance team, and media and communications experts.  The Center also supports a microsimulation group and a research programmer core with access to models, methods, and an extensive data library.    

Job Summary

The Schaeffer Center is seeking a Research Programmer I to provide programming support on research projects that use administrative healthcare claims data.  Knowledge of SAS and STATA required.  Programmers are an integral part of the research team and work closely with principal investigators and a multidisciplinary research team.  The key role of the programmer is to develop a plan to adapt data that are complex and very large in scope to answer research questions.  Programmers also execute the analytical plan for the project in conjunction with graduate students. They manage large data files and apply creativity and innovation to solve conceptual programming problems raised by cutting-edge research.  Programmers are also part of a state-of-the-art data core at Schaeffer Center with opportunity for peer interaction and mentoring. This is a full-time, two-year fixed term position. Fully on-site work arrangement preferred, hybrid (three days on-site/two days remote) work arrangement would be considered.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Statistics, quantitative social science, health economics, mathematics or related field

• 2 or more years of programming experience using SAS and STATA programming languages

• Ability to work independently on complex programming problems

• Experience with health data, including administrative healthcare (medical, pharmacy, plan benefit/enrollment, etc.) claims from Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurance plans, and electronic medical/health records

Preferred Qualifications:

• MA/MS in Statistics, quantitative social science, health economics, mathematics or related field

• 3 or more years of experience with SAS and STATA. Experience with SQL preferred but not required

• Experience with large administrative databases, survey data, claims data, electronic health records data

• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in solving conceptual programming problems.

Compensation

The hourly rate range for this position is $43.53 - $48.96. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

Minimum Education: Master's degree, Combined work experience and education as equivalent Minimum Experience: 1 year Minimum Field of Expertise: Demonstrated creativity and innovation in solving conceptual programming problems. Competent to work independently on complex programming.