Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Position Summary
Position Title: Research Associate
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is a not-for-profit organization leading
the improvement of health care throughout the world. Founded in 1991 and based in
Boston, MA, IHI is a catalyst for change, cultivating innovative concepts for improving
patient care and implementing programs for putting those ideas into action. Thousands of
health care providers participate in IHI’s groundbreaking work.
IHI’s vision is to be a premier integrative force, an agent for profound change, dedicated
to improving health care for all. Our measures of success include improved safety,
effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity.This work relies on
the retrieval and use of information and scientific knowledge from health care and other
industries.
Position Summary:
As an integral member of the staff, the Research Associate will work within the IHI
Research and Development Department with the Results & Evaluation (R&E) Team lead
by Gareth Parry. The R&E system at IHI aims to identify what it takes to bring about
improvement in health care. The primary role of the Research Associate will be to
support and provide feedback to IHI improvement teams as they progress through the
R&E system. In addition the Research Associate will be expected to assist in developing
methods for sharing what has been learnt both internally and where appropriate externally
through peer-reviewed publications.
A successful Research Associate must also share the Institute’s mission and strategic
objectives.
Position Responsibilities:
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To assist in the design of improvement projects that are consistent with the IHI R&E
system.
To support IHI improvement projects as they progress through the IHI R&E system.
To synthesize and summarize the learning from the IHI R&E system.
To assist in developing methods of coding what has been learnt from IHI
improvement projects and programs.
To assist in the writing of internal and external publications summarizing what has
been learnt from IHI improvement projects and programs.
Prepare PowerPoint slides, tables, charts, and other exhibits.
Present summary reports to both internal IHI audiences and external meetings.
Support general IHI administration.
Position Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
 Knowledge or experience of working in Health care is highly desirable.
 Familiarity with formative evaluation approaches and methods
 Familiarity with the development and application of logic models, conceptual and
theoretical models
 Excellent ability to gather and synthesize information from various sources.
 Strong ability to interpret both quantitative and qualitative data.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills.
 The ability to work independently and as a team member.
 Intellectual curiosity including interest in health care.
 The ability to collaborate with others and work as part of a team.
 Self-motivation, flexibility and integrity.
 Good computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and electronic
searching techniques. Willingness and ability to quickly learn other computer
applications, e.g., SPSS, NVivo, atlas.ti , PubMed, EndNote, Microsoft Project.
Position Qualifications:
 Bachelor's degree required, Master’s degree with an evaluation component preferred
Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to:
Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Vice President, Human Resources
20 University Road, 7th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
employment@ihi.org