Associate Scientist

The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally, and internationally.

PHI was distinguished as one of the top 50 "Best Non-Profit Organizations to Work For" by the Non-Profit Times in a national search.

Working independently under the broad supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Research Scientist II (Associate Scientist) contributes to the design and execution of the Alcohol Research Group's (ARG) scientific activities in the alcohol, drug, and mental health fields, as specified in the relevant grant applications. The position participates in all phases of the research process, including proposal development, study design, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of findings through scientific publications and presentations.

This is a remote, temporary, full-time position, which is expected to end on November 30, 2026.

Full salary range for this position at 100% FTE: $102,876 to $154,966. The typical hiring range for this position is from $102,876 (minimum) to $128,921 (midpoint). The starting salary is determined using a variety of factors, such as the candidate's knowledge, skills, experience, as well as internal equity consideration and budget availability.

• Contribute to ARG's research program in the alcohol, drug, and mental health fields by responding to funding announcements from federal and other sponsors.

• Participate in the preparation and submission of grant applications, including development of specific aims, background and significance, research design and methods, budgets, budget justifications, and other required components.

• Draft and submit human subjects protocols to the Institutional Review Board, and prepare related modifications and renewals as needed.

• Search and review the relevant scientific literature to identify new and related developments within the appropriate fields.

• Plan, coordinate, and direct fieldwork, including participating in the design of questionnaires and other data collection instruments.

• Interact with administrative and field representatives of study sites, subcontractors, and survey interviewers to support data collection.

• Aid in the development of data collection instruments, including editing, proofreading, and verifying final materials against original sources.

• Analyze data sets, including data preparation such as cleaning and variable creation or recoding.

• Utilize appropriate statistical programs and methods, including but not limited to SPSS, STATA, R and other programs, and methods including bivariate and multivariate modeling, longitudinal methods, and data visualization.

• Write scientific papers, either independently or in collaboration with peers, under the aegis of the Principal Investigator.

• Present findings of studies at professional conferences under the aegis of the Principal Investigator.

• Participate actively in ARG's intellectual and scientific life through attendance and presentations in the weekly seminar and other research-related seminars.

• Mentor pre- and post-doctoral fellows.

• Participate in ARG administrative committees and other organizational service.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., Public Health, Epidemiology, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work).

• Five years of work experience in a research position.

• Evidence of scholarly contribution through authorship of at least five (5) peer-reviewed research papers (as single author or in collaboration with others). Having fewer published papers is acceptable depending on how recently the doctoral degree was completed.

• Experience with participation in grant writing, including but not limited to conducting literature reviews, providing writing support, and planning the study design and analytic approach.

• Knowledge of the scientific alcohol literature or of the professional literature in the applicant's own field.

• Experience with various statistical or analysis software programs (e.g., STATA, R, Dedoose) and familiarity with statistical techniques necessary for large data sets (e.g., applying survey weights, multivariable modeling), advanced statistics (e.g., propensity score weighting), research methods, and behavioral science theory.

• Ability to work with and apply mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and to apply and interpret fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions, and statistical tests.

• Broad organizational, quantitative, writing, and editing skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to think creatively and work independently.

This position is classified as exempt based on the job duties. However, based on the FTE, salary level of the employee, or federal/state/local laws, the employee may be classified as nonexempt.

The Public Health Institute is committed to a policy that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and to make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment opportunity. To this end, the PHI will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and we offer employment opportunities (and throughout employment treat our employees) fairly and equitably without regard to these characteristics.

Additional information about PHI's benefits and compensation offerings can be found here.

The Public Health Institute is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Recruitment Team at least 48 hours in advance at Recruitment@phi.org.