Research Analyst (Literature & Environmental Scans) 2026P-0188
Ascension is seeking a Research Analyst (Junior to Mid-Level) to support federal policy and research initiatives for HHS ASPE, specifically within Behavioral Health, Disability, Aging Policy, and Human Services domains. This role is critical to supporting evidence-based policymaking by conducting structured literature reviews, environmental scans, and synthesizing complex research into actionable insights.
The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a research-intensive, fast-paced environment, with the ability to translate large volumes of qualitative and quantitative information into clear, concise products that inform policy decisions. This position plays a key role in enabling leadership to make informed decisions on emerging issues such as behavioral health, long-term care, disability services, and human services programs.
Position Summary
The Research Analyst will support Task 2: Literature Reviews and Environmental Scans, delivering high-quality research products including memoranda, briefs, and reports. The role requires strong analytical thinking, structured research methodologies, and the ability to work under tight deadlines for rapid-turnaround deliverables, which are a core requirement of the ASPE environment.
This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, intellectually curious professional who can operate with minimal supervision, anticipate research needs, and synthesize findings into policy-relevant insights. The candidate must be comfortable working across multiple topic areas and adapting to evolving research priorities.
Key Responsibilities / Day-to-Day Activities
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews across peer-reviewed and gray literature
- Perform environmental scans to assess programs, policies, and emerging trends
- Synthesize research findings into technical memoranda, briefs, and reports
- Support background research for policy analysis and decision-making
- Analyze and summarize complex data and research into clear, actionable insights
- Identify key themes, gaps, and implications for federal policy development
- Develop annotated bibliographies and structured research summaries
- Collaborate with senior analysts and policy experts to refine research outputs
- Support preparation of presentations and briefing materials for leadership
- Ensure all deliverables meet quality standards and Section 508 compliance
- Manage multiple assignments with competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment
How to Apply
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| Job Category | Data Analysis and Analytics |
| Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Social Sciences, Economics, or related field |
| Required Skills | 2–5 years of experience in research, policy analysis, or program evaluation |
| Technical Skills | Demonstrated experience conducting literature reviews and research synthesis, Strong analytical and critical thinking skills | Experience writing reports, briefs, or technical memoranda | Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities | Strong written and verbal communication skills |
| Desired Skills | Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Social Sciences, or related field | Experience supporting federal clients (HHS preferred) | Familiarity with behavioral health, disability, aging, or human services policy areas Experience with research tools and databases (e.g., PubMed, JSTOR, Google Scholar) | Knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies | Experience supporting rapid-turnaround analytical environments | Familiarity with data visualization or reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau) Understanding of federal policy development and regulatory processes |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain HHS Public Trust (Moderate Risk) | U.S. Citizenship or eligibility to work on federal contracts |