Employment

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is seeking a full-time Senior Research Associate I to lead and support rigorous, policy-relevant behavioral health research. The successful candidate will contribute to and expand the portfolio of behavioral health projects in the Research and Evaluation program area, which currently includes evaluations of local mental health diversion initiatives and statewide behavioral health system transformation efforts, youth mental health and juvenile justice intervention research, and pretrial risk research and evaluation.  

At PRA, research is deeply connected to practice, policy, and systems transformation. Our team collaborates with community partners, state and local agencies, and people with lived experience to produce actionable research that strengthens behavioral health systems and improves outcomes for individuals and communities. The Research and Evaluation team often works with administrative data, program data, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and site-based implementation information. Candidates should be comfortable working with complex, real-world data systems; collaborating with agency and community partners; and translating findings into practical recommendations for policy and implementation. We are seeking a collaborative and intellectually curious researcher with strong methodological expertise, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to behavioral health systems transformation.  

The ideal candidate will: 

• Bring expertise in behavioral health (mental health and substance use), with a track record of developing and managing applied research and evaluation projects.  
• Demonstrate success in securing funding to support research and evaluation projects.  
• Be able to work with imperfect real-world data, including developing data-sharing processes, analytic files, and partner-facing summaries.  
• Translate research findings for policy and practice audiences, as well as scholarly and community partners.  

This position is remote, with occasional project travel (e.g., site visits) and travel to PRA's offices in the Capital Region of NY (Albany/Troy) twice a year is required. The normal work week is Monday through Friday, with project meetings held during typical business hours (9 am – 5 pm ET).  

Responsibilities 

Research & Evaluation Leadership 

• Lead and manage complex research and evaluation projects from design through dissemination 
• Develop study designs, research questions, data collection tools, and analytic plans 
• Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data 
• Translate findings into actionable recommendations for policy, practice, and community audiences 

Community Engagement 

• Collaborate with community partners to develop and implement evaluation approaches 
• Support community-engaged and participatory research practices 

Project & Staff Management 

• Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables 
• Supervise, mentor, and support junior staff and research assistants, to maintain scientific rigor and ensure project success 
• Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary project teams across the organization  

Strategic Growth & Business Development 

• Lead and contribute to proposal development, including writing technical research approach sections 
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities and strategic goals  
• Support partnership development and expansion of PRA's research and evaluation portfolio 

Required Qualifications 

• PhD in psychology, social work, public health, sociology, or related field 
• Expertise in behavioral health, the criminal legal system, housing and income supports, and/or youth development  
• Experience designing and conducting quantitative research and evaluation studies with primary data and/or secondary administrative data (e.g., behavioral health systems, courts and legal systems, Medicaid, or social service systems) 
• Experience translating findings into practical recommendations for state/local agencies, providers, policymakers, and community partners 
• Proficiency in at least one statistical programming language (e.g., R, SAS, Stata, SPSS) 
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with experience managing projects to completion 
• Attention to detail and ability to manage tasks across multiple projects and timelines 
• Strong interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication 
• Excellence in mentoring and managing junior researchers 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience evaluating diversion, deflection, crisis response, reentry, treatment court, or related cross-system behavioral health interventions 
• Experience integrating qualitative and mixed method research approaches (e.g., interviews, thematic analysis, focus groups) 
• Experience with community-engaged and participatory research practices 

Salary Range  

This remote position is full-time, with a salary range of $80,000-$110,000, commensurate with experience.    

How to Apply 

• Complete a brief, required survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/FgcsSUAG  
• Submit a resume or CV and cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience via email to jobs@prainc.com  
• Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your research and evaluation expertise to jobs@prainc.com   

About PRA 

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) turns evidence into practical solutions across behavioral health, criminal legal, homelessness and housing, Veterans, youth, and social service systems. PRA, a small, women-owned business, has partnered with leaders in over 500 communities nationwide to produce real, lasting impact.

PRA values a workforce where the unique skills of all employees are valued in support of the mission of PRA. Qualified candidates are considered for employment without regard to status or any other characteristic protected by the law.  PRA is an equal opportunity employer that accepts all applications from a wide range of candidates. PRA is an equal opportunity employer that accepts all applications from a wide range of candidates. PRA complies with federal and state laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals.