[Hiring] Principal Data Scientist @Premier Inc.

Role Description

This position will lead independent and collaborative research programs in biostatistics and health outcomes research, in partnership with public health government agencies, hospitals and health systems, and academic institutions. Apply advanced statistical and epidemiologic methods to real-world evidence (RWE) datasets, including electronic health record, administrative billing, and post-adjudicated claims data, to design observational studies, answer clinically and operationally relevant questions, and produce high-impact peer-reviewed publications. Lead the development of statistical analysis plans and research protocols, and translate study findings into new products, services, and features that support quality improvement, population health management, and policy.

This level is recognized as expert in their field, knowledgeable of emerging trends and industry practices. Works without supervision with complete latitude for independent judgment. May mentor less experienced peers and display leadership as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Research Leadership and Collaboration – 25%
  • Lead research projects in collaboration with public health government agencies, hospitals and health systems, and academic institutions.
  • Translate research findings into new products, services, and features with product and engineering teams, and provide scientific leadership for large scale implementation.
  • Design, conduct, and evaluate observational studies (e.g., cohort and cross-sectional) using RWE datasets, including administrative and EHR data.
  • Work with internal and external SMEs to identify research questions that improve quality, safety, and efficiency across the healthcare system.
• Study Design and Statistical Methodology – 25%
  • Serve as a subject matter expert in biostatistics and epidemiology across business domains (Cost, Clinical, MDM, etc.).
  • Develop statistical analysis plans and research protocols for studies and strategic initiatives.
  • Apply advanced statistical methods, including GLMs, GLMMs, GAMs, ZIPs, hypothesis testing, propensity score matching, and IPW, and causal inference methods (e.g., mediation analysis, structural equation modeling) where appropriate, to produce valid and reproducible results.
  • Generate and test hypotheses and interpret study results for clinical, operational, and policy audiences.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Research Partnerships – 15%
  • Facilitate & lead meetings with public health agencies, health system and hospital partners, academic collaborators, and internal teams to define research questions and requirements.
  • Analyze partner needs, procedures and problems, design research approaches and make recommendations.
  • Use clinical, public health, or technical background to interpret partner needs and translate them into clinically meaningful research and products.
  • Translate research findings into features and requirements that feed product backlogs.
• Publishing and Presentations – 20%
  • Generate peer reviewed publications in high-impact journals as first or lead author, highlighting Premier’s research and innovative methodologies.
  • Create patent submissions to protect Premier’s intellectual property.
  • Publicly present innovative work at conferences and symposiums to demonstrate Premier’s thought leadership.
• Knowledge Sharing - Operations – 10%
  • Provide statistical and research methodology advice, demonstrations and presentations to colleagues, clients, and management.
  • Provide mentoring and training.
• Research Operations – 10%
  • On your own or indirectly supervising research teams to develop project estimates, research timelines, and work plans.
  • Identify, develop, review, and evolve best practices, standards, and processes for rigorous, reproducible research.
  • Participate in the review of team member analyses and deliverables.

Qualifications

• Doctorate (Required)

Requirements

• Years of Applicable Experience - 10 or more years

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong business/healthcare analytics, statistics, simulation and advanced mathematics, data search, and matching experience.
• Leading collaborative research with government, health system, and academic partners.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills.
• Technical: R (Tidyverse), Python, and SQL; data modeling.
• Considerable post-doctoral research experience leading observational studies in healthcare, public health, or epidemiology.
• Biostatistics, epidemiology, and health outcomes research; machine learning experience a plus.
• Strong knowledge of real-world evidence (RWE) datasets, including administrative and EHR data.
• Strong track record of applied statistics, including GLMs, GLMMs, GAMs, ZIPs, hypothesis testing, propensity score matching, and inverse probability weighting (IPW).
• Development of statistical analysis plans and leading research projects.
• Proven track record publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals as first or lead author, with observational study designs (e.g., cohort and cross-sectional), and experience submitting patent applications.
• Experience with customer engagement, collaboration, and conflict management.
• Experience teaching in a related domain in the university setting.
• Causal inference (e.g., mediation analysis, structural equation modeling).
• Experience with Posit and Databricks.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• 401k retirement program.
• Paid time off.
• Participation in Premier’s employee incentive plans.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.