Research Scientist 2, Health Economics

Working Title: Research Scientist 2
Job Class: Research Scientist 2
Agency: Health Department

• Job ID: 93126
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes, Hybrid 50%
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 03/26/2026
• Closing Date: 04/08/2026
• Hiring Agency: Minnesota Health Department
• Division/Unit: Health Systems / Health Policy
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,722 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position exists to support and promote health services research in the Health Economics Program (HEP) by administering the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database (MN APCD), Minnesota Hospital Discharge Database (MN HDD), and other administrative data collection and reporting activities. The role is responsible for designing and producing accurate, timely, and comprehensive reports, analyses, and data visualizations that effectively communicate key findings, insights, and trends to inform statewide health policy. 

The focus of this position is on the collection and effective use of dental claims and non-claims-based data collected in the MN APCD, leveraging expertise in eligibility data, medical claim, pharmacy claim, dental claim, and hospital discharge data. This position is responsible for ensuring data submissions are timely and complete by leading development and implementation of effective compliance, administrative, and governance practices. Additional responsibilities include developing and maintaining dashboards created by HEP and its partners; providing advanced database management and statistical assistance to researchers and user communities; creating and implementing data quality frameworks; and creating and maintaining technical and user support documentation.

The position develops complex data validation systems by applying descriptive and inferential statistics and data quality metrics. This position develops comprehensive reference information and presentation materials showcasing HEP’s data related to health care costs and spending, health insurance coverage, health care utilization, and quality. The incumbent will participate in additional projects and work as assigned by the Supervisor of the Health Care Data Service Center.

Primary responsibilities include:

1. Lead and coordinate data management and compliance processes for the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database, including dental claims and non-claims-based payments, Minnesota
2. Hospital Discharge Database, and other administrative data collected and maintained by the Health Economics Program such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services fee-for-service claims data available through the Research Data Assistance Center (ResDAC).
3. Lead database capacity, development, and data quality improvement initiatives from intake to release through the development and maintenance of metadata, data quality standards, technical and user support documentation, and implementing standards for collecting and reporting health care administrative data.
4. Provide data and information project support by conducting data management project evaluations, meeting facilitation, supporting data sharing initiatives and public data requests by responding to inquiries and creating data extracts and support documentation.
5. Conduct and support data visualization initiatives by providing advanced data visualization and storytelling support to senior researchers, serving as the primary liaison for data visualization methodologies to evaluate and design data visualizations that will assist in the understanding of key health care issues, and building dashboards and visualizations that enable data-driven decision making.

MDH relies heavily on grant funding, in addition to state appropriated dollars. As an agency, we continually monitor funding levels and navigate some degree of uncertainty related to grant cycles and the impact of the grant funding on program priorities.

This position is currently funded and approved to be filled. While the position is funded at this time, future funding is dependent on the continuation of our funding sources. The Minnesota Department of Health works proactively to sustain programs and maintain our workforce, to avoid reductions in force to the very best of our ability. In the event of a loss of funding resulting in a necessary workforce reduction, that process is governed by our collective bargaining agreements and compensation plans.  
 

In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.

This vacancy announcement will be used to fill up to two (2) Research Scientist 2 positions. 

Minimum Qualifications

Two (2) years’ experience in health care data science, health care data analytics, or health care data research, including robust familiarity and ability to apply knowledge with specialized regulatory frameworks (such as HIPAA) for working with protected health information (PHI) and its key components, such as the Privacy Rule and Security Rule. Experience interpreting and applying state and federal law along with domain-specific data standards (such as ICD, CPT, DRG, Revenue Codes, HCPCS, and NDCs).

This experience must include each of the following:

• Two (2) years’ experience managing, cleaning, validating, and analyzing complex administrative health care datasets (such as medical claims, pharmacy claims, dental claims, eligibility, hospital discharge, or electronic heath record data), including assessing data completeness, accuracy, and usability.
• Two (2) years’ experience performing quantitative or statistical analysis to support health research, evaluation, or policy analysis, such as descriptive and inferential statistics, data quality metrics, or other applied analytical methods (such as regression analysis, risk adjustment, factor analysis, or forecasting).
• Two (2) years’ experience using statistical or data analysis tools (such as SQL, SAS, Stata, R, Tableau, or PowerBI) to extract, manipulate, analyze, and document large (hundreds of millions of records) health datasets.
• Two (2) years’ experience applying data governance, privacy (such as HIPAA), or security standards when managing health data or producing analytical outputs, including review and certification of results to reduce disclosure and re-identification risk.
• Two (2) years’ experience developing health data visualizations or dashboards that communicate analytical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

A bachelor’s degree may substitute for twelve (12) months of experience; and associate’s degree may substitute for six (6) months of experience.
 

Minimum qualifications to be assessed during the interview:

• Ability to verbally explain and defend analytical approaches, including how data quality issues are identified, evaluated, and mitigated when working with large and complex administrative health care datasets.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying data governance, privacy, and disclosure-avoidance principles, including explaining decision-making related to data access, output review, or release of summary information.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and analytical findings clearly to non-technical audiences, including describing how analyses or data products inform program, research, or policy decisions.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with all-payer claims databases, hospital discharge data, or other large, multi-source administrative health datasets, including familiarity with eligibility, medical, pharmacy, dental, or provider data structures.
• Experience developing or maintaining data quality frameworks, metadata, data dictionaries, or validation rules that support long-term data usability and reproducibility for research or policy analysis.
• Experience supporting or collaborating with diverse data user communities (e.g., researchers, program staff, external partners, or policymakers), including providing technical consultation, training, or user documentation.
   

Additional Requirements

his position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Kaitlyn Crowley at katie.crowley@state.mn.us or 651-201-5984.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Kaitlyn Crowley at katie.crowley@state.mn.us.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at health.hr.ada@state.mn.us.

About Health Department 

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity and job satisfaction.

Working together to improve the state we love. 

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? 

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits 

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include: 

• Paid vacation and sick leave 
• 12 paid holidays each year 
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans 
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children 
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care 
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.