Senior Researcher - Research Scientist 3

Working Title: Senior Researcher - Research Scientist 3
Job Class: Research Scientist 3
Agency: Health Department

• Job ID: 94808
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes / Hybrid 50%
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open for all qualified job seekers.
• Date Posted: 07/31/2026
• Closing Date: 08/14/2026
• Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
• Division/Unit: Health Systems / Health Policy / Health Economics Program
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually
• Job Class Option: Economics
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 – MN Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Re-Posting: Yes
• 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.

Join the Minnesota Department of Health’s Health Economics Program as a Senior Researcher leading high-impact economic and policy research that informs statewide health care decisions. This position serves as a subject matter expert on health care provider markets, financing, capacity, and access, while providing critical analysis and oversight related to Minnesota’s hospital bed moratorium and major provider expenditures. The role requires advanced research expertise, independent judgment, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable policy recommendations for agency leadership, legislators, and stakeholders.

Primary responsibilities include: 

• Lead complex economic, statistical, and health services research projects examining health care provider markets, financing, access, capacity, and the impact of policy initiatives.
• Manage and oversee Minnesota’s hospital bed moratorium review process, including evaluating proposals, conducting public interest analyses, assessing compliance, and preparing recommendations for agency leadership.
• Analyze health care provider financial performance, expenditure trends, and market dynamics to support policy development and decision-making.
• Design, conduct, and communicate research related to provider capacity, workforce and service access challenges, and emerging health care market issues affecting Minnesotans.
• Prepare reports, legislative briefings, presentations, and policy analyses while serving as a technical expert and resource for internal and external stakeholders.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure your resume/application clearly describe your experience in the areas listed below and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

• Four (4) years of experience* conducting health-related empirical research, policy analysis, health services or economic research, or public policy analysis that includes all of the following: 
  • Experience designing and conducting quantitative research, statistical analyses, or applied policy analysis;
  • Experience analyzing health care administrative, claims, encounter, discharge, or financial data, to assess healthcare rates, utilization patterns, costs, or market trends;
  • Experience preparing reports, issue briefs, dashboards, or other products that communicate analytic findings.
• Experience using statistical, econometric, or data analysis software such as SQL, SAS, R, Stata, Python, or similar tools.

*A degree in Economics, Public Health, Statistics, Epidemiology, Public Policy, Health Administration, Data Science, Public Administration, or a closely related field may count towards professional experience as follows:

• Associates = 6 months.
• Bachelors = 12 months.
• Masters = 18 months.
• PhD = 24 months.

Minimum qualifications that will be assessed during the interview process: 

• Experience communicating analytic findings to technical and non-technical audiences in a concise, logical, and objective way.
• Experience weighing organizational, operational, or business considerations against broader public policy, access, equity, or community impact considerations in research, oversight, or policy analysis.
• Ability to independently plan and carry out applied quantitative research with limited direction, including selecting appropriate methods, working through data limitations, and exercising sound analytic judgment.
• Ability to interpret findings in a policy or regulatory context and provide clear, defensible insights related to health care markets, patient access, provider capacity, utilization, or financing or other public interest considerations
• Ability to explain complex analytic findings clearly to leadership, policymakers, and other technical and non-technical audiences, including responding effectively to questions or competing perspectives
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting or implementing regulatory, certificate-of-need, public interest review, compliance, or other government-based oversight processes involving health care providers or health systems. 
• Experience using business intelligence, dashboarding, data visualization, or other public-facing analytic tools to communicate complex findings to decision makers or stakeholders.
• Experience using data to assess healthcare provider capacity, utilization, financing, expenditures, or patient access to care, to inform state policy questions.
   

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
• MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

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 Danielle Whitney at dani.whitney@state.mn.us or 651-201-3701.

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 Danielle Whitney at dani.whitney@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.