Principal Research Data Scientist

HealthLeap is seeking a Principal Research Data Scientist to lead outcomes research as the company’s first dedicated research hire. You will design and execute observational and quasi-experimental studies using real-world hospital data to inform product decisions and partnerships, building the research agenda from the ground up and translating messy datasets into publishable insights in collaboration with data science and engineering teams. This role is based in San Francisco, California, on a hybrid schedule, with a compensation range of USD 170,000 to 215,000 per year.

Responsibilities

• Lead research initiatives end to end, from study design through analysis, interpretation, and publication.
• Design and run observational and quasi-experimental analyses on real-world hospital data.
• Analyze complex clinical and operational datasets and uphold rigorous methodological standards.
• Collaborate with frontline clinicians, health system executives, the customer success team, go-to-market colleagues, and the data science team to formulate new research questions, influence product decisions, and lead outcomes and impact studies linked to health system partnerships.

Requirements

• PhD in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of non-PhD experience conducting observational health research using large healthcare databases.
• Background in epidemiology or outcomes research.
• Deep expertise in causal inference on observational data, including difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, interrupted time series, and propensity methods.
• Fluency in Python, with the ability to wrangle large observational clinical datasets.
• A demonstrated track record of owning analyses or full research projects independently.

Technologies

• Python

Benefits

• Equity: meaningful ownership in an early-stage company.
• Healthcare: 100% of premiums covered.
• PTO: unlimited, with a recommended minimum of 20 days.
• 401(k): 4% match.
• Equipment: laptop plus a home office budget.

Where This Goes

As the inaugural dedicated research hire, you will help define HealthLeap's research priorities and manage your own portfolio. In the first year, the focus will be on conducting outcomes studies and advancing two studies to publication, with opportunities to shape the growth of the research team and the broader function over time.

Bonus

• Hands-on experience with EHR, claims, and billing data.
• Familiarity with healthcare quality metrics and health system benchmarking.
• Experience presenting research at conferences or to external audiences.
• Exposure to claims or billing data.
• Industry experience is valued, though strong academic candidates are welcome.

Interview Process

• Intro call to establish mutual fit.
• Technical interviews focused on methods and past work.
• Onsite assessment including a case study presentation and behavioral interview with the team.
• Decision announced the same week as the onsite, with a respect for your time.