Positions, Internships, and Fellowships

Deputy Director in Charge of Health Policy 

Location: Washington, D.C. (2 days/week in D.C. office, usually Tuesday/Thursday, 3 days/week remote)

Start Date: September or October 2026

Hours: Full-time 

Salary Range: $80,000-$150,000 commensurate with education and relevant experience. 

The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) invites applications for a newly created Deputy Director in Charge of Health Policy. This position requires a scientifically rigorous, mission-driven leader who has experience working in a leadership role on federal health policy issues and has proven expertise in translating complex medical or public health data into clear, persuasive insights that inform federal policy, health professionals, and the public.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the organization’s strategic direction, expand its national influence, and advance evidence-based health policy and the quality of medical care. It involves a key role in supervising our impressive staff, organizational strategy, external partnerships, and governance. The position is expected to grow in scope and leadership over time.

What We’re Looking For

• PhD, MD, or equivalent in public health, epidemiology, medicine, or psychology.
• Strong biostatistics and research interpretation skills
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills for scientific and general audiences
• At least 5 years experience working with federal health policies either on Capitol Hill, an HHS agency, or a nonprofit focused on health issues, and available to work in Washington, D.C. starting September or October 2026 (no visa sponsorship)
• Demonstrated ability, or clear potential, to represent a highly visible nonprofit organization
• Collaborative mindset, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to scientific integrity

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret research for clinical and policy relevance
• Lead and contribute to high-impact writing, including policy briefs, public-facing materials, and public comments to federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Represent NCHR by actively participating in national meetings, coalition building, and oral presentations at federal advisory committees
• Supervise and mentor a team of researchers and public health/public policy experts
• Collaborate closely with NCHR’s president on strategy, partnerships, organizational priorities, and long-term planning

Why This Role Is Unique

NCHR has a long-standing reputation for influencing national conversations on healthcare quality, patient safety, and the use of evidence in policy decisions. The Deputy Director will help amplify this impact—shaping how research informs regulatory decisions, media narratives, and public understanding across the United States.

NCHR is a nonprofit public health think tank that conducts research, analyzes evidence, works with experts nationwide as well as patient advocates, and explains the implications and ramifications of health-related policies to policymakers and their staff, the media, and the public.  We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, chemical companies, or companies with a financial interest in our work. For more information about our Center’s research and policy work, see the “Speaking Out,” “We’re in the News,” and Research sections of  www.center4research.org and the Monthly Digests listed in our “About Us” section.

Additional Information

Our office is in Washington, D.C., facing Farragut Square, convenient to the red, orange, blue, and silver metro lines.  We all work in the office in D.C. 2 days/week, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays, and remotely on M, W, and F.

To apply, please submit the following to Ava Marshall at avm@center4research.org:

• Your resume or CV
• A cover letter explaining how your expertise aligns with our mission, your available start date, and salary expectations.

No calls, please.

Government Relations Manager

Location: Washington, DC (2 days/week in D.C. office, usually Tuesday/Thursday, 3 days/week remote)

Hours: Full-time (M-F)

This is a terrific opportunity for a Capitol Hill staffer, or someone who has worked effectively with Capitol Hill staff in a professional capacity, who wants to influence health policy and the quality of medical care while working “only” 40 hours/week.

Must have experience working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, or directly with Capitol Hill health policy staff in their policy role in an HHS agency or nonprofit organization. Excellent oral and written communication skills are also required. The successful candidate will have at least 2-3 years of experience working on Capitol Hill on health issues, preferably with HELP, Finance, Ways and Means, or Energy & Commerce staff, and will have a graduate degree in medicine, healthcare, health policy, psychology, or public health.

Apply now for a position starting in September or October. Send a resume or c.v. and cover letter explaining how your experience fits with our work and this job description, and including your available start date and salary requirements to Ava Marshall at avm@center4research.org.

Make a Difference

The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) has a national reputation for influencing healthcare quality, patient safety, and the use of scientific evidence in policy decisions to prevent and treat the health problems that affect our lives. The Government Relations Manager will work with Capitol Hill staff and federal agency officials to shape how research evidence informs laws and regulations, federal agency decision-making, and public understanding of the impact of federal programs and policies on the quality of healthcare in the U.S.

NCHR is a nonprofit public health think tank that conducts research, analyzes evidence, works with experts nationwide as well as patient advocates, and explains the implications and ramifications of health-related policies to policymakers and their staff, the media, and the public.  We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, chemical companies, or companies with a financial interest in our work. For more information about our Center’s policy work, see the “Speaking Out,” “We’re in the News,” and Research sections of  www.center4research.org and the Monthly Digests listed in our “About Us” section.

Additional Information

Our office is in Washington, DC, facing Farragut Square, convenient to the red, orange, blue, and silver metro lines.  We all work in the office in D.C. 2 days/week, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays, and remotely on M, W, and F.

Excellent benefits and salary commensurate with education, experience, and relevant skills, with a starting salary ranging from $65,000-$90,000.

No calls, please.