Career Opportunities
Current Job listings:
Position Official Title: Health Science Specialist
Position Common Title: Research Associate
Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC
The Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation at the Durham VA Health Care System is seeking a full‐time (40 hours/week) Research Associates (RA) to perform and support a variety of research activities at our health services research center, Durham ADAPT. The position will support one or more VA‐funded, health‐related research projects and/or may support the research center directly. In addition to the typical job duties of a research associate, this position will work with teammates to support outward‐facing center communications.
Major responsibilities will include:
- Recruit, screen, consent, and interview participants via telephone
- Review medical records to screen for eligibility
- Support, facilitate, and carry out qualitative or quantitative data collection
- Assist with data entry and cleaning in preparation for data analyses
- Schedule study meetings and participant interviews
- Maintain tracking systems for all data collection
- Manage participant compensation and maintain compensation records
- Assist project staff with implementation activities (e.g., supporting learning collaborative calls and developing program materials)
- Communicate and/or correspond with participants
- Provide general research assistance as needed and as available, including literature reviews, formulation of tables, figures, posters and presentations, and assistance with other dissemination and communication efforts
- Assist with development of outward‐facing communications such as flyers, social media posts, and infographics
Core Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge (experience or willingness to learn): Research methods and scientific principles; Data analysis and statistics; Subject-specific terminology and concepts; Research ethics and compliance requirements; Literature review strategies; Regulatory standards (e.g., IRB, HIPAA, as applicable).
- Skills: Critical thinking and problem-solving; Written and verbal communication; Organization and time management; Basic computing (e.g., use of Microsoft products).
- Abilities: Work both independently and as part of a team; Adapt to changing priorities; Follow protocols and procedures; Maintain confidentiality; Manage multiple tasks; Learn new concepts and technologies quickly.
Additional preferred qualifications:
- Experience conducting research and/or quality improvement projects within a healthcare setting, with a preference for conducting research within the VHA system.
- Knowledge/experience with computer data collection/data entry software, e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics, or other data entry systems.
- Knowledge of Canva and other graphic design platforms for data visualization and material development.
- For some studies, background in Psychology is important; knowledge/experience working with psychiatric assessment instruments and skills and experience in interviewing (e.g., CAPS-5).
Requirements: Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences with
superior academic achievement is required. Salary and GS level will be commensurate with education and experience.
Must be a US citizen to apply.
Position: Research Associate, The Center of Innovation for Accelerating Discovery and Practice Transformation at the VA
Durham Healthcare System, Durham, North Carolina. Full‐time. This position is for a GS 7 (range starting at $52,693) or a
GS 9 (range begins at $64,453) as commensurate with education and experience. Must be a US citizen to apply. Benefits
included.
Contact: Please directly upload a cover letter and resume to a secure portal here:
https://veteransaffairs.ent.box.com/f/e1354325b33e42dd9fc10c0bbc64bb86 or you may submit it indirectly for review
by email (HSRDStaffing864@DVAGOV.onmicrosoft.com). Please title the email “Research Associate Search”
Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
Fellowship Opportunities
Click on the link to download the application
Durham VA Quality Scholars Fellowship Program
The Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System is one of just 12 sites nationally to participate in this highly-renowned national VA health care quality improvement fellowship program. Since selection as a new fellowship site in 2018, the Durham program has developed a vibrant community of clinicians dedicated to the fostering of rigorous quality improvement engagement and scholarship.
The VA Quality Scholars Program offers a two-year fellowship which uses a unique interdisciplinary approach that applies advanced quality improvement, clinical and research approaches to improve health care delivery systems and patient outcomes. The program’s intent is to develop the next generation of leaders who will improve patient safety and healthcare delivery through innovation and quality improvement.
The Durham VA Quality Scholars program is built around four main areas of focus:
- Quality Improvement Practice
- Implementation Science
- Informatics
- Statistical Methodology
Over the two-year fellowship, fellows will:
- Complete a rigorous national quality improvement curriculum run by the VAQS coordinating center in Houston, TX.
- Acquire additional academic and professional training tailored to individual interests and skill sets to prepare the fellow for future leadership in quality improvement/implementation science
- Participate in meaningful local and national quality improvement projects linked to fellow’s clinical area of interest and expertise
- Attend and present at annual meetings of VAQS fellows, senior scholars and experts from the field
- Receive mentorship from national leaders in QI and implementation science based at the Durham VA
- Maintain 20-25% clinical service
VAQS is funded by the Office of Academic Affairs in the Veterans Health Administration. This fellowship is open to physicians, doctorally-prepared nurses, physical therapists and psychologists who will have completed their clinical training by entry into the program in July 2026 and are eligible for independent practice.
Priority will be given to applications received by November 30th, 2025.
For questions about the Durham VAQS program, please contact Karen.Goldstein@va.gov or Eleanor.McConnell2@va.gov or see https://www.vaqs.org/.
To learn more about applying for this fellowship opportunity, please contact Elizabeth.Strawbridge@va.gov
Open Position: Biostatistician/Statistical Investigator
Posted: 8/12/2025
Please upload a cover letter and resume here. You may also email your cover letter and resume to HSRDStaffing864@DVAGOV.onmicrosoft.com with the subject line “Application for Biostatistician/Statistical Investigator.” Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
We always welcome inquiries from those with experience in research project management, statistics, qualitative data analysis, or other health research skills. You may send your resume and cover letter to HSRDStaffing864@DVAGOV.onmicrosoft.com and we will keep it on file.
