Working Title: Research Scientist 2, Health Economics
Job Class: Research Scientist 2
Agency: Health Department
Job ID : 90743
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes, Hybrid 50%
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 1/25/2026.
Date Posted : 1/19/2026
Closing Date : 2/02/2026
Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health
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 (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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 supports and advances health services research using data created and maintained by the Health Economics Program (HEP), including the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database (MN APCD), the Minnesota Hospital Discharge Database (MN HDD), and additional administrative data sources. 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 policy.
A primary focus of this position is the collection, analysis, and effective use of dental claims data within the MN APCD. This work requires expertise in eligibility data, medical and pharmacy claims, and hospital discharge data. Additional responsibilities include developing and maintaining dashboards created by the Health Care Data Service Center (HCDSC) and its partners; creating and implementing data quality frameworks; supporting data-sharing initiatives across the HCDSC team; administering user group activities; and preparing technical and user-support documentation.
This position also contributes to MN APCD data quality improvement initiatives by investigating, documenting, and enhancing the accuracy of data related to health care costs and spending, health insurance coverage, hospital utilization, uncompensated care, and health plan enrollment and financial statistics. The incumbent will also participate in additional projects as assigned by the Supervisor of the Health Care Data Service Center.
Primary responsibilities include:
Conduct and support data visualization initiatives.
Lead data quality improvement initiatives.
Lead and coordinate dental data collection and data sharing initiatives
This position is eligible for hybrid telework. Employees living within 50 miles of the office must work in-office at least 50% of the time each month. Employees outside that radius may telework more with division director approval.
Minimum Qualifications
Two (2) years experience in data science, analytics, interoperability, data equity, informatics, business intelligence, artificial intelligence, and data strategy, data modernization, governance and research.
Experience should also include each of the following:
Experience performing quantitative data analysis using statistical or programming tools (e.g., SQL, SAS, R, STATA, Python, Tableau), demonstrated through prior employment, internships, or research roles.
Experience developing data visualizations or dashboards that communicate analytical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience working with large, complex datasets-including preparing, cleaning, validating, or assessing data quality-for use in research, analytics, or reporting.
A degree in a similar field may substitute for experience as follows:
AS equivalent to 6 months experience
Bachelor equivalent to 12 months experience
Qualifications to be assessed during the interview phase:
Ability to communicate complex analytical or technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in selecting analytical methods, assessing data quality issues, and determining appropriate approaches in ambiguous or unfamiliar situations.
Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners, including negotiating priorities, integrating stakeholder feedback, and contributing to cross-agency projects.
Ability to interpret analytical findings in the @context of health policy implications and articulate insights that inform decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working specifically with health care claims data (e.g., dental, medical, pharmacy, or hospital discharge data), including understanding submission requirements and data structures.
Experience developing or maintaining dashboards or analytical tools for public-facing or policy-focused audiences, particularly in a health services or public health @context.
Demonstrated experience leading data quality improvement initiatives-such as creating data quality frameworks, metadata standards, or validation protocols.
Knowledge of Minnesota's health care delivery system, health policy landscape, or health services research topics (e.g., utilization, access, costs, equity) to support interpretation of analytical findings.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
