Principal Research Scientist - Pharmaceutical Pricing Practices and Policies Research

Company: NORC at the University of Chicago
Location: Washington
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: NORC at the University of Chicago seeks an experienced Principal Research Scientist to direct program and policy projects, with an emphasis on those related to pharmaceutical drug pricing practices and costs. This position will have a hybrid work schedule of one to two days a week in either our Chicago, IL or Washington, DC office. DEPARTMENT: Health Care Evaluation Research NORC’s expertise and ongoing work in health care delivery and financing — including access to insurance, payment and delivery-system reform, benefit design, and quality measurement — advance stakeholders’ understanding of policies and programs, facilitate implementation, and contribute to important improvements in cost and quality. NORC’s expert staff has extensive knowledge of all aspects of health care delivery, from private marketplaces and employer-sponsored insurance to Medicare and Medicaid; from large health care systems to small clinics; and from the needs of children to those of older adults, people with disabilities, and ethnic and racial minorities. Our expert team includes social scientists that acquire, collect, and analyze data from health care organizations and patients; evaluators; health services researchers; health-policy analysts; and professionals with first-hand experience running and supporting health care programs. RESPONSIBILITIES: Play a lead role in growing NORC’s portfolio in the area of pharmaceuticals and prescription-drug pricing and policy Provide consultative pricing analysis, evaluation expertise, and operational and technical support for federal clients on the following topics and their impact on prescription drug pricing Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provisions Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing Utilization management New therapeutic alternative market entry Macro-economic trends Loss of exclusivity 340b Design and conduct quantitative health economics modeling studies, evaluations, and analyses such as cost effectiveness, cost benefit, budget impact, network meta-analysis, and others to demonstrate the impact of policy changes on prescription drug pricing. Provide methods and estimations for price (or proxies), rebates, and margins calculations across pharmaceutical supply chains for Medicare Part B & D, Medicaid, Commercial, 340B and Big4. Independently draft and manage contract proposals and grant applications, communicating effectively with clients, consultants, and members of the policy and research community Participate in and contribute to internal discussions and strategic thinking concerning future research opportunities and the implications of ongoing policy-making for NORC Manage contracts and work closely with clients to ensure that contractual requirements (deliverables and timelines) and client expectations are met using the highest standards of quality and collegiality Monitor and oversee the financial and administrative aspects of ongoing projects. Manage multiple project teams of senior, mid-level, and junior staff, and bring in experts as needed, to meet client expectations and contractual requirements Supervise and mentor junior staff. REQUIRED SKILLS: Master or Doctoral degree in economics or related fields (training in medical or pharmaceutical disciplines and work with pharmaceuticals for health economics, pricing, and market access will be considered). PhD or PharmD preferred. At least 12 years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility in pharmaceutical pricing, market access, or related field (or equivalent education), including at least 5 years of project direction Expert knowledge of IRA and MFN provisions, drug benefit redesign and their impact on prescription drug pricing Knowledge/experience of estimating net of discounts and rebate Medicare Part D drug prices, Medicare Part B prices, Medicaid best prices from WAC and AMP, Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) margins, net of discounts and rebate commercial prices, 340B prices, and volume of duplicates in Medicare and Medicaid. Knowledge/experience of utilization management, formulary placements, new therapeutic alternative market entry, loss of exclusivity, and their impact on drug pricing. Experience analyzing pharmaceutical pricing, costs, utilization, and quality outcomes using relevant data sets such as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part B & D, Medicaid, State Drug Utilization Data (SDUD), National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), Federal Supply Schedule (FFS), IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP), National Prescription Audit (NPA), Longitudinal Prescription Data (LRx), MIDAS, SSR Health, IPD Analytics, and Norstella. A strong foundation in quantitative and health economics research methods, and demonstrated experience designing and leading research studies Knowledge of pharmaceutical and biosimilars therapy for chronic and high-cost conditions, including trends and shifts in pricing Monitor and oversee the financial and administrative aspects of ongoing projects Managerial, leadership, and interpersonal skills to lead inter-disciplinary, cross-national project teams Experience with conducting policy analysis in a government or professional services environment. Experience with estimating project and proposal costs and managing project budgets. Excellent oral and written communication skills and aptitude in leading and working with project teams, coordinating multiple projects (including those run by others within NORC). Occasional travel for site visits and meetings may be required. Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. This position will have a hybrid work schedule of one to two days a week in either our Chicago, IL or our Washington, DC office. SALARY AND BENEFITS: The pay range for this position is $171,000 to $210,000. This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to: Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment Dental and vision insurance A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). NORC’s Approach to Equity and Transparency Pay and benefits transparency helps to reduce wage gaps. As part of our commitment to pay equity and salary transparency, NORC includes a salary range for each job opening along with information about eligible benefit offerings. At NORC, we take a comprehensive approach to setting salary ranges and reviewing raises and promotions, which is overseen by a formal Salary Review Committee (SRC). WHAT WE DO: NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge. WHO WE ARE: For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale. EEO STATEMENT: NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics.

Keywords: NORC at the University of Chicago, Washington DC , Principal Research Scientist - Pharmaceutical Pricing Practices and Policies Research, Healthcare , Washington, DC