Research Jobs in District of Columbia
Research jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in Washington, D.C., where think tanks, federal agencies, and major universities drive continuous demand for policy researchers, social scientists, and data analysts at every level from research associate to senior fellow. Top employers with a lasting D.C. presence include the Brookings Institution, the Urban Institute, and RAND Corporation, alongside a dense cluster of federal contractors and government agencies headquartered in the region. The most in-demand specialties are public policy research, health policy analysis, and social and behavioral science. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the primary financial officer for the MedStar Washington Hospital Center and the MedStar Health Research Institute. Major responsibilities include developing and maintaining a strategic financial plan and annual operating and capital budgets; financial analysis of new programs review of all financial reporting and analyses reports; decision support review of patient revenue activities and oversight of the financial and government reporting compliance. Responsible for directing the fiscal functions of the MedStar Washington Hospital Center and the MedStar Health Research Institute in accordance with financial management techniques and practices appropriate within the healthcare industry in partnership with MedStar's Professional Support Services Center.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops and contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies procedures quality standards and safety standards. Ensures compliance with hospital/facility policies and procedures and governmental/accreditation regulations.
- Participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams as appropriate. Participates in meetings serves on committees and represents the department and hospital/facility in community outreach efforts as appropriate.
- Functions as an integral part of the overall MedStar Health finance team.
- Works closely with MWHC and MHRI leadership and the health system finance team to promote good stewardship of MWHC and MHRI resources.
- Working through the management team and physicians serves as a resource to help enhance revenues; reduce costs; achieve effective utilization and quality goals and objectives; and analyze and utilize information to develop and support management decisions.
- Directs a comprehensive budget process for MWHC and MHRI including prioritized project submissions for the capital budget.
- Performs monthly financial review and analysis of operating results for MWHC and MHRI. In conjunction with MedStar Professional Support Services Center (PSSC) coordinates the preparation of monthly financial analyses reports and variance analyses.
- Directs the preparation of financial projections for new projects major capital expenditures or proposed changes in operations.
- Provides leadership in the development and the continuous evaluation of short and long-term strategic financial objectives for both organizations. Develops implements and periodically updates a strategic financial plan/long range financial forecast in collaboration with System finance team.
- Interprets current financial trends and respond with appropriate action to improve financial results for both enterprises. Providing timely and accurate analysis of financial data reports and trends on a routine basis and as requested by management and others.
- Supervises and provides leadership and mentoring to fiscal and other staff; develop and establish policies and procedures in alignment with system polices and procedures; establishes goals for professional development of staff; participate in succession planning for fiscal staff. Maintains customer service standards consistent with MedStar Health customer service standards
- Helps coordinate revenue cycle initiatives in collaboration with PSSC.
- Serves as the liaison with the MedStar parent corporation the PSSC and its subsidiaries (hospital and other MedStar entities) on financial related topics and issues.
- Consistently demonstrates support for compliance in the performance of job duties and responsibilities by (a) developing and maintaining knowledge of and performing job functions in compliance with rules regulations policies and statutes that affect his/her job; (b) maintaining knowledge of and performing job functions in compliance with MedStar Health MWHC and MRI policies and procedures; and (c) reporting compliance concerns in an appropriate and timely manner.
- Works with PSSC on Federal and Commercial Grants and Contracts Post Award accounting and reporting. Reviews annual costs reports and coordinates activities related to Medicare and Federal Indirect Cost Proposals.
- Collaborate with PSSC on the coordination and activities of independent auditors associated with all research grant major programs in connection with the A-133 audits.
- Develops in conjunction with PSSC and manages MWHC and MHRI key financial performance indicators and works with entity management in improving financial results using such indicators.
- Collaborate to integrate MedStar System level business transformation initiatives into MWHC and MHRI operations. Identify and advance entity specific business transformation initiatives.
- Represents MWHC with external stakeholders as necessary including DC Hospital Association and the DC Department of Healthcare Finance.
Education
- Bachelor's degree required (accounting or finance preferred) or MBA in lieu of Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial career track record in large tertiary or academic medical centers is required
- Successful experience in complex integrated healthcare system is required
- Demonstrated experience in a key financial leadership position is required
- Experience overseeing federal research grants and required financial accounting is required
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Upon Hire preferred
- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Basic computer skills preferred.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the primary financial officer for the MedStar Washington Hospital Center and the MedStar Health Research Institute. Major responsibilities include developing and maintaining a strategic financial plan and annual operating and capital budgets; financial analysis of new programs review of all financial reporting and analyses reports; decision support review of patient revenue activities and oversight of the financial and government reporting compliance. Responsible for directing the fiscal functions of the MedStar Washington Hospital Center and the MedStar Health Research Institute in accordance with financial management techniques and practices appropriate within the healthcare industry in partnership with MedStar's Professional Support Services Center.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops and contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies procedures quality standards and safety standards. Ensures compliance with hospital/facility policies and procedures and governmental/accreditation regulations.
- Participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams as appropriate. Participates in meetings serves on committees and represents the department and hospital/facility in community outreach efforts as appropriate.
- Functions as an integral part of the overall MedStar Health finance team.
- Works closely with MWHC and MHRI leadership and the health system finance team to promote good stewardship of MWHC and MHRI resources.
- Working through the management team and physicians serves as a resource to help enhance revenues; reduce costs; achieve effective utilization and quality goals and objectives; and analyze and utilize information to develop and support management decisions.
- Directs a comprehensive budget process for MWHC and MHRI including prioritized project submissions for the capital budget.
- Performs monthly financial review and analysis of operating results for MWHC and MHRI. In conjunction with MedStar Professional Support Services Center (PSSC) coordinates the preparation of monthly financial analyses reports and variance analyses.
- Directs the preparation of financial projections for new projects major capital expenditures or proposed changes in operations.
- Provides leadership in the development and the continuous evaluation of short and long-term strategic financial objectives for both organizations. Develops implements and periodically updates a strategic financial plan/long range financial forecast in collaboration with System finance team.
- Interprets current financial trends and respond with appropriate action to improve financial results for both enterprises. Providing timely and accurate analysis of financial data reports and trends on a routine basis and as requested by management and others.
- Supervises and provides leadership and mentoring to fiscal and other staff; develop and establish policies and procedures in alignment with system polices and procedures; establishes goals for professional development of staff; participate in succession planning for fiscal staff. Maintains customer service standards consistent with MedStar Health customer service standards
- Helps coordinate revenue cycle initiatives in collaboration with PSSC.
- Serves as the liaison with the MedStar parent corporation the PSSC and its subsidiaries (hospital and other MedStar entities) on financial related topics and issues.
- Consistently demonstrates support for compliance in the performance of job duties and responsibilities by (a) developing and maintaining knowledge of and performing job functions in compliance with rules regulations policies and statutes that affect his/her job; (b) maintaining knowledge of and performing job functions in compliance with MedStar Health MWHC and MRI policies and procedures; and (c) reporting compliance concerns in an appropriate and timely manner.
- Works with PSSC on Federal and Commercial Grants and Contracts Post Award accounting and reporting. Reviews annual costs reports and coordinates activities related to Medicare and Federal Indirect Cost Proposals.
- Collaborate with PSSC on the coordination and activities of independent auditors associated with all research grant major programs in connection with the A-133 audits.
- Develops in conjunction with PSSC and manages MWHC and MHRI key financial performance indicators and works with entity management in improving financial results using such indicators.
- Collaborate to integrate MedStar System level business transformation initiatives into MWHC and MHRI operations. Identify and advance entity specific business transformation initiatives.
- Represents MWHC with external stakeholders as necessary including DC Hospital Association and the DC Department of Healthcare Finance.
Education
- Bachelor's degree required (accounting or finance preferred) or MBA in lieu of Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial career track record in large tertiary or academic medical centers is required
- Successful experience in complex integrated healthcare system is required
- Demonstrated experience in a key financial leadership position is required
- Experience overseeing federal research grants and required financial accounting is required
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Upon Hire preferred
- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Basic computer skills preferred.
See All 61 Research Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Research JobsResearch Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant social science, policy, or technical field
- Demonstrated experience designing and conducting quantitative or qualitative research studies
- Proficiency with statistical software such as Stata, R, SAS, or Python
- Strong writing skills for producing policy briefs, reports, and peer-reviewed publications
- Familiarity with federal data sources, government datasets, or regulatory research processes
- Experience presenting findings to government stakeholders, funders, or interdisciplinary teams
Research Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research in District of Columbia?
Most research positions in D.C. require at minimum a bachelor's degree, though master's and doctoral credentials are standard at think tanks, federal agencies, and contractors. There is no state-issued research license in D.C., but roles tied to federal grants or agency contracts often require background clearance eligibility. Entry-level candidates typically build their path through graduate programs at George Washington University, Georgetown, or American University, then move into junior analyst or research associate roles.
Which companies hire researchs in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia research roles are posted by Georgetown University, American University, and Institutional Shareholder Services and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. D.C.'s concentration of federal agencies, nonprofit policy organizations, and government contractors makes it one of the most active research hiring markets in the country.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most research jobs?
Washington and Foggy Bottom have the most research openings in District of Columbia. Washington, D.C. itself dominates the distribution because it is the seat of federal government and home to the country's densest concentration of think tanks, policy institutes, and government contractors, which draws research demand into the surrounding metro areas of Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland as well.
Are there remote research jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 82% of research openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on analysis, writing, and data rather than on-site fieldwork. Policy research, literature reviews, and data analysis roles are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, while positions requiring classified access or direct community-based fieldwork remain predominantly on-site.
How can I get hired as a research in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research assistant or junior analyst role at a D.C. think tank, federal agency, or university research center. Organizations like the Urban Institute, the Pew Research Center, and American University's research centers regularly bring on entry-level candidates with strong academic backgrounds. A master's thesis, published writing sample, or data analysis portfolio carries significant weight in lieu of formal work experience, and internships with federal agencies or policy organizations are a direct pipeline to full-time offers.
Where can I find and apply to research jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to research jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current D.C. openings updated in real time. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and specialization, and apply directly through each listing.
See All 61 Research Jobs in District of Columbia
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