Research Scientist Jobs in Houston, TX

INTRODUCTION

The department of Innovation and Implementation Research is recruiting a Research Scientist to serve as Scientific Director to advance innovation, implementation science, digital health and AI-enabled research.

At Houston Methodist, the Research Scientist is responsible for advancing the research mission of the Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI) through leadership in innovation, implementation science, digital health, and AI-enabled research. This role provides strategic scientific oversight for innovation and implementation research programs, including complex, multidisciplinary projects that leverage data science, analytics, clinical workflows, and health system transformation methodologies.

The Research Scientist serves as Scientific Director of the department and institutional representative, acting as a gatekeeper for research relationships with government agencies, industry partners, and academic collaborators.

This position operates to ensure that the scientific, operational, and budgetary needs of the department’s research portfolio are met. The Research Scientist supports management and research staff by monitoring scientific rigor and performance, standardizing research and analytic practices, optimizing financial and data resources, maintaining productivity, and resolving scientific, technical, and operational challenges across projects.

KEY AREAS:

- Digital Health and AI-focused research programs
- Care redesign related research initiatives
- Implementation science and learning health systems
- Health informatics and Data Analytics

Responsibilities:

- Lead innovation, implementation, digital health, and AI-focused research programs aligned with institutional priorities
- Provide scientific leadership in study design, research methods, data science, analytics, and program evaluation
- Lead scientific writing efforts, including manuscripts, abstracts, white papers, and institutional reports
- Co-lead the design and execution of clinical trials, pragmatic studies, and health system research initiatives
- Co-lead grant development activities, including study conceptualization, methodological design, and scientific proposal development
- Mentor postdoctoral fellows, research fellows, graduate students, and other trainees to support academic growth and research independence
- Collaborate with clinical, operational, and research stakeholders to advance system-wide innovation and research goals
- Ensure responsible stewardship of research resources, data assets, and external collaborations.

QUALIFICATIONS

- PhD (or equivalent terminal degree) in natural science, public health, health services research, epidemiology, informatics, psychology, human factors engineering, social science, behavioral science, or related field
- Strong methodological and analytic expertise
- Demonstrated potential for publications and funding
- Experience with healthcare/EHR data preferred

Scope Clarification

This role does not involve traditional wet-laboratory oversight or bench-based scientific research. Instead, it focuses on non-lab-based, translational, and applied research, emphasizing implementation science, digital healthcare, artificial intelligence, analytics, and real-world clinical impact.

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

Education

Doctorate degree in related field

Experience

Experience in related field of study

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

- Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
- Demonstrated knowledge of biomedical research
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Under the direction of a Principle Investigator (PI), coordinates and provides technical direction to the work activities of research staff engaged in projects.
- Performs procedures which require a highly developed technical skill.
- Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.
- Establishes procedures to be applied for projects.
- Participates in writing manuscripts and publications.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Compiles, writes, and submits project results to the principle investigator.
- Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.
- Analyzes data and interprets data.
- Defines problems and possible solutions as dictated by the research project.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Participates in grant writing the specific grant(s).
- Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reviews scientific literature.
Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: No
- Business professional: Yes
- Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL

- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call: No

TRAVEL

Travel specifications may vary by department
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Academic Institute oversees the Education Institute and Research Institute. The Academic Institute aligns our research and education initiatives in service to the clinical mission, providing solutions that answer the call for new technologies and skills our clinicians need for patient care. Houston Methodist Education Institute coordinates our primary academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medicine and other joint programs, including the Engineering Medicine Program at Texas A&M University Intercollegiate School of Engineering Medicine. The Education Institute also oversees continuing medical education and graduate medical education, and supports trainees in residence for medical, nursing, allied health and research education programs. Houston Methodist Research Institute supports research programs and infrastructure that enable faculty across the system to bring new scientific discoveries to patients as rapidly as possible through the full cycle of a cure from conceptual bench research, to prototyping and development, to clinical trials and FDA approval. The Research Institute supports clinical research protocols and extramurally funded translational research programs.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.