LeaHD LHS Scientist Request for Applications

We are interested in applicants who are:

    • Health system clinical or operational leaders
    • Community organization employees
    • Academic faculty members
    • Research or data scientists

The LeaHD Learning Health Systems (LHS) Scientist Program

Learning Health System Scientists conduct research within a health system to improve the health-related quality of life of persons with disability and chronic conditions by addressing inequities in access to and quality of rehabilitation and long term services and supports. Employees of health systems or community organizations and academic faculty members are eligible to apply to be LHS Scientists. 

Our LHS Scientist Program supports protected time for formal training and expert mentorship in LHS research. LHS Scientists are embedded within a LeaHD health system partner. 

Mentoring: We match LHS Scientists with an academic mentor and an on-site health system mentor through alignment of research interests and health system priorities. Academic mentors proactively track and advise the scientists’ academic development, health system engagement, and research activities. Health system mentors help guide development and execution of the embedded research project and facilitate operational engagement with the site.

Core training: We provide mentored professional development that emphasizes experiential training grounded in a competency-based curricula. The 18-month training program includes core didactic activities and individualized training activities, such as training in responsible conduct in research, PCORI Methodology Standards, and planning for dissemination and implementation. Trainees participate in regular peer-mentoring and “works in progress” meetings, AcademyHealth presentations, and a workshop in grant writing.

Individualized training activities: LHS scientists and their mentors identify additional coursework, conferences, and workshops to address knowledge gaps or targeted skills through development of an individualized training plan (IDP). 

Embedded Research Partnership: Embedded health system engagement is critical to help identify, design, and implement a LHS project that meets the priorities of the health system and is feasible to conduct during the training period. Health system mentors work with the LHS Scientist to co-create the research project with guidance from the academic mentor and other LeaHD methodology experts. Regular health system engagement throughout the training period helps integrate the LHS Scientist into regular operations, identify opportunities and relevant initiatives, and chart the course for the embedded scientists’ activities.

Funding and Eligibility Requirements

Support provided:

We support LHS Scientists for 18 months with the expectation that they commit a minimum of 40% time and effort during the program. Funding includes effort, professional development, travel, conferences, coursework, and research expenses up to $150,000 (including salary and fringe, and additional research expenses).

    Eligibility:

    We are interested in applicants who are:

    • Health system clinical or operational leaders
    • Community organization employees
    • Academic faculty members
    • Research or data scientists

    Individuals seeking advanced training in LHS research, in addition to those who are changing their career direction or are new to LHS research, are eligible to apply. 

    Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

    To be eligible for the program applicants must have:

    • Doctoral level training or organizational research/quality improvement and/or health informatics experience, and a track record of dissemination activities consistent with their current role,
    • A commitment to improving service delivery and outcomes for persons with disability and/or chronic conditions through rehabilitation or long term services and support (LTSS).

    Application Process

    Application Requirements:

    Applications must include: 

    1. 1000–2000-word essay describing:

    • motivation for pursuing LeaHD training
    • career trajectory to date, including training and prior research
    • alignment of career goals with priorities of one or more LeaHD health system partners

    2. 500-word statement describing:

    • previous engagement with persons with disabilities (PWD) or persons from socially disadvantaged backgrounds

       OR

    • vision for how to engage PWD or persons from socially disadvantaged backgrounds into research activities 

    3. An NIH formatted biosketch

    4. An NIH formatted “other support” page

    Submit all materials as a single PDF to LeaHDResearch@gmail.com saved as LastName LHS Scientist Application

    During the selection process, applicants will:

    • participate in a virtual informational interview with LeaHD leadership to answer questions and discuss potential academic mentor and health system matches; 
    • complete the LHS Research Core Competency Needs Assessment to assess the applicant’s knowledge and training goals;
    • participate in an interview to clarify goals, training needs, and project ideas.

    After initial interviews, the LeaHD team will confer with potential mentor and health system matches for the top applicants. Interested members of selected health system leadership and potential mentors will then be invited to participate in follow-up interviews with applicants to determine fit and make final applicant selections.

    Key Dates and Deadlines:

    • Information Session: February 17, 2025 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET (registration coming in January 2025)
    • Applications Due: March 21, 2025
    • Notification Date: May 15, 2025
    • Earliest Start Date: September 1, 2025