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Public Health Research Associate Jobs in California

Moffitt

Research Associate I

West Covina, CA

$19.65 - $29.94/hr

Summary The Research Associate I assumes the responsibility of performing basic, biological, behavioral, social science or public health research within the specified research program. The Research ...

Moffitt

Research Associate I

West Covina, CA · On-site

$18.64 - $28.53/hr

Summary The Research Associate I assumes the responsibility of performing basic, biological, behavioral, social science or public health research within the specified research program. The Research ...

Heluna Health

Research Associate

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$28.82 - $36.25/hr

... Public Health (RSPH) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), are recruiting a ... The Research Associate will join the team under the general oversight of the Orange County TB ...

Heluna Health

Research Associate

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$28.82 - $36.25/hr

... Public Health (RSPH) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), are recruiting a ... The Research Associate will join the team under the general oversight of the Orange County TB ...

Heluna Health

Research Associate

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$59.95 - $75.40/hr

... Public Health (RSPH) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), are recruiting a ... The Research Associate will join the team under the general oversight of the Orange County TB ...

Apex Informatics

Research Associate

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Research Associate ( W2 role) Loc : Onsite in San Francisco OR Mountain View - Independently run ... health research studies - Perform data collections (conduct studies/tests) for various research ...

Heluna Health

Research Associate

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$32.96/hr

... Public Health. The Center on Substance Use and Health conducts pharmacologic and behavioral ... In this role, the Research Associate will assist with the administration of study surveys to ...

Heluna Health

Research Associate

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$32.96/hr

... Public Health. The Center on Substance Use and Health conducts pharmacologic and behavioral ... In this role, the Research Associate will assist with the administration of study surveys to ...

Brandeis University

Research Associate I

Brandeis, CA · On-site

Brandeis University seeks to hire a Research Associate I to perform a variety of tasks to provide ... Coordinate project activities across multiple sites for public health data collection and support ...

City of Hope

Research Associate I

Duarte, CA · On-site

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate I to support biostatistics, data science, and ... epidemiology, public health, or biomedical research while contributing to high-impact cancer ...

Stratevi

Research Associate

Santa Monica, CA

$75K/yr

Stratevi Job Opening Research Associate Who We Are As the name 'Stratevi' suggests, we seamlessly ... Who You Are You have an advanced degree (PhD, MA, or MS) in life sciences, economics, public health ...

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All JobsPublic Health Research Associate JobsPublic Health Research Associate Jobs in California

Public Health Research Associate information

What is a public health research associate?

Public Health Research Associates are professionals who support the design, implementation, and analysis of research projects aimed at improving public health outcomes. They typically collect and analyze data, assist with grant writing, and collaborate with other health professionals to address public health issues such as disease prevention, health education, and policy development. Their work helps inform evidence-based decisions and contributes to the advancement of public health practice and policy.

What are some common challenges faced by public health research associates when conducting fieldwork?

Public Health Research Associates often encounter challenges such as engaging hard-to-reach populations, ensuring data accuracy, and adhering to ethical guidelines during fieldwork. They may also face logistical issues like coordinating with community organizations, managing multiple projects, and working in diverse environments. Overcoming these challenges requires strong communication skills, cultural competence, and adaptability, as well as close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and local stakeholders.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public health research associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Health Research Associate, you need a strong background in epidemiology, statistics, and research methodology, typically supported by a degree in public health or a related field. Familiarity with statistical software like SPSS, SAS, or R and experience with data collection and analysis tools are commonly required. Strong written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and collaborative problem-solving skills help you excel in diverse research teams. These competencies ensure accurate data analysis, effective communication of findings, and the advancement of impactful public health initiatives.

What is the difference between Public Health Research Associate vs Epidemiologist?

AspectPublic Health Research AssociateEpidemiologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Public Health, Epidemiology, or related fieldMaster's or Doctorate in Epidemiology or Public Health
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, public health agencies, universitiesResearch institutions, government health departments, academia
Employer & Industry UsagePublic health organizations, NGOs, research firmsHealth departments, research institutes, academia
Common Search & ComparisonPublic Health Research Associate vs Epidemiologist

Public Health Research Associates typically hold bachelor's or master's degrees and work in research settings supporting public health projects. Epidemiologists usually have advanced degrees and focus on studying disease patterns and causes. Both roles are vital in public health but differ in scope, education, and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Health Research jobs in California?

The most popular types of Public Health Research jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Public Health Research Associate jobs in California?

For Public Health Research Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Public Health Research Associate jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Public Health Research Associate jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Public Health Research Associate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Public Health Research Associate job openings:

Public Health Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Health Research Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Research Associate II - Public Health & Health and Human Services

Vital Research

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$77K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

At Vital Research, we believe data is most powerful when it drives positive social impact. We partner with government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, and community organizations to evaluate programs and generate insights that advance health equity, public health, aging services, supports for people with disabilities, and community well-being.
We're seeking a curious, analytical, and mission-driven Research Associate II to join our collaborative team and contribute to high-impact research and evaluation projects within the public health and Health & Human Services (HHS) sectors.
This position is based in Los Angeles, California. Local candidates are required due to collaboration, client engagement, and business needs. This is not a fully remote position. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week). The position may require additional hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, based on project needs and deadlines.
Candidates must have professional research and/or evaluation experience within public health, Health & Human Services, healthcare, Medicaid, or a closely related health or human services setting. General research experience without relevant public health or HHS experience does not meet the requirements for this position.
About the Role
The Research Associate II plays a key role in the management and execution of multi-sector research and evaluation projects. Operating with a degree of independence, this role applies qualitative and quantitative research methods to lead project activities, analyze data, develop reports, and present findings that inform programs, policy, and practice.
This role requires demonstrated consulting experience and is designed for an experienced research consultant who can independently manage multiple concurrent client engagements. The ideal candidate is comfortable serving as a client-facing project lead, balancing competing priorities and deadlines, coordinating project teams, and driving projects from planning through final deliverables while maintaining strong client relationships and delivering high-quality work.
What You'll Do
Lead Research and Evaluation Projects
  • Manage multiple research and evaluation projects from planning through final deliverables.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and project partners.
  • Coordinate project timelines, budgets, communications, and deliverables.
  • Ensure research activities meet quality standards and project objectives.
  • Support business development efforts, including proposal writing and client relationship management.

Conduct Mixed-Methods Research
  • Design and implement surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other data collection activities.
  • Support participant recruitment and stakeholder engagement efforts, including outreach to diverse and hard-to-reach populations.
  • Manage, clean, and organize quantitative and qualitative datasets.
  • Maintain data integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with research protocols.
  • Apply research and evaluation methods to public health and HHS programs and populations.

Analyze Data and Communicate Findings
  • Conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative analyses using appropriate methodologies.
  • Develop charts, dashboards, visualizations, and other tools to support data interpretations.
  • Prepare reports, presentations, literature reviews, and client-facing deliverables.
  • Translate complex findings into clear, actionable recommendations.

Contribute to Team Success
  • Mentor junior staff and support team development.
  • Supervise field staff, consultants, and project team members as needed.
  • Contribute to proposal development, business development initiatives, and client relationship management.
  • Participate in professional development, conferences, publications, and knowledge-sharing activities.

What You'll Bring
Required
  • Master's degree in public health, social science, healthcare, human services, or a related field.
  • 4+ years of post-master's experience in research and/or evaluation.
  • Professional experience conducting research, evaluation, or analytics in public health, Health & Human Services, healthcare, Medicaid, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated consulting experience independently managing multiple concurrent research, evaluation, or client engagements from planning through completion, including timelines, deliverables, client communication, and competing priorities.
  • Strong client-facing experience, including facilitating meetings, managing expectations, and translating client needs into project deliverables.
  • Experience working with government agencies, healthcare organizations, health and human service systems, nonprofits, or community-based organizations.
  • Expertise in mixed-methods research, including survey design, qualitative research, and quantitative data analysis.
  • Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, Stata, and/or survey platforms.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex findings to varied audiences.
  • Ability to prioritize competing demands, work independently, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse communities, stakeholders, clients, and project teams.
  • Must be based in or near Los Angeles, California, and able to work in a hybrid environment.

Preferred
  • Experience evaluating Medicaid or other publicly funded health and human services programs.
  • Experience working with state or local public health agencies or government partners.
  • Experience conducting community-based research or engaging underserved or hard-to-reach populations.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.
  • Experience contributing to proposal development, business development, or client relationship growth.

Why Join Vital?
  • Conduct meaningful work that improves programs, policies, and community outcomes.
  • Work across diverse projects in public health, healthcare, aging, disabilities, and human services.
  • Collaborate with experienced researchers and mission-driven professionals.
  • Opportunities for professional growth, publishing, conference participation, and ongoing learning.
  • Flexible, hybrid work environment with up to 20% travel.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible vacation and work hours, 401(k) after one year, EAP, and annual professional development stipend.

Apply Today
At Vital, we don't just measure impact, we elevate community voices, inform policy, and embed equity in all we do. If you're passionate about research that creates real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you.
If you have professional research or evaluation experience in public health, Health & Human Services, healthcare, Medicaid, or a related field and are based near Los Angeles, we'd love to hear from you.
Please note: Candidates who do not meet the required public health/Health & Human Services experience, demonstrated consulting experience managing multiple concurrent projects, and local work-location requirements will not be considered.
To apply, by August 28, 2026, please submit:
  • Resume/CV
  • Brief cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in the role.
  • One writing sample, such as:
    • A client-facing report or large-scale survey project report, or
    • A peer-reviewed article (applicant must be the primary author)

Vital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Apply