Qualitative Research Consultant

Base pay range $35.00/hr - $35.00/hr SH-738 Qualitative Research Consultant, Remote

Summary

Position Overview: Syra Health is seeking a seasoned Senior Qualitative Research Consultant to strengthen our internal capacity for community-informed research and strategic insights. This pivotal role will lead qualitative research, stakeholder engagement, and communication testing efforts across our portfolio of health equity, behavioral health, and prevention-focused contracts. The ideal candidate will be an empathetic facilitator and a rigorous analyst, dedicated to ensuring that community perspectives and qualitative evidence are integrated into the foundation of our program design, evaluation, and communication strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Qualitative Research Design & Strategy
• Design and implement robust qualitative study frameworks for community health assessments, program evaluations, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Develop comprehensive research materials, including participant recruitment screeners, discussion guides, informed consent forms, and data collection protocols.
• Ensure all research activities adhere to project scopes, IRB requirements, and relevant state/federal guidelines.
• Data Collection & Facilitation
• Moderate focus groups, lead stakeholder listening sessions, and facilitate community engagement meetings (both virtual and in-person).
• Conduct in-depth, one-on-one interviews with key informants, agency partners, and community members to capture lived experiences and local context.
• Apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive facilitation practices in all interactions.
• Analysis & Synthesis
• Code and analyze qualitative data using industry-standard software (e.g., NVivo, MAXQDA).
• Synthesize complex information to identify cross-cutting themes, stakeholder priorities, and actionable recommendations.
• Develop compelling narrative findings, visual summaries, and insight matrices to inform client reports and internal strategic briefs.
• Insight Integration & Communication
• Translate qualitative findings into practical recommendations for messaging, outreach materials, and behavioral health promotion campaigns.
• Collaborate closely with epidemiologists, evaluation analysts, and data visualization teams to triangulate qualitative narratives with quantitative and geospatial data.
• Contribute to client-facing deliverables that clearly demonstrate how qualitative evidence directly informs program strategy and decision-making.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination
• Support and lead engagement with local health departments, community-based organizations, and advisory groups.
• Represent Syra Health professionally in stakeholder meetings and presentations of qualitative findings.
• Maintain rigorous documentation of research protocols and ensure data integrity and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree (MPH, MS, MA) in Public Health, Behavioral Science, Social Science, Communication, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience designing and executing qualitative research studies, with at least 2 years applied in public health, health equity, or program evaluation contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in moderating focus groups and conducting in-depth interviews.
• Proven strong writing and synthesis skills, with a portfolio of narrative and technical reports.
• Direct experience conducting research with marginalized or priority populations (e.g., communities focused on substance use, behavioral health, 2SLGBTQIA+, or health equity).
• Deep commitment to cultural competence and equity-minded research practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on state or federal public health contracts (e.g., FSSA, DMHA, CDC Foundation, SAMHSA).
• Specific skills in campaign message testing, outreach evaluation, and stakeholder communication.
• Familiarity with health communication or behavioral science frameworks (e.g., Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory).
• Working knowledge of HIPAA, IRB, and CITI compliance standards.
• Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams with quantitative data experts.

Syra Health is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at all levels. Lived experience and non-traditional backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job