Staffing Advisors has been exclusively retained by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute ("PCORI") to conduct a search for a Senior Merit Review Officer PCORI is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested candidates may send resumes to: Aileen Hedden at with "PCORI - Sr Merit Review Officer #2023-2805 CW" as the subject of the email.

Please do not contact PCORI directly; all resumes sent to PCORI will be routed to Staffing Advisors for handling and will create delays.

About Us

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is authorized by Congress to conduct research to provide information about the best available evidence to help patients and their health care providers make more informed decisions. PCORI's research is intended to give patients a better understanding of the prevention, treatment, and care options available, and the science that supports those options.

Position Summary

Candidate must submit cover letter with application.

The Senior Merit Review Officer (SMRO) will serve as a subject matter expert in all merit review matters and as PCORI representatives providing internal (i.e., PCORI Program and other staff) and external (i.e., reviewers) technical support throughout the funding cycle.

The SMRO will assist the AD, Merit Review, with the daily activities relating to merit review. In addition, they will assist with the development of metrics and reports for MR to assess business process effectiveness and make and implement recommendations for continuous improvement.

In collaboration with the AD, Merit Review, will lead the onboarding of new staff, as well as train and mentor new and existing staff. The SMRO will contribute to establishing and maintaining a positive team environment.

The SMRO will continue to perform all the duties of a Merit Review Officer including organizing and managing the comprehensive scientific and technical review of applications submitted for PCORI funding but will manage larger, more complex panels. The SMRO is responsible for ensuring that each application submitted to PCORI undergoes a rigorous and objective evaluation and that the most meritorious scientific research proposals are identified for potential funding. Specifically, in carrying out PCORI's core merit review functions, the SMRO will be responsible for: coordinating the planning, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality, fair, and objective multi-stakeholder reviews; analyzing applications for funding under PCORI's National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda; assisting with the recruitment and training of patients, stakeholders, and other experts for review panels; and helping prepare pre- and post-review documents and materials for use by applicants, reviewers and Science programs. She/he will handle wide range of complex tasks with substantial independent responsibility, balancing multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Associate Director, Merit Review, to:
• Serve as a positive professional role model for peers and junior staff;
• Manage PCORI's merit review panels, as assigned, and independently carries out the entire life cycle of merit review functions in accordance to established PCORI merit review guidelines;
• Examine and analyze letters of intent and applications for completeness and adherence to PCORI standards and policies;
• Identify and manage conflicts of interest for all scientific reviewers;
• Recruit, select, and train qualified reviewers to evaluate the merit of funding applications;
• Foster effective communication and relationships with the scientific, patient, and stakeholder communities to enhance review activities;
• Assign applications and contract proposals to reviewers for critique preparation and assignment of scores based on established criteria;
• Ensure outcomes from and deliberations at in-person Merit Review meetings are conducted in accordance with PCORI's plans and are properly documented;
• Develop a variety of materials for use in internal and external meetings, presentations, guides, and/or publications;
• Serve as intermediary between applicants and reviewers, preparing succinct, accurate, and helpful final summary statements for all applications assigned for review;
• Help facilitate the open flow of information between PCORI's Science, Engagement, and Contract Management teams.
• Establish policies, procedures, guidelines, and training materials for applicants and reviewers;
• Undertake initiatives in assessing research development and best practices related to scientific review and potential lessons applicable to the enhancements of PCORI's merit review system and processes;
• Provide guidance and mentorship to merit review team staff in their professional growth and development. Actively identify opportunities to share knowledge and skills;
• Train and mentor staff for consistent and standardized deliverables and outcomes;
• Actively identify areas for process improvement and lead cross-cutting process improvement initiatives with an emphasis on creating and implementing improved processes;
• Facilitate the cross-departmental communication on merit review policies and procedures and the coordination of across wide spectrum of programmatic and operational functions;
• Ensure MR concerns, issues, and interests are represented at workgroups and other meetings;
• Support MR surge activities as needed;

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above.

Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

• Concrete and thorough understanding of PCORI's mission, vision, activities, and merit review criteria;
• Personally motivated to support PCORI's mission and goals; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals while being tolerant of ambiguity and change;
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, reviewers, consultants, and others who contribute to the merit review process;
• Sound independent judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally;
• Strong understanding of the history, interests, internal dynamics, and relationships of organizations in which health services, scientific and/or comparative effectiveness research is conducted;
• Dedication to high quality, fair, and objective merit review process;
• Strong attention to detail and drive to achieve positive results;
• Demonstrated critical thinking, professional accountability, good judgment;
• Proficient in the use of technology;
• Strong oral presentation skills;
• Excellent project and time management skills.

• Doctorate or First Professional Degree (e.g., PhD, ScD, MD, DrPH) in relevant field;
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience, proven leadership and recognition in research program administration, scientific project management or for specific area of knowledge;
• Between two to three years of people management, and demonstrated successful merit review management experience;
• Proven ability to respond to complex questions and inquiries of a scientific or technical nature;
• Demonstrated innovative/creative thinking and rigorous problem-solving capabilities;
• Professional interaction with scientific, clinical and or lay reviewers and successful management of multi-stakeholder workgroups or panels;
• Previous experience with independent research, grant writing, scientific or peer review, and/or contract management is required.

The health and safety of our employees is a top priority. As part of that commitment, PCORI requires all employees, regardless of remote work status, to be vaccinated against COVID-19. As a prospective and/or new employee at PCORI, you will be required to comply with PCORI's vaccination policy, report your vaccination status, and provide proof of vaccination. Compliance with the policy does allow for exceptions, but those exceptions will only be granted in circumstances related to medical conditions, disabilities, and sincerely held religious beliefs. Continuing with this application indicates your intent to comply with PCORI's Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

Conflict of Interest.

PCORI wants to ensure that prospective employees are aware of its conflict-of-interest policies so that employment deliberations take into consideration this aspect of PCORI employment. PCORI requires all PCORI employees to disclose upon commencement of their employment and on an annual basis all individual and close relatives financial, business, and personal association with the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one's decisions relating to PCORI. All disclosures made by employees are made publicly available on PCORI's website. Disclosures must include all financial, business, and personal associations with any health or healthcare-related organizations. Disclosures should include all associations with any other organizations that have the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one's decisions relating to PCORI, including but not limited to vendors or other third parties with whom PCORI has a contract or that PCORI has funded. For more information please visit

PCORI conducts background checks on all applicants.

PCORI's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

PCORI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity both internal and external to the workplace. You can learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

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