Director Public Health Research and Policy

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is looking to add a talented Director of Public Health Research to its team. The Director of Public Health Research & Policy is responsible for conducting in-depth research and analysis of public health-related issues, particularly as they impact U.S. and Canadian accredited dental education programs. This role focuses on synthesizing public health data and providing evidence-based recommendations to improve public health policies within the context of academic dentistry and oral healthcare. The Director will collaborate closely with the Chief of ADEA’s Innovation, Clinical Education and Public Health (ICEPH) to draft public health positions, policies, reports, and presentations, while managing the production of various written materials, including journal articles and white papers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Supporting the Chief of ICEPH in all departmental functions and goals.
• Coordinating the production of journal articles, white papers, issue briefs, and talking points.
• Planning and organizing research initiatives, convenings, and collaborations with key partners.
• Updating stakeholders on public health policy developments and research outcomes.
• Tracking national and state public health efforts and analyzing their impact on oral health and clinical education.
• Writing public health positions, reports, and summaries of key research findings.
• Managing day-to-day departmental operations, ensuring research and policy goals are met.
• Reviewing and approving research outputs and presentations on behalf of the department.
• Creating strategies for innovative research methodologies and oral health policy improvements.
• Directing departmental efforts toward achieving alignment with public health opportunities and challenges.
• Providing leadership to research teams, fostering a productive and professional environment.
• Guiding research projects and ensuring they contribute to the overall mission of the organization.
• Ensuring compliance with institutional and departmental guidelines for all outputs and communications.
• Providing strategic recommendations to leadership on research and public health issues.
• Executing high-level research and policy strategies in alignment with the organization’s long-term goals.
• Planning strategic research initiatives and public health policies.
• Reporting on departmental achievements and public health trends to senior leadership.
• Collaborating with academic institutions, non-profits, and industry partners to advance oral health policies.
• Supervising research staff, managing their professional growth, and supporting team performance.
• Developing innovative health policies and clinical education programs.
• Implementing departmental goals, policies, and processes to drive research outcomes.
• Presenting research findings at conferences, member meetings, and public forums.
• Acting as liaison for the department with external partners and stakeholders

Desired First-Year Outcomes: 

• Support successful ongoing public health research.
• Identify trends and key public health issues affecting academic dentistry and oral health.
• Draft a plan for public health reports and materials for the next six-month period in collaboration with the Chief of ICEPH.
• Deliver written materials for the ADEA website and other ADEA publications.
• Submit studies for journal publication.
• Organize a convening of ADEA members and key collaborators on public health issues.

• Education: Master’s degree in public health, Health Policy, or a related field with a strong focus on oral health. Doctoral degree preferred.
• Experience: At least six years of relevant work experience in public health research, health policy, or clinical education. Experience in dental or medical education is preferred.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in statistical analysis, research methodologies, and survey design. Experience with analytic tools such as SPSS, R, Qualtrics, and preferably Python or SQL.
• Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead research teams and manage complex research projects. Experience in strategic planning and implementation of research and policy initiatives.
• Communication & Writing: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and delivering presentations.
• Collaboration & Partnership Development: Strong ability to forge partnerships with academic institutions, non-profits, and industry partners. Ability to work effectively in diverse teams.
• Grant Writing & Funding: Experience writing and securing grants, as well as managing research budgets.
• Travel: Willingness to travel, including overnight or weekend travel as required.
• Ability to work on site at ADEA’s DC office weekly in a hybrid work schedule (currently three days per week).

The annual salary range for this position is $101k to $113k. In addition to a rewarding and purposeful mission, ADEA offers you a collaborative team environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits, including health, vision, dental and life insurance, wellness benefits, commuter benefit, a 35-hour work week with hybrid in-office/remote schedule, generous paid leave and a 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution. Our office is conveniently located across from the Washington Convention Center, near shopping, restaurants and the Red and Green Line Metro Stations.

For more information and to apply online, visit www.adea.org.

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is The Voice of Dental Education. Its members include all 78 U.S. and Canadian dental schools, over 800 allied and advanced dental education programs, 60 corporations and more than 15,000 individuals.   

The mission of ADEA is to develop an inclusive, future-ready oral health workforce prepared to improve the health of all people and communities through leadership, education, and collaboration.  

ADEA’s activities encompass a wide range of research, advocacy, faculty development, meetings and communications, including the esteemed Journal of Dental Education, as well as the dental school admissions services ADEA AADSAS, ADEA PASS, ADEA DHCAS and ADEA CAAPID.  

ADEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Association’s EEO policy prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, child birth or related medical conditions, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, matriculation, veteran status, union affiliation, disability, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, or any other legally- protected characteristic in accordance with federal or local law (the “Protected Categories”).  EEO applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, termination, compensation, and benefits.