The Division of Health Policy and Economics in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine is recruiting a Postdoctoral Associate to conduct research on the organization, financing, and regulation of health care markets in the United States. The postdoctoral associate will work under the supervision of Robert Tyler Braun, PhD, Assistant Professor, and collaborate closely with the Health Economics, Financing, and Transparency Initiative (HEFTI).
Dr. Braun’s research program examines how ownership structures, consolidation, and vertical integration reshape health care delivery systems. Drawing on insights from health economics, industrial organization, organizational economics, and health services research, this work studies how institutional investment, corporate consolidation, and complex ownership networks influence provider behavior, quality of care, and health system spending. Current projects examine ownership and market structure in nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospices, as well as vertical integration across insurers, physician groups, and health systems, including the growing integration of insurers and physician organizations.
The postdoctoral associate will contribute to several ongoing research projects focused on ownership transparency, market structure, and regulatory oversight in post-acute and long-term care sectors. These projects involve the use of large administrative and regulatory datasets—including Medicare claims, cost reports, and newly assembled ownership datasets—as well as novel data infrastructure developed through HEFTI. Many projects also incorporate network-based approaches to studying ownership and organizational relationships across health care markets. The postdoctoral associate will collaborate with state partners and policymakers on research examining enforcement and regulatory oversight in nursing home markets. In addition to contributing to ongoing projects, the postdoctoral associate will assist with the preparation and submission of research grants and will be encouraged to develop independent research projects and pursue external funding to support their transition to an independent research career.
Weill Cornell Medicine offers a vibrant and collaborative research environment with extensive data resources, including nationally representative Medicare claims data, experienced programming staff supporting data management, and a state-of-the-art computing environment. HEFTI maintains strong connections with policymakers and regulatory agencies at the state and federal levels, providing opportunities for research that directly informs health policy.
As a Postdoctoral Associate, you will be working on a project related to the organization, financing, and regulation of health care markets. You will be responsible for the following:
- Conducting quantitative research on ownership, consolidation, and vertical integration in health care markets.
- Contributing to HEFTI research projects examining ownership transparency, financial incentives, and regulatory oversight in nursing homes, hospices, and home health agencies.
- Conducting research on vertical integration in physician markets, including the integration of insurers and physician groups.
- Collaborating with state agencies and policymakers on research related to enforcement and regulation in nursing home markets.
- Collecting, preparing, and analyzing research data using large administrative and regulatory datasets, including Medicare claims, cost reports, and ownership datasets.
- Participating in abstract and article preparation with the Principal Investigator, publishing results in research journals, and presenting findings at conferences.
- Assisting with the preparation and submission of research grants.
- Developing independent research projects and pursuing external funding to support career development.
Minimum Qualifications:
- PhD in health economics, health policy, economics, health services research, or a closely related field.
- Experience working with large administrative datasets (e.g., Medicare claims, cost reports, or other health system data).
- Strong econometric and quantitative analysis skills.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with social network analysis or network-based methods.
- Interest in aging, post-acute and long-term care, and the organization of health care markets.
Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest highlighting their research interests and career goals, along with a curriculum vitae to:
Robert Tyler Braun, PhD
Assistant Professor
Division of Health Policy and Economics
Department of Population Health Sciences
Weill Cornell Medicine
Commitment to Diversity
Weill Cornell Medicine is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion among our faculty, staff, and students. We seek out individuals with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, and we work to create programs that support both our current employees and our recruitment efforts.
EEO Statement
Weill Cornell Medicine welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Appointment Term:
One year, with possible reappointment based on performance and funding availability.
Starting Date:
August 17, 2026
Location of Appointment:
Main Campus – New York City
Department Website:
https://phs.weill.cornell.edu/
Salary:
The minimum salary is $75,812.
Benefits:
A summary of employee benefits can be found on the WCM Human Resources website.
Visa Options:
Candidates applying for this position could be eligible for a J-1 Exchange visitor visa and the H-1B temporary worker visa.
Union Membership:
This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Weill Cornell Medicine and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (“UAW”), and its Local Union, Weill Cornell Medicine Postdocs United-UAW Local 4100.
Contact
- Population Health Sciences