Behavioral Scientist, Nudge Unit & Behavioral Insights

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Reporting to the Director, Nudge Unit & Behavioral Insights, the Behavioral Scientist will support the company’s efforts to apply behavioral insights (i.e., “nudges” and other behavioral insights techniques) to improve the decisions, experiences, and health of BCBSMA’s members, network providers, and employees. All Nudge Unit activities will further BCBSMA’s strategic pillars: quality, equity, affordability, and consumer experience.

In May 2020, BCBSMA formed an internal Nudge Unit, led by its Performance Measurement and Improvement (PMI) division, and assisted by consultants and selected academics. Early goals have included helping key operational units (e.g., medical management, member and provider communications, contracting and network management) recognize opportunities to apply behavioral insights to improve member and provider decision making, developing behavioral insights-informed versions of submitted interventions (or developing new interventions where none had existed before), and deploying these interventions to maximize their evaluability and value to the health plan and its members. Since its inception, the BCBSMA Nudge Unit has deployed over 100 behavioral insights-informed interventions, preferring randomized deployments to maximize evaluability.

These interventions have included efforts to improve guideline-concordant screening uptake, medication use, laboratory testing, and provider billing patterns. Intervention channels include unidirectional communications (e.g., letters, emails, text messages, faxes) and more complex choice architecture (e.g., BCBSMA’s member app, which has more than 1million users).

The Behavioral Scientist will play an integral role in project execution, contributing to research, analysis, writing, and project coordination across a diverse portfolio of work. This position is ideal for someone who is intellectually curious, highly organized, and committed to using behavioral science to address complex social challenges. This position is open to candidates based in Massachusetts as well as remote, US-based candidates.

Your Day to Day:

• Support the Director and other Nudge Unit staff in the design and implementation of behavioral science projects.
• Draft reports, deliverables, and other written products that communicate behavioral insights clearly and effectively.
• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize academic and applied research to inform project recommendations.
• Assist in developing presentations, training materials, and other resources for internal partners and stakeholders.
• Coordinate project activities by tracking timelines, monitoring deliverables, and maintaining organized project documentation.
• Contribute to research and evaluation activities, including study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with colleagues across teams to integrate behavioral insights into programs, strategies, and organizational initiatives.
• Stay current on developments in behavioral science and identify opportunities to strengthen our work through emerging evidence and best practices.

What We’re Looking For:

• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral science principles and their practical application.
• Experience supporting or managing projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of research methods and evaluation approaches, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team.
• Familiarity with behavioral intervention design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience developing presentations and communicating research findings to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of US health care industry and external environment preferred.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Economics, Public Policy, Sociology, or a related field.
• At least four years of relevant professional experience in behavioral science, applied research, program evaluation, consulting, or a related field.
• Minimum Education Requirements: High school degree or equivalent required unless otherwise noted above.

Location: Boston

Time Type: Full time

Salary Range: $90,180.00 - $110,220.00

• We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and a suite of well-being benefits to eligible employees.
• This job is also eligible for variable pay.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Equal Employment Employer – veterans/disability. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristics protected by law.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts's legal duty to furnish information.

We’re committed to investing in your development and providing the necessary resources to enable your success. We are dedicated to creating a refreshing and rewarding workplace that promotes excellence and provides opportunities for employees to forge their unique career path.

We take pride in our diverse, community-centric, wellness-focused culture and believe every member of our team deserves to enjoy a positive work-life balance.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We have been a market leader for over 75 years, and are consistently ranked among the nation’s best health plans. Our daily efforts are dedicated to effectively serving our 2.8million members, and consistently offering security, stability, and peace of mind to both our members and associates.