Research Data Analyst

The Department of Mental Health in collaboration with the Program on Implementation and Equity Research (PIER) within the Center for Public Health and Human Rights in the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health is looking for a highly motivated, proactive, organized, and diplomatic Research Data Analyst who will primarily be responsible for the data management and analysis, and coordination of key projects, primarily the Rural Engagement & Approaches for LGBTQ+ Mental Health (REALM)cohort study, with supplemental work related to a broader Stigma Metrics research portfolio. The Research Data Analyst will be based in Baltimore, MD and will collaborate with epidemiologists, public health practitioners, implementing partners, and community-based organizations with an expectation to build capacity among our partners. There will be an expectation for the Research Data Analyst to lead in the cleaning, development, and management of analytic data sets for use by the investigative team. The Research Data Analyst will also conduct analyses as identified by the investigative team and contribute to ongoing scientific manuscripts, conference abstracts/presentations, and additional analytic deliverables. This will include support in planning of qualitative and quantitative data collection activities as well with support from faculty related to the administration of discrete choice experiments. The Research Data Analyst will need to work closely with PI Murray, REALM project CO-Is, and other core members of the Stigma Metrics team and serve as a liaison for students engaged on the team in order to complete analyses and provide analytic support in a timely manner.

Specific Duties &b Responsibilities

Data cleaning and management

• Document methodologic approaches, data analyses, and data/study tools, particularly through organized digital records of data set sources, file locations, and statistical and bioinformatics code.
• Develop and manage essential database processes, including data cleaning and quality control.
• Document and monitor Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications in accordance with data safety and security protocols.
• Monitor and regularly update data access of study team members both within and external to the investigative team for data security and quality assurance.
• Support the development and execution of data sharing agreements/research agreements.

Data analysis and support

• Collaborate with PI Murray and other stigma metrics portfolio leadership at Johns Hopkins and Emory University faculty/staff to address research questions, design and execute a wide variety of statistical analyses.
• Liaise across the team, working with students by leading data analysis working groups and working with JHU faculty and staff to design and execute a wide variety of epidemiological methods and statistical analyses.
• Serve as first point of contact for students to share data and provide guidance on analyses across the portfolio of projects, including answering questions, problem-solving with the student(s), and supporting analytic requests.
• Provide analytic support to characterize and test mediated associations between key variables and outcomes across the portfolio of projects.
• Collaborate with the broader investigative team both internal and external to JHU, leading technical/science-based calls, and guiding completion of project analyses.
• Discuss with colleagues, investigators, and supervisor(s) the need for any additional analyses and/or special methodological needs.
• Assist in the development of new statistical and epidemiological methods as appropriate, including specifically the administration of discrete choice experiments.
• Modify existing methods for application to new datasets (as collected) and types of analyses.
• Problem-solve applications of existing analytic tools to specific data analysis projects, including independent identification of problems and initial attempts at solutions.
• Interpret and contextualize the results of statistical analyses.
• Assist with other projects as requested.
• Keep abreast of technical and academic resources related to the methodology of statistical analyses.

Dissemination

• Lead the finalization and packaging of analytic products/contributions.
• Contribute to the dissemination of project deliverables, including peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference abstracts and presentations, etc.
• Assist with the preparation of reports and presentations for internal and external project meetings, scientific meetings, etc.
• Support the preparation of grant applications.

REALM Project Coordination and Implementation

• Develop project coordination plans and timelines with key milestones, proposal and standard operating procedures.
• Closely monitor adherence to these plans to ensure milestones and deliverables are met by coordinating with multiple faculty members from Johns Hopkins, as well as with implementing partners and community-based organizations.
• Proactively update and submit reporting requirements (NIH), including recruitment and monitoring reports (as requested) and annual reporting and performance progress report (RPPR).
• Provide coordination of projects through a high level of organization, accuracy, interpersonal and communication skills sensitive to the needs of project sponsors, host institution and partner organizations.
• Support recruiting, interviewing, training, monitoring and mentoring/supervision of project interns and students. Specifically, developing all job descriptions, initiating HR process reviews, and marketing descriptions across identified university platforms.
• Coordinate team engagement and contribute to the development of research plans and study instruments for submission to the Johns Hopkins University IRB office. Monitor IRB applications and manage IRB-related study communication. As part of the study team, develop research plan protocols.
• Lead/co-lead systematic reviews, liaising closely with informationists to refine search strategies and routinely update review protocols.
• Develop study projections in alignment with study protocols and implementation schedules/timelines.

Administrative

• Complete all appropriate compliance trainings.
• Identify and implement improvements to project efficiencies (i.e., better and faster ways to accomplish tasks, as well as opportunities for reducing costs).
• Support the organization of project meetings, conferences, seminars, and events.
• Participate in calls with collaborators and assist with notetaking.
• Proactively engaging in follow-up activities.
• Assist with other projects as requested.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, including timely responsiveness is necessary.
• Strong organizational skills are necessary.
• Experience in scientific computing/programming and STATA/R is necessary.
• Experience with UNIX, SPlus, MPlus, database software, and/or other statistical packages desired.
• Prior collaborative research experience desired.
• Experience in database software and data management, including working in a cloud-based environment desired.
• Experience designing and developing data cleaning routines, ensuring data quality procedures desired.
• Comfort engaging with a diverse team on projects related to human rights, historically marginalized populations, and sexual and gender diverse communities.
• Interest and commitment to mental health research.
• Demonstrated self-management with the ability to work on multiple tasks with short and/or competing deadlines is necessary.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline.
• Three years related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or Biostatistics.

Technical Qualifications or Specialized Certifications

• Experience in scientific computing/programming and STATA/R is necessary.
• Experience with UNIX, SPlus, MPlus, database software, and/or other statistical package desired.
• Experience with advanced analytic approaches including structural equation modeling, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Classified Title: Research Data Analyst 
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MC  
Starting Salary Range: $47,500 – $83,300 Annually ($60,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday to Friday: 9 am – 5 pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: School of Public Health 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Mental Health Research Projects  
Personnel area: School of Public Health