Senior Biostatistician, Biomedical Data Science Hub, Dell Medical School

Job Posting Title:

Senior Biostatistician, Biomedical Data Science Hub, Dell Medical School

—-

Hiring Department:

Department of Population Health

—-

Position Open To:

All Applicants

—-

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

—-

FLSA Status:

Exempt

—-

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

—-

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

—-

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

—-

Job Details:

General Notes

The Biomedical Data Science Hub of the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin is searching for an expert of classical and modern statistical techniques who understands and has extensive experience in their applications in biomedicine. As part of the BDS Hub, the position supports quantitative and methodological aspects of the Investigation and Inquiry Pillar of the School. In a highly collaborative mode, the individual will interact with Dell investigators on research projects.

Ideally, the individual assuming this position will be expected to supervise 1 to 3 research staff, such as MS-level trained professionals and/or graduate research assistants, in support of projects. And they will be expected to assume many of the day-to-day operation coordination duties of the BDS Hub, working closely with the Program Administrator.

Purpose

Under the direction of the Director of the Hub, the individual will engage multi-disciplinary research teams at Dell Medical School, and possibly Dell Med’s partners across the UT Austin campus, to provide professional biostatistical support for biomedical, clinical, and population health research. The candidate will independently devise statistical analysis plans for retrospective and prospective experimental and observational studies arising from Dell Medical School investigators as well as execute the analysis plans and/or oversee their implementation through mentorship of statistical analysts in the BDS Hub.

Responsibilities

• Working with the Director and Program Administrator for the BDS Hub, provide day-to-day oversight and direction for the collaborative scientific operations of the BDS Hub. This is expected to involve the intake and evaluation of new research projects as well as the research programs of DMS investigators who have not previously worked with the BDS Hub. It may involve meeting with new DMS investigators. It will also involve triage of projects, ensuring the continuity of projects, oversight and supervision of such staff as needed on given projects (see above), and troubleshooting barriers to advancement or completion of ongoing projects. It will also involve serving as primary point person and liaison between other DMS units engaged in research and the BDS Hub for research projects, and identification of professional development opportunities of research staff.

• Study Design and Grant Development: Largely independently, participate in the development of research study designs with respect to selection of appropriate statistical analysis methods and conduct of sample size and power calculations. Collaborate on the development of research or project grant applications and contribute to the writing of such applications. Educate collaborators on statistical methods proposed for their data. This is expected to involve the development of quantifiable research questions and/or testable hypotheses and/or participation in the development of detailed research protocols. Half or more of this work is expected to be conducted independently.

• Data Analysis and Reporting: Independently, analyze and interpret data including selection and application of statistical methods. Effectively disseminate the statistical findings by formulating and presenting reports of results including graphical displays. Prepare written reports including reports of data for committee and scientific meetings. Educate collaborators on statistical methods. Collaborate on the development of reports or manuscripts for peer-review, including but not limited to scholarly journals. Additional duties may include conducting reviews of statistical components of protocols for scientific or IRB review and/or statistical analysis plans.

• In the context of Functions 2 and 3, identify areas giving rise to particular methodological challenges, search the (bio)statistical literature to generate solutions to those challenges, articulate methodological limitations, and propose avenues for methodological innovation. As appropriate given other duties, pursue and publish methodological investigations. This work should be carried out in collaboration with other BDS Hub faculty and staff. Unused time reverts to Function #3.

• As requested and appropriate, may conduct specialized research or teaching projects (outside of the mentoring that may naturally occur in the context of project development), with latitude for creativity in design and implementation of such projects commensurate with experience. Determine project requirements and desired results and procedures to attain such results. Report results in in-house reports or publications, and/or journal articles as appropriate. Unused time reverts to Function #3. ​

• Report research activities of self and/or other members of the Hub as needed; professional development appropriate for collaborative area; miscellaneous projects related to the function of the Hub. Unused time reverts to Function #3.

• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Doctoral degree in Statistics or Biostatistics or very closely related field, with major coursework in statistics and ten (10) years statistical collaborative experience post-degree. Thorough knowledge and ability to use at least two common statistical software packages such as SAS, Stata, R, and SPSS. Ability to perform descriptive data analysis; to perform statistical modeling for univariate, clustered, longitudinal or time-to-event data; to diagnose and analyze missing data problems; and to execute specialized analyses (e.g., latent variable modeling or machine learning techniques). Documented experience in project management in a research setting. Documented experience in supervision of more than one employee at a time over the course of a project or for at least one year. Excellent communication and collaborative skills, both oral and written. Interest in collaborating in broad areas of biomedical, clinical, and population health sciences. Professional demeanor. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Fifteen (15) years statistical collaborative experience post-degree, with supervisory experience over at least 2 employs for 5 years. Practical understanding of data privacy practices and laws to ensure privacy, confidentiality, security, and of IRB/Institutional approval processes. Experience or expertise designing, implementing, and/or analyzing clinical trials.

Salary Range

OPEN

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

—-

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

—-

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

—-

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

—-

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

—-

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin 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 the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

—-

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

—-

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

—-

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.