Statistical Scientist

MED-CORE-GERI

Full Time

69556BR

Job Summary

The Division of Geriatrics seeks to recruit a full-time Statistical Scientist who is an outstanding bioinformatics programming professional with an in-depth understanding of statistical science and computational methods to be a key quantitative team member for a portfolio of multiple research projects. The candidate will collaborate with PIs in the Division of Geriatrics, as well as outside of the Division where needed, as a key scientific team member. The candidate will apply and adapt complex algorithms, computational techniques, and statistical methodologies for cutting-edge medical research. The Statistical Scientist will work with a group of collegial, innovative, and productive epidemiology and health outcomes researchers and clinicians at the University of California, San Francisco, who are focused on improving the health of older persons.

The Division of Geriatrics highly values mutual respect and collegiality and the Statistical Scientist is an essential and highly respected part of our team. The candidate will provide consultation to research teams on highly complex statistical methods, and will advise investigators on appropriate statistical methods and interpretation of statistics. They will develop and implement computational algorithms and software for novel analyses of complex medical data.  They will also prepare manuscripts, with particular input on the advanced computational techniques and statistical methodologies, and will present them at national conferences.

Operationally, the candidate’s duties include: working with large, complex databases to derive analytic datasets; determining the optimal statistical approaches for testing research hypotheses and in programming; developing and implementing computational algorithms and software for novel analyses of complex medical data; contributing to manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings on advanced computational techniques and statistical methodologies; presenting work on complex statistical modeling and computational tools at national conferences; conducting advanced statistical analyses using SAS, STATA, and R software; developing and maintaining well-documented software and algorithms for data manipulation and analysis which are also used by other statisticians in their research projects; generating and maintaining analytic datasets from large-scale survey data and Medicare datasets, which are used in multiple research projects; assisting and training other statisticians on the myriad details of compiling and analyzing key secondary data sources (e.g. the Health and Retirement Survey; the National Health and Aging Trends Study; National Veteran’s Administration patient data) and linkage with Medicare and other databases; assisting other statisticians/programmers in identifying complex issues and software bugs in the analysis of complex data; providing statistical programming and analysis consultation for geriatrics fellows and for junior faculty; developing and implementing study protocols and writing study documentation procedures (including analysis plans, protocols and standard operating procedures); designing, developing, and documenting quality control systems for data validation, analysis algorithms, tools, and infrastructure; interacting with data warehouse support, researching study data help desks, and extramural investigators to resolve data discrepancies and data quality questions; and performing other duties as assigned.

Department Description

The Division of Geriatrics’ work is grounded in a deep commitment to and respect for older persons. We are specialists in aging. Our expertise is in optimizing the health of older individuals. We work in the community and on virtually every UCSF campus – Parnassus, San Francisco VA Health Care System, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Mission Bay, and UCSF Center for Geriatric Care. The Division has over 130 employees including faculty, volunteer clinical faculty, fellows, staff, student interns and volunteers. We are deeply committed to, and will champion diversity, equity and inclusion as our core mission and will nurture and grow a culture in which everyone from all backgrounds is welcomed, supported, respected, and valued!

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in statistics or a related field and three to five  years of professional statistical experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position
• Strong knowledge of bioinformatics and statistical methods, computational tools and software to analyze and interpret and complex medical research
• Strong knowledge of bioinformatics programming design, modification and implementation
• Strong knowledge of Windows, excellent skills in designing, maintaining, updating, and manipulating large and complex databases
• High-level understanding of relational databases, web interfaces and operating systems; High-level understanding of relational databases, web interfaces and operating systems; in depth understanding of large scale survey data such as HRS (Health and retirement survey
• Advanced project management skills and in-depth knowledge of research functions
• In-depth knowledge of modern medical concepts and research on aging and health of older adults.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills in order to provide consultation to high-profile investigators, junior faculty, other statisticians, and non-technical personnel
• High analytic skills and ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Proven ability to provide management with regular updates on projects and to lead and train statisticians in the specifics of data sources and statistical methods commonly used in our research
• Ability to take the lead on projects, meet deadlines, evaluate alternative solutions, and demonstrate advanced problem solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in statistics or related field
• An understanding of the policies and procedures at the University, but also at the SFVAMC, where they may do some of their statistical work. They must also understand the rules and procedures necessary to conduct statistical analysis on a longitudinal cohort and for randomized control trials. They must also know all study and CHR protocols for collecting and managing data, and for ensuring confidentiality of all participants

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Job Code and Payroll Title

009401 BIOINFORMATICS PROGR 3

Job Category

Professional (Non-Clinical)

Bargaining Unit

99 – Policy-Covered (No Bargaining Unit)

Location

Mission Bay (SF), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA

Additional Shift Details

Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM