Institute for Medical Research at the Durham VA Health Care System

Senior Statistician & Project Scientist

PI: Dr. Stephen Freedland

The Institute for Medical Research (IMR), an affiliate of the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS), is looking for a full-time Senior Statistician & Project Scientist to coordinate statistical projects and perform advanced-level statistical analysis and programming for clinical research studies conducted by the Principal Investigator, Dr. Stephen Freedland, and associates in his urology research lab. This includes coordination of projects, mentorship of junior-level biostatisticians, statistical programming, statistical analysis, quality assurance of data, study planning and feasibility assessments, assistance with grant writing, and presentation of work in reports, manuscripts, posters, and presentations.

The Senior Statistician & Project Scientist will collaborate closely with a cross-functional project team comprised of physicians, scientists, and research personnel to advise on and execute statistical elements of each project. Studies include prospective observational research, clinical trials, tissue and serum-based studies, and retrospective population studies.

IMR employees must reside in the state of North Carolina.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Collaborate and work effectively with research team members:
   1. Collaborate effectively with programmers, statisticians, investigators, research staff, and external collaborators
   2. Represent the statistical team in project team meetings; make recommendations about study design and execution in relation to statistical analysis
   3. Participate in conference calls, project meetings, weekly meetings with leadership, and other team meetings
   4. Serve as a resource for other statisticians and research staff

2. Mentor researchers & statisticians:
   1. Provide mentorship, support, and training for junior-level biostatisticians
   2. Train and mentor non-statistical staff and collaborators in statistical methods, principals, and technologies
   3. Oversee and assist with employees’ individual research projects, such as by reviewing code and statistical plans, as needed
   4. Provide training and guidance in use of new statistical methods and technologies
   5. Present on statistics and research findings at team meetings and conferences

3. Effectively manage and execute assignments:
   1. Adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) as they apply to documentation and validation of clinical research statistics; provide recommendations for improvement of SOPs over time
   2. Take initiative to complete project-specific responsibilities
   3. Adhere to timelines and deadlines for statistical planning and analyses; communicate with study team members immediately if deadlines cannot be met
   4. Demonstrate ability to multi-task and meet deadlines as appropriate
   5. Build documentation and organizational skills for reproducibility

4. Statistical analysis planning, generation of results, and interpretation:
   1. Participate in all statistical aspects of a medical research project
   2. Evaluate research studies and recommend statistical procedures to analyze the data
   3. Contribute meaningfully to discussions of analyses and identify next steps for analyses
   4. Perform power calculations for research studies
   5. Write statistical analysis plans
   6. Develop new statistical methodology as needed for a project
   7. Perform quality assurance reviews of datasets before beginning analysis
   8. Research and apply new statistical methods, as needed
   9. Perform intermediate and advanced statistical analyses, including but not limited to survival analysis (cox modeling, competing risks), linear regression, and generalized linear modeling. Check results for accuracy and consistency
   10. Prepare comprehensive statistical reports to communicate findings with investigators and collaborators
   11. Be able to work on any phase of a manuscript project, from initial meeting with an investigator to final review of a manuscript prior to submission for publication
   12. Prepare statistical components of proposals, grants, presentations, abstracts, study protocols, and manuscripts including methods and results sections

5. Programming and data documentation:
   1. Program analysis datasets using SAS, R, or STATA; combine multiple disparate raw databases and derive analysis variables accurately
   2. Design analysis data set specifications through writing own programming code
   3. Demonstrate good programming practices through proper documentation, commenting, and readability
   4. Perform complex programming using advanced options in SAS procedures and macros, and R functions with increasing efficiency
   5. Produce quality statistical output products including tables, listings, and figures
   6. Perform appropriate and adequate code checks to ensure accuracy of results

Required Skills and Experience:
Requires an organized, task oriented, deadline-sensitive individual with a minimum of master’s degree in (bio)statistics or a related field and 7 years of relevant experience or a PhD in (bio)statistics or a related field with 2 years of relevant experience.

Candidates must have demonstrated statistical programming experience with SAS, R, and STATA. Experience with python or SQL is a plus.  Prior experience leading projects with observational, survival, longitudinal, categorical, and generalized linear models is strongly preferred. Candidates should have published work reflecting their collaborative research experience. Experience supervising, leading teams, and managing projects is strongly desired. Writing and programming samples will be requested during the interview process.

Candidates must be able to work diplomatically and professionally with investigators, scientists, and lab personnel. Demonstrated professional initiative, teamwork abilities, strong interpersonal relationship skills, and good decision-making is expected.  Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience with Microsoft Windows, Word, and Excel are required for this position. Understanding of HIPAA considerations is preferred.  Applicant must have the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and manage the workflow of multiple projects, lift up to 5 pounds, sit at a computer for long periods of time, and have fluency in the English language. Salary will be commensurate with experience level.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements and activities that are required to perform the essential functions of the position include, but may not be limited to, as follows:  Must be able to occasionally lift, pull and push a minimum of 5 lbs, stand for extended periods of time, sit for extended periods of time, squat, kneel, and stoop, regularly use fingers, hands for computer work.

Supervisory Controls: The position of Senior Statistician & Project Scientist is under the direct supervisor of the Director.

The prior statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Salary Range or Rate of Pay: $90,000 - $120,000

Salary will be commensurate with abilities and experience. 

Employee Benefits: IMR offers a competitive benefits package which includes health insurance, a matching 403b retirement savings plan, and paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave. Please visit www.imr.org for information about employee benefits.

All IMR employees are required to obtain a Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS).  As a result, the successful candidate must undergo a federal background check and may be subject to a drug test. Participation in the vaccination programs may be required for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointments. We will not sponsor applicants for work visas.          

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled persons and Veterans.

Click here to apply to this position and others directly on the Institute for Medical Research Careers Page!