Job Information
Institute for Medical Research Biostatistician III in Durham, North Carolina
Institute for Medical Research at the Durham VA Health Care System
Biostatistician III
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 Biostatistician III perform advanced-level statistical analysis and programming for clinical research studies conducted by the Principal Investigator, Dr. Stephen Freedland, and his associates in his urology research lab. This includes statistical programming, statistical analysis, quality assurance of data, study feasibility assessments, and presentation of work in reports, manuscripts, posters, and presentations.
The biostatistician 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.
Location: This position is remote with occasional meetings in Durham office. This position is located in Durham, North Carolina and candidates must be willing to relocate prior to start date.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Critical Element 1 – Collaborate and work effectively with research team members:
Collaborate effectively with programmers, statisticians, investigators, research staff, and external collaborators
Represent the statistical team in project team meetings; make recommendations about study design and execution in relation to statistical analysis
Participate in conference calls, project meetings, weekly meetings with leadership, and other team meetings
Provide support and training for junior-level biostatisticians
Serve as a resource for other research staff
Critical Element 2 – Effectively manage and execute assignments:
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
Manage project responsibilities with decreasing levels of supervision or regular support
Take initiative to complete project-specific responsibilities with minimal supervision
Demonstrate ability to multi-task and meet deadlines as appropriate
Build documentation and organizational skills for reproducibility
Critical Element 3 –Statistical analysis planning, generation of results, and interpretation:
Participate in most statistical aspects of a medical research project
Conduct power analyses/sample size calculations
Evaluate research studies and recommend statistical procedures to analyze the data
Contribute meaningfully to discussions of analyses and identify next steps for analyses
Write statistical analysis plans
Perform quality assurance reviews of datasets before beginning analysis
Learn new statistical methods, as needed, and apply new skills to future projects
Perform intermediate and advanced statistical analyses, including but not limited to survival analysis, linear regression, and generalized linear modeling.
Check results for accuracy and consistency
Prepare comprehensive statistical reports to communicate findings with investigators
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, with guidance
Prepare statistical components of presentations, abstracts, study protocols, and manuscripts including methods and results sections
Critical Element 4 – Programming and data documentation:
Program analysis datasets using SAS, R, or STATA; combine multiple disparate raw databases and derive analysis variables accurately
Design analysis data set specifications through writing own programming code
Demonstrate good programming practices through proper documentation, commenting, and readability
Perform complex programming using advanced options in SAS procedures and macros, and R functions with increasing efficiency
Produce quality statistical output products including tables, listings, and figures
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 a master’s degree in (bio)statistics or a related field and 5 years of relevant experience or a PhD with no relevant experience.
Additional Requirements:
Candidates must have demonstrated statistical programming experience with SAS, R, or STATA.
Experience with python or SQL is a plus.
Prior experience with observational, survival, longitudinal, categorical, and generalized linear statistical models is strongly preferred.
Candidates should ideally have published work reflecting their research experience.
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, and have fluency in the English language.
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 pounds, 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 positio n of Biostatistician III is under the direct supervisor of the Statistics Manager.
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 : $95,000- $130,440 annually
Salary will be commensurate with experience level.
Status: Exempt
Start Date: Expected start date will be 6 - 8 weeks after the offer but is somewhat flexible and contingent upon completion and approval of VA paperwork.
Employee Benefits: IMR offers a competitive benefits package if you work 25 hours or more which includes health, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability insurance. IMR offers a matching 403b retirement savings plan if you work 20 or more hours. Both part-time and full-time employees get paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave. Please visit https://imr.org/benefits/ 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 physical and 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 (https://imr.org/careers/) to apply to this position and others directly on the Institute for Medical Research Careers Page (https://imr.org/careers/) !