Biostatician I

Overview

The Biostatistician I will be expected to perform the following job functions:

(1) Act as a consultant to faculty and other investigators to help formulate scientific questions and statistical methodology based on the availability of study data.

(2) Analyze and interpret data from investigator-initiated studies and surveys.

(3) Assist with the promotion of the Data Analytics Services Unit (DASU) biostatistical consulting services through occasional professional presentations and seminars.

Responsibilities

• With minimal guidance, Provides statistical support in the way of developing study design and analytic plans,performing analyses, writing reports and summaries.
• Provides one on one statistical consultation to investigators (faculty, residents, and students, and staff) at the medical school to advise on the most appropriate statistical methodology for their projects.
• Provides statistical support on study design and/or analytic plans for project proposals, protocols, and grant submissions.
• Reviews or creates the statistical analysis plan of a researcher’s protocol and ensures appropriate statistical methods are proposed for the study design and objectives.
• Analyzes and interprets data from experiments, clinical or educational studies, and surveys and assists clients in interpreting the statistical results within the context of the specific project.
• Collaborates on the preparation of abstracts, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and grants from the statistical standpoint.
• Actively will participate in the data management activities in collaboration with the DASU data management team.
• Provides statistical overview sessions, including introduction to statistics, types of analysis, modeling, and research design.
• Promotes the use and awareness of the DASU biostatistical consulting services by delivering professional presentations to various WMed and WMed-affiliated groups.
• Follows standard quality control processes and reviews to ensure accurate methods and analysis are being used.
• Collaborates on the creation and maintenance of statistical programming standards.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of services, policies, and procedures.
• Availability to work on occasional weekends and evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
• Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Master of Science degree (MS) in Biostatistics or Statistics.
• Prior consulting experience desirable.
• Experience in data management using tools such as Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), REDCap, MS Access, MySQL, or equivalent.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proficient in statistical programming with at least one code-based statistical package such as SAS, Python, STATA, and/or R.
• Proficient with MS Office applications.
• Working knowledge of basic design of experiments and sample size/power calculations, statistical inference, and of regression techniques for continuous, and categorical outcomes.
• Working knowledge of other analytic techniques is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to learn new analytical and methodological techniques.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of workflow.
• Able to perform most duties independently with some need for direct supervision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• The employee regularly works in a clean, well-lighted, temperature controlled, and smoke-free environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There is moderate risk to exposure to noxious substances and infectious agents.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• The employee must be able to perform a combination of sitting, standing and walking.
• Must have the ability to hear within normal range and possess the physical capability and hand dexterity to operate basic office equipment.
• Occasionally lifts average of 30 pounds.

INTERPERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exhibits a commitment to the values expressed in the medical school mission, vision and values; Educational Pledge; Code of Professional Conduct; and building a supportive learning and working environment with a positive attitude at the workplace and toward their job.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact in a positive and helpful manner with all constituents both internally and externally in a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Ability to work effectively on group projects with internal and external customers in a collaborative manner.
• Applies knowledge of principles and process for providing exemplary stakeholder service and support. This includes assessment of stakeholder needs, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of stakeholder satisfaction.
• Maintains the confidentiality of all patient, employee, physician, student, and institutional information.

About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed)

We are committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality, patient- and family-entered care, innovative research, and community partnerships within a welcoming, supportive, and engaging culture. Our vision is health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine.

The medical school is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching health systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The medical school is a private nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. WMed is the recipient of a $100 million foundational gift and the Empowering Futures Gift, a philanthropic commitment of $300 million to support the mission of the medical school. WMed contributes to the economic vitality of Southwest Michigan through the services we provide, as well as the creation of 1,600 new jobs, with an estimated annual economic impact of $353 million in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.

WMed is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The medical school offers a comprehensive, innovative four-year Doctor of Medicine degree program, as well as a Master of Science degree program in Biomedical Sciences. We train physicians in 10 accredited residency programs and five accredited fellowship programs, all of which are recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. To support our educational mission, we have Joint Accreditation for interprofessional continuing education, which incorporates accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services in several locations throughout the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas. Faculty in the Department of Pathology serve as the Office of the Medical Examiner for counties throughout Michigan and northern Indiana.

The W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus located in downtown Kalamazoo serves as the primary educational facility with student study and social spaces, team-based learning halls, faculty and administrative offices, a state-of-the-art Simulation Center accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, basic science research labs, as well as toxicology and forensic pathology labs.

WMed builds upon Kalamazoo’s century-long foundation of drug discovery and medical device development with a strategic investment in clinical, laboratory, community, and educational research. The Center for Immunobiology, Center for Clinical Research, Research Histology Lab, Innovation Center, and Human Research Protection Program contribute to the medical school’s advancement of knowledge through innovation and discovery. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with applicable State and Federal law.