Research Scientist

Department
 

BSD MED - Center for Health and the Social Sciences - Methods Core

About the Department
 

The Center for Health and the Social Sciences (CHeSS) provides the infrastructure to advance interdisciplinary research and training in health and social sciences at the University of Chicago. Housed under the Dean of the Biological Sciences Division's office, the Center supports and promotes innovation and collaboration as well as excellence in research, scholarship and training. CHeSS serves as an incubator of ideas and supporter of research in health and the social sciences, sponsors seminars and workshops on campus, invites nationally-known scholars and policymakers to speak on a variety of topics, supports the writing and submission of grant applications and fundraising proposals, coordinates new research initiatives and projects, manages several training programs and provides expert research methods consultation during formative and operational phases of investigations.

Within the Center, the Program in Oral Health conducts research and training related to oral health and associated systemic health conditions. The Program in Oral Health has designed a 5-year randomized controlled study to study the effects of no-fee basic dental care on overall quality of life and systemic health of older adults. The Program works with other University of Chicago and external investigators on oral health projects. The Program works closely with CHeSS’ Methods Core team, which provides analytical training and support to oral health projects. CHeSS’ Methods Core also works on various other health and social science related projects across the University and outside.

Job Summary
 

The Center for Health and the Social Sciences (CHeSS) is seeking an experienced Research Scientist to join the Center Methods Core team and contribute to the scientific direction of research initiatives within the Program in Oral Health. The Research Scientist is expected to plan, execute, facilitate and advance scientific research projects related to healthcare economics, healthcare delivery science, health services research, biomedicine and clinical research. The Research Scientist will work closely with faculty and CHeSS Directors to design and conduct all aspects of research activities within the Program in Oral Health. The Research Scientist will provide in-depth knowledge and expertise in the application of computational, statistical and quantitative methods, and will lead the dissemination of research results by significantly contributing to scientific publications and grant writing. We seek candidates who are adept in providing support and guidance to team members of varying technical proficiency and that work independently, acting as a resource to support users in the practical application of data to advance health and clinical research.

Responsibilities

• Plans, executes, facilitates and advances technical/scientific research projects in the field of health services research and oral health.
• Designs, develops and applies quantitative approaches for research (including computational, statistical methods, etc.).
• Develops an independent line of inquiry related to the focus of the CHeSS Program in Oral Health. While there will be guidance from the PI, the Research Scientist should be able to run the project fully with little supervision. This includes independent troubleshooting and generation of independent collaboration.
• Participates in the preparation and writing of grant applications and reports, and co-author scientific research manuscripts.
• Manages, analyzes and makes recommendations on complex data sets for research.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Facilitates and promotes research projects by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Acts as a mentor for junior team members, including undergraduate students, medical students, and research fellows undergoing analytical training within the Program in Oral Health.
• Leads and manages individual projects, including data governance (Data Use Agreements) and IRB policy compliance of research projects.
• Prepares and presents key measures designed to assess results and progress of these projects. Leads communications with projects funders.
• Communicates findings to diverse audiences, leads working meetings and present results in conferences and workshops.
• May supervise other research staff and students.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Facilitates and promotes a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Develops laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage, analyze and make recommendations on complex data sets for research.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Doctoral degree in a related field.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient in quantitative research, data modeling, data analysis and demonstrated ability to contribute to the scientific direction of research projects.
• Skilled in writing manuscripts and grant proposals and giving scientific presentations.
• Proficient working with large longitudinal data sets such as healthcare surveys, hospital administrative, billing and electronic health record data, Medicare or private claims data.
• Strong working knowledge of programming languages (R, Python, PySpark, SQL, Stata, SAS) and health-related analyses.
• Prior experience in oral health research.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Work independently and as part of a team and motivation to explore and apply new technologies and methods to solve complex research problems.
• Work simultaneously with multiple projects, prioritize competing objectives, and identify opportunities to more efficiently accomplish analytical tasks.
• Work in a fast-paced environment.
• Supervise and train others.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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