Biostatistician

About the job

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Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center The Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center (CSCC) is a division within the Department of Biostatistics of the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC (UNC). As the coordinating center for a number of multi-center clinical trials and epidemiology studies, the CSCC provides study design, data management, statistical analysis, quality assurance, and study management services to a broad array of projects funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The organization includes faculty from the departments of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Medicine and research staff with training and experience in biostatistics, epidemiology, computer science/data management, and project management. Total employees currently number between 100 and 105. The CSCC is responsible for approximately $32,000,000 in funding for 55-60 contracts and grants, and an additional 65 subcontracts. The CSCC was established in 1971 as the Lipid Research Clinics (LRC) Coordinating Center and has operated continually since that time. To reflect the addition of new studies and expansion into new research areas, the LRC Coordinating Center changed its name to the Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center (CSCC) in 1984. Major research programs currently include the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC); Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN); SPIROMICS II: Biological underpinning of COPD heterogeneity and progression (SPIROMICS II); SPIROMICS GIC Support; Data, Modeling, and Coordination Center for PrecISE Network (PrecISE); Hispanic Community Health Study (HCHS); and Preconceptional health of Latinas and its association with child adiposity (HCHS-FLOR). Information on these, as well as others can be found at http://www.cscc.unc.edu/cscc/index.php

Position Summary

The primary purpose of this Biostatistician position is to serve as an entry level practicing biostatistician on cohort observational studies and/or clinical trials at the Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center. These studies need to increase permanent statistical support staffing to ensure sponsor deliverables are met and to handle the ongoing statistician demands of our studies.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

A working knowledge of applied aspects of observational and clinical trials study design, data analysis, research data management and statistical programming is required. Experience with applied data analysis, such as linear and log-linear modeling, survival analysis and survey sampling, is recommended. This position demands the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple assignments concurrently in this multi-center collaborative research environment. Intermediate-level computing skills, including SAS software, are essential to carrying out the statistical methods required of this position. The position requires the ability to analyze data and then interpret and evaluate the results. Demonstration of effective communication skills in the presentation of statistical results in both written and oral form is important. Good interpersonal skills are required for the position’s frequent interaction with external stakeholders such as investigators and field center personnel as well as internal team members comprised of research staff, programmers, and other statisticians. The employee must understand and protect the confidentiality of study data to ensure the protection of human subjects involved in the research.

Absolute accuracy of work and detailed oriented is required in this position. Results of the study depend upon accuracy of work in all phases and by all members of the project team. The consequences of an error include potential harm to the public by jeopardizing the safety of study participants and by its potential impact on health policy decisions. The reputations of the Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center (CSCC), the School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are dependent on the validity and accuracy of work performed by this position. Proficiency with SAS, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other MS Office and electronic mail software, and experience with electronic informational resources is required.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Experience working on complex health research projects requiring complex data management and analysis is highly desirable. Experience with other high-level statistical software packages (such as R or M-plus) in addition to SAS is desirable but not essential.

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.