Assistant Professor of Biostatistics (Contract)

The Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, School of Public Health, at the University of Minnesota has an opening for a non-tenure track (contract) faculty position at the rank of assistant professor who will be responsible for teaching graduate-level courses in our MS, PhD, and MPH programs, and collaborating with biomedical investigators in the health sciences as a member of the Biostatistical Design and Analysis Center (BDAC) of the University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).

Applicants must have a PhD in biostatistics, statistics, or a closely related field, by the start of appointment and a strong interest in collaborative research with biomedical investigators across the health sciences. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, a successful candidate will be expected to play a crucial role in translational team science, obtain external funding through collaborative grant applications, provide guidance to master-level statisticians in the BDAC, and provide service to the CTSI through protocol review and consulting. The candidate will also be expected to pursue data-driven statistical methods research (e.g. innovative design and analysis methods motivated by collaborative randomized clinical trials and observational studies), advise graduate students in the Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, and serve on division and school level committees. The relative balance between teaching and collaborative research will be negotiated based on the interest of the candidate and needs of the division and BDAC.

We are strongly committed to recruiting, mentoring, and retaining faculty with a diversity of experiences and support the advancement of the School of Public Health's Strategic Plan for Antiracism. We recognize that scholars from historically disadvantaged groups may not have had the same access to opportunities and may have faced substantial barriers on their academic journey, and hence we are committed to carrying out a holistic evaluation of all applicants for the position. Individuals who have experienced such barriers are encouraged to discuss them in their application materials.

Required qualifications:

Applicants must have a PhD in biostatistics, statistics, or a closely related field, by the start of appointment and a strong interest in collaborative research with biomedical investigators across the health sciences.

The Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science currently includes 36 faculty members and 61 staff. Faculty regularly publish in the top methodological journals across all major biostatistical research areas, including causal inference, clinical trials, statistical genetics, bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, analysis of spatial and longitudinal data, biomedical imaging, survival analysis, meta-analysis and data synthesis, and mobile health. Division faculty are active in a wide range of collaborative research projects including high-profile studies of cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, dentistry and periodontology, psychiatry/psychology, transplantation, chronic and neurodegenerative diseases, and tobacco control. The Division's Coordinating Centers for Biometric Research (CCBR) is considered a field leader in clinical trial coordination and has been instrumental in designing and executing seminal vaccine and treatment trials in HIV/AIDS, Ebola, influenza, and COVID-19. Several Division faculty have leadership roles in major cross-disciplinary initiatives, including the Biostatistical Design and Analysis Center (BDAC) of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and the Biostatistics Core of the Masonic Cancer Center, the Analytics Core of the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, the Innovative Methods and Data Science and RapidEval Programs in the Center for Learning Health Systems Sciences, and the Genomics Data Commons.

The Division offers MS and PhD degrees in Biostatistics and a MPH in Public Health Data Science, with a current enrollment of 164 graduate students (70 Doctoral, 94 Masters). Students come to our programs from top undergraduate and graduate institutions across the U.S. and around the world, attracted by the quality of our faculty, a reasonable student-faculty ratio, our dedication to student success, and the modest cost of living in the Twin Cities. Division students regularly win prestigious student paper awards at top national and international conferences; approximately half pursue careers in academia, and half choose paths in private industry and government.

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is enhancing the way research is conducted to make a meaningful impact on people's lives. To do this, CTSI provides a comprehensive infrastructure of research services, training, grants, tools, and more. CTSI is part of the prestigious Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, which aims to get interventions to patients and populations more quickly and enable research teams to tackle system-wide problems in clinical and translational research.

The University of Minnesota is a top-ranked public research university, known for its vibrant academic community and strong support for interdisciplinary research. The Division is located on the University of Minnesota campus, which straddles the Mississippi River and is centrally located in Minneapolis. Campus is served by plentiful public transportation, including a light rail line stop across the street from Division offices. On-campus parking is also readily available on a contract or daily fee basis. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul offer all the usual amenities of a major metropolitan area; one notable highlight is the urban parks system, which has frequently been ranked #1 in the nation. Livable neighborhoods are diverse and widespread, and housing prices remain moderate compared to other similarly sized metro areas. The salary range for this position is very competitive, and fringe benefits are excellent. The University of Minnesota is committed to supporting a healthy work-life balance, and offers a range of resources to help faculty succeed both professionally and personally.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions to submit an application, which should include a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, and the names of at least three references.

In their cover letter (maximum of 3 single spaced pages), applicants should address their research and teaching interests and are also encouraged to comment on how they can contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment in the Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science.

Additionally, candidates should request that a letter of recommendation from each of the three references be sent to biostats@umn.edu. Please reference Job ID: 365526. Other questions regarding this position can be directed to this same address.

Applications received on or before December 9, 2024 will be given first consideration for an interview; however, we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).