Senior Research Scientist

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research seeks to improve the health of individuals, families, and populations by understanding the problems, issues, and alternatives in the design and delivery of health care services. This is accomplished through an interdisciplinary program of research, consultation, technical assistance, and training that focuses on timely and policy-relevant questions concerning the accessibility, adequacy, organization, cost, and effectiveness of health care services, and the dissemination of this information to policymakers and the general public.

Within the Sheps Center, the Program on Aging, Chronic Illness, and Long-Term Care aims to better understand and improve the well-being of older persons and the quality of care they receive. Work funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Alzheimer's Association, and other foundations include observational studies, clinical trials, and community-based participatory research projects. They have examined issues including dementia care, end-of-life care and hospice, person-centered care and practices, medication administration, caregiver training and education, falls prevention, mouth care, lighting, health care screening, nursing services, and a host of other topics. In addition to studies conducted in community-dwelling and nursing home populations, the program has conducted some of the seminal work in residential care/assisted living, and has maintained a research consortium (the Collaborative Studies of Long-Term Care) of more than 1,500 long-term care settings for the last 25 years. In addition, the research team has developed, tested, and published numerous measures for use with older populations, created and shared multimedia educational programs for caregivers of older adults, and disseminated their work in three special journal issues, four books, and hundreds of peer-reviewed manuscripts. Program investigators represent numerous UNC schools and departments, as well as individuals from other universities and organizations.

The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research is a world-renowned, university-based research center, in which over 100 faculty, fellows, and research staff conduct a broad array of research activities in a collegial, interdisciplinary environment. The Program on Aging, Chronic Illness, and Long- Term Care is one of the largest of the Sheps Center programs. Directed by Drs. Sheryl Zimmerman and Philip Sloane, the Program encompasses a variety of research activities focusing on older adults who reside in the community and in residential long-term care settings. Projects range from descriptive studies to pragmatic and randomized controlled trials, addressing topics such as quality of care and quality improvement in nursing homes and assisted living; falls reduction and pneumonia prevention; care for people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; and the needs of staff who work in long-term care.

The Senior Research Scientist will lead analyses, ensuring that complex statistical analyses and study activities (e.g., implementation of the study randomization process for a clinical trial) are performed correctly. This position includes working with the principal investigator(s) as well as other investigators and staff both within and outside UNC.

The Senior Research Scientist must have expertise using commonly applied advanced statistical methods. Examples include using generalized linear models, generalized linear mixed models, standard methods for survival analysis (e.g., Cox proportional hazards models), generalized estimating equations, and performing sample size calculations, including via simulation. Other valuable (but non-essential) expertise includes proficiency performing Bayesian analyses, using causal inference methods, machine learning methods, missing data methods, resampling methods, and non-parametric statistical methods. Additionally, the Senior Research Scientist will work with project investigators to participate in research from proposal development through manuscript submission. For projects in a data collection phase, the Senior Research Scientist will guide the development of data sets by planning data structure, overseeing sampling, and performing data cleaning and report preparation.

In addition to having substantial expertise using statistical methodology, the Senior Research Scientist must also have significant interest and proficiency in project management in a multidisciplinary, team-based environment, statistical programming, and using best practices for statistical analyses and data science to ensure high-quality, reproducible research findings.

The Senior Research Scientist may serve as a Co-Investigator for research studies.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

- Experience working on complex clinical research projects is needed. Prior experience in analysis of observational and/or clinical trials data in a collaborative environment is required.
- In-depth knowledge of biostatistics, statistical programming, and data management, with the expertise to develop, understand, apply, and train other staff on the use of advanced statistical methods.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Effective team leadership, mentoring, training, customer-service and negotiating skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, managers, and clients.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, including adeptness at time management.

- At least five years of experience working on complex clinical research projects is needed.
- Experience working as a senior statistician and project manager on large trial or cohort multi-site studies.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.