Quantitative Data Analyst

Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team (MK-MDT) conducts research on dementia and its associated risks and co-morbidities in collaboration with Indigenous and rural communities. Our modern facilities have been thoughtfully constructed to foster team science approaches to research and well-being. The MK-MDT collaborates with faculty investigators from the Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, as well as academic and community research partners in the US and Canada. This position will report to Dr. Cliff Whetung and will be assigned to assist with Indigenous and rural aging and dementia research and grant and project development.

Dr. Whetung's research focuses on longitudinal relationships between social determinants of health, structural inequities, and cognitive health among Indigenous older adults in the United States and Canada. He also applies productive aging frameworks to explore the impact of work, volunteering, and social engagement on brain health in later life. His research indicates that Indigenous older adults experience a large burden of structural inequities across the lifespan and that these modifiable risk factors are associated with accelerated cognitive decline in later life. Dr. Whetung is a band member of Curve Lake First Nation and received his PhD from New York University's Silver School of Social Work.

The successful applicant will come prepared to work on-site in Duluth in a highly collaborative team science environment.

Duties/Responsibilities

60%: Data Management and Analysis

• Assist with quantitative data preparation, documentation, and analysis including the application of various theoretical frameworks to model design.
• Apply quantitative research methods including data preparation and cleaning, longitudinal data management, structural equation and/or mixed-effect models, and missing data analysis.
• Work collaboratively with staff and community partners to support the MK-MDT vision of healthy aging in Indigenous and rural populations.

20%: Data Access and Project Management

• Prepare and submit data access requests with support from Dr. Whetung.
• Implement data security protocols and best practices.
• Document coding decisions and generate codebooks.
• Attend team meetings, take notes and track tasks.
• Other administrative duties as needed.

20%: Grant, Manuscript, and Presentation Preparation

• Help prepare grant applications, publications, and/or presentations.

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS with 2 years research experience OR a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least 6 years
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Ability to travel occasionally, including overnight, to locations in Minnesota and to national and international conferences

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Data Science, Applied Statistics, Biostatistics Health Science, Public Health, Neuro/Clinical/Community Psychology, Social Sciences (Sociology, American Indigenous Studies, or Social Work) or other health-related discipline with applied statistical training.
• Previous experience in a research role.
• Proficient with Stata and/or R.
• Knowledge and understnding of the health of older adults and/or age-related neurological conditions.

Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.

The mission of the regional campus located in Duluth is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. In partnership with CentraCare, the regional campus in St. Cloud offers a wide range of patient experiences throughout students' education in Greater Minnesota and prepares them to become exceptional clinicians and leaders for rural and immigrant populations.

Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota Medical School has three campuses. A four-year MD program and the MD/PhD program are located on the Twin Cities campus in addition to MD programs at regional campuses in Duluth and St. Cloud.

Pay Range: $26.45 - $31.25 per hour ($55,016 - $65,000 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Work Location: In Person

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

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

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

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.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

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).