We are a Boston-based epidemiology and biomedical research organization. We are actively engaged in several clinical trials, pharmacoepidemiology, chronic disease epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, biostatistical and genomics research. Our research team oversees study data related activities and Quality improvement activities to improve the way translational research is conducted and clinical care is delivered. The multi-disciplinary center consists of a highly talented group of biomedical researchers, clinicians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, data analysts/programmers, project coordinators, and informatics team with academic affiliations to Harvard Medical School and Boston University. We are looking for candidates with a service-oriented mentality, high sense of ownership of the assigned tasks and ability to solve problems presented by data.
Project Background:
Our research group has a full-time Data Scientist opening for individuals who love working with data and want to use their data science skills to help researchers conduct high-impact research that expands our understanding of human health and improves healthcare outcomes for Veterans. You will work with a strong, collegial, diverse, and talented team of computer scientists, statisticians, and clinicians at BVARI, the VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, and the Boston University School of Medicine.
Why should a data scientist work at a VA-associated research institute? The VA has the largest integrated medical records database in the United States, with comprehensive clinical information on over 22 million patients (2 trillion+ rows, 22,000+ columns of data), including large amounts of both structured and unstructured data. The VA also has large databases of genomic and imaging data. Working with our group offers the opportunity to execute high-impact projects with large-scale real-world healthcare data that is unavailable at most other institutions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Use advanced data analysis methods (from machine learning, artificial intelligence, applied statistics, etc.) to assist in building predictive models of healthcare outcomes from the largest integrated medical records database in the United States.
- Extract, clean, and validate data in preparation for analysis, starting from raw data in a large relational database.
- Carry out exploratory analysis and data visualization and summarize analysis results.
- Collaborate with a range of researchers, including clinicians, computer scientists and statisticians to design and execute analyses.
- Assist in developing improved data science methodology in relation to healthcare data.
- Assist in publishing papers on our findings, systems, and methodology.
Qualifications and Entrance Requirements:
- Proficiency in programming with R and/or Python to carry out data analysis in large and complex datasets.
- Experience working with relational databases using SQL or willingness to learn.
- Ability to move projects forward independently with moderate support.
- Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.
- Passion for advancing healthcare research through creative use of data.
- Strong communication and collaborative research skills required.
- Experience using version control and reproducible research (git, knitr, etc.) is preferred.
- Experience with electronic medical record data or clinical databases preferred.
Please note we are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The employee must be a resident of Massachusetts upon start date.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.
Selective Service
If you are male application born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time exempt position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Travel
No travel is expected for this position.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance
An employee in this position must complete all appropriate background checks at the time of hire and periodic reappointment.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
About BVARI
We are a highly supportive environment, where culture comes first, and we reward our employees with outstanding benefits and perks, including highly competitive benefits, flexible work arrangements, generous time off with annual cash-out options, retirement matching, and deeply discounted MBTA commuter passes to those who spend the preponderance of their time commuting to the office.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Boston VA Research Institute, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absences, compensation and training.