Associate Director of IT for Data Science

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States

Updated: 1 day ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 10 Jun 2024

Posting Information
Posting Information


Department Sheps Ctr for Hlth Serv Res-633100
Career Area Information Technology
Posting Open Date 05/10/2024
Application Deadline 06/10/2024
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Associate Director of IT for Data Science
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 20064061
Vacancy ID NF0008139
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range
Proposed Start Date 07/15/2024

Position Information


Be a Tar Heel!
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.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
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.
Position Summary
The Sheps Center for Health Services Research is seeking an Associate Director of Data Analytics, a pivotal leadership role driving the advancement of healthcare through innovative data science applications. 
As the Associate Director, you will lead and manage the Data Analytics and Research Team (DART) a cornerstone of our data coordinating research service center. You’ll empower a diverse group of data scientists, health informaticists, and data engineers to excel in their roles. Our team engages in a diverse portfolio of projects, including comprehensive secondary data analysis and statewide health assessments, multi-site randomized controlled clinical trials, and the development of predictive models and algorithmic tools for clinical decision-making. Through the facilitation of thought-provoking team discussions and caring leadership, you will enable each team member to work at the top of their license and seize opportunities to showcase the impact their work is having on our local community, state, and abroad. You will guide them to innovate and advance healthcare through the development of efficient best practices in requirements gathering, programming, organization, and communication to deliver a high-quality service and maximize the value we bring to research. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping analytic strategies that directly address critical health research questions, utilizing extensive datasets such as insurance claims data and electronic health records.
In this capacity, you will manage teams as they work in collaboration with investigators on advanced data management and analytic tools for a diverse array of research initiatives. Your oversight will ensure projects are executed with precision and aligned with the Center’s mission. You will support and advise teams on the initial scoping and delivery of insightful reports, large federal and foundation grant methodological development, and manuscript writing. By applying Agile methodologies, you will foster a culture of innovation and efficiency across multiple Data Science Pods (small teams and workgroups), driving the establishment and adoption of best practices throughout these teams. In addition, your leadership is required in leading the team through complex data ethics issues as we navigate the changing landscape of data science in public health.
A significant aspect of your role involves strategic communication, acting as a conduit between the data science team and the research partners to ensure objectives are clear and shared goals are met. As an integral member of the Leadership Team, your insights will contribute to the broader strategic direction of the center. You will be encouraged to form and nurture cross-campus partnerships, enhancing the visibility and impact of the team’s work within the wider data science community.
As Associate Director, your role involves spearheading the team and contributing at an advisory level across data analysis, programming, and engineering in line with project needs. Collaborating closely with researchers, you will review designs and results which leverage large-scale datasets such as Medicare, Medicaid, private payer datasets, and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to provide insights. Proficiency in tools like SAS, R, Python, and SQL is essential, as is the ability to independently manage and prioritize a full spectrum of data tasks from initial scoping to the final preparation of reports.
This pivotal position offers the opportunity to lead transformative projects at the intersection of data science and healthcare, with the full support of the Sheps Center behind you for continuous training and professional development. Your leadership will not only drive the success of individual projects but also contribute to the growth and evolution of the Sheps Center’s data science service.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Masters’ and 2-4 years’ experience; or Bachelors and 3-5 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
1. Demonstrated proficiency utilizing at least 2 of the following: SQL, SAS, R, or Python
2. Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with a team
3. Demonstrated experience with developing analytic plans and leading projects
4. Demonstrated experience managing and leading teams
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills
6. Excellent organization skills
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
1. 10+ years of proven experience leading data scientists in a research or healthcare environment
2. Familiarity with healthcare research data such as public and private insurance claims, electronic 
 health record data, and any other public or proprietary healthcare data
3. Demonstrated experience working in research studies involving sensitive patient health information
4. Demonstrated experience to provide strategic direction and build internal and external partnerships
5. Demonstrated proficiency in a data analysis language such as SAS, R, Python, or Stata 
6. Demonstrated experience leading teams of 5+ individuals
7. Demonstrated experience with advanced data analytics programming and modern data science 
 statistical analyses
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.
Special Instructions
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/280337

Posting Contact Information


Department Contact Name and Title
Department Contact Telephone or Email
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 [email protected]
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
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.

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