Research Assistant III Non-Lab

02-Aug-2024

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

66419BR

Job Summary

The Department of Epidemiology, at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studies the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in humans, a fundamental science of public health. In addition to pursuing ground-breaking global research initiatives, we educate and prepare future medical leaders and practitioners as part of our mission to ignite positive changes in the quality of health across the world.

We are seeking a team-oriented Research Assistant III (RA III) to join our cancer epidemiology team in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The RA III will be an essential member of our cancer epidemiology team and will play a key role on a range of tasks to support cancer epidemiology research, data analyses, and cancer programmatic activities. Our innovative cancer epidemiology research group is comprised of Harvard faculty, physicians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, biostatisticians, and Research Assistants. The overarching goal is to use data from large cancer epidemiology studies (e.g., the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (https://sites.sph.harvard.edu/hpfs/ ) and the IRONMAN study (https://ironmanregistry.org/ )) to answer research questions in cancer etiology, progression and survival, and survivorship.  An important cancer focus of our group is on prostate cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer among individual in 100+ countries including the United States. Our group collaborates closely with researchers at the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer as well as international researchers through collaborations. The RA III will have the opportunity to work closely with the entire team and support the overall conduct and mission of the cancer epidemiology program.

This is an ideal position for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in epidemiology, public health, and/or cancer research as well as future graduate training in these areas. The RA III will be an integral member of our team and be given the opportunity to make important contributions to research activities through data analyses of epidemiology data and writing of manuscripts, as well as in organizing programmatic activities and events. The RA will have the opportunity to learn new skills including in epidemiology and biostatistics and apply them to the position. We are looking for a smart, diligent, and collaborative individual who is keen to be a part of a progressive, inclusive, and top-tier research environment.  

Position Description

The Research Assistant III will contribute to the Cancer Epidemiology team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. This role will provide them with the opportunity to grow in epidemiology research, programming and statistical analysis, and in project management. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work closely with faculty and post-doctoral fellows on literature searches, grant writing, and manuscript writing, with the opportunity to be an author on published papers and conference abstracts including the opportunity to lead specific research projects
• Schedule, organize agendas, and participate in meetings with our research team, collaborators, students, and colleagues for team meetings
• Work closely with the PI and other team members to perform statistical analyses using SAS and/or R for manuscripts and grants, create data visualizations (tables, graphs, figures, etc.), and assist in the writing of scientific results
• Assist with data cleaning and management of databases within the cancer epidemiology cohort studies
• Oversee day to day research activities associated with maintaining a unique prostate cancer tumor tissue biorepository, including database tracking, and interactions with our pathologists, collaborators, and laboratory technicians
• Oversee day to day research activities of other research projects, and provide regular updates and feedback to the study team
• Work in partnership with the PI to maintain and update the Cancer Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention website and social media
• Assist in organizing and the execution of academic and research events and programs at Harvard Chan School and across the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
• Maintain and update the team’s project management systems (Google Drive, Dropbox, and Github repositories)
• Perform other duties related to our cancer epidemiology projects as needed by the PI and/or Project Manager (including planning large events, managing the team’s finances, and interviewing potential new team members)

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of related experience required; a combination of education and practical experience may be considere
• Experience using statistical programming software such as R, SAS, or similar is required.     

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Experience with or coursework using statistical programming software (R and/or SAS) is strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree is strongly preferred
• Master’s level training in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or related fields is a strong plus
• Interest and/or experience in web design, communications, and social media
• Interest in cancer research, molecular biology, public health, medicine, and/or biological sciences
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• Excellent analytical and logical reasoning skills
• Proactive and independent but also works well in a team
• The ideal applicant will have strong attention to detail and experience multitasking/managing multiple priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Additional Information

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers. 

Work Format Details

This position is eligible for 100% remote work. Employees may work from any of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

403117 Research Assistant III Non-Lab

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Appointment End Date

31-Jan-2025

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values , our Principles of Citizenship , and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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