Research Scientist

University of North Carolina, United States

Updated: about 1 year ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 17 Apr 2023

Posting Information
Posting Information


Department TraCS Institute-429801
Career Area Research Professionals
Posting Open Date 03/27/2023
Application Deadline 04/17/2023
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Research Scientist
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 20053972
Vacancy ID NF0006832
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $95,000 - $128,000
Proposed Start Date 06/01/2023

Position Information


Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation’s leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.
Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We will prepare tomorrow’s health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.
Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.
Position Summary
The UNC Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute (TraCS) was formed in 2007 to serve as the academic home for the University’s Clinical and Translational Sciences Award (CTSA), a funded NIH grant. The vision of the TraCS Institute is to transform how clinical and translational science is being performed, here at UNC, throughout the State, and out into the CTSA national community. 
The research data scientist position will work closely with the Program Director of the TraCS Data Science Lab (TDSL) and TraCS leaders and team members to support clinical data science across UNC. The current priorities of TDSL are: (1) to collaborate on translational research using real world data, (2) to design and build novel data resources and statistical methods to enhance and improve clinical data science, and (3) to create curricula and training resources for a clinical data science education program at UNC. Depending on Program priorities and personal interests, there can be flexibility in the research data scientist role to develop their own extramural funding for research priorities in-line with the overarching mission of the TDSL Program at UNC.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
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.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
This position requires a Masters or PhD in applicable field and at least three years of relevant work experience. Excellent written and oral scientific communication skills as well as the ability to independently manage multiple projects is also required.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Our ideal candidate also possesses the following:
  • Demonstrated skill in one or more of the following areas: Machine learning, deep learning, statistical analysis, natural language processing, computer vision, graph analysis, or semantic web technologies.
  • High level of proficiency in either R or Python (specifically for data analysis; i.e., not web development), including creation of prediction and classification pipelines, deployment and scaling of models, and maintenance of code and models. 
  • Knowledge of SQL programming, data modeling, and relational database systems such as Oracle, MS-SQL, MySQL, etc.
  • Theoretical fluency and working proficiency in the application of a broad array of analytical and statistical methods such as descriptive and inferential statistics, multivariate regression, clustering, neural networks, predictive modeling, forecasting, machine learning and optimization algorithms.
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills along with ability to work with large, disparate data sets, performing data mining, validation and analysis to trend and interpret information.
  • Excellent independent work function with ability to manage multiple projects at once while delivering high-quality work on time.
  • Excellent written and oral scientific communication skills. Public speaking at meetings and conferences may be required. Manuscript authorship, either as first or co-author, is an expectation.
  • Strong interest in clinical data and desire to develop deep expertise in EHR and claims data. 
  • Demonstrable experience with open-source development, including high proficiency with GitHub.
  • Interest in teaching and disseminating work through writing and speaking engagements. 
  • Past experience working with faculty in an academic research environment.
  • Fluency visualizing data for scientific purposes (e.g., creating figures for manuscripts and presentations). 
  • Proficiency in scientific writing. 
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
N/A
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.
Special Instructions
This position is open to in-person, remote, and hybrid candidates.
This position is ideal for those with formal experience and/or education in statistical or applied math.
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/252870

Posting Contact Information


Department Contact Name and Title Stephanie Fleming, HR Consultant
Department Contact Telephone or Email [email protected]
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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