Biostatistician Data Manager - Axle

The contractor will independently provide expert biostatistical support to the Brain Health Equity (BHE) Unit within the Health Disparities Research Section (HDRS) at the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The primary objective is to assist in the statistical design, analysis, and interpretation of data from community-based cohort studies and other research projects led by Dr. Indira Turney, the Principal Investigator.

• Study Design and Protocol Documentation: Work products related to the design of research studies, development of statistical analysis plans, and study protocols. - Ad-Hoc

• Advanced Data Analysis Reports: Perform complex statistical analyses (e.g., multilevel models, mediation, longitudinal, causal inference) using R, SPSS, and other relevant software to answer cutting-edge research questions from data collected from diverse community-based cohort studies.

• Conduct hypothesis testing and design statistical approaches tailored to the research aims of the study.

• Prepare clear and concise statistical reports that translate complex findings for diverse audiences. - Daily

• Data Management Documentation: A detailed codebook, SOPs, and documentation of management practices, including data audits, cleaning, and coding processes. - Ad-Hoc

• Compliance and Quality Assurance Reports: Documentation ensuring compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements and quality control processes for data integrity and security. - Ad-Hoc

• Data Sharing Oversight: Ensure that data is shared only with investigators who have approved project proposals and are employed by institutions with active data-sharing agreements. Provide documentation verifying that data distribution adheres to these protocols. - Ad-Hoc

• Project Proposal Review: Provide assessments to the Principal Investigator regarding the originality of proposed research, recommending alterations in project proposals to avoid duplication of work or efforts within ongoing studies. - Ad-Hoc

• Research Publication Support: Lead statistical contributions to research manuscripts, including being the lead author for manuscripts that align with BHE's mission.

• Assist in grant writing, summarizing statistical methods clearly and persuasively for diverse stakeholders.

• Collaborate on research papers and grant proposals, summarizing complex statistical methods and results clearly and concisely. - Weekly

• Training Materials: Develop materials for training junior staff or collaborators on statistical methods, data analysis software, and proper data management protocols. - Weekly

• Lead the development of study protocols and statistical analysis plans with a strong focus on hypothesis testing and relevant analytical frameworks. - 1
• Perform complex statistical analyses (e.g., multilevel models, mediation, longitudinal, causal inference) using R, SPSS, and other relevant software to answer cutting-edge research questions from data collected from diverse community-based cohort studies. - 2
• Conduct hypothesis testing and design statistical approaches tailored to the research aims of the study. - 3
• Research and analyze new developments in biostatistical methods and applications. - 4
• Provide statistical leadership to research staff and junior team members: training on advanced techniques and best practices for data management and analysis. - 5

• Assists in performing a variety of data management and analytical tasks and organizing complex, large-scale datasets.

• Provide biostatistical expertise for the research study.

• Utilizes statistical software packages to manage, maintain and analyze large, complex statistical datasets.

• Enter and verify data fields and data dictionaries.

• Documents analyses performed and prepares progress reports summarizing results.

• Write statistical sections in manuscripts; work with research staff to interpret referees' comments on manuscripts.

• Performs a variety of data management and analytical tasks and organizing complex, large-scale datasets.

• Analyze, interpret, communicate and document epidemiologic data and results. 

• Conducts statistical analyses on completed and ongoing studies utilizing a wide range of standard and non-standard statistical software packages for all projects.

• Write code to execute data analysis, visualize and provide interpretation and context to results of analysis.

• Perform descriptive and missing data analysis.

• Perform data cleaning (identifying and correcting data entry errors and/or missing values) and data transformation (creating and categorizing variables and imputing data).

• Prepare clear and concise statistical reports that translate complex findings for diverse audiences. 

• Reviews and summarizes relevant literature and other sources to develop analytical plans.

• Consult with staff on the application of statistical methods to address the key study scientific aims of the study.

• Provide literature review related to analyses used in comparable studies. 

• Learns and applies new statistical methods and software packages and provides consultation and training to other analysts and staff.

• Integrate data from multiple sources into SAS data sets.

• Collaborate with investigators to design studies, identifying appropriate and advanced statistical methods.

• Advise research teams on optimal data collection and analysis methods, ensuring robust study design and reliable interpretation of results.

Certifications & Licenses

• Master's or PhD in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, or a related field with a strong background in applying advanced statistical methods to epidemiological data. A bachelor's degree with extensive specialized experience may be considered.

Field of Study

• Neuroscience

• Cognitive Science and Biopsychology

• Management Information Systems and Statistics

• Computer Programming and Data Processing

• Mathematics and Computer Science

• Statistics and Decision Science

• Biomedical Engineering

• Biological Engineering

• Community and Public Health

• Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Software

• Proficiency in statistical software such as R, Mplus, SPSS, and other statistical computing software.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently design and implement statistical analyses for complex datasets.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain statistical concepts and results to non-statistical audiences.

• Extensive experience in the application of statistical methods to public health, epidemiology, or clinical research, particularly within the context of community-based cohort studies, and the ability to design and lead complex analyses independently.

• Proficiency in advanced statistical methods such as mediation models, multilevel analysis, causal inference, or longitudinal analysis, with hands-on experience using R, Mplus, SPSS, or equivalent software.

• Experience leading statistical contributions to publications, with a demonstrated ability to serve as lead author for manuscripts aligning with BHE's mission and research focus.

• Commitment to long-term engagement, with a history of holding positions for extended periods, reflecting stability and dedication to ongoing research projects.