Research Teaching Specialist III

Overview: 
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Research Teaching Specialist III within the Cancer Epidemiology & Health Outcomes Division of the Rutgers Cancer Institute.

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI), the Research Teaching Specialist III (RTS III) will provide project management, data management, and quantitative analysis assistance for ongoing cancer and molecular epidemiologic research investigations using epidemiologic cohort studies and other population-based survey and electronic health records databases as applicable.

The Research Teaching Specialist III position involves database curation, developing standardized protocols for data cleaning, preparing data dictionaries, facilitating the transfer of research databases to collaborators, and conducting statistical analysis to support research dissemination and grant proposals.

Posting Summary:

Our cancer epidemiology and health outcomes section actively researches various areas, including cancer health disparities, nutrition and obesity, molecular biomarkers, social determinants of health, breast cancer survivorship, and cancer health disparities. In this role, there are opportunities to contribute to ongoing studies, such as investigating diet, lifestyle, microbiome, and metabolomics in the etiology and prognosis of benign breast disease and breast cancer in well-established cohort studies across racially/ethnically diverse population.

Among the key duties for this position are the following:

• Assists the PI and study staff in generating quantitative analysis summaries for reporting to Institutional Review Boards, funders, and research dissemination materials (conference presentations, research articles), and grant applications through tables, graphs, and maps.
• Provides professional scientific and technical support in the planning and execution of projects related to research and process development in the field of diet, microbiome, metabolomics, and multi-omics integration in cancer epidemiological research.
• Assists in the creation of databases using Red CAP, Microsoft Access, Excel and similar software products to facilitate acquisition of research data. Prepares data dictionaries for research databases. Applies procedures to ensure participant confidentiality.
• Develops and implements standard protocols for data cleaning (e.g. outlier detection, flagging erroneous dates and age).
• Under direction of the PI, performs statistical analysis on epidemiological investigation and microbiome/omics research using SAS and/or R to summarize research data for dissemination to researchers, community members, and donors. Compiles and presents statistical data with appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
• As assigned, carries out technical and research operations relating to laboratory activities.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Master’s Degree in a relevant science (epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, or similar) plus one (1) year of related research experience is required; or a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant science (epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, or similar) plus two (2) years of related research experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Must be computer literate with proficiency in database and reporting tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of one semester of coursework in biostatistics and/or epidemiology is preferred. Concentration in biostatistics or epidemiology preferred.
• Prior experience working in data analysis using SAS or R is preferred.
• Demonstrated evidence of experience in data analysis for health or social science research preferred.
• Prior experience in microbiome or bioinformatics/genetic/molecular analysis through coursework or work an asset.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Standing, sitting, walking, talking and hearing.
• No special vision requirements.
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Office environment.
• Moderate noise.