Heluna Heath invites applications for the position of Research Scientist in the Center on Substance Use and Heath of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The Center on Substance Use and Heath conducts pharmacologic and behavioral interventions and observational studies to maximize the health outcomes of people use alcohol, methamphetamine, opioids, and other substances. We work with people who are actively using substances and focus on meeting their goals related to their substance use, including reduction in use in harms, prevention or treatment of infectious diseases, or prevention of drug overdose. We conduct research in a community—based environment in downtown San Francisco, with the facilities and resources needed to perform complex clinical research studies (suite of exam rooms, alarmed pharmacy for medication trials, and on-site CLlA-waived laboratory). We are proud to treat people who use substances with respect and dignity and enjoy a close-knit culture of intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and fun.
The Research Scientist, reports to, and performs under the supervision of the Director, and are responsible for applying for funding, directing studies, managing study data, conducting analyses, and producing reports and manuscripts. This role must be willing to work in a team and enjoy problem-solving, as our studies are generally investigator-initiated and require in-house development of resources.

This is a temporary grant-funded, part-time (20 Hours), benefitted position. Employment is provided by Heluna Health. This is a hybrid position that requires some in person work.

Pay range: $43.27-49.57 per hour

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date, or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Work with the Director of the Center on Substance Use and Heath to develop innovative NIH-grant proposals to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of new interventions to manage substance use, prevent HIV transmission/acquisition, and to advance health of populations most at risk.
• Develop and execute independent research projects in line with the organizational goals of reducing harms associated with substance use, including HIV, viral hepatitis, overdose, and others.
• Responsible for achieving the specific aims, implementation of study protocols and study procedures within award timetables and budgets for independent research projects.
• Develop study protocols, study procedures and data collection instruments in research studies.

• Supervise and provide consultation to junior level analysts and summer interns on discrete quantitative projects and research deliverables including writing reports and scientific manuscripts for publication.
• Work with Study Coordinator to prepare applications and compliance documents for regulatory institutions including the Committee on Human Research, Data Safer Monitoring Board and FDA
• Collaborate on interpreting statistical findings, writing, and editing manuscripts for publications, abstracts for conferences, and posters and slides for presentations.
• Develop exhaustive Boolean search strings to conduct systematic review of literature in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase citation databases to identify relevant publications for specific research questions.
• Supervise the development, programming, and maintenance of Access Databases for ongoing research studies.
• Oversee the development and updates of computer programs for audio computer-assisted questionnaires (ACASI) in research studies.
• Prepare and conduct internal auditing of ongoing studies to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Oversee analytical projects conducted by junior analysts and ensure that project timelines and deliverables are met.
• Collaborate with other DPH departments and provide analyses and information to support their reporting needs.
• Perform data quality assurance and quality control, data clean-up, database maintenance procedures in relational databases for research studies.
• Conduct data manipulation, concatenation, merging and other data management procedures to perform data runs.
• Conduct peer-reviewed and grey literature research and provide support in preparing data and documents, grant applications, and manuscripts.
• Perform data analyses independently, in close collaboration with team.
• Initiate and assist with manuscript preparation.
• Perform other related duties as required, including coverage for other staff on our team.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Troubleshoot IT issues, act as back up to IT department, and provide IT backup support to our unit.

• Perform other related duties as required, including coverage for other staff on our team.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience• Knowledge of principles and procedures of epidemiologic research including survey design, theory and application of epidemiologic methods, principles and methods of biostatistics and/or knowledge of qualitative data collection and analysis methods/methodologies, including structured interviewing, grounded theory, ethnography, and focus groups.

• Knowledge of clinical trial regulations, including FDA requirements for conducting clinical trials.

• Strong computer background and analytical skills, including use of Microsoft Access and Excel

• .Expertise on statistical software applications, particularly STATA and Atlas,TI.

• Ability to design, maintain, and evaluate databases.

• Ability to create programs, trouble-shoot, and perform data analyses independently and assist others in doing so.

• Ability to handle a varied of tasks with a high degree of accuracy.

• Interest and ability to learn new technologies and to cross-train to support other staff duties.

• Strong verbal and writing communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Experience with Microsoft Access programming, proficiency in Visual Basic and SQL

• Ability to design and maintain relational databases.

• Sensitivity to and experience working with diverse racial/ethnic communities and work experience and interest in HIV/AIDS. Education/Experience

• Terminal degree, such as MD, PhD, or D.Ph.

• At least five years of relevant research, study design, grant-writing, and data analysis work experience

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
• Willingness/ability to learn new computer programs as needed.
• Experience with clinical trials research and/or healthcare settings.

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the protection of human subjects and confidentiality.
• Experience with report writing and knowledge of grant application procedures and IRB submissions, renewals, and revisions.

PHYSICAL DEMAND
Stand: Frequently
Walk: Frequently
Sit: Frequently
Handling / Fingering: Occasionally
Reach Outward: Occasionally
Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
See: Constantly
Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)
Constantly = (5 hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.

All qualified applicants will be considered for this position in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

EEOC STATEMENT
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.