Epidemiologist / Research Data Scientist; Infectious Diseases and International

The Department of Infectious Diseases and International Health is seeking an Epidemiologist / Research Data Scientist to join Dr. Kathleen McManus' research team. The research experiences will span a number of research projects that focus on HIV care, HIV prevention, and health policy. The overarching goal of Dr. McManus's research is to quantify and characterize the impact of health policies on the United States' plan to end the HIV epidemic and ultimately to improve health policies for people with HIV and those at risk for HIV. This team member will coordinate and implement data-related initiatives within the research team. Opportunities to generate and present scholarly work are expected. The role will require rigorous, detailed maintenance and analysis of large datasets, alongside innovative and complex research projects.

As a member of Dr. McManus's research team, the team member will provide detailed data management and analysis to support projects or programs. They will focus primarily on data cleaning, quality assessment of data, and statistical analysis. They may train and supervise student workers and volunteers who are working on data analysis. They will participate in regular assessments of reliability, meet weekly to discuss research progress, and assist with literature searches pertinent to various research project topics. This position offers the opportunity to directly inform national HIV care and prevention policy by applying data science and epidemiology to real-world data.

Job Responsibilities:

Data Management & Analysis

• Maintain and optimize large and complex longitudinal databases.
• Understand all phases of the analytic process including data collection, data transfer, preparation, cleaning, modeling, evaluation, and deployment.
• Explore and examine data from multiple disparate sources in order to identify, report on, and analyze trends.
• Establish links across existing data sources and find new, meaningful correlations.
• Assist with statistical, mathematical and predictive models using strategic epidemiologic and/or data science skills to build the algorithms necessary to ask the right questions and find the right answers.
• Perform programming and analytic activities primarily in R/RStudio (knowledge of SAS and high-performance computing environments a plus).
• Analyze and interpret the results of experiments to create cost effective and process-efficient alternatives, enhancements, or modification.

Research Management & Dissemination

• Assist with research project management including Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, Data Use Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, and other similar documents.
• Support research dissemination through preparing aspects of manuscripts, presentations, and responses to reviewers.
• Conduct literature searches relevant to project topics.
• Contribute to scholarly outputs that inform HIV care and prevention policy.

Visualization & Reporting

• Develop clear, creative data visualizations (i.e. tables, figures, maps, dashboards) to provide insights to diverse audiences.
• Maintain timely and structured reporting processes that support progress, accountability, and efficient completion of research milestones.

Collaboration & Team Support

• Work alongside Principal Investigator, Lead Epidemiologist/Data Scientist, and additional data analysts to complete projects with a high level of detail while meeting strict deadlines.
• Supporting project logistics and project administration, as needed
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Master's Degree required.

Experience: 3-5 years relevant experience.

Licensure: None required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise and training in HIV care, HIV prevention, and/or health policy.
• Creative, independent, and highly motivated, with the ability to interact professionally in both research and community environments.
• Possess a very high attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and multi-task and work independently.
• Exhibit a professional and positive demeanor and effective communication and relationship building with diverse groups of individuals and organizations.
• Value diverse experiences, styles, backgrounds, and perspectives with a demonstrated awareness of diverse cultural norms.
• Strong track record in cooperative work and the ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Possess high level verbal and written communication skills, and excellent organizational and planning skills, with an ability to prioritize tasks, follow up and track details, and communicate progress.
• Ability to follow through on complex tasks independently and with sound judgment and emotional intelligence.
• Experience with R statistical programming language, managing clinical and/or epidemiologic databases, data visualization including generating maps and tables to demonstrate research results.
• Knowledge of using SAS, High-performance computing environment (examples at UVA: Rivanna and Ivy), NVivo
• Record of preparing and working on peer-review publications and scholarly presentations.
• Experience working on federally funded research.
• Ability to manipulate complex longitudinal databases.
• Proficiency in quantitative database software programs and ability to analyze and organize data.
• Experience implementing advanced statistical methods for longitudinal and time-varying analyses.
• Ability to perform accurate quantitative analysis in high-performance computing environment.
• Research experience in epidemiology and/or biostatistics (study design, study management, primary data collection, data analysis).
• Ability to work with and mentor junior data analysts.
• Qualitative and/or mixed methods research experience including, study design, conducting interviews and or focus groups, qualitative coding, analyzing qualitative data.
• Project management experience. Ability to multitask between multiple projects, meet changing and competing deadlines, follow up and draft correspondence to keep projects moving forward and accomplishing research milestones within expected timelines.
• Familiar with ensuring ethical compliance, maintaining up to date IRBs, Data Use Agreements (DUAs) and associated compliance documents.
• Licensure: UVA Institutional Review Board- Human Subject Research (IRB-HSR) training and certification. Can be completed as part of the onboarding process.

PREFERRED SKILLS

Excellent analytical ability and knowledge of R. Applicants must be exceptionally organized and detail-oriented. Strong written communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce polished, error-free code and reports. Candidates must possess excellent critical thinking and the ability to manage multiple projects and programs simultaneously and with ease. We expect that the person who joins the team will be highly collaborative and extremely comfortable with change. A successful candidate is someone who is creative and takes initiative to develop workable solutions to problems when answers are not readily apparent.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The anticipated hiring range is $68,000 - $90,000, commensurate with education and experience. This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.

This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability. *Current grant funding is available for one year.

This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site. To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

*This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship at this time.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0076851. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Apply through your Workday profile by searching "Find Jobs."

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. For questions about the application process, please contact Jeremy Brofft, Senior Recruiter at xmf9ad@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.