Scientific Data Manager I
Moffitt/Caspi Lab / Dr. Terrie Moffitt and Dr. Avshalom Caspi
Duke University Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
The Moffitt/Caspi research group at Duke University seeks a talented Scientific Data Manager I to facilitate research on mental health and aging. The individual in this position will manage data used in research conducted by Professors Terrie Moffitt and Avshalom Caspi (www.moffittcaspi.com; Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, and Duke University Population Research Institute). The team’s work centers on two cohort studies (the NIH-funded Dunedin Longitudinal Study and the UK-MRC-funded Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study), and also includes management and analysis of data from studies of human development and aging around the world. The team is small, fun, lively and productive. We publish cutting-edge work with high impact.
OVERVIEW
The position primarily involves managing large longitudinal datasets: designing and maintaining electronic data directories; maintaining data integrity and documentation; and updating relevant data and scripting repositories. The work involves working with the principal investigators; collaborating with members of the research team and researchers outside Duke University (Ph.D. students, postdoctoral fellows, statisticians, bioinformaticians) on dataset management and descriptive analyses; and co-authoring papers for publication.
The individual should be comfortable with the quantitative side of research and with working directly with the data, but we think that an effective candidate also needs to understand the context and purpose of why we do the things that we do and who we are serving. We are looking for a talented candidate who can manage large datasets and also go beyond the numbers to think about how these data and studies are driving and informing policy and having an impact on the lives of those involved and beyond.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Research:
The individual in this position will work with researchers on the Duke-based team, and with collaborators at other institutions, on a variety of research projects. This includes helping the individuals identify data available to answer research questions; preparing data files (including constructing new variables); providing online rapid-response support services to co-investigators located at other institutions domestically and internationally; reviewing statistical analyses performed by other researchers on the team for accuracy; and maintaining a log of all data analysis scripts and code created by team members.
– Consult with students and postdocs to orient them to our studies.
– Outreach to data users to help them use data appropriately.
– Select appropriate variables for each project.
– Prepare data files for the PIs, trainees, and collaborators, along with documentation.
– Create new variables as necessary using existing data.
– Maintain scrupulous documentation of methods used in variable creation.
– Run basic descriptive statistical analyses, prepare tables and figures.
– Communicate with team members in biostatistics and bioinformatics to solve problems.
– Collaborate on manuscript preparation and co-author scientific papers.
– Assist in proposal preparation for future research funding.
Data Management:
Data management activities will focus primarily, over the next couple of years, on the 50-year Dunedin Longitudinal Study. Data management activities are divided between two functions:
Working with existing data:
Develop, monitor and analyze data systems, evaluate their performance, discover ways to enhance them.
Data directory design and maintenance: Create & maintain web-based electronic data directory that contains documentation for data collection instruments; documentation of all available data; and descriptive statistics. The Dunedin project has over 50 years of data from psychological tests, psychiatric assessments, health interviews, and comprehensive medical examinations; a biobank; as well as brain imaging data and genetic data. The study involves millions of measurements for 1,000 individuals who have been followed intensively since their birth, for 52 years. A primary job of the Scientific Data Manager I is to redesign the electronic data dictionary of all these data into a more efficient system that enhances the experience of data users. This directory must be continually updated as new variables are created.
Recovering and restructuring archival data: The Dunedin Study data are now over 50 years old. It is sometimes necessary to go back to archival data to reconstruct variables or develop new ones. The Scientific Data Manager I will need to match what is available with what is needed, and create new variables to fit current needs. Each new variable must be carefully checked for accuracy, validity, and consistency with prior variables.
Working with new data:
– During data collection periods, monitor quality control of data collection.
– Provide feedback to data-collection staff at the research site.
– Construct new variables from the raw data, check for accuracy, document and store.
– Develop and maintain data security and backup procedures.
SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Required
– BA/BS or MA/MS. in Data Science, Statistics or a related computational field
– Expertise with modern databases and information system technologies
– Experience with Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems
– Experience effectively handling large and complex datasets, including cleaning data, database management, quality control, derivation of variables, and appropriate handling of confidential information and secure data storage
– Experience working with, authoring and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures, Working Instructions and User Guides
– Expertise with R and with other statistical packages (e.g., SAS or Stata)
– Expertise in MS Office (Excel, Access, Word)
– Experience with web-design
– Exquisite attention to detail
– Ability to work independently
– Ability to multi-task and juggle competing demands
– Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively and clearly with both technical and non-technical teams, from undergraduates to senior researchers.
– Ability to communicate with researchers across the USA and across the world and with third party companies; must be able to write polite, clear, and grammatically correct memoranda.
– Good team player who enjoys collaborating with team members and coaching students
Desirable
– Knowledge of research design
– Past record of successful multidisciplinary collaboration
– Experience with REDCap
– Experience with the implementation of CRFs and eCRFs (Case Report Forms)
– Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), data protection regulation, and other regulatory requirements
– Experience conducting human subject research under US NIH ethics rules
Required application materials:
1) Cover letter (including a description of why you are interested in this position and why your previous research experience makes you qualified) including your contact information and ideal start date
2) Your CV/resume
3) Names and contact information of two references
Applicants should upload their materials through Academic Jobs Online. Only applicants that have applied through Academic Jobs Online will be reviewed. If you are not able to upload your application materials, please complete your application and email those materials to Susan Harward at susan.harward@duke.edu and Meghann Koffi at meghann.koffi@duke.edu. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled
Req 250381, Scientific Data Manager I
Internal – https://performancemanager4.successfactors.com/sf/jobreq?jobId=250381&company=dukeuniverP1
External – https://careers.duke.edu/job-invite/250381/