Employment
Our Center works to improve the healthcare of Veterans through epidemiologic research and as part of the VA Cooperative Studies Program, a nationally renowned program that produces innovative solutions to Veteran and national healthcare problems through multi-site research across 12 epidemiology and clinical trial research centers.
We’re located in Seattle Washington within the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.
Open positions
Health Sciences Research Data Programmer / Analyst
Health Sciences Research Coordinator, Vietnam-Era Registries
MS Biostatistician
Health Sciences Research Coordinators & Research Assistants, EPIC3 study
Health Sciences Research Data Programmer/Analyst
We’re looking to hire up to two, full-time Research Data Programmer/Analyst to work with an experienced and growing group of researchers committed to high-quality epidemiologic investigations using large, complex health data to address Veteran health issues.
The Research Data Programmer/Analyst will support several large, national, epidemiologic research studies as well as smaller-scale, investigator-initiated projects. This position will work closely with the Center’s Senior Data Manager, Biostatisticians, and scientific and administrative personnel in the conduct of observational epidemiologic studies addressing environmental/occupational exposures, pharmacotherapy, specific medical conditions, and genetics/genomics. Some of our current research projects include pulmonary health, cardiovascular disease, mental health, back pain, dysvascular amputations, and COVID-19 associated outcomes.
Primary responsibilities include identifying appropriate data elements from VA data sources, extracting and cleaning the data, and creating analytic data sets to be used to answer specific research and operational questions. Additional responsibilities may include mentoring staff, consulting with investigators about available VA data resources, and keeping abreast of new technologies needed to support the CSP’s future scientific and data needs.
Key duties
- Collaborate with investigators and staff to identify key data elements from national and local VA data sources and create analytic files for staff epidemiologists and biostatisticians
- Create data specifications, design complex data extract systems, and write supporting documentation
- Design, create, and load relational databases, tables, and files to meet the needs of study staff and support ongoing national projects
- Curate large genomic datasets and extract study data from these as required
- Manage, administer, and ensure data quality, security, and maintenance of data files and database systems from current and past epidemiologic studies
- Validate study data from field sites and troubleshoot any issues uncovered by staff
- Respond quickly and accurately to urgent data requests from Investigators
Qualifications
- Master’s-level degree in a scientific field
- Professional experience working with relational databases
- Experience with healthcare data
- Proficiency in SQL and/or R
- Excellent data management, programming and communication skills
- Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work both independently and in a team setting
- Three or more years of health data analysis and/or programming experience desired
- Familiarity with VA data systems, files, and data security and working knowledge of Visual Basic Studio, Python, and/or C# preferred
Application information
Candidates must be U.S. citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for the targeted GS-11 through GS-12 range. Visit the Office of Personnel Management website for the General Schedule (GS) salary table for Seattle.
Email a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered. Materials received by 6-18-2020 will be considered first, but applications are accepted until the positions are filled.
Health Sciences Research Coordinator, Vietnam-Era Registries
We’re hiring a full-time Research Coordinator. The Research Coordinator will support the Vietnam-Era Registries consisting of the CSP #256: Vietnam-Era Twin (VET) Registry and the CSP #2007: National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study (NVVLS) Registry. The Registries collaborate with VA and non-VA investigators to conduct high-quality epidemiologic and genomic research.
The Research Coordinator will provide operational support under the direction of the Vietnam- Era Registries Project Manager.
Key duties
- Work with the Vietnam-Era Registries team to support day-to-day operational activities including 1) ensuring regulatory requirements are met through completing R&D and IRB applications, prepare for audits, and report protocol deviations, 2) devloping and maintaining standard operating procedures, 3) ensuring compliance with study protocol, including informed consent, safety and data security requirements, 4) identifying deficiencies/gaps, participate in resolution and process improvement activities, 5) managing Research Assistants’ tasks and provide training to personnel including and student volunteers
- Engage with Registry members and maintain the infrastructure of the Registries including 1) designing and overseeing the maintenance of databases containing individually identifiable information and vital statuses on Registry members, and 2) managing communications with Registry members: coordinate annual newsletter mailing and maintain webpages
- Conduct recruitment activities for NIH-funded studies and CSP-initiated projects including 1) developing recruitment materials, 2) tracking and monitoring subject recruitment, study/project progress, and data collection activities, performing quality assurance activities for ongoing studies/projects, and 4) preparing reports, presentations, and data summaries
- Serve as a liaison between the Vietnam-Era Registries and key stakeholders including 1) working closely with the Vietnam-Era Registries team, other ERIC teams, contractors, lab personnel, oversight bodies, and external investigators and study site staff to ensure effective collaboration and to meet research objectives, and 2) engaging with investigators and research subjects requesting information on the repositories
Qualifications
- BA/BS or higher degree in a scientific- or health-related field
- 3-4 years of related work experience in clinical, epidemiological, or health services research
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse group of VA and university researchers and staff
- Experience with customer service, particularly by telephone
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Solid problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and timelines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) required; experience with Microsoft Access, REDCap, and SharePoint strongly preferred
Application information
Candidates must be U.S. citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for the targeted GS-09 level. Visit the Office of Personnel Management website for the General Schedule (GS) salary table for Seattle.
Email a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered. Materials received by 6-8-2020 will be considered first, but applications are accepted until the positions are filled.
Ms Biostatistician
We’re hiring a full-time master’s-level Biostatistician to work with an experienced and growing group of researchers committed to high-quality epidemiologic research using large, complex health data to address Veterans’ health issues.
This full-time statistical position will support the core research mission of our Center which is to coordinate and conduct large observational, epidemiologic research studies of Veterans and Veteran twins, specifically addressing deployment, environmental, genetic, and clinical exposures.
Current studies at our Center focus on outcomes that include pulmonary health, cardiovascular disease, mental health, back pain, diabetes-associated amputations, and COVID-19 associated outcomes. This position provides biostatistical support to studies under the supervision of the PhD Biostatistician. Primary scientific responsibilities will be the application of statistical methods to support observational health research including the design, analysis, interpretation, and documentation phases.
Key duties
- Collaborate with Principal Investigators, the PhD Biostatistician, and other scientific staff in the selection of appropriate study designs and analyses to address research on Veteran-related health issues
- Assist with data analysis plans and perform advanced statistical analyses of observational data from multiple sources including VA administrative data, pharmacy data, genetic and genomic data, and correlated data from twin studies
- Prepare statistical and scientific reports and work with other scientific staff to publish the findings in peer-review journals
- Collaborate with biostatisticians and other scientific staff at other VA epidemiologic research centers
Qualifications
- Minimum of a master’s-level degree in biostatistics, statistics, or a closely related field
- Proficient in standard statistical software packages, such as R, SAS, and Stata
- Excellent communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work effectively in a team setting
- Familiarity with VA data systems, health care data, twin research, statistical genetics, and with gene expression and genomic data are also desired qualities
Application information
Candidates must be U.S. citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for the targeted GS-11 through GS-12 range. Visit the Office of Personnel Management website for the General Schedule (GS) salary table for Seattle.
Email a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered. Materials received by 6-1-2020 will be considered first, but applications are accepted until the positions are filled.
Health Sciences Research Coordinators & Research Assistants, EPIC3 study
We’re hiring several full-time Research Coordinators and Research Assistants to support a multi-site observational study titled, CSP #2028: Epidemiology, Immunology, and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 (EPIC3) within the Veterans Health Administration.
The aim of the study is to gather longitudinal data on the epidemiology, virology, immunology, and clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the COVID-19 disease to answer key research questions about their natural history and clinical outcomes, and to better anticipate and manage pandemics in the future for Veterans Health Administration users and the general population. The Seattle ERIC will provide the overall administration and coordination of the study for all study sites nationwide.
The Research Coordinators and Assistants will provide operational support under the direction of the Study Program Manager.
Key duties for all positions include
- Maintain standard operating procedures, databases, research records, and study materials
- Serve as liaison with investigators, site personnel, consultants, and contractors
- Ensure compliance with study protocol, including informed consent, safety, and data security requirements
- Work closely with the EPIC3 coordinating team and study sites to ensure effective collaboration and maintain accurate data capture
- Monitor subject recruitment and data collection activities at sites and take corrective action when required
- Track study progress at sites, identify deficiencies, and recommend solutions
- Prepare reports, presentations, and data summaries
Key duties specific to the Research Coordinator positions include
- Design and develop standard operating procedures, databases, and study materials; maintain and troubleshoot tracking infrastructures
- Virtually train study site personnel on operational procedures and protocols including participant tracking measures
- Oversee data management and quality assurance/quality control procedures
- Coordinate and facilitate local and national meetings and trainings
- Ensure regulatory requirements are met, including completing R&D and IRB documentation and preparing for audits
- Provide training and guidance to Research Assistants
Qualifications for all positions
- BA/BS or higher degree in a scientific- or health-related field
- 1-4 years of work experience in clinical, epidemiological, or health services research
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse group of researchers and staff
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Solid problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and timelines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook required
- Experience with Access, SharePoint, and REDCap preferred
Application information
Candidates must be U.S. citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for the targeted GS-05 through GS-09 range. Visit the Office of Personnel Management website for the General Schedule (GS) salary table for Seattle.
Email a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered. Materials received by 6-1-2020 will be considered first, but applications are accepted until the positions are filled.
