Research Associate

Research Associate

Job Summary

As a Research Associate with the Division of Epidemiology, the incumbent will coordinate research and operational activities as part of the Biosurveillance, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Infection Control (BASIC) team. The successful candidate will join the bioinformatics research team and participate in a joint Concept of Operations (CONOPS) outlining sustainable biosurveillance data sharing and communication between Veterans Health Administration and its partners.

The BASIC Research Associate will participate in communication triage and interagency flow, developing pre-approved messaging elements based on the biosurveillance cycle, defined information sharing principles, and standardized information capture processes that will allow approved VHA BASIC users to capture, summarize, and share significant disease or syndromic trend information among project personnel through across an array of communication tools. Incumbent will also engage with key stakeholders to outline expectations and timelines for deliverables.

The incumbent will collaborate with the BASIC team on study design, project management, report analysis, as well as interpretation and dissemination of results. The research associate will coordinate across a variety of specialties that include medical, social, environmental, genetic, psychological, and other diverse areas of study. The BASIC team combines the best of traditional epidemiologic methods along with advanced analytics and informatics methods in creative, cross disciplinary activities.

Qualifications:

Master's degree in an allied health or methodological field.

AND 5 or more years of experience in public health, case-based or syndromic surveillance, research, or healthcare operations.

Proficient in multiple technologies (computer languages, statistical computing platforms, dashboarding, databases, workflow, standards).

Possess excellent interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills.

In-depth knowledge of regulatory issues in data sharing and research (HIPAA, IRB, etc).

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.



Responsibilities

1. Act as liaison between Operational and Research arms of the Epidemiology team.
2. Access de-identified multichannel surveillance data (updated daily), perform basic summary statistics on channel data (at a minimum sum, average, median, confidence interval), analyze trends; identify data artifacts, predictors, and temporal anomalies; the feasibility of generating short-range forecasts will be evaluated.
3. Collaborate to develop pre-approved messaging elements based on Biosurveillance Cycle, defined information sharing principles, and standardized information capture processes that will allow approved surveillance system users to capture, summarize, and share significant disease or syndromic trend information among project personnel through multiple communication channels.
4. Generate Communication triage and interagency flow documentation (SOPs) by participation in a joint Concept of Operations (CONOPS) outlining how VHA and its partners definine the specifics for sustainable data sharing and communication.
5. Identify procedures for use of information from the tools and formulate mechanisms for leadership approval of any messaging to be shared outside the project.
6. Risk assessment and mitigation: Proactively identify roadblocks interfering with project progress and deliverables and provide viable solutions to keep project on track. Troubleshoot issues and communicate risks. Diplomatically address concerns and establish and promote a transparent environment for problem resolution. Help develop strategy to address client needs.
7. Project status communication: Clearly articulate to executive sponsorship team status of project and provide insight to any additional support needed for successful completion. Actively participate in relevant internal meetings, providing feedback on processes and strategic operations issues. Provide feedback on client to leadership.
8. Use data domain and methodological knowledge to contribute to the development of research protocols and assist with study design and preparation, monitor progress of study execution, and facilitate completion. Assist with evaluation and interpretation of study results and communicate findings to health practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
9. Use excellent communication and analytical skills as well as exhibit a high level of self-motivation, initiative and attention to detail.
10. Work independently as well as participate in multiple concurrent team projects. Manage timelines and deliverables across projects.
11. Other duties as assigned.
    
    

DisclaimerThis job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:
Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required: Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting.
Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.



Minimum Qualifications


Preferences

• Experience in Epidemiology and Public Health Surveillance.
• Experience in quantitative and methodological analysis working with electronic medical record data.
• Knowledge and experience in statistical analysis of high throughput biomedical data.
• Experience in EHR tools, requirements gathering, analysis and design
• Experience in writing, editing, and submitting scientific manuscripts, standard operating procedures, and communication documents for a range of audiences
• Experience in developing and delivering scientific presentations

Special Instructions


Requisition Number: PRN40431B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Employees must reside in the state of Utah but might have the opportunity to work a hybrid (in-office and remote) work schedule. Possible consideration of a request for a fully remote work schedule, subject to approval and change.
Department: 00952 - Division of Epidemiology
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 20000 to 120000
Close Date: 2/27/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/174560


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