Biostatistician III – Public Health Institute – Emeryville, CA

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The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally, and internationally.

Reporting directly to the Scientific Director, the incumbent provides (1) advanced statistical programming and data analysis support to Scientists; (2) support for the drafting of manuscripts/grant applications; (3) co-leads the Statistical and Data Services department within the Center and Alcohol Research Group; (4) coordination and provision of methodological training for Scientists and Biostatistician; (5) Participates actively to enhance the ARG statistical and computing environment reporting directly to the Executive Committee; (6) Convenes and facilitates the ‘Statistical Forum” experiential statistics learning opportunities for ARG scientific staff. This incumbent also provides general statistical consulting support, both for the Center Grant as well as other ARG grants.

Advanced Statistical Programming and Statistical Data Analysis

• Meets with Scientists on an ongoing basis to develop appropriate analysis strategies;
• Provides advanced statistical analysis consultation to Scientists;
• Meets with Scientists on an ongoing basis to formulate appropriate analysis strategies;
• This includes the development/modification of statistical/econometric methods most appropriate for testing study hypotheses;
• The range of statistical techniques a Biostatistician III is expected to implement spans those through Ph.D. level courses in statistics, epidemiology, and psychology;
• Jointly oversees the statistical and analysis activities of Biostatistician I/II personnel;
• Provides consultation for appropriate statistical tools for analysis and statistical programming to implement such tools;
• Undertakes power analyses as needed;
• Interprets and helps develop results of survey data.

Assist in Drafting Manuscripts/Grants

• Provides statistical consultation for the design and analysis of sample surveys for doctoral-level research scientists and other research staff;
• Writes technical reports as needed and statistical methodology sections of grant applications and manuscripts; for co-authorship, this includes the drafting of Analysis/Results Sections of manuscripts. However, a Biostatistician III should be expected to serve as the first/sole author of manuscripts on a regular basis as well.

Supervision of Statistical and Data Services Department within ARG

• Assesses availability and estimation of future need for data entry, programming and data analysis, and biostatistical support for ARG projects;
• Participates in New Hires and in evaluating programming, coding and related Support Staff;
• Contributes to performance reviews; coaching, and evaluations;
• Co-Supervises a data entry, programming/data analysis, and biostatistical staff;
• Monitors progress of data analysis support staff;
• Consults with support staff regarding appropriate analysis procedures as well as implementation;
• Reports results to Principal Investigators;
• Writes technical reports as needed and statistical methodology sections of applications and manuscripts;
• Estimates needs for and coordinates associated programming and data analytic activities.

Coordinates/Provides Methodological Training for Scientists and Biostatisticians

• Queries Scientists regarding topics of interest for technical training;
• Convenes and facilitates Statistical Forums for staff; designs and implements a series of methodological training experiences discussing the theory, implementation, and interpretation of specific analytic methods.

Provides Senior Leadership for the Statistical and IT Computing Environment

• Collaborates in providing strategic planning for the ARG Statistical Environment, including availability of software and hardware necessary to carry out biostatistical analyses;
• Provides leadership as the chair of the computing committee within ARG, attending to the computing and IT infrastructure, and reporting of activities directly to the ARG Executive Committee.

Performs other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Over 10 years’ experience in Biostatistical, Epidemiology, Alcohol Studies, Social Science, or Economic fields with extensive application of such methods to the analysis of survey research data.
• Publication of 5-10 first/sole authored research articles (including using or developing Statistical, Epidemiologic, Psychometric, etc. methods) in peer reviewed journals.
• Publication of 10-20 co-authored publications involving analytic contributions.
• Collaborates in supervision of 3-5 Biostatistical/Research Associate personnel.
• Familiarity with standard and advanced statistical methodology and its appropriate application to survey data.
• Thorough knowledge of the motivation, theory, and applicability of more advanced statistical tools.
• Thorough knowledge of the application of advanced data analytic techniques such as non-parametric and non-linear methods, psychometric methods such as dimension reduction, non-linear scaling and latent variable techniques, longitudinal and stochastic modeling, mediation/moderation analyses, analysis of clustered data from complex sampling designs.
• Knowledge of methods for the analyses of geo-referenced survey data, spatial analyses and behavioral simulation modelling is also desirable.
• Ability to tailor analyses to study goals.
• Strong computer skills i.e. proficiency in the programming of multiple statistical software packages including SPSS, Stata, HLM, R, Mplus, etc.
• Excellent oral and technical written communication skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Exceptional analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to solve problems of a complex nature.
• Excellent working relationships with individuals, professional groups and communities.
• Creative, resourceful and possesses initiative.
• Can work independently but accepts advice from the Center and Scientific Directors.

• Post-Baccalaureate degree in Statistics/Biostatistics and Doctorate in these or Epidemiology or equivalent with specialized training in multivariate statistics and familiarity with social science survey research.