Job Posting: Senior Data Science Strategist/Advisor

Summary

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking an exceptional candidate for the position of Senior Data Science Strategist/Advisor within the Office of Clinical Regulatory Affairs (OCRA). The mission of NCCIH is to define, through rigorous scientific investigation, the usefulness and safety of complementary and integrative health interventions and their roles in improving health and health care. To advance its mission, NCCIH supports a varied portfolio of grants. These include feasibility, efficacy, and pragmatic randomized clinical trials, as well as observational and epidemiological studies, all aimed at evaluating the safety and effectiveness of complementary and integrative health approaches. Additionally, the research seeks to better understand real-world patterns and outcomes of these interventions and how they are integrated into health care and facilitate health promotion.

OCRA serves as a resource for the oversight of clinical research funded by NCCIH. The office is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of biostatisticians, clinical trialists, trial specialists and analysts that work with NCCIH program staff in the Division of Extramural Research and extramural clinical investigators to help improve the rigor of clinical research relevant to NCCIH‘s mission. OCRA plays a crucial role in maximizing the success, scientific potential, and impact of NCCIH-supported clinical research and in minimizing the risk to research participants.

The Senior Data Science Strategist/Advisor will lead efforts to coordinate NCCIH’s extramural data science activities and provide expertise in data science for research, study design, analytic methods, and the use of innovative artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) methodologies including causal machine learning, predictive analytics, natural language processing, real-world data analytics, and evaluation of emerging AI methodologies relevant to biomedical and behavioral research. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in providing guidance to staff in the Division of Extramural Research as they develop NCCIH initiatives and strategic priorities. Another element of the role is the opportunity to work collaboratively with other data scientists/statisticians across NIH. In addition to their review of extramural clinical projects, the SBRBPAS will serve as statistical consultant to scientists with the NCCIH Division of Intramural Research (DIR). These activities will primarily be advisory but could also develop into research collaborations with approval of both the OCRA Director and the Scientific Director of the DIR.

The role requires a deep understanding of the statistical and analytic methods used by researchers in NCCIH’s portfolio including complex data science challenges and opportunities, particularly as they pertain to clinical trial design, data integration, and the generation of novel biomedical insights. The incumbent will need applied knowledge of a range of methods from epidemiology for observational research, causal inference and AI for large data sets, as well as statistical approaches for smaller trials evaluating feasibility of interventions or mechanisms of complementary approaches. It is essential that the person in the position has substantial experience evaluating and providing feedback on large clinical trials including those with standard randomization, individually randomized group-treatment trials, and cluster randomized designs. The position is expected to lead innovative research initiatives, develop cutting-edge analytic methodologies, and ensure that all data science activities align with the highest standards of scientific rigor and reproducibility. It is expected that the incumbent will represent NCCIH on trans-NIH working groups and scientific committees related to data science, AI, clinical trials, and methodological innovation.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience in biostatistics, epidemiology, biomedical informatics, data science, or related quantitative disciplines as well as in clinical trial design and protocol review.

Who Can Apply

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

To be eligible for this position, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration. Candidates must indicate their U.S. citizenship status on their CV or within their email application submission.

In order to qualify for this position, candidates must possess either a doctoral-level degree in biomedicine or a biological related field, or a master's level or higher degree in:

• engineering
• bioinformatics
• or an emerging or related scientific field.

In addition, candidates must have at least one year of experience related to the position, including achievements in one or more of the following areas to demonstrate the individual has received recognition as an expert in the field:

• Conducted original biomedical research published in peer-reviewed journals of high stature
• Received major prizes and awards (such as visiting professorships and named lectureships) in recognition of original contributions to biomedical research
• Received invitations to speak at or chair major national or international meetings or symposia
• Elected to membership in professional societies of high stature, or
• Meets other criteria demonstrating sufficient rigor or accomplishment in a relevant or closely related field that is necessary to the accomplishment of NIH's mission.

If you are a current Federal Title 5 employee, you must have one year of equivalent experience at the GS-14 level or above

Benefits

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants.

Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure

If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency.

Foreign Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Learn more about Foreign Education.

Reasonable Accommodation

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically to the NCCIH Executive Officer:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Brief statement on their background and interest in the position
• 3 letters of reference

For additional information about the position, email [email protected].