Summary The Division of Geriatrics seeks to recruit a full-time Principal Statistician who will work as an expert and collaborative team scientist with a group of collegial, innovative, productive epidemiology and health outcomes researchers who are focused on improving health for older persons. Some members of the research group will have joint appointments between University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS). Responsibilities The candidate's duties will include, but will not be limited to, leading new data science initiatives at the VA and UCSF; determining the optimal statistical approaches for testing research hypotheses and in programming; performing and interpreting statistical analyses and assisting with the presentation of findings; preparing the statistical sections of manuscripts and preliminary data sections for extramural grants; providing statistical programming and analysis consultation for geriatrics fellows; designing databases and data input screens; performing data management; developing study protocols and writing study documentation procedures (including analysis plans, protocols and standard operating procedures); designing, developing, and documenting quality control measures and systems for data validation; providing technical support directly and indirectly by acting as the liaison between geriatrics and UCSF and SFVAHCS technical support; and performing other duties as assigned. The ideal candidate will execute, manage, and coordinate research protocols, data collection and operations of several concurrent clinical research studies under the guidelines of research protocols, UCSF/SFVAHCS and regulating agency policies. Duties: - Lead new data science initiatives at the VA and at UCSF, serving multiple roles as data custodian, data consultant, statistical analyst, and scientific collaborator. - Independently determine optimal statistical approaches to perform analyses and apply statistical approaches to large, complex analytic datasets for geriatrics faculty. - Be able to serve in the first author role for methodologically-focused abstracts and manuscripts. - Respond rapidly to statistical requests from manuscript reviewers in an independent manner. - Write new computer programs as necessary to implement statistical approaches used. - Independently write statistical methods sections of manuscripts and data analysis sections for extramural grants. Prepare tables and graphs for manuscripts and grant. Assist in writing results sections of manuscripts and preliminary findings sections of grants. - Provide statistical consultation to geriatrics research fellows. - Research and understand details of complex statistical modeling. Adapt mathematical and statistical models for novel analyses of complex medical data. - Play a leadership role in guiding the analytic functions of the research projects in the Division of Geriatrics and more broadly to other colleagues in the Department of Medicine (e.g., Hospital Medicine), other UCSF Departments (e.g., Anesthesia, Surgery), and other UCSF Schools (e.g., Nursing, Pharmacy). Advise principal investigators on appropriate experimental designs and statistical tests in order that valid conclusions can be obtained. - Make independent decisions both broad and detailed about data management. Design databases and data input screens and perform data management on large, complex datasets. Acquire substantive understanding of data variables (e.g. which ICD-10 codes are typically recorded for patients with specific diagnoses; what are the formulas giving the inter-relationships of various measures of blood pressure). - Independently develop study protocols and documentation procedures, and design, develop, and document quality control systems for data validation - Provide technical support directly and indirectly by acting as the liaison between the Geriatrics Division and SFVAHCS and UC technical support. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 AM-4:30PM (Schedule may change per Supervisor) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications - Master's degree or Doctoral degree in Statistics or a related field and six years of professional statistical experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities. (Required) - Training in a variety of advanced statistical modeling techniques including linear, logistic, and Poisson regression models, mixed effect modeling, Cox proportional hazards models, and longitudinal analytic approaches. (Required) - Experience with modern machine learning approaches, including Gradient boosting, random forest, neural networks, and ensemble methods (e.g., SuperLearner). (Required) - Strong communication skills as a statistical consultant; research meetings for quantitative projects are led by interactive presentations of results by the principal statistician. (Required) - Excellent skills in designing, maintaining, updating, and manipulating large databases. (Required) - Knowledge and experience with advanced statistical programming and data management using STATA, SAS, R, python, SQL or other programs. (Required) - Ability to provide custom designed reports and graphical presentation of data using cutting edge R graphics (tidyverse) and also STATA, SAS, Excel, and others as needed. (Required) - Experience in synthetic data, its role in reproducible research, and its importance to work with restricted data from the VA, CMS, and other sources. (Required) - Enthusiasm for learning and problem solving. (Required) - Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. (Required) - Strong interpersonal, organizational, teaching, and communication skills. (Required) Education Master's degree or Doctoral degree in Statistics or a related field and six years of professional statistical experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities. (Required) 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. Click here for information on Foreign Education. Additional Information Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.