The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) is a university-wide initiative, dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused primarily on the quantitative social science of population change, socioeconomic development, and public health. Our goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and resilient societies.
We are seeking a full-time Senior Statistical Analyst to support our ongoing NIH-funded flagship project, Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study in South Africa (HAALSI). The HAALSI study team examines the biological, social, and economic factors and public policies that interact to influence the course of major diseases and disorders among older adults in South Africa, including dementia and cognitive decline, cardiometabolic disease, and HIV. HAALSI began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the health and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa, where the study team has completed three waves of survey and biomarker data collection. HAALSI has recently been renewed for the next 5-year period, which will include continuation of our community cohort study in Agincourt as well as the launch of the first nationally representative longitudinal HAALSI survey across South Africa. The community and national surveys each include a sub-study with in-depth focus on cognition and dementia. The studies are designed to be aligned with the international Health and Retirement (HRS) sister studies, and the HRS Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP), while also addressing research questions specific to aging in the South African context. HAALSI is led by Dr. Lisa Berkman at HCPDS and Dr. Thomas Gaziano at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, plus a team of collaborators at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and other institutions in South Africa and the US.
The Senior Statistical Analyst will be a key member of the HAALSI data team at HCPDS. The Statistical Analyst will independently provide advice and expertise in statistical methods to the HAALSI project investigators, and will work in partnership with a senior statistics expert, Dr. Eric Tchetgen Tchetgen, at the University of Pennsylvania.
This is a full-time term appointment starting summer 2023 (start date flexible) through June 30, 2025. There is a strong preference for candidates willing to stay at least two years.
This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite 2-4 days in Cambridge, MA, office. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. Candidates are asked to visit the HAALSI project website and the HCPDS website for more information on HAALSI.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide advice and expertise in biostatistics and statistical analysis to study investigators across all projects and research areas. This includes selection and interpretation of statistical methods and advice on complex statistical coding in order to meet research goals.
- Develop resources and tools to handle statistical challenges such as survey non-response, missing data, and mortality in longitudinal data analyses. Lead and participate in analysis of HAALSI survey, biomarker, and cognition data.
- Work with the HAALSI data manager to incorporate data from other sources, such as administrative data sets, to supplement and augment the main survey data.
- Collaborate with senior HAALSI investigators on application of statistical methods related to generalizability and transportability of HAALSI data between the community and national level.
- Play a key role in the production of statistical models and results used for papers and reports.
- Communicate regularly with data managers, data staff, and researchers across institutions in the US and South Africa.
- Write and co-author publications.
- Participate in production of analytic datasets
- Other duties as assigned
Educational level: Master’s Degree or PhD in biostatistics, statistics, epidemiology, applied mathematics, computer science, or closely related field required. (If master’s level, we prefer 5 years of related experience).
See official job posting for full job description, all required/preferred qualifications required, and application process:
https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25240&siteid=5341#jobDetails=1992109_5341
Job code: 62431BR
Questions should be directed to Laura Price, HCPDS Deputy Director at lprice@hsph.harvard.edu