Senior Biostatistician

Senior Biostatistician

Position Summary:
The Masonic Cancer Center (MCC) of the University of Minnesota seeks a highly experienced Senior Biostatistician (Research Professional
6) to provide statistical leadership across a diverse portfolio of cancer research. This role involves oversight for multiple study aspects, including study design, grant/protocol writing, complex data analysis, and dissemination of results.

This position requires extensive statistical subject matter expertise, the capacity to research and apply new methodologies, and the ability to explain complex findings to a diverse audience. The successful candidate will independently manage their workflow, adapt to highly variable research design, and contribute to departmental leadership discussions and decisions.

• Statistical Leadership & Study Design (~40%)
• Study Design & Consultation:
  Serve as the primary statistical leader and resource, consulting with investigators on the design, conduct, and analysis of diverse studies, including basic and pre-clinical experiments, clinical trials, epidemiology studies, and surveys.
• Methodology Selection:
  Select and apply appropriate statistical methods, often new or advanced, for various research areas. Continually research and learn new statistical methodologies to maintain best research practices. Prepare accurate sample size and power calculations.
• Grant & Protocol Development:
  Provide statistical expertise for securing research funding. Write appropriate statistical methods sections and contribute to the writing of grant applications, ensuring the proposed design and methods have strong statistical rationale. Participate in preparation of study protocols for MCC Review Committee and Institutional Review Board.
• Data Management & Analysis (~30%)
• Data Quality Assurance:
  Provide guidance on data collection methods to ensure high quality data for analysis and understand the assumptions and limitations of various analyses to ensure rigor and validity.
• Database Management:
  Develop and maintain project databases, preferably using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap).
• Analysis Execution:
  Perform statistical analysis methods to appropriately answer research questions.
• Randomization:
  Prepare randomization schedules as appropriate.
• Scientific Communication & Dissemination (~15%)
• Results Presentation:
  Clearly present and interpret study designs, statistical methods, and research results through excellent written and oral communication to diverse research teams, non-researchers, and Data Safety and Monitoring Boards.
• Manuscript Co-Authorship:
  Lead or co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, focusing on writing the statistical methods and results sections, preparing tables and figures, and fully engaging in the editing and review process.
• Leadership & Institutional Contribution (~15%)
• Independent Workflow Management:
  Independently initiate and maintain workflow, proactively forecast time demands, and maintain adequate funding for support.
• Institutional Improvement:
  Contribute to the overall direction and work of the MCC, CTSI and CRSC, assisting in the design and improvement of research procedures (e.g., protocol reviews and data and safety monitoring). Participate in departmental leadership discussions and decisions, offering thoughtful suggestions related to obtaining new research funds and projects, and reproducible workflows.
• Mentorship/Supervision:
  May be called upon to lead meetings or assume other supervisory and mentoring responsibilities in the absence of the department supervisor.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

• Required Qualifications
• Education:
  
  Advanced degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Experience:
  
  6-10 years of experience as an applied statistician.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  • High-level knowledge and hands-on experience with statistical software (e.g., SAS and R).
  • Familiarity with relational databases and data manipulation.
• Scientific Impact:
  Demonstrated track record of contribution to scientific literature, including co-authorship on multiple peer-reviewed publications.
• Communication:
  Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively translate statistical concepts to non-statistical audiences.
• Organization
  
  Skills:
  
  Proven ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks and deadlines with a high degree of organization and attention to detail.

• Training and/or experience with biological sciences.
• Familiarity with translational or clinical research methods and data.

The University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) mission is to accelerate and improve clinical and translational science research, education and health. CTSI provides consultation, training, support, and services to researchers and research teams across the translational continuum. CTSI is part of the NIH-funded Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA)…