The following position will have the flexibility to be based anywhere in the United States.
The Department of Surgery at Stanford University is collaborating with the Palo Alto VA. The Research Data Analyst 3 will support this new collaboration initiative. Our interdisciplinary team includes VA and Stanford economists, health services researchers, and clinical and research faculty with expertise in health economics, econometrics, bioinformatics, implementation science, and quantitative methodologies. The research and data analysis projects will focus on estimating the causal impact of policies and programs in VA to improve the care and well-being of Veterans.
We are seeking a Research Data Analyst 3 to manipulate relational databases to create, manage and analyze large datasets for high-quality research projects designed evaluate VA programs and policies. The data analyst will work with minimal supervision under the direction of the project Principal Investigator. We are looking for candidates highly proficient in SAS and SQL with extensive experience working with relational databases. Candidates should have experience importing, transforming, cleaning, merging, editing data and conducting extensive quality/accuracy checks to ensure high-quality datasets.
Candidates must have excellent critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and demonstrated communication skills.
Duties include:
- Collect, manage, and clean large health care datasets using SQL and/or SAS.
- Routinely construct analytic files using relational databases.
- Conduct statistical analyses in Stata, R, or Python.
- Use system reports and analyses to identify potentially problematic data, make corrections, and determine root causes for data problems from input errors or inadequate field edits, and suggest possible solutions.
- Develop reports, charts, graphs, and tables for use by researchers and for publication and presentation.
- Collaborate with faculty and research staff on data collection, and analysis methods. Support publication of manuscripts.
- Develop algorithms and sample code for organization-wide use. Create documentation of best practices based on lessons learned.
- Supervise, coach and mentor junior analysts as needed.
- Serve as a resource for occasional non-routine inquiries related to data and statistical analyses.
* - Other duties may also be assigned.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates should have a background in statistics, biostatistics, engineering, or another similar quantitative discipline, with extensive experience working with large relational databases and familiarity with statistical analyses.
- Master’s degree or higher is a plus.
- Relevant experience in statistics, biostatistics, engineering, mathematics, data science, or a similar quantitative field.
- Highly proficient in SQL with experience manipulating large, complex datasets.
- Prior experience manipulating and merging large, complex data (n>10,000,000 records).
- Extensive experience and comfort working with relational databases.
- Extensive experience importing, transforming, cleaning, merging, and editing data and with quality/accuracy measures.
- Must be intellectually curious, have strong problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, with effective communication skills.
- Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with additional programming languages such as Stata, R, or Python for data analysis is a plus.
- Prior research experience using causal inference models, such as regression discontinuity, difference in differences, and instrumental variables, is a plus.
- Prior experience with Veterans Health Data in the VA Corporate Data Warehouse is a plus.
- Prior experience with medical claims and billing data is a plus.
- Prior experience working with health care administrative data or similarly complex data is a plus.
- Substantial experience with SQL and/or SAS.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):
Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Experience in a quantitative discipline such as economics, finance, statistics or engineering.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):
- Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.
- Relevant subject matter knowledge.
- Substantial experience with MS Office and analytical programs.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills.
- Ability to prioritize workload.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
- Sitting in place at computer for long periods of time with extensive keyboarding/dexterity.
- Occasionally use a telephone.
- Rarely writing by hand.
* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Some work may be performed in a laboratory or field setting.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
