Research Analyst

The University of Southern California (USC) Leonard Davis School of Gerontology is seeking a research analyst to join our staff and student community.  The research analyst will participate in multiple projects related to life course determinants of cognitive aging and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, with an emphasis on traumatic stress and its relationship with late-life cognitive and brain outcomes. The research analyst’s responsibilities will include data wrangling, data management, survival analysis, and longitudinal data analysis. The research analyst will be responsible for clearly documenting their workflow, producing organized summary reports of their statistical analyses, and contributing to the interpretation of findings. The research analyst will also be responsible for conducting literature reviews, contributing to writing scientific abstracts, manuscripts, and grant proposals (with opportunities for co-authorship), and other research administration/support duties as assigned.

The role reports directly to Dr. Eleanor Hayes-Larson, Assistant Professor of Gerontology. The ideal candidate will be able to carry out statistical analyses (including longitudinal analysis and survival analysis) in R or SAS, have excellent coding skills and attention to detail, strong verbal and written communication skills, and an ability to work both independently and as a member of a collaborative research team. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education is preferred.

Roles and responsibilities to include:

• Study and analysis planning, including the development of manuscript proposals.
• Prepare data sets for statistical analyses, including data cleaning, addressing data quality issues, and merging data files, using statistical packages (R and SAS) with organized, well-documented, and reproducible code.
• Carry out statistical analyses using statistical software packages (R and SAS) with organized, well-documented, and reproducible code.
• Produce organized summary reports of statistical analyses and contribute to the interpretation of findings.
• Provide written summaries of data analysis methods and results for manuscripts and other publications.
• Review data documentation to become familiar with new datasets, including determining variables available for analysis.
• Contribute to writing scientific abstracts, manuscripts, and grant applications.
• Collaborate with other research team members at UCLA and other institutions.
• Conduct literature reviews.
• Assists in the administration and coordination of a variety of research and/or administrative projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will possess a Master’s degree in biostatistics, statistics, epidemiology, or a related field, and at least one year of work experience. Combined experience/education as a substitute for minimum education.
• Ability to work with data sets using statistical software (R and SAS) for data management and analysis using organized, well-documented, and reproducible code.
• Familiarity with Github for code version control and opening issues with authors of publicly available code or R software packages when appropriate.
• Ability to conduct survival and longitudinal data analyses using statistical software (R and SAS).
• Ability to communicate research methodology and findings clearly and concisely both verbally and written.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.           
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a collaborative research team.
• Experience working in the higher education field is ideal.

This is a non-exempt position. The Research Analyst is expected to work at least 2-3 days onsite each week, with the potential for remote work the other 2-3 days each week. Onsite and remote workdays are negotiated in advance with Dr. Hayes-Larson.  When working remotely, the expectation is that work will occur during normal working hours, unless another arrangement is approved by faculty, and that during working hours the research analyst is available by Zoom or phone There may be options to travel to scientific conferences upon discussion with Dr. Hayes-Larson.

This position is funded by a research grant and may be funded by a subsequent grant. Accordingly, your position is contingent upon receipt of the necessary funding from this or any subsequent grant to continue employment.

Hourly Range Language: The hourly rate range for this position is $29.40 to $34.13. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Benefits include a competitive salary, and a rich array of USC benefits including healthcare (including dental and vision), 403(b), tuition reimbursement, national holidays, paid vacation, and more.

If you are interested, please submit your completed application, including a cover letter and resume with references. Thank you for your interest!

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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