APPLIED RESEARCH SCIENTIST I, Health Outcomes/Behavior department

The Applied Research Scientist position will support a two-faculty research team - the Jim/Gonzalez lab - in the Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior. Dr. Heather Jim and Dr. Brian Gonzalez are clinical psychologists with an active program of multidisciplinary research at the intersection of cancer symptomatology, quality of life, biostatistics, genetics, and immunology.  

The lab’s research portfolio focuses on examining clinical, behavioral, psychosocial, genetic, and immunologic factors to evaluate treatment toxicity among individuals with cancer.  In addition, the team develops novel interventions, often using mobile health (mHealth) and/or wearable sensor technology, to improve quality of life.  Active research projects include studies to identify risk factors for chemotherapy-induced nausea, intervening to reduce fatigue among patients receiving chemotherapy, and developing mHealth interventions to reduce sleep disturbance.  Numerous studies focus directly on or include opportunities to reduce cancer health disparities.

This position may be compared to a staff scientist role - an essential contributor to analysis, writing, and grant preparation for on-going and future research projects.  This position will have ample opportunities for authorship of peer-reviewed publications and other documentable career-enhancing activities. 

Position Highlights

• Generates scientific sections of grant applications with appropriate guidance, including preliminary data

• Develops protocols and initiates study activities

• Writes and prepares manuscripts for a variety of research studies

• Independently conducts advanced analyses of longitudinal and randomized clinical trial data

• Learns to apply novel, cutting-edge biostatistics and bioinformatics methodologies to research studies

• Supervises post-doctoral fellows and other trainees regarding data analysis and manuscript writing

• Manages the scientific advancement of multiple studies simultaneously

The Ideal Candidate

• A PhD in behavioral science, public health, or a closely-aligned field

• Demonstrates extensive statistical programming experience, including demonstrated proficiency in SAS.

• Has research experience in the academic and/or clinical setting, preferably in behavioral oncology

• Is committed to reproducible and open science workflows

• Is a critical, independent, and creative thinker

• Is professional, personable, organized, conscientious, and works well as a member of a team.

• Has excellent oral and written communication skills.  

• Grant writing experience is highly desired

Responsibilities

• Under the direction and guided by the faculty investigators, performs research and related support activities including, (a) development and implementation of research projects; (b) preparation of reports, manuscripts, and grants and (c) presentation of research at scientific meetings

• Analysis of patient-reported outcome, wearable sensor, and biological data

• Development, programming, and application of statistical methods for behavioral oncology studies

• Interacts closely with investigators and their collaborators on multi-site projects

• Assists in planning and developing research projects within the laboratory under the investigators' direction

• Maintains research skills, and acquires new ones as necessary

• Limited degree of supervision is required for the analysis of data and documentation of results

• Maintains membership and regularly attends appropriate professional associations, conferences, workshops, lectures, and seminars as supported by the overseeing investigators

Credentials and Qualifications:

·        Minimum of PhD (or equivalent) in a discipline relevant to Population Science (e.g., psychology, public health, health communication) or related field.

·        Postdoctoral experience preferred but not required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Moffitt Cancer Center 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, age, or protected veteran or disabled status. We seek candidates whose skills, and personal and professional experience, have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.