Biostatistician

QUT

We are seeking a Biostatistician to join an established, and growing, research methods group within QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI). This position aims to expand the group's current resource base for providing basic-to-advanced generalist research methods support, but in the main, will expand our group's contribution to supporting rigorous quantitative methodology.

Position Title: Biostatistician
Reference: 14650
Closes: 18 January 2015
Organisational Area: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation
Campus: Kelvin Grove
Salary/Classification: $86 657 to $102916 (Level B)
Plus Superannuation: 17% employer contribution
Status: Fixed-term, full-time for 2 years
Contact: Dr Dimitrios Vagenas, Research Methods Group Leader, (07) 3138 0047
HR Contact: Emma Campbell, Senior HR Advisor, (07) 3138 4167
Open to: Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents or temporary visa holders for the duration of the fixed term appointment. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.
When applying for this position we encourage you to upload your response to the selection criteria.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) integrates creative scientific practice across Health, Science, and Biomedical Engineering. Researchers at IHBI work in an interdisciplinary environment, at the interface between traditional scientific disciplines, to solve issues affecting the well-being of Australia and neighbouring communities. The Institute is affiliated with nationally recognised hospitals and health care service providers and is based at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane. The University has a long and successful track record in real-world commercial partnerships and sustainable biotechnology companies. Over 1000 members are associated with IHBI, in research programs encompassing the following themes: (i) Chronic Disease & Ageing, (ii) Health Determinants & Health Systems and (iii) Injury Prevention and Trauma Management. With such a diverse research base, and with a mix of established researchers, affiliated postgraduate research students, and early-career researchers to support in their quest for rigorous research, as a member of the Research Methods Group (RMG) you will have ample scope to develop professionally in a challenging intellectual environment, as well as provide valued methodological support to the Institute’s members in a positive environment which research capacity building is valued by all.

DUTY STATEMENT

Position Purpose

The emphasis of the position will be on a methodological support role to IHBI researchers via a package of several tested strategies. RMG staff members rotate through these support strategies, aimed at engaging members in activities that optimise group engagement and self-sufficiency for basic issues and consultation for more complex issues. Whilst all Group members are generalists, we all have particular areas of expertise or interest, and we would expect the position to develop materials and facilitate interactions in line with these strategies, specifically themed around enhancing our support of rigorous applications of methods for longitudinal/cluster data analysis. These include linear mixed models and generalised estimating equations as well as other relevant techniques such as generalised linear models. Our customer population is a majority of postgraduate student researchers being exposed to these skill requirements for the first time, but also includes established researchers who seek our help with more complex designs. All Group members rotate through all strategies and generous time is included for traditional teaching leadership and research scholarship goals of Group members. The opportunities are high for formal involvement in research collaboration with IHBI researchers, and Group members are mentored to ensure that career development within the Group is optimised. This position will suit a generalist statistician with substantial consulting experience, who has worked in a medical statistics setting or in social sciences statistics, and who deeply enjoys learning through teaching and consulting. Our environment within the Group and the Institute provides opportunities for optimal intellectual engagement and academic advancement.

Organisational Relationships

This position holds membership with QUT's largest interdisciplinary research institute, the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation. The position is located within the Directorate of the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and reports to the Biostatistician who heads the Research Methods Group (RMG) on a day-to-day basis for performance planning and review and workload management. The Biostatistician will hold membership of the Institute and liaise and work collaboratively with researchers across the Institute on a daily basis.

Duties include:

At least at intermediate levels of biostatistical content knowledge, the successful applicant will be required to:

Facilitate biostatistical and epidemiological group-based discussions about design, data management, or analysis issues with mixed audiences of established researchers, early-career researchers, and postgraduate research students.

Provide individual consultations and readily-comprehended, rigorous advice about designs and analysis in general, but especially longitudinal/cluster data analysis such as mixed models, generalised estimating equations and structural equation modeling, database management, analytical protocols, guidance on how to execute analyses and interpretation of analytical output.

Development and/or delivery of curriculum for self-access written materials or interactive workshops.

Collaborate with a number of IHBI research teams as a methodological consultant on a range of individual projects.

Become involved in other RMG activities as it expands its support strategies.

Engage in University academic activities as per personal professional development plans.

Complete required Health Safety and Environment (HSE) induction and training (including General Evacuation Instruction).

Implement and adhere to HSE policies, procedures, systems and safe work practices.

Use and maintain safety devices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) correctly (if required) and follow reasonable management instruction.

Identify, report and where authorised resolve hazards in a timely manner.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Completion of a PhD in Biostatistics or Epidemiology, or another relevant field with a substantial advanced analytical component.
2. Demonstrated experience in statistical consulting around designs of both experimental and observational studies in health settings.
3. Demonstrated experience in syntax programming within any statistical package, but preferably SPSS.
4. Demonstrated experience in successful design and delivery of curriculum for service teaching of research methods.
5. Demonstrated experience of longitudinal/cluster studies, at design, application, and interpretation levels. Use of longitudinal data analysis techniques such as linear mixed models and generalised estimating equations.
6. Demonstrated experience in developing own, or assisting researchers to develop, their project design details, particularly sampling protocols, sample size calculations, randomisation schedules, and analytical plans.
7. Demonstrated written communication skills in various academic styles.
8. Demonstrated ability to work both autonomously and in a team environment.

Desirable

1. Demonstrated experience in the use and application of data reduction techniques such as Principal Components Analysis, Factor Analysis or Structural Equation Modelling.