UNIV - Research Specialist III - Surgery: Institute of Surgical Sciences

Support artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) research initiatives within the Institute of Surgical Sciences (ISS) in the Department of Surgery. Under the direction of faculty investigators, independently plan and organize research activities, conduct scientific literature reviews, analyze complex healthcare datasets, prepare manuscripts and scholarly publications, and provide consultation regarding research methods and analytical approaches.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of faculty, trainees, clinicians, and data scientists to advance translational and clinical research initiatives utilizing electronic health record, imaging, molecular, and other healthcare data sources.

Responsibilities

• 30% - Uses Manual and Computer Techniques to Analyze Research Data
  • Acquire, clean, validate, and prepare complex healthcare data from electronic health records, clinical registries, imaging repositories, and other data sources for analysis.
  • Perform statistical analyses, predictive modeling, machine learning, and other advanced analytical techniques using appropriate software and programming tools.
  • Develop data visualizations, dashboards, reports, and presentations to communicate findings.
  • Interpret analytical results and provide recommendations to research teams and leadership.
  • Ensure data quality, integrity, security, and compliance with institutional policies and research regulations.
• 30% - Advises Principal Investigators and Others on Research Techniques and Procedures
  • Serve as a resource to principal investigators, faculty, trainees, and research staff regarding study design, data management, statistical methods, and analytical approaches.
  • Advise research teams on best practices for data acquisition, machine learning methodologies, and interpretation of results.
  • Participate in research planning meetings and provide scientific and technical consultation.
  • Assist in training and mentoring research personnel, students, and trainees in research methods and analytical techniques.
  • Collaborate with investigators on the development of extramural grant applications and research proposals.
• 20% - Plans and Organizes Research Activities and Scientific Literature Review
  • Conduct comprehensive reviews and evaluations of scientific and medical literature to support ongoing and proposed research projects.
  • Identify emerging trends and advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, clinical informatics, and surgical research.
  • Assist investigators in developing research questions, study objectives, protocols, and analytical plans.
  • Organize and maintain literature databases, research documentation, and project records.
• 20% - Composes and Reviews Articles for Publication in Scientific Journals
  • Draft, edit, and review manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, grant sections, and other scholarly materials.
  • Coordinate publication activities and assist investigators with manuscript submission and revision processes.
  • Conduct literature searches and prepare background materials to support publications and grant applications.
  • Contribute to dissemination of research findings through peer-reviewed publications and scientific meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, biomedical informatics, biostatistics, engineering, public health, health sciences, or a related quantitative field and at least two years of progressively responsible research experience.
• Advanced degree (Master’s) in a quantitative, computational, or health-related discipline preferred.
• Experience applying artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to healthcare or biomedical data.
• Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, or similar programming and analytical tools.
• Experience working with electronic health record data, including Epic or similar healthcare systems.
• Experience with data visualization, predictive modeling, and clinical research analytics.
• Demonstrated scientific writing experience, including preparation of manuscripts and grant applications.
• Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary research teams.
• Experience training, mentoring, or supervising students, trainees, or research personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science directly related to the assigned area of research and two years advanced journal-level work experience in a clinical or research setting.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform job functions in an upright position (Frequent).
• Ability to perform job functions in a seated position (Continuous).
• Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile (Frequent).
• Ability to climb, using step stool (Infrequent).
• Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required (Infrequent).
• Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces (Continuous).
• Ability to bend at the waist (Frequent).
• Ability to twist at the waist (Frequent).
• Ability to fully use both hands/arms (Continuous).
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders (Frequent).
• Ability to fully use both legs (Frequent).
• Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions (Frequent).
• Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction (Continuous).
• Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted (Infrequent).
• Ability to lift and carry 4-liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted (Frequent).
• Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted (Infrequent).
• Ability to lift file boxes from floor level to counter tops, unassisted (Frequent).
• Ability to push/lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted (Infrequent).
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted (Infrequent).
• Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level (Frequent).
• Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted (Frequent).
• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements (Continuous).
• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes (Continuous).
• Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally (Continuous).
• Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems (Continuous).
• Ability to hear and/or understand conversations (Continuous).
• Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film (Continuous).
• Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually (Continuous).

Pay

$52,100.00 - $70,300.00 - $88,600.00 (min - mid - max) annually.

Schedule

• Scheduled weekly hours: 40
• Ability to work rotating shifts as required.
• Ability to work overtime as required.