Associate Data Scientist

Job Summary:

The associate data scientist will be an essential member of a research-focused cancer clinical informatics team. As a scientific leader in data sharing projects and the VICC Precision Oncology initiatives, as well as for the My Cancer Genome knowledgebase and related projects, the associate data scientist will identify and pursue research projects to improve the utility, dissemination, and implementation of our tools across populations. Projects to identify and address disparities in how a diversity of populations are affected by our research, datasets, and tools are included.

The scientist will be a leader in four primary initiatives: 1) VUMC's participation in AACR Project GENIE, an international cancer tumor genetic testing data sharing consortium, 2) the GE Healthcare-funded Digital Precision Oncology project, 3) VICC's Precision Oncology Initiatives, and 4) the My Cancer Genome knowledgebase. The scientist will collaborate with biostatisticians as appropriate to define data analysis methods appropriate for the groups' research.

For both AACR Project GENIE and the GE Healthcare projects, the scientist will be responsible for data collection and transfer. This includes management of the curation team, collection of the structured data from VUMC resources, and transfer of all data to AACR/Sage. The scientist will also be responsible for all quality control for VUMC's participation in AACR Project GENIE. Additionally, the scientist will be responsible for maintaining the projects' IRB approvals, key study personnel records, interfaces with the contracts optimization committee and IT related to security and data sharing, and internal review of data. The scientist will also be responsible for defining, maintaining, and training on standard operating procedures, incorporating business requirements and best practices.

The scientist will be an essential member of an innovative and creative scientific team. The scientist will participate in preparing the group's research for publication, including as first author when appropriate. The scientist will participate in writing and submitting grant applications, including as a co-investigator when appropriate. The scientist will have opportunity to pursue projects of personal/professional interest with collaborators and appropriate funding that align with the group's overall goals.

Department/Unit Summary:

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) is a leader in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The centers world-renowned team of experts provides a integrated, personalized and patient-centered approach to cancer care, including treatment, research, support, education and outreach. From a wide variety of wellness programs to a leading REACH for Survivorship Clinic, patients find support from diagnosis through survivorship. VICC is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of just two centers in Tennessee and 51 in the country to earn this highest distinction, and ranks in the top 10 nationwide for cancer research grant support. Here is a link to our website - http://www.vicc.org/

Position Shift:

• First Shift

View how Vanderbilt Health employees celebrate the difference they make every day:

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity -- of culture, thinking, learning and leading -- is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

VUMC Recent Accomplishments

Because we are committed to providing the best in patient care, education and research, we are proud of our recent accomplishments:

* US News & World Report: #1 Adult Hospital in Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville, named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of the top 20 adult hospitals, 10 nationally ranked adult specialty programs, with 3 specialties rated in the top 10 nationally, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt named as one of the Best Children's Hospital in the nation, with 10 out of 10 pediatric specialties nationally ranked.

* Healthcare's Most Wired: Among the nation's 100 "most-wired" hospitals and health systems for its efforts in innovative medical technology.

* Becker's Hospital Review: named as one of the "100 Great Hospitals in America", in the roster of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs and to its list of the 100 Hospitals with Great Heart Programs.

* The Leapfrog Group: One of only 10 children's hospitals in the to be named at Leapfrog Top Hospital.

* American Association for the Advancement of Science: The School of Medicine has 112 elected fellows

* Magnet Recognition Program: Received our third consecutive Magnet designations.

* National Academy of Medicine: 22 members, elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding achievement

* Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index: 6^th year in a row that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.

Additional Key Elements/ Responsibilities:

• Participates in multidisciplinary teams to design, develop, and recommend new approaches for data-driven decision-making.
• Leads discovery processes on pioneering Artificial Intelligence ("AI)/Machine Learning ("ML") based approaches to solve complex data problems across a variety of domains.
• Provides strategic direction regarding data science and AI in a specific area (e.g., cancer, surgery, planning services, marketing, healthcare delivery).
• Guides and educates data science teams to provide unbiased and accurate information, analysis, consultation, and recommendations to support strategic and operational data science initiatives.
• Develops analytics tools that can be used by other staff with non-technical expertise.
• In some positions, may work with enterprise executive leadership to advance digital strategy.
• Makes strategic recommendations on data collection, integration and retention requirements, incorporating business requirements and knowledge of best practices.
• Supports scientific projects under the supervision of a designated senior level data scientist or self-direction.
• Designs, develops, applies, and modifies scripts or software applications to support data management, extraction, and analysis.
• Provides consultative services and is responsible to gather, analyze, present findings to leadership.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES:

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Organizational Impact: Independently delivers on objectives with understanding of how they impact the results of own area/team and other related teams.
• Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes multiple sources of data to analyze and resolve complex problems; may take a new perspective on existing solution.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Has advanced knowledge within a professional area and basic knowledge across related areas.
• Team Interaction: Acts as a go-to resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small project teams.

CORE CAPABILITIES:

SUPPORTING COLLEAGUES:

• Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance and gain knowledge in new areas.
• Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.
• Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences.

DELIVERING EXCELLENT SERVICES:

• Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.
• Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.
• Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness.

ENSURING HIGH QUALITY:

• Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.
• Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them.
• Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring.

MANAGING RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY:

• Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.
• Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.
• Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities.

FOSTERING INNOVATION:

• Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.
• Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.
• Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Qualifications - External

Master's in data science, biomedical informatics, public health, health policy, or related field with 7 years of experience or PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree with 5-7 years of experience

Physical Requirements/Strengths needed & Physical Demands:

• • Light Work category requiring exertion up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and uses negligible amounts of force to move objects.

Movement

• • Occasional: Sitting: Remaining in seated position
  • Occasional: Standing: Remaining on one's feet without moving.
  • Occasional: Walking: Moving about on foot.
  • Occasional: Lifting under 35 lbs: Raising and lowering objects under 35 lbs from one level to another
  • Occasional: Push/Pull: Exerting force to move objects away from or toward.
  • Occasional: Bending/Stooping: Trunk bending downward and forward by bending spine at waist requiring full use of lower extremities and back muscles
  • Occasional: Reaching below shoulders: Extending arms in any direction below shoulders.
  • Occasional: Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hand or hands.

Sensory

• • Occasional: Vision: Clarity of near vision at 20 inches or less and far vision at 20 feet or more with depth perception, peripheral vision, color vision.
  • Frequent: Noise: May include exposure to occupational noise levels which equal or exceed an 8-hr time-weighted average of 85 decibels, requiring enrollment in VUMC's Hearing Conservation Program which includes training, use of hearing protection, and periodic audiometry.
  • Continuous: Communication: Expressing or exchanging written/verbal/electronic information.