Description -


The emphasis in this training program is on closely supervised laboratory experience rather than course work. Actual laboratory experience is emphasized as the component most likely to give the trainee a sense of the satisfaction of research and the close interaction with a preceptor. It is anticipated that a positive experience during this interval may indeed lead some trainees to seek a formal MD/PhD degree program. This may be facilitated through the large base of graduate programs within the Harvard Medical School including an active Medical Scientist Training Program for MD/PhD training. The present pre-doctoral program has been developed based on the conviction that a more extended commitment of at least one year will have a high likelihood of ultimately leading to a career in biomedical research


The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) to the Gastrointestinal unit at Massachusetts General Hospital to help ensure that a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to assume leadership roles related to the Nation's biomedical, behavioral and clinical research agenda. The objective of the T32 program is to prepare qualified individuals for careers that have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation.


The MGH Research Training in Digestive Diseases (T32) program builds on the experience of more than fifty years in which investigators in gastroenterology and related fields of basic science, many now leaders in this country and abroad, have been trained. Throughout this long period of continuous productivity as a GI training center, the unifying principle which has led to the sustained success has been the commitment to continual evolution to incorporate the most powerful scientific approaches as they have emerged in basic biomedical science.


Over the past 35 years, more than 250 investigators including 90 supported by this institutional training award have been trained in the GI Unit. More than 85% of these former trainees continue to pursue digestive disease related research in the United States and seventeen other countries.


The NIH encourages institutions to increase the participation of individuals currently underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences such as: individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research. The NIH is particularly interested in encouraging the recruitment and retention of the following classes of candidates:


A. Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis (see data at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/showpub.cfm?TopID=2&SubID=27 and the most recent report on Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering). The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders. In addition, it is recognized that underrepresentation can vary from setting to setting; individuals from racial or ethnic groups that can be convincingly demonstrated to be underrepresented by the grantee institution should be encouraged to participate in this program.


B. Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.


C. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who are defined as:


1. Individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds. These thresholds are based on family size; published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census; adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index; and adjusted by the Secretary for use in all health professions programs. The Secretary periodically publishes these income levels at HHS-Poverty Guidelines, Research, and Measurement. For individuals from low income backgrounds, the institution must be able to demonstrate that such participants have qualified for Federal disadvantaged assistance or they have received any of the following student loans: Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), Loans for Disadvantaged Student Program, or they have received scholarships from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional Financial Need.


2. Individuals who come from a social, cultural, or educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that have demonstrably and recently directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.


Job Responsibilities:


We are looking for a candidate that is trained in data analysis to assist with ongoing research projects related to clinical and translational epidemiologic research.


The data analyst will be responsible for developing large data sets for epidemiologic analyses, conducting statistical analyses of data using programming languages including R and SAS, and compiling and presenting results to the investigator team. She will also troubleshoot analyses of data analyses of others in the research group, including students and postdoctoral fellows. Work will include projects associated with geolocation data and disease incidence in large, national cohorts.



Qualifications

Qualifications:


• Bachelors Degree required


Previous experience with biostatistics, data analysis and management.


• Proficient in the use of statistical software such as R programming language, Microsoft Excel, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Statistical Analysis System (SAS).


• Experience within higher education and/or healthcare environment.


In addition, the candidate must:


• Be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment.


• Pursue their research training full-time, normally defined as 40 hours per week.


• Commit to a training appointment period of 12 months


• Have completed a minimum of a four-year undergraduate degree program with a major in biological or other sciences


• Strong preference will be given for those who have completed their undergraduate degree and have initiated a medical school education. In the latter instance, approval for an extended leave to participate in this training experience must be provided by the home institution.



EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.