Clinical Research Data Scientist

Mission or Goal of Unit:

We champion health and well-being through the power of nursing education, discovery and practice.

Chief Purpose of this position:

The Clinical Research Data Scientist in the VCU SON will lead data management and computational efforts across multiple clinical research studies. The individual in this role will have advanced scripting and programming capabilities as well as expertise in research study design, data quality assurance, and analysis. The ideal candidate is highly proficient in managing large clinical datasets, multi-site research data coordination, developing automated workflows, and supporting investigators in protocol development and data-driven decision-making.

This is a restricted position, continued employment is dependent upon availability of funding.

Position Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:
- Design, build, and maintain databases and data pipelines for clinical research studies
- Write and optimize scripts (e.g., R, SQL, SPSS, Excel) for data cleaning, transformation, and integration
- Works with SON Data Center personnel and the Office of Research to manage research data and analysis needs across the school
- Collaborate with investigators and study teams to develop new or choose extant data collection instruments and ensure alignment with study aims
- Assists investigators and study teams with REDCaP development, implementation, and management
- Serve as a technical lead for all electronic data capture (EDC) platforms and data export processes
- Work with investigators to help ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, IRB protocols)
- Liaison to informatics team and VCU Health resources for informatics and health systems science faculty and students.
- Conduct preliminary data analyses and visualizations to support grant applications, reports, and manuscripts
- Contribute to study design discussions, offering expertise in data structure, variable definitions, and feasibility
- Train junior staff or research assistants in data handling best practices and tools

Additional responsibilities:
- Assist faculty, fellows, and students with study design and data management and analysis pathways in coordination with statisticians and informatics specialists as needed.
- Provide guidance to faculty and students on best practices for study data processes, from design through implementation; use of open science platforms (OSF, VEEVA, etc.)
- Provide coding or scripting to assist with study implementation, data management, and analysis pipelines
- Provide education and instruction to faculty and students on data management processes and the use of language scripting in statistical programs (e.g. R, SPSS, excel).
- Assist with grant applications: input on study processes, data management and sharing plans, provide data analysis and formatting of results, descriptions of processes and data, rigor and reproducibility input
- Assist with data graphics, tables, and dissemination summaries
- Stay current with emerging technologies for data management, collection, storage, and analysis to share with faculty (and students).
- Facilitates connections between faculty and statisticians to provide specialized statistical modeling

- Other duties as assigned