Data Management Specialist – Keller Lab

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Children’s Eating Behavior Laboratory in the Department of Nutritional Sciences housed within the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State, is seeking a Research Data Management Specialist to advance its mission of research and education in the area of childhood eating behaviors. 

The Research Data Management Specialist will manage multiple datasets and corresponding documentation, visualize data, work closely with the research team to prepare custom datasets and work with the research team to evaluate and implement data collection platforms. This position is also responsible for ensuring the security and confidentiality of all data (with support from the College IT personnel), maintaining codebooks and data summary sheets, and preparing data for analysis upon request. The Data Management Specialist will also provide training to research staff and graduate students on data entry, manage data quality procedures, complete data verification and validation, as well as evaluate data management systems for quality improvement and efficiency. In addition, the data management specialist may conduct advanced statistical analyses of large longitudinal datasets, including, among others, using data derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, psychosocial surveys, cognitive tasks, Actigraphy, behaviorally coded data, and physiological assessments.

Ideal candidates should be skilled in data management/processing (e.g., automation, mining, wrangling, scraping, and warehousing) have familiarity with neuroimaging processing best practices and pipelines, and have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to interface and communicate with other analysts, managers/coordinators, and researchers to extract and transform data from a variety of sources. Experience using statistical methods is desired. Experience with different programming languages (e.g., Python, SQL, R) and statistical software (e.g., R, MPLUS, SAS, SPSS) is essential. Experience using data management and recruitment software (e.g., REDCap, & Microsoft Access) is necessary.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission. In HHD, enriching the lives of others is our mission. We believe in the power of human capacity for growth and live that mission by meeting challenges, both big and small, with excitement and energy every day. We invite you to come grow with us.

Education and Experience:

Typically requires at least a Bachelor’s Degree plus two years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A B.S. in information science, statistics, or social, behavioral, or health sciences with proven analytic skills, and relevant work experience with complex data and databases and/or research support, or a Master’s degree in a related field and database management experience (e.g., statistics data science, computer science) is strongly preferred. Excellent organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to prioritize tasks, are critical for this position. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to maintain high standards of accuracy, timeliness, and professionalism. 

Application Instructions: 

For full consideration, applicants should include a cover letter and resume with their application.

Additional Information:

The location of this position is flexible and can operate fully remotely within the United States, fully in-person at the University Park campus, or in a hybrid model of both in-person and remote. Standard working hours are in the Eastern time zone. 
This is a limited-term appointment funded for one year from the date of hire with an excellent possibility of re-funding. 

This position requires the following clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. 

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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