Programmer

16-Nov-2023

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

64389BR

Position Description

CAUSALab is seeking a full-time Programmer to support a research team of faculty members (principal investigators Barbra Dickerman and Miguel Hernán), postdoctoral researchers, students, and external collaborators. The Programmer will be responsible for the management of healthcare databases and other complex databases, as well as for the development, maintenance, and documentation of code.

Job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and deploy data cleaning, data management, variable creation, and variable naming protocols of projects involving electronic health records, administrative claims, and other complex databases
• Create and maintain databases using R and SAS in collaboration with members of the research team
• Create and link customized databases and analytic datasets in UNIX and Windows environments
• Assist with the development, maintenance, and documentation of software in R and SAS (including R functions and SAS macros for data management and analysis support), and occasionally Python & SQL
• Function as a resource for researchers, post-docs and other trainees to help debug programs and to access correct data
• Performs other duties as assigned

The successful applicant should have directly-related, practical experience in SAS and/or R and SQL, an engineering-like mindset, be mathematically oriented, and enjoy writing code for large and complex datasets.

PLEASE NOTE:
*This position is grant-funded and only a U.S. Citizen can be considered.

*This position has a term end date of two years from date of hire, with the possibility of extension.

*Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit work samples (sample code) and/or complete a coding assessment.

*The finalist will be required to complete both the Harvard University and US Veterans Administration background screening processes.

*This is a hybrid position – with both remote work and working on-site at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA.  

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Master’s Degree preferred in Public Health Domain, Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Informatics, or other health data related field
• Experience in working with big data and independently building analytic databases
• Working knowledge of data analysis
• Basic knowledge of study design, research methodology
• Understanding of the healthcare domain, clinical, epidemiology and/or genomic data is a plus
• Natural Language Processing language is a plus
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Highly organized with a strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Experience collaborating with all levels of research team; demonstrated team performance skills
• Service-oriented mindset and approach

The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. 

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

The Department of Epidemiology, at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studies the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in humans, a fundamental science of public health. In addition to pursuing ground-breaking global research initiatives, we educate and prepare future medical leaders and practitioners as part of our mission to ignite positive changes in the quality of health across the world.

CAUSALab (within the Department of Epidemiology) conducts cutting edge research using large health care databases to determine what works. The investigators within the CAUSALab have obtained uninterrupted funding for their teams for more than 20 years. Currently this includes projects in HIV, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, COVID-19, pregnancy and methodological applications of causal inference and artificial intelligence. Results from studies have informed guidelines for the treatment and prevention of multiple diseases, and contributed to the innovation of methods to generate valid evidence from real world data. The candidate will join a core team comprised of another Senior Programmer and two Programmers.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Information Technology

Department Office Location

USA – MA – Boston

Job Code

I0756P Applications Professional II

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Union

00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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