An ideal candidate for Research Scientist at Houston Methodist, Department of Digital Health Innovation and Implementation Research is a researcher focused on advancing research, a strong publication record, and demonstrated ability to build and lead a team and work collaboratively within a complex system.   Individuals in this position are expected to support and build the portfolio of the Center, through demonstrated publication productivity, funding flow from industry contracts, federal/grant funding, and philanthropy.  The candidate is encouraged to have a strong record of collaborative and effective interactions with other faculty and staff. The candidate should be able to define and connect priorities of research and clinician faculty and demonstrate a track record of moving ideas to execution. Successful candidates will join a highly interactive institution that is committed to be a leading voice on the successful implementation of digital health and care redesign innovation in health care.  This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, executives, industry, scientists, and researchers, to enhance the understanding of and demonstrate the impact of these cutting-edge initiatives.

An ideal candidate must meet the following criteria:

• PhD in Biostatistics or a related field with a focus on statistical methodologies applied to clinical research, cancer epidemiology, or translational science.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, analysis, and interpretation of clinical trials, preferably in the context of oncology or cancer-related research.
• Proficiency in statistical software packages such as Python, R, SAS, SPSS, or STATA, with the ability to conduct complex statistical analyses and develop innovative methodologies.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, convey statistical concepts to non-statistical audiences, and contribute to scientific publications and grant proposals.
• Previous experience in an academic or research-oriented environment, with a track record of scholarly activities such as publications, presentations, and grant applications.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines in a dynamic research environment.
• Experience serving on committees related to clinical trials, protocol development, or data monitoring is desirable.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Under the direction of a Principle Investigator (PI), coordinates and provides technical direction to the work activities of research staff engaged in projects.

• Performs procedures which require a highly developed technical skill.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.

• Establishes procedures to be applied for projects.

• Participates in writing manuscripts and publications.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Compiles, writes, and submits project results to the principle investigator.

• Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.

• Analyzes data and interprets data.

• Defines problems and possible solutions as dictated by the research project.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in grant writing the specific grant(s).

• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews scientific literature.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Doctorate degree in related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in related field of study

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Demonstrated knowledge of biomedical research

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.