The Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center (HMNCC)’s Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Program invites applications for a highly motivated and collaborative epidemiologist with a primary focus on characterizing the unique and dynamic cancer burden in the Gulf Coast region of Texas. The successful candidate will lead or participate in epidemiologic research by designing and supporting CPC-focused research that elucidates cancer etiology, promotes early cancer detection, evaluates primary/secondary/tertiary cancer prevention efforts, assists with interpretation of cancer development/risk, progression, and outcomes at the population-level.  

As part of HMNCC, the successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with biostatisticians, bioinformaticians, clinicians, basic scientists, behavioral scientists, community partners, and health policy researchers. The candidate will also be expected to contribute to ongoing projects, including literature reviews, interpretation of cancer statistics, manuscript and abstract development and submission. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Design, conduct, and analyze epidemiologic studies (cohort, case-control, nested case-control, screening, surveillance) relevant to cancer prevention and control. 
• Lead or collaborate on research addressing cancer risk factors (environmental, behavioral, genetic, molecular, neighborhood, social determinants). 
• Evaluate cancer prevention and control interventions, screening programs, and surveillance systems. 
• Participate in grant writing, manuscript preparation, and scientific presentations. 
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, students, and staff. 
• Engage with community and public health partners to translate research into practice. 
• Serve on committees, contribute to departmental and institutional missions in cancer control. 

Preferred/ Desirable:  

• Experience in cancer epidemiology or related chronic disease epidemiology 
• Familiarity with cancer registry data, large cohort studies, screening program data, or “omics”/molecular epidemiology 
• Experience with community engaged research or implementation science 
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and mentoring skills 
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and addressing cancer disparities 
• Knowledge of the Texas Cancer Registry data is a considerable strength
• PhD, DrPH, ScD or equivalent in Epidemiology, Public health, or related discipline or Masters in Epidemiology with at least 4 years of experience  
• Demonstrated expertise in epidemiological methods, statistical analysis, and study design 
• Proficiency on statistical software (e.g., SAS, STATA, R) 

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

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

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists PI/faculty by monitoring team of Research Assistants and Post Docs 0-2 scientific activities. Provides communication of needs, issues to be addressed, and all important information necessary to ensure scientific success. Facilitates open, professional, communication to achieve mutual understanding. Role models excellent, clear, and professional communication skills to achieve mutual understanding and problem resolution. Contributes to a team-focused work environment that actively helps one another achieve scientific goals.

• Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results. Ensures collaboration among all members of the research team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information as it relates to assigned system(s) in a comprehensive manner. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance.

• Teaches peers and staff to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and follows up consistently. Uses peer-to-peer accountability towards improvement of department score for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• At PI/Faculty's direction, organizes the workflow, proactively problem solves, anticipates needs, and manages multiple ongoing priorities. Independently handles resolution of complex problems and issues and notifies PI/Faculty of issue and resolution. Serves as escalation support for less experienced staff.

• Analyzes data for research grants and publications (medium to high complexity). Maintains accurate records of all research and data collection.

• Completes/performs research and incorporates novel procedures and methods into research experiments as appropriate (medium complexity).

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• At the direction of the PI/Faculty, writes and maintains regulatory and safety committee applications/protocols.

• Provides advanced technical research skills and establishes test methods and procedures. Documents procedures and changes to procedure in PI/Faculty's Lab Study Methods manual and Laboratory Notebooks.

• Establishes and maintains quality control of project operations including establishing appropriate controls and standards for experimental procedures.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes resources effectively and efficiently, demonstrating responsible financial stewardship. Manages own time effectively and prioritizes work to achieve maximum results in a timely manner.

• Assists with ensuring orders for supplies are on appropriate grants.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in publication and grant writing at PI/Faculty direction.

• Determines specific research project goals and objectives to be attained. Assumes responsibility and oversight for those goals and objectives at the PI/Faculty's direction.

• Assists with developing skills of lab team (staff and students) in alignment with scientific objectives.

• Participates in conferences and seminars. Proactively manages own professional development and completes My Development Plan.

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

• Terminal Degree with Four years' post-doctoral experience or Master of Science degree with Seven years' research experience

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years' post-doctoral experience with Terminal Degree or Seven years' research experience with Master's degree

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing 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

• Exercises independent judgment related to situations of a sensitive, confidential, and scientific nature

• Ability to initiate and complete tasks with minimal supervision

• Ability to deal with high volumes and rigid deadlines

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

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

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.