Data Coordinator & Analyst – The Longitudinal Study of Late-Life Suicide

We are looking for a Data Coordinator & Analyst to work in two research projects supported by the National Institute of Health:

1) The Longitudinal Study of Late-Life Suicide seeks to understand the dynamic interplay of biological and psychological factors of aging that either protect against or exacerbates the risk of suicide in late-life. We conduct a longitudinal study that assesses suicidal ideation trajectories, changes in cognitive performance and uses decision process paradigm and event momentary assessment measuring real-time affect changes and sleep to understand how cognitive abilities, decision making, emotional changes and circadian rhythm contribute to suicide risk. Please visit our website gsuicide.pitt.edu for more information.

2) Bereaved persons are approximately three times more likely than non-bereaved persons to die by suicide. The loss of a spouse during late life is also associated with a felt sense of social disconnection, lack of engagement in pleasant activities, and disruptions in daily routines. The Rhythms after loss for Improving Suicidal Risk in Elders Study examines the risk for and resilience to late-life suicide during the early spousal bereavement period and whether a digital health intervention, that targets the timing and regularity of social activities, sleep, and meals and includes a weekly health coaching sessions can help reduce suicide risk amongst older adults. 

The purpose of the Data Coordinator & Analyst would be to monitor data collected locally for NIH-funded research, which are uploaded to a central database. Monitoring would involve checking for completeness and quality of the data from standards set by the Principal Investigator. Managing clinical data is the most important facet of this position. The Data Analyst would also be involved in statistical analysis of various types of data (clinical data, ecological momentary assessment data, actigraphy data, cognitive data), with training provided and guided by the Principal Investigator and research team, including statistician co-investigator. Finally, the Data Analyst would support the dissemination of results through the preparation of figures or presentations, as well as assisting with the preparation of scientific articles for publication with authorship.

We offer a collaborative environment with the opportunity to engage in independent research projects. We welcome individuals with a background/history of data management in a health-related field or equivalent work experience This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to apply for further graduate studies, such as a doctoral program in psychology, neuroscience, or medical, or seeking a career in database management or data science.

The ideal candidate will have strong quantitative skills, programming experience, some research experience and an interest in geriatric mental health and/or suicide research. The following skills are strongly preferred: knowledge of R, SQL, Python or similar. Our data coordinator will oversee data management, data quality check, and data training. They will also assist in annual report submission to funding agencies and collaborate with other investigators in the Department. Lastly, there are opportunities to obtain a clinical skillset and administer psychological assessments based on their interests. 

This position is grant funded. 

Responsibilities:

• Perform duties for approved research projects according to defined protocols and procedures including appropriate collection, recording, and storage of data.
• Assist in hypothesis generation, data analysis and data presentation, and publication.
• Conduct various data report generations using R language.
• Conduct data missingness and quality checks regularly.
• Maintain the data training manual.
• Fulfill data requests from collaborators for project initiation.
• Maintain lab websites using HTML and Javascript.
• Create, maintain, reconcile and backup our REDCap database.
• Assist in the generation of annual data/study reporting to funding agencies.
• Assist with procedures for obtaining patient data.