Research Scientist

Job Summary

The Stringhini Lab seeks a highly motivated and ambitious individual to work as a Research Scientist on various projects related to understanding the mechanisms explaining life course socioeconomic inequalities in health and ageing trajectories. The successful applicant will contribute to multi-cohort epidemiological research examining the mechanisms linking life-course socioeconomic conditions to ageing trajectories. This includes retrieving, harmonizing, and processing multi-cohort data. The work will involve handling large-scale, high-dimensional datasets, applying statistical and causal inference methods (e.g., counterfactual mediation, machine learning approaches), and integrating environmental and biological data to explore the social determinants of ageing. The candidate is expected to have strong proficiency in programming languages such as R and/or Python for data harmonization and advanced statistical modeling.

The ideal applicant will possess a curiosity and passion for science, as well as a deep understanding of epidemiological methods and statistical modelling. Accurate attention to detail is essential.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the lead Principal Investigator Dr. Silvia Stringhini (School of Population and Public Health and Edwin Leong Centre for Healthy Ageing). The position will support students and other staff members.

Housed within the Faculty of Medicine, the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) is an innovative unit that encompasses many of the health-related groupings at UBC as a collaborative venture. The School is structured around four divisions: Occupational and Environmental Health; Health Services and Policy; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health Practice; and Health in Populations.

Work Performed

• Retrieves, harmonizes, and preprocesses multi-cohort longitudinal datasets to ensure comparability across different study designs and measurement structures.

• Prepares data access requests and gathers external datasets.

• Conducts descriptive analysis of longitudinal cohort data, manages datasets, and ensures proper documentation and data security.

• Applies advanced statistical techniques, including causal inference models, mediation analysis, and life-course epidemiology approaches, to analyze multi-cohort longitudinal data on socioeconomic conditions and ageing outcomes.

• Works with the PI to develop and manage research projects, including work plans, timelines, protocols, and budgets.

• Identifies timelines, milestones, and perform necessary literature searches, analysis, reporting and communication.

• Evaluates methods for handling and analyzing complex, interconnected epidemiological data.

• Contributes in meetings and phone/video conferences for the projects of the Lab.

• Contributes to ongoing strategic planning for the lab's epidemiological analysis needs; collaborates with the principal investigator to identify funding opportunities and develops ideas into grant proposals.

• Writes/drafts sections of scientific manuscripts.

• Writes/drafts ethics applications for the various projects of the Lab.

• Identifies and supports resolution to problems, or barriers for successful research projects/change initiatives completion in collaboration with the PI.

• Maintains and develops up-to-date knowledge of current information technology techniques and tools, especially as they apply to epidemiological analysis.

• Analyzes intersectionality in health inequalities, assessing interactions between socioeconomic conditions and demographic factors such as race, migration status, and gender.

• Engages in knowledge translation efforts, including preparing policy briefs, stakeholder reports, and public health recommendations based on research findings.

• Is involved in the management of the projects as needed.

• Other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The incumbent will make important decisions affecting the productivity of the lab. Poor judgment could result in loss of experimental data and delay in conducting research, which could impact collaborations, publications, and future funding. Studies may be jeopardized if not conducted according to ethical requirements as laid out by the University and by regulatory authorities. Study files must be kept secured to ensure that patient confidentiality is not compromised. An error within the realm of a research study may result in biased or incomplete data and skewed study results. Errors made and poor decisions may be damaging to the reputation of the Principal Investigator, the School, and the University and could lead to incorrect or inappropriate policy recommendations being made.

This position will be responsible for access, collection, use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSBC 1996) and other UBC privacy and security policies. This position requires employees to work under strict confidentiality requirements; internal procedures and policies to protect personal information must be followed and adherence to these requirements will be regularly reviewed by the employer.

Supervision Received
General direction is provided by the Principal Investigator, Dr. Stringhini; however, the position requires a candidate capable of setting their own directions and priorities within a given framework and working within agreed-upon milestones and timelines.

Supervision Given
Supports research assistants, junior staff and students as required. Assists and provides guidelines to other research members as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field (epidemiology, biostatistics, statistics, bioinformatics) is preferred.

• Experience in laboratory research involving epidemiological data.

• Experience in data harmonization and multi-cohort studies, including familiarity with Maelstrom Research guidelines or similar methodologies.

• Extensive experience working with epidemiological data, preferably from population cohort studies.

• Experience with advanced statistical modeling techniques, including mixed-effects models, multi-level modeling, counterfactual mediation analysis, and intersectionality approaches.

• Experience conducting individual participant meta-analyses or integrating heterogeneous data sources across studies would be an asset.

• Understanding of causal inference methodologies (e.g., directed acyclic graphs, propensity score methods, and instrumental variables) is an asset.

• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and databases.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships.

• Ability to interact with a diverse group of people calmly, courteously, and effectively.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Excellent leadership skills with experience in leading small teams.

• Ability to stay current with developments and trends in the field of information technology.

• Must conduct all activities ethically and maintain the confidentiality of funding information and research data.