Data Scientist 1

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

VICTR

Job Summary:

Data Scientist 1 – VICTR

JOB SUMMARY

The Therapeutic Development and Drug Repurposing Team is seeking a talented and motivated Data Scientist to join an interdisciplinary research team focused on accelerating the generation of impactful clinical evidence through therapeutic innovation, research infrastructure development, and large-scale clinical research networks. The Data Scientist will support the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials and observational studies by developing and executing statistical analysis plans in partnership with biostatisticians, building and maintaining REDCap study databases, implementing data monitoring and quality management processes, and performing data cleaning, transformation, analysis, and interpretation. The individual will also generate publication-quality figures, tables, and presentations to communicate research findings and support manuscripts, grant applications, and scientific meetings. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative clinical research that has the potential to improve patient care and inform future therapeutic development.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s in data science, biomedical informatics, public health, health policy, or related field with 3 years of experience
- or PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree with 0-2 years of experience

About the Department:
The Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical & Translational Research (VICTR) is Vanderbilt’s virtual home for clinical and translational research. Supported by Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Office of Research and the NIH-sponsored Clinical and Translational Service Award (CTSA), the mission of the institute is to transform the way ideas and research discoveries make their way from origin to patient care. VICTR functions to help researchers and clinicians do their jobs better by providing tools and support to improve the quality of research, publications, grant writing, and training for future doctors and researchers.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• Collaborate with investigators, biostatisticians, and interdisciplinary research teams to support the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials and observational research studies.
• Develop, implement, and execute statistical analysis plans in partnership with biostatisticians to address study objectives and generate actionable clinical evidence.
• Design, build, maintain, and optimize REDCap databases and electronic data capture systems to support research studies and clinical trial operations.
• Establish and oversee data monitoring, validation, and quality management processes to ensure data integrity, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform data cleaning, transformation, integration, and management activities across multiple research datasets and data sources.
• Conduct statistical analyses and interpret study results to support therapeutic development, drug repurposing initiatives, and clinical research programs.
• Generate publication-quality tables, figures, dashboards, and data visualizations to effectively communicate research findings.
• Prepare scientific presentations, reports, and summaries for manuscripts, grant applications, conference abstracts, and scientific meetings.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to develop research infrastructure and support large-scale clinical research networks.
• Identify opportunities to improve data workflows, analytical methods, and research processes through innovation and automation.
• Evaluate, implement, and apply artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning approaches to enhance clinical research operations, data analysis, evidence generation, and research infrastructure.
• Ensure adherence to data governance, research protocols, and applicable regulatory and institutional requirements.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research results through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and other scientific communications.
• Support therapeutic innovation initiatives by leveraging data science methodologies to generate evidence that informs future clinical practice and therapeutic development.
•  Participate in ongoing research and team activities aimed at improving patient outcomes through high-quality clinical research and evidence generation.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Proficiency in statistical analysis and application of biostatistical methods to clinical research data.
• Experience developing and executing statistical analysis plans (SAPs) for clinical trials and observational studies.
• Advanced programming and data analysis skills in tools such as R, SAS, Python, SQL, or similar analytical platforms.  Proficiency in R preferred.  

·        Familiarity with artificial intelligence and machine learning methodologies, including predictive modeling, natural language processing, large language models (LLMs), or related analytical approaches applicable to clinical research.

·        Experience leveraging AI-enabled tools to improve data management, data quality assessment, statistical programming, literature review, clinical research operations, or scientific communication preferred

• Expertise in data cleaning, transformation, validation, and management of large and complex datasets.
• Experience building, managing, and maintaining electronic data capture systems (e.g. REDCap databases).
• Knowledge of clinical research methodology, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and observational research.
• Ability to implement data quality assurance, monitoring, and auditing processes to ensure data integrity and compliance.
• Strong data visualization skills with the ability to create publication-quality figures, tables, and dashboards.
• Experience interpreting and communicating statistical and analytical results to scientific and non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with clinical data standards, regulatory requirements, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, biostatisticians, data managers, and research coordinators.
• Experience supporting manuscript preparation, scientific publications, grant applications, and conference presentations.
• Strong written and verbal scientific communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning abilities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy, reproducibility, and research rigor.
• Experience working with large-scale clinical research networks, healthcare databases, or real-world data sources preferred.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and enhancement of research infrastructure.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborative, innovative, and patient-centered clinical research.

 

 

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

 

INFRASTRUCTURE (INTERMEDIATE)

Designs, develops, and maintains research data infrastructure to support clinical trials, observational studies, and multicenter research networks. Identifies and acquires appropriate clinical, operational, and research datasets from disparate sources, including electronic health records, registries, and study databases. Builds and maintains REDCap databases, data collection instruments, and data management workflows. Cleans, transforms, validates, and integrates structured and unstructured data to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency, and regulatory compliance. Develops reproducible analytical pipelines and data quality monitoring processes. Interprets complex research data to identify trends, generate evidence, and support therapeutic development and drug repurposing initiatives.

 

ANALYSIS AND TESTING (INTERMEDIATE)

Brings structure to complex clinical and research datasets and enables rigorous analysis of clinical trial and observational study data. Identifies appropriate data sources, integrates data across studies and systems, and performs data cleaning, validation, and quality assurance activities. Applies statistical and analytical methods to evaluate study outcomes and answer key research questions. Evaluates and applies machine learning and AI-assisted analytical approaches when appropriate to support hypothesis generation, predictive modeling, data quality assessment, and operational optimization. Identifies trends, associations, and clinically meaningful insights to support evidence generation. Translates analytical findings into clear scientific narratives and actionable conclusions for investigators, collaborators, and stakeholders. Ensures analyses are reproducible, well-documented, and aligned with study objectives and statistical analysis plans.

 

DATA PRODUCTS (INTERMEDIATE)

Uses statistical programming and data science tools to transform clinical research data into actionable insights and scientific evidence. Applies programming languages such as R, SAS, Python, SQL, and REDCap for data management, analysis, visualization, automation, and reproducible reporting. Develops publication-quality tables, figures, dashboards, and presentations to support manuscripts, grant applications, scientific meetings, and operational decision-making. Supports the implementation of scalable research data solutions and analytical workflows across clinical research programs and networks. Leverages modern analytical methods and technologies, including cloud-based data environments, machine learning approaches, artificial intelligence-enabled tools, and advanced statistical techniques, to improve research efficiency, data quality, and evidence generation.

 

COMMUNICATION (INTERMEDIATE)

Communicates complex scientific, statistical, and operational information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Develops clear, accurate, and publication-ready reports, figures, tables, presentations, and data summaries for investigators, sponsors, collaborators, and research leadership. Explains analytical methods, study findings, and data quality considerations in a manner appropriate for diverse stakeholders. Collaborates effectively within interdisciplinary teams and contributes to manuscripts, grant applications, abstracts, and scientific presentations. Shares knowledge openly, provides data-driven recommendations, and influences decision-making through clear and compelling communication.

Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year.

World-leading academic departments and comprehensive centers of excellence pursue scientific discoveries and transformational educational and clinical advances across the entire spectrum of health and disease.

Aligning with Vanderbilt Health’s Strategic Directions, the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff. 

Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement. Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements. Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/ work teams.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas. - Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service. - Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively :- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications :

Work Experience :

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

3 years

Education :

Master's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.