Social Science Research Professional

Social Science Research Professional 1

Job Summary: Talent Software Services is in search of a Social Science Research Professional for a contract position in Stanford, CA. The opportunity will be one year with a strong chance for a long-term extension.

Position Summary: The Division of Pediatric Surgery is a dry translational lab studying injury prevention and pediatric trauma. The primary research focuses on studying the societal and economic burden of pediatric trauma and trauma prevention, with a focus on firearm injuries and child abuse. The lab works on:

• Improving the delivery of pediatric trauma care through research that informs policy and implementation;
• Promoting a surgical health services research community through mentorship and collaboration;
• Developing innovative mixed methodologies.
  
  

Our interdisciplinary team includes clinical and research fellows and students with interest in injury prevention, pediatric surgery, and pediatric trauma. The lab works with the client's S-SPIRE team which provides consultation for statistical and study design support. We are seeking a Social Science Research Professional 1 to perform work to support our research by applying basic knowledge and understanding of scientific theory.

Primary Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Plan and perform research tasks requiring initiative and judgment by applying basic knowledge and understanding of scientific theory when precedents do not provide specific guidance. General instruction provided by the supervisor as needed. May interpret study results in collaboration with supervisor or PI.
• Participate in the development and administration of survey instruments and rating scales requiring judgment in applying non-routine procedures. Analyze and summarize results for review with supervisor. Audit the accuracy and validity of data.
• Review and audit case report forms for completion and accuracy with source documents, and ensure compliance with research protocols. Manage databases being used for active research projects (ensure compliance with regulations, maintain a log/library of databases).
• Identify, select, extract and summarize data and structured information. Present summary of findings to supervisor.
• Conduct literature searches, and write literature summaries and manuscripts, requiring preliminary judgments after the supervisor outlines conceptual approach.
• Build and organize data as requested by principal investigator or supervisor; use common statistical programs requiring the application of job control language in generating and organizing data.
• Adapt new, nonstandard methods outlined by supervisor in designing and evaluating phases of research projects, (i.e., educational materials, questionnaires, strategies for recruitment, data quality control procedures and processes). May follow up with Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure renewals are approved and completed, seeking guidance where necessary.
• Assist with development, communication and design of research findings to internal and external audiences, which may include web updates, social media, and/or white papers, for use in recruitment, educational, or awareness of programs, with guidance from supervisor.
• May orient and train new staff or students.
• Patient interaction may be necessary to a limited extent for occasional patient recruitment responsibilities to consenting patients for clinical studies. More is possible depending on SSRP.
• Ability to perform basic statistical analyses (chi-squared, t-tests, etc) desirable.
• Will not be solely responsible, but may be asked to assist research fellows with accessing medical records for chart review, and extracting, cleaning, and analyzing data from large administrative/national datasets.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts degree in an applicable social science related field, or combination of education and relevant experience in an applicable social science.
• General understanding of scientific theory and methods, typically gained through completion of an undergraduate degree in a related field.
• General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with human study participants.
• Lab manager must have experience with accessing large administrative datasets (HCUP, IBM Marketscan, etc) or be willing to learn managing such datasets for research purposes.
  
  

Preferred:

• Capable of leading data analysis using qualitative and mixed methods.
• Experience creating PowerPoint presentations.
• Co-authorship on published papers.
• Experience with creating and managing IRB documentation.
• Maintaining research team adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Prior clinical data experience is strongly preferred.
• Basic statistical analysis skills desirable, not required.
  
  

If this job is a match for your background, we would be honored to receive your application!

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