The Biostatistics Unit at the Northwest Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, at the University of Washington are jointly searching for a Core Investigator/Research Assistant Professor to pursue both methodological and collaborative research.

The successful applicant will contribute to biostatistics research as part of a Center of Excellence at HSR&D. The Center's research objectives are to provide information to improve the delivery of health services to veterans and to contribute to scientific progress in the field of health services research in four emphasis areas: management of chronic disease in primary and specialty care; preservation of independence in older adults; evaluation of alternative delivery systems; and basic methodology in health services research. The successful applicant will also contribute to the mission of the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Washington: to serve as a source of expertise and a focus for training and research in the quantitative aspects of public health and medicine; and to promote the use of rigorous quantitative methods in the biomedical and public health sciences through methodological research, teaching, and services.

Applicants must hold a PhD in biostatistics, statistics, or a related field. Applicants should (1) exhibit potential for a distinguished record of scholarship, and (2) demonstrate the ability to work in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams. A research focus on one or more of four areas is preferred: 1) statistical methodology for observational studies, using large-scale administrative databases; 2) statistical methodology for causal inference and mediation analysis; 3) statistical methodology for evaluation of physician or hospital performance; and 4) statistical methodology for prediction of future health care costs. The successful applicant will be a core investigator at the VA, eligible to apply for research funding from the extensive VA HSR&D research programs as well as other funding sources.

The successful applicant will be appointed to the research faculty of the Department of Biostatistics, and have opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students at the University of Washington. University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research, and service. The position is full-time for an indefinite term appointment at VA and is a full-time non-tenure research track position at the University of Washington. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names of three references to:

VA-UW Search Committee, Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Box 35-7232, Seattle WA 98195-7232. Enquiries may be sent to Professor XH Andrew Zhou: azhou@u.washington.edu

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of Washington are affirmative action, equal opportunity employers who are building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. The University of Washington, a recipient of the 2006 Alfred P. Sloan award for Faculty Career Flexibility, is committed to supporting the work-life balance of its faculty.

The Office of Mental Health Services (OMHS) Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Support Team works at the national level within Veterans Healthcare Administration on evaluation and program development related to MST. Specifically, the Monitoring Division conducts annual data analysis and program evaluation of MST screening and MST-related treatment across all VHA facilities, including annual data reports distributed across the VHA system and special reports to Congress.

The Monitoring Division of the MST Support Team at the Menlo Park campus of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System is seeking a full time health science specialist. The incumbent will function as part of a multi-disciplinary team, taking a leadership role in the development and execution of large data evaluation projects intended to evaluate aspects of VA’s MST programming. Activities include conceptualizing and preparing data reports for VA leadership and stakeholders within and outside VHA; responding to ad-hoc requests for data analyses and related information; and contributing to health care policy related to sexual trauma. S/he will also have some opportunity to conduct health services research related to MST, PTSD, and/or mental health service delivery.

The Monitoring Division of the MST Support Team is affiliated with the National Center for PTSD and works in proximity to the Center for Health Care Evaluation, a VA HSR&D Center of Excellence, the Heath Economics Resource Center (HERC), and the Program Evaluation and Resource Center (PERC).

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in psychology, public health, health services research or related discipline
• Experience working with large, administrative data sources and a strong facility with statistical methods and research design
• Facility with SAS and/or other statistical analysis software
• Knowledge of mental health services research and traumatic stress, gender issues, and/or women’s health
• Knowledge of performance measurement and program evaluation methodology
• Interest in evaluating staffing patterns, provider characteristics, and mental health services

We are currently generating interest in this job position. If you are interested in learning more about this position or being notified when this position is officially posted to USAJobs, contact Jenny Hyun (at jenny.hyun@va.gov). Position is available beginning on or around July 1, 2012 .

The VA Palo Alto Healthcare System seeks a health services research physician who is fellowship-trained and who will develop and evaluate innovative improvements in medical care delivery. Our VA is building the delivery system of the future, with strong local leadership in both clinical innovation and health services research. Join over 30 VA-based health services principal investigators at our successful Center for Health Care Evaluation. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with our nationally recognized Office of Process Improvement in evaluating impact of innovative clinical improvement programs. Experience with implementation science, informatics, and comparative effectiveness is a plus; demonstrated ability to work with clinical partners and multidisciplinary teams a must. This opportunity offers full time VA competitive salary support and Stanford University affiliation. Beautiful Bay Area location.

For further information contact:
Steven Asch MD MPH
Chief Health Services Research
Associate Chief of Staff for Clinical Effectiveness
Steven.Asch@va.gov

Stanford University School of Medicine seeks applicants for a University Tenure Line (UTL) position in the Division of General Medical Disciplines. We will consider candidates who have an MD degree and are trained in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, or Family Medicine and health services research. We expect the successful candidate to engage primarily in academic research supplemented by clinical care and bedside teaching. Criteria for the position include shown ability to obtain peer reviewed research funding or the potential to secure such funding, and excellence in clinical medicine, teaching and institutional service appropriate to the programmatic need the individual is expected to fulfill.

The predominant criterion for appointment in the University Tenure Line is a major commitment to research and teaching.

Faculty rank will be determined by the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty. It welcomes nominations of and applications from women and members of minority groups, as well as others who would bring additional dimensions to the university's research, teaching and clinical missions.

Candidates should submit a detailed letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of three external references to: Steven M. Asch, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Medicine; Division of General Medical Disciplines (GMD), c/o Joseph Martinez, 1265 Welch Road, Rm. 3C36, Stanford, CA 94305-5411, or via email to josephm@stanford.edu

Salary Range: GS 1530 12/13 ($77,579 - $119,926)
Houston Health Services Research and Development, Center of Excellence
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine

The incumbent will have a wide range of responsibilities in providing data management and statistical expertise to all components of the VA Health Services Research and Development, Center of Excellence (HSR&D, CoE) and the Department of Medicine, Section of Health Services Research at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM).

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Manage, analyze and interpret data obtained from administrative databases, surveys, and other data sources.
• Plans data collection, analyzes, and interprets numerical data from studies, surveys, and other sources, and applies statistical methods to provide inferences and information for the fields of health services and statistics.
• Skilled in conducting primary studies as well as in secondary analyzes of extant data, including VA and non-VA medical system administrative databases, vital and health statistics, cross-sectional surveys, retrospective and prospective cohort studies, and case-control studies.
• Has the ability to evaluate the reliability of source information, adjust and weight raw data, and organized results into the format necessary for computer analysis.
• Analyzes and interprets statistics to point out significant differences between study samples, and prepares conclusions and forecasts based on data summaries and analyses.
• Evaluate data reliability and format data as needed for analysis.
• Prepare data summaries and output for presentation.
• Provide technical and methodological consultation to Research Investigators, including but not limited to assistance with development of research proposals, power and sample size calculations, and co-authoring manuscripts.

Education Required:

M.S. degree, PhD degree preferred with a background in mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, psychometrics, or a related area.

Experience Required:

Experience using SAS or other statistical program.

Additional Qualification:

• Applicants must be a United States Citizen.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills in both written and spoken English.
• Excellent computer programming skills, especially with SAS programming.

Contact

Interested applicants should e-mail resume and cover letter to Mr. Edward Pomer, HR Manager, HSR&D, CoE at Edward.Pomer@va.gov. Please reference "Statistician Position" in the subject line.

VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS), Seattle and American Lake WA, and the University of Washington (UW) are seeking qualified applicants for the position of Director, VA NW Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence (HSR&D CoE).

The Director HSR&D is responsible for the administration of the VA Medical Center’s nationally-renowned health services research program with an extensive portfolio of more than 70 research projects, 18 core investigators, a budget of over $14 million dollars, and a training program for both MD and PhD postdoctoral researchers. More details about the Center can be found at its website: http://www.pugetsound.hsrd.research.va.gov/.

The Director also maintains a close liaison with other research Centers and investigators within the VA as well as the VA’s academic affiliate, the University of Washington, the UW School of Medicine and the UW School of Public Health. The Director advises research investigators on scientific, professional, and administrative matters, submits reports and correspondence and maintains all communications required to administer Center research program; manages Center research funds and, through the Center staff, manages other research assets such as human resources, research equipment, and facilities. The incumbent is responsible for developing administrative procedures and core infrastructure to support the research efforts, ensuring the research complies with VA and other Federal regulations, policies and directives, serving as the official liaison for the Center with VA Central Office and other agencies on all research matters.

View the complete job description and application process.

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is seeking an experienced health services researcher with administrative experience to become the director of its nationally and internationally recognized Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence. This center, also known as the Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, is an interdisciplinary community of researchers who conduct methodologically rigorous research to improve the health and health care delivery of veterans. There are 22 MD and PhD core investigators, 8 affiliate/associate investigators, 2 post-doctoral fellows, 48 research and administrative employees affiliated with the center, and 62 funded projects. The primary focus of the center is on post-deployment health with an emphasis on PTSD, polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury, and substance use–including tobacco. Other areas of focus include women’s health, chronic pain and cancer screening and treatment.

The director will be responsible for ensuring that the center pursues excellence in research that meets current and future needs of Veterans. The successful candidate must be an established and successful health services researcher who will qualify for an academic appointment at the University of Minnesota at the associate or full professor level. In addition, the successful candidate must have administrative and leadership experience and a track record of mentoring junior faculty. While physician candidates who are board certified/eligible in internal medicine or psychiatry are preferred, PhD candidates will also be considered. Prior VA research experience is desirable.

Competitive salary and benefits with potential for a recruitment incentive/relocation allowance. Interested candidates should submit a letter of inquiry and curriculum vita to Waneda Turner at waneda.turner@va.gov. EEO Employer

The Center for Metal Healthcare and Outcomes Research (CeMHOR) in Little Rock, AR, in conjunction with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), is seeking a quantitative methods researcher. Within VA, the position will be at the Research Health Scientist level (GS 13) or higher. At UAMS, the position will be commensurate with background and experience falling anywhere between the Assistant to Full Professor range. A tenure track appointment is available for qualified candidates.

Research Infrastructure:

As the only HSR&D research Center of Excellence devoted entirely to mental health services research, CeMHOR aims to optimize quality and outcomes of mental health care for veterans. CeMHOR's research targets high-priority populations—veterans in rural areas, veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and veterans with comorbid mental illness and physical health disorders. CeMHOR aspires to: improve quality of specialty care for veterans with serious and persistent mental health disorders and substance use disorders; improve quality of mental health care provided in primary care settings; and improve access to and engagement in care for veterans with untreated mental health and substance use disorders in the community. In FY2009, CeMHOR had total funding of $7.32 million, with $3.8 million from VA. CeMHOR's 11 Core Investigators, two Affiliate Investigators and eight Associate Investigators pursued research on 30 projects and activities. A summary of CeMHOR activities is available on our website:

Most CeMHOR investigators serve roles in at least one of three other research centers housed in Little Rock: The VA Mental Health Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (MH QUERI), The VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (SC MIRECC), and the Division of Health Services Research (DHSR) within the Department of Psychiatry at UAMS. The organizations operate synergistically and support each other's research missions and share infrastructure.

Job Description:

The incumbent in this position will be initially expected to serve as a co-investigator on existing research studies in VA and at UAMS and to provide quantitative expertise to developing research proposals and to supervise a large group of masters trained statistical programmers. The incumbent in this position will also be expected to pursue projects as principal investigator.

For an Associate Professor or higher position, evidence of research productivity, success in obtaining external grant funding, and skill in consulting on quantitative research designs all are essential. For all applicants, the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment is also essential.

Required Qualifications:

• US Citizenship
• PhD in Statistics, Economics, Sociology, or other relevant social science
• Advanced training in quantitative research methods
• Background and experience in health research
• Ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background and experience in mental health research
• Background and experience in health services research

How to Apply:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should provide a current curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing qualifications and interests to:

John C Fortney, PhD
Investigator
CeMHOR
John.Fortney@va.gov

The Houston VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence (Houston HSR&D CoE) and the Department of Medicine, Section of Health Services Research at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) are seeking a Full Time Psychometrician. This position is at the Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level.

Required Qualifications:

• U. S. CITIZENSHIP
• Ph.D. in Psychological or Educational Measurement, Psychometrics, or related field with an emphasis on quantitative analysis or psychometrics
• Advanced training in psychometric research and statistics including item response theory factor analysis, multidimensional scaling, data clustering, structural equation modeling, and path analysis.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills in both written and spoken English
• Excellent computer programming skills, especially with SAS programming

View complete job details and application process.

How to apply:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should provide a cover letter describing interests and qualifications, current curriculum vitae, and three (3) letters of reference to:

David Latini, PhD, Chief, Design and Analysis Program, HSR&D CoE
c/o Edward Pomer, HR Manager, HSR&D CoE
2002 Holcombe Blvd. (VA 152), Houston, TX 77030
Edward.pomer@va.gov

Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh is seeking Director of the Section of Health Disparities and International Health. The Director will be provided with resources including an Endowed Chair in health disparities research. Candidates must hold a distinguished record in the field of health disparities research. Appointment will be at the Associate or Full Professor rank in the tenure stream. The position includes a competitive salary, substantial resources to support research infrastructure, and a commitment to recruit up to ten additional MD and/or PhD junior to mid-level faculty researchers over the next five years. Opportunities for local collaboration exist through a wide range of affiliated research programs including the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, the Institute for Clinical Research Education, and the Center for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh, and RAND Health.

Please forward CV and letter of interest in confidence to: Wishwa Kapoor, MD, 200 Lothrop Street, 933 West MUH, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (fax: 412-692-4825) or e-mail: Noskoka@upmc.edu. The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.

For VA contact please send inquiries to Michael Fine at michael.fine@va.gov or Mary Walsh at mary.walsh3@va.gov.

The Houston VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, and the Health Services Research Section, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine seeks an investigator in Health Communication and Decision Making. Research will focus on employing advanced communication science to understand processes affecting health outcomes, and developing practices that improve the quality of patient care, with particular attention to veterans. The successful candidate will have a PhD, publications in communication sciences, and history of project funding. This open rank position includes 75-80% protected time, and a highly competitive start-up package.

The Center, in the Texas Medical Center, has over 160 staff; 42 research faculty, both clinical and non-clinical disciplines, such as biostatistics, epidemiology, and psychometrics. Some hold joint or adjunct appointments at Rice University, The University of Texas School of Public Health, University of Houston, and Texas A&M University. See our website for additional information: http://www.houston.hsrd.research.va.gov/.

Send CV to:
Richard L. Street, PhD,
Chief, Health Communications & Decision Making Program,
c/o Ms. Cindy Nelson
HSR&D Center of Excellence
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center VAMC, HSR&D (152)
2002 Holcombe Blvd
Houston, TX 77030.

BCM and the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employers. Must be a US citizen.

Northwest Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System and the Department of Health Services, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington are jointly recruiting one or more Core Investigators/Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors (regular or research) to pursue health services research. All positions are without tenure by reason of funding.

Successful applicants will contribute to health services research as part of a Center of Excellence with 25 MD and PhD investigators and over $8 million in VA and non-VA funding. Center goals are to perform state-of-the-art research, generate new knowledge and research methods, provide high caliber training in health services research, and assist VA policy makers in a rapidly changing health care environment. The Center's research objectives are to provide information to improve the delivery of health services to veterans and to contribute to scientific progress in the field of health services research in three emphasis areas: management of chronic disease in primary and specialty care, preservation of independence in older adults, and evaluation of alternative delivery systems.

Applicants must hold a PhD in health services research, social sciences, or related field. Applicants should

1. have training and experience in health services research,
2. exhibit potential for a distinguished record of scholarship, and
3. demonstrate the ability to work in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.

A research focus on one of three areas is preferred:

1. care coordination, i.e., organization and management of patient care activities among participants (including the patient) to facilitate the appropriate delivery of health care services,
2. development and evaluation of approaches to the care of chronically ill elderly including long term care, or
3. psychometric methodology for scale development/validation and survey design/implementation. Successful applicants will be core investigators at the Northwest Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence and eligible to apply for research funding from the extensive VA HSR&D research program as well as other funding sources.

Successful applicants may be jointly appointed to the regular or research faculty of the Department of Health Services with opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students at the University of Washington. University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research, and service. These positions are for a 12-month service period, full-time indefinite term appointments at the VA and are non-tenure track positions at the University of Washington due to source of funding. U.S. citizenship required. Review of applications will continue until the positions are filled.

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:

David Au, MD, MS
Investigator, Health Services Research & Development
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
1100 Olive Way
Suite 1400
Seattle WA 98101

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of Washington are affirmative action, equal opportunity employers who are building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans.