Health Services Research & Development

(02/22/19) Research Assistant I - San Francisco, CA

The Population Health and Policy Research Group (PHPRG) at the San Francisco VA Medical Center is dedicated conducting rigorous outcomes studies for improving Veteran's health.

We are seeking a research assistant who will be involved in the implementation of project plans and creatively identifying novel methods for researching studying hypothesis. The research assistant will be most heavily involved in conducting health interviews to veterans, reviewing private health information in charts, handling sensitive medical documents and participating in meetings.

See https://rew21.ultipro.com/NOR1032/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*92F50A254228923D for complete details and application procedures.

(02/15/19) Health Science Specialist (GS-9) - Portland, OR

Salary range: $55,529 to $69,860

To apply, please submit CV/resume, cover letter, and list of 3 references to nicole.floyd@va.gov by March 15, 2019 for first consideration.   

Background

This position is housed in Research and Development Service located at the VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, Oregon. The incumbent will serve as a Health Science Specialist (Health Informaticist/Research Associate) for the Evidence Synthesis Program Coordinating Center (ESPCC) of the Evidence Synthesis Program, a national research program.

Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) established the VA Evidence Synthesis Program in 2007 to provide timely and accurate syntheses of scientific research evidence on targeted healthcare topics of importance to VA clinicians, managers, and policymakers, as they work to improve the health and healthcare of Veterans. The program is comprised of four ESP Centers across the US and a Coordinating Center located in Portland, Oregon. Center Directors are VA clinicians and recognized leaders in the field of evidence synthesis with close ties to the AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center Program and Cochrane Collaboration. The Coordinating Center was created to manage program operations, ensure methodological consistency and quality of products, and interface with stakeholders.

ESP researchers synthesize scientific research evidence on important clinical practice topics and develop reports that help the VHA: 1) develop clinical policies informed by evidence, 2) implement effective services to improve patient outcomes and to support VHA clinical practice guidelines and performance measures, and 3) set the direction for future research to address gaps in clinical knowledge. The ESP offers a range of products from rapid review evidence briefs to full systematic reviews, tailored to the needs of decision-makers. The ESP disseminates these reports throughout the VHA, and many evidence syntheses have informed the clinical guidelines of large professional organizations. The program receives approximately $1.75M in HSR&D funding per year, which is used to support over 25 staff involved in conducting dozens of evidence synthesis projects each fiscal year.

Major Duties

The Health Science Specialist’s primary focus will be to support the conduct of Rapid Response Evidence Briefs and initial scoping of review topics for assignment to ESP Centers. Review topics often focus on health services delivery and policy and process of care and address the broader social issues among Veterans. Because of the emphasis on collaboration between VA operations and the evidence review team, ESP work products can have a strong impact on national policy.

1. Provide specialist information retrieval support for developing and conducting scientific literature and grey literature searches on a variety of health services and clinical topics.

• Plan and undertake specialized scoping searches to evaluate feasibility for potential systematic reviews (free-text, subject headings, synonyms, related terms, truncation, proximity operators, etc.).
• Plan and undertake searches for the conduct of rapid response evidence synthesis reports.
• Searches non-bibliographic database sources, to identify grey literature (eg, patient information, unpublished trials, and other evidence synthesis).
• Retrieves full-text articles and orders necessary documents from intra-library loan as needed.
• Follows quality standards for searches; keeps abreast of the latest methodological developments in the field.

2. Apply the principles, practices, procedures, and techniques for conducting systematic reviews of scientific literature in developing Rapid Response Evidence Products

• Assists PI in developing and refining Key Questions and inclusion/exclusion criteria for evidence synthesis reports.
• Reviews abstracts and full texts of scientific research studies for inclusion/exclusion; extracting relevant data.
• Assesses the internal validity of studies using pre-established quality/risk of bias criteria; assesses the strength of the evidence using a structured tool.
• Drafts components of evidence synthesis reports including: background, methods, results, data synthesis, discussion, and executive summary for PI review.
• Adjudicates peer review comments; makes appropriate revisions to draft, and finalizes evidence synthesis report.
• Develops evidence tables, figures, and other supportive documents to synthesize data from scientific research studies for systematic reviews.
• Performs basic statistical analysis.

3. Report research results via publication and/or presentation

• Manages editing and final preparation of evidence synthesis report as specified by program style guidelines.
• Prepares manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
• Develops PowerPoint presentation of report findings for VHA leadership briefings, cyberseminars, or other dissemination venues.
• Presents report findings in person or by conference call to a variety of audiences.

Best qualified candidates will have knowledge of the principles, practices, procedures, and techniques for conducting systematic reviews of scientific literature; ability to read and assess the internal validity and strength of evidence of scientific research studies; AND be proficient in performing literature searches on a wide variety of topics, including hospitals and health systems, clinical epidemiology, implementation science, drugs/devices, and social issues such as health disparities, patient centered care, and resource utilization, and have a flexible approach in designing search strategies that meet the needs of the research team which may range in their level of specificity and sensitivity and timeline.

Preference will be given to those with a master’s degree in library sciences/information studies, public health, epidemiology, health policy/services, medical anthropology, or behavioral sciences, and 3 years of experience working in a research setting with a demonstrated ability to report research results via publication and/or presentation.

(02/05/19) Associate Director, VA Boston CHOIR - Boston, MA

VA Boston Healthcare System and Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) are searching for an Associate Director of the Boston Campus of our Center of Innovation (COIN). The Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) is a multi- institutional Boston/Bedford HSR&D COIN located across two VA campuses.

The VA Boston Associate Director will work closely with CHOIR’s VA Boston Director and with leaders at VA Bedford CHOIR. Center leaders are responsible for administration of a renowned health services research program with an extensive portfolio of funded research projects and programs, with total annual budget of over $13 million. The more than 50 MD and PhD core investigators at CHOIR produce numerous empirical articles, chapters, reviews and reports for clinical decision makers, and contribute to a large, vibrant post-doctoral training program for both MD and PhD researchers.

The mission of CHOIR is to conduct health services, organizational, and implementation research that promotes Veteran-centered high-quality healthcare, identifying best practices and working with management and policy leaders within VA to implement findings to improve clinical care. CHOIR investigators have broad content and methodological expertise across numerous fields within health services research. Details about the center can be found at: http://www.choir.research.va.gov/.

The Boston Associate Director will be part of the center leadership team, and help set and promote a vision for research that engages with VA systems and improves care for Veterans. Success will require understanding of funding mechanisms, ability to manage Center research funds, and strong mentoring skills and capacity. The Associate Director will assist with management of research assets such as human resources, research equipment, and facilities. She or he will participate in developing administrative procedures and core infrastructure to support research efforts, ensuring that CHOIR research complies with VA and other federal regulations, policies and directives.

Required Qualifications:

• Either an M.D. or Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in health services research or one of its constituent fields
• A record of successful, funded research
• A strong background in the management of health services research
• US citizen status.

Desired Qualifications:

• Leadership and administrative experience
• Should be eligible to hold an academic appointment as Associate Professor or higher at one of CHOIR’s two academic affiliates, Boston University School of Medicine or Harvard Medical School. In some instances, candidates appointed at the Assistant Professor level will also be considered.

The VA Boston Healthcare System is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of inquiry and CV to Allen Gifford, MD (allen.gifford@va.gov), 857-364-2063.

(02/01/19) Staff Research Associate III- Supervisor - San Francisco, CA

This position will be located at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

The incumbent will serve as a Clinical Research Coordinator whose primary role is the coordination of a clinical trial to assess doxazosin as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As part of this role, the incumbent will have significant responsibilities with respect to personnel management and overall management for the Richards Lab.

For complete details and application procedures, go to https://rew21.ultipro.com/NOR1032/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*FEDF2AF8432CE82E .

(01/29/19) Deputy Director,National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH - Bethesda, MD

The Deputy Director, NIMHD serves as the second-in-command for the Institute, assisting the Director in in managing a staff of approximately 86 FTEs and a budget of $314 million. He/she is primarily responsible for implementation of the Institute's Strategic Plan and management of the Institute's daily operations. The Deputy Director aids the Director as a champion and guarantor of the intellectual and administrative environment at the Institute and serves as an ambassador and spokesperson in the absence of the Director.

NIMHD seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic and diverse organization. Applicants must be a leader who is experienced in giving presentations nationally to broad audiences, including researchers, policy makers, and the general public. They should be known and respected within their discipline, both nationally and internationally, as individuals of outstanding scientific competence. Applicants must possess an M.D. and/or Ph.D. and have senior-level research experience and knowledge of research programs in one or more scientific areas related to minority health and health disparities.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 P.M. EST on THURDAY, MARCH 28, 2019.

See https://jobs.nih.gov/vacancies/executive/nimhd-dd.htm?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery for complete details.

(01/15/19) Statistician - San Francisco, CA

NCIRE - The Veterans Health Research Institute is seeking a full-time statistician to join an active research program focused on using “big data” to construct cohorts and answer clinically relevant questions in the public health field. Individuals with a background in epidemiology, statistics, health services research or related field are welcome to apply to join a general medicine/public health focused research program based in the San Francisco VA. This job involves working directly with UCSF/ SFVA Faculty.

Current studies include:

• Mimicking a clinical trial using national VA and Medicare data
• Examining the role of social determinants of health on outcomes
• A new area of research for the lab includes examining the association of cannabis use with health outcomes (see https://phprg.ucsf.edu/), and examining public opinion on beliefs and attitudes towards cannabis use.

The incumbent will be responsible for developing analysis plans, performing and interpreting statistical analyses, and contributing to research publications and presentations. 

See https://rew21.ultipro.com/NOR1032/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*68B15E0C6D15A1F9 for complete details and application procedures.

(12/20/18) Deputy Director - Houston, TX

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX and Baylor College of Medicine are seeking qualified applicants for the position of Deputy Director, VA Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Center for Innovations (COIN) in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt).

The Deputy Director is responsible for the administration of IQuESt's nationally-renowned multidisciplinary health services research and health policy program with an extensive portfolio of more than 100 research projects, 41 core investigators, a budget of over $16.9 million, and a training program for both MD and PhD postdoctoral researchers. Our program is truly multi-disciplinary with investigators who represent seven different academic departments and seven sections within the Department of Medicine including both clinicians and PhD social scientists from disciplines such as medical anthropology, human-factors engineering, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, endocrinology, oncology, surgery, psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and economics. Our work has contributed to 52 articles cited in 12 IOM reports; 83 briefs and reports to the President, Congress, and VA Secretary; 99 articles cited in 49 clinical guidelines for patient care; and five articles cited in three US Centers for Disease Control-recommended programs.

IQuESt also has a robust mentoring and career development curriculum as part of a formal health services research (HSR) educational program, overseen by the Education and Training Core. In the last 15 years, 70 CDAs have been funded (eight are current). In addition to our own HSR fellowships, we partner with other postdoctoral training programs to train PhDs and clinicians in HSR. Currently, 17 fellows engaged in HSR reside at IQuESt. More details about IQuESt website.

The Deputy Director will maintain a close liaison with other research Centers and investigators. The successful candidate is expected to provide leadership in two major areas:

• First, carry out his/her own independent, high quality, nationally funded researchprogram in health services research and health policy, preferably within our missionand goals. The successful candidate will be expected to meet the qualifications ofthe academic affiliate at the level of Associate Professor or higher by demonstratingevidence of research productivity, success in obtaining external grant funding, andskill in mentoring junior investigators and Fellows.
• Second, provide administrative and research leadership that promotes the careersof young investigators and fosters the career promotion and satisfaction of mid andsenior level researchers. In this capacity, the incumbent will be expected to oversee the structure and function of key aspects of IQuESt's administrative operations, including but not limited to assistance in making administrative decisions as to the appropriate staffing and allocation of IQuESt resources to individual and collaborative projects and developing strategic plans for future research.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• MD or PhD.
• Background and experience in health services research.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work inan interdisciplinary environment.

Closes: 07/11/2019

BCM and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employers.

Please forward CV and letter of interest in confidence to:
Laura A. Petersen, MD, MPH, FACP
Director, HSR&D, Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt)
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center VAMC, HSR&D (152)
2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston TX 77030

You may also view this position on the USAjobs website:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/504889200

(12/17/18) Surgical Investigator - Houston, TX

The Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine seeks investigators with expertise in surgical health services research. Desired areas of research emphasis include making surgical care safe, effective, efficient, and equitable, using both patient and population-level data.

Each successful candidate will be an MD or PhD at the associate professor or professor level who has an established independent research program in health services research. Active federal funding is essential, with emphasis on NIH funding. The investigator’s research program should show a strong history of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the investigator should have a track record of mentoring students and post-doctoral fellows. Prior relevant academic training in public health, bioinformatics, implementation science, database studies, or qualitative techniques is a plus. Protected research time will be offered. A faculty appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level will be given based on experience and fit with appointment guidelines.

The surgical investigator will join a robust center for health services research at IQuESt, the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety.  IQuESt is a VA Center of Excellent Excellence, affiliated also with Baylor College of Medicine. Currently IQuESt is the largest center for health services research in the Southwest and houses over 200 faculty, post-doctoral fellows, trainees and research staff. Investigators are supported by programming personnel, administrative personnel, and a full range of research support staff. IQuESt faculty represent seven BCM departments: Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Opthalmology, and Neurology. Center investigators collaborate with faculty at Rice University, The University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences and School of Public Health, University of Houston, and Texas A&M University.  IQuESt and the Department of Surgery are linked through a joint training program, the Surgical Health Services Academy for Research and Education (SHARE).

Please e-mail CV and letter of interest to:
Edward Pomer, BS
Personnel Manager, HSR&D, Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuEST)
Micahel E. DeBakey VA Medical Center VAMC, HSR&D (152)
2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030
Tel. No.: (713)440-4477
E-Mail: edward.pomer@va.gov

(12/10/18) Research coordinator (clinical and epidemiological studies) - Boston, MA

Full-time Project Coordinator position available at VA Boston Healthcare System, with collaborations with Harvard School of Public Health and Boston University School of Public Health.  Research is focused on epidemiologic studies related to respiratory health (COPD), physical activity promotion, spinal cord injury, and osteoporosis.  Duties include conducting analyses with the guidance of senior investigators, supervising and supporting research assistants, preparing regulatory documents for internal and external oversight entities, coordinating communication with collaborators, and assisting with the design of new projects, abstracts, and presentations.  There is opportunity to actively participate in writing research papers.  The coordinator may also participate in the primary collection of outcomes data from human subjects via either the telephone or in person. 

MPH/MS in Public Health, Epidemiology, or an equivalent field is required.  The candidate must have an understanding of biostatistics and working knowledge of SAS.

Please send your cover letter and resume to: Rebekah Goldstein, MPH at Rebekah.goldstein@va.gov

(12/07/18) Research Assistant / Research Specialist - Seattle, WA

The Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC), a component of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program (CSP), is hiring full-time entry-level Research Assistants or Research Specialists.

Interested in helping to enhance the health and care of our United States Veterans? Looking for meaningful work in a collaborative environment that produces innovative and effective solutions to Veteran and national healthcare problems through multi-site cooperative research studies?

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Provide daily operational/administrative support to meet research objectives;
• Conduct recruitment telephone calls to research participants;
• Assemble informational and recruitment mailing packets to research participants;
• Assist with the development of study materials, IRB documentation, and standard operating procedures;
• Schedule and prepare materials and agendas for local and national meetings; and
• Assist with maintaining and updating study databases.

To apply, send a cover letter and a resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov.  Candidates must be U.S. citizens.  Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the positions are filled; however, materials will be considered starting December 21, 2018.

Ideal candidates for the advertised positions will have the following attributes:

• Experience with customer service, particularly by telephone;
• Strong organizational skills; excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Preferred attributes:

• Experience with MS Access and REDCap
• Advanced Excel Skills

Salary will be based on the candidate’s experience and education.  Salaries for these positions range from grades GS-5 through GS-7. 

For more information about the Center’s research, please visit the ERIC website, http://www.seattle.eric.research.va.gov.  For more information about CSP and the VA Office of Research and Development, see the CSP website, http://www.research.va.gov/programs/csp/default.cfm.

(11/13/18) Statistician - San Francisco, CA

This position will be located at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

The Veterans Health Research Institute is seeking a full-time statistician to join an active research program focused on using “big data” to construct cohorts and answer clinically relevant questions in the public health field. Individuals with a background in epidemiology, statistics, health services research or related field are welcome to apply to join a general medicine/public health focused research program based in the San Francisco VA. This job involves working directly with UCSF/ SFVA Faculty.

Current studies include:

• Mimicking a clinical trial using national VA and Medicare data
• Examining the role of social determinants of health on outcomes
• A new area of research for the lab includes examining the association of cannabis use with health outcomes (see https://phprg.ucsf.edu/), and examining public opinion on beliefs and attitudes towards cannabis use.

The incumbent will be responsible for developing analysis plans, performing and interpreting statistical analyses, and contributing to research publications and presentations. 

Essential Functions:

• Data extraction and data cleaning to create analytic datasets
• Conduct statistical analyses
• Contribute to research publications and presentations
• Team work

Job Requirements:

• MS in biostatistics, epidemiology, data science or related field
• At least 2 years prior experience in the analysis of clinical data with experience in large database analyses
• Experience in programming and cleaning data
• Proficient in SAS, Stata or R
• Proficient in SQL
• Experience with a wide range of statistical methods including multivariable linear and logistic regression, GEE and linear mixed models, survival analysis, propensity score methods, multiple imputation, marginal structural modeling and meta-analysis.
• Strong computer skills and ability to apply study-specific software
• Ability to work with text data a plus
• Strong interpersonal, written/oral communication, and organizational skills
• Able to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

For more information about NCIRE, The Veterans Health Research Institute, please visit us at www.ncire.org

For complete details about this position and to apply, go to https://rew21.ultipro.com/NOR1032/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*68B15E0C6D15A1F9.

(11/08/18) Senior Statistician - San Francisco, CA

This position will be located at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

POSITION DEFINITION:

We are seeking a full-time statistician, epidemiologist or health services  researcher  to  join  an  active research program focused on using “big data” to answer clinically relevant questions in the  public  health field. Researchers  with a background in epidemiology,  statistics, health services  research or related field    are welcome to apply to join a general medicine/public health focused research program based in the San Francisco VA. This job involves working directly with UCSF researchers and SFVA Faculty.

Current studies include:

• Mimicking a clinical trial using national VA and Medicare data
• Examining the role of social determinants of health on outcomes
• Research on health outcomes in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder
• A new area of research for the lab includes examining the association of cannabis use with health outcomes (see https://phprg.ucsf.edu/), and examining public opinion on beliefs and attitudes towards cannabis use.

Essential Functions and responsibilities:

• Developing cohorts
• Providing advice on best statistical approaches to different questions
• Conducting analyses
• Contribute to research publications and presentations
• Assist in developing pilot data for grant proposals

Opportunities for skill development and career enhancement are available as part of this position. Candidates with a PhD with an interest in academia who demonstrate a clear track record of academic excellence could potentially transition from a staff appointment to an academic appointment and develop an independent research program

Job Requirements:

• Masters or PhD in biostatistics, epidemiology, data science or related field
• At least 5 years prior experience in the analysis of clinical data with experience in large database analyses
• Experience cleaning data sources based on data collected during routine care (i.e., EHR data)
• Experience in scientific writing
• Proficient in SAS, Stata or R
• Strong computer skills and ability to apply study-specific software
• Ability to work with text data a plus
• Past experience using VA data a plus
• Strong interpersonal, written/oral communication, and organizational skills
• Able to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision
• Experience with a wide range of statistical methods including multivariable linear and logistic regression, GEE and linear mixed models, survival analysis, propensity score methods, multiple imputation, marginal structural modeling and meta-analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal and written/oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

For more information about NCIRE -- The Veterans Health Research Institute or to apply for this exciting opportunity, please visit us at www.ncire.org or you may apply here directly.

(10/03/18) Associate Center Director – Scientific Operations - Seattle, WA

The Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is conducting an open search for an Associate Center Director of Scientific Operations.  The candidate will be an epidemiologist leading designated Center scientific and administrative responsibilities. The Seattle ERIC is based at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and is 1 of 5 epidemiologic research centers in the national VA Cooperative Studies Program (CSP). The scientific portfolio of the Center includes 4 CSP studies (https://www.research.va.gov/programs/csp/): (1) Vietnam-Era Twin (VET) Registry, a registry of 14,632 male-male twins with large and expanding data and biospecimen repositories; (2) National Vietnam Veteran Longitudinal Study (NVVLS-R), a longitudinal study of male and female Veterans; (3) Millennium Cohort VA Follow-Up Study, a Department of Defense collaboration of deployment health of those served after 2000; and (4) Service and Health Among Deployed Veterans (SHADE), a multi-site cohort study to characterize the impact of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the respiratory health of Veterans. Also included in the portfolio are Seattle ERIC investigator-initiated research programs funded by VA and by the National Institutes of Health.

The duties of the Associate Center Director are multi-fold and include the following:

1. Assume responsibilities for the oversight and integration of the Center’s analytic activities with its research activities. The Associate Center Director of Scientific Operations will bring epidemiologic scientific expertise to the research program and will help assure high-quality science and project successes.
2. Assume administrative leadership and scientific leadership of the Vietnam-Era Twin (VET) Registry and the National Vietnam Veteran Longitudinal Study Registry.  
3. Provide leadership to new and ongoing CSP initiatives. This includes the Integrated Veteran Epidemiologic Study Data Resource (INVESTD-R), the CSP Epidemiology Analytics Resource (CSPEAR) program, and new initiatives to better integrate epidemiologic research with the mission of the VA.
4. In the absence of the Center Director, serve as the primary scientific liaison with VA Central Office and direct all Center scientific activities.
5. Other administrative and leadership responsibilities that may be assigned to fulfill the mission of the CSP Center.

Ideal candidates will have the following attributes:

• Doctoral-level training in epidemiology or a related field
• 3 or more years of experience conducting independent epidemiologic research in areas related to the health of Veterans, such as:
  • Chronic diseases
  • Mental health
  • Genetics
• Understanding of the VA research program and VA health care
• Strong analytic knowledge and skills
• Ability to think critically about scientific and administrative planning and execution
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills

The position is full-time (1.00 FTE). Candidates must be U.S. citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by VA Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for GS-13 position.

Please send a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, materials received by October 19, 2018 will be considered first.

For more information about the Seattle ERIC, please see https://www.seattle.eric.research.va.gov/.

(09/20/18) MS Biostatistician - Seattle, WA

The Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is recruiting one or more master’s-level Biostatisticians to work with an experienced and growing group of researchers committed to high-quality epidemiologic research using large, complex health data to address Veterans health issues. The Center is one of five epidemiologic centers within the VA Cooperative Studies Program (CSP), prioritizing a collegial, collaborative, learning-based research environment.

The Center is recruiting for a full-time statistical position to support the core research mission of the ERIC, which is to coordinate and conduct large observational, epidemiologic research studies of Veterans and Veteran twins, specifically addressing deployment, environmental, genetic, and clinical exposures. The position provides biostatistical support to Center studies under the supervision of the PhD Biostatistician. Primary scientific responsibilities will be the application of statistical methods to support observational health research including the design, analysis, interpretation, and documentation phases.

Key Duties:

• Collaborate with Principal Investigators, the PhD Biostatistician, and other scientific staff in the selection of appropriate study designs and analyses to address research on Veteran-related health issues;
• Assist with data analysis plans and perform advanced statistical analyses of observational data from multiple sources including VA administrative data, pharmacy data, genetic and genomic data, and correlated data from twin studies;
• Prepare statistical and scientific reports and work with other scientific staff to publish the findings in peer-review journals;
• Collaborate with biostatisticians and other scientific staff at other VA epidemiologic research centers.

Qualifications:

Candidates must have a minimum of a master’s-level degree in biostatistics, statistics, or a closely related field. The applicant must be proficient in standard statistical software packages, such as R, SAS, and Stata. Excellent communication skills are necessary, as is the ability to work effectively in a team setting. Familiarity with VA data systems, health care data, twin research, statistical genetics, and with gene expression and genomic data are also desired qualities.

Candidates must be US citizens. Depending on the candidate’s experience, the target salary will range from grades GS-11 through GS-12.

Contact:

Please send a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.

For more information about the Seattle ERIC, please see https://www.seattle.eric.research.va.gov/.

(08/30/18) Cardiologist with Research Interest in Health Services - Hines, IL

Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and Loyola University Medical Center,  located just outside Chicago, are seeking a general cardiologist with research interest in health services. 

This is a full time position with clinical responsibilities in the cardiology section of Hines VA Hospital, dedicated research time, and an academic appointment in the Department of Medicine of Loyola University.

We are seeking to recruit an early to mid-career cardiologist with research experience in health services.  Our preference is for an applicant with track record of publications and existing VA or other grant funding, but we would also consider a promising young academic cardiologist for the position.  The ideal candidate, in broad terms, would be interested in the analysis of the VA and other data sets and the relationship of this information to the quality of care. 

Hines has rich infrastructure and resources available to the candidate – an active HSRD Center, a fully operational Research Service and a VA Cooperative Studies Coordinating Center on site.  Hines is a part of PCORnet, which is a clinical data research network, and a member of CAPriCORN, which is a collaboration of several Chicago area institutions with a data set on a population of 5.7 million.  More information can be found at  https://www.hines.va.gov/research/index.asp .

Additional resources will be available through Loyola’s Center for Health Outcomes and Informatics Research (CHOIR), at https://hsd.luc.edu/choir/aboutus/, and the Division of Informatics within Loyola’s Department of Medicine.   Loyola Medical Center is a part of Trinity Health, a major health system of 93 hospitals located in 22 states.  The successful candidate will have an opportunity to investigate Trinity’s large database.

We offer a full benefits package and competitive salary.  U.S. citizenship is required.  A start-up package will be provided to a qualified applicant.   Please email your resume to:  Ivan.Pacold@va.gov Ivan Pacold, M.D., Chief of Medicine Service, Hines VA Hospital

(08/15/18) Deputy Director, Seattle ERIC - Seattle, WA

The Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is conducting an open search for a Deputy Director to lead designated Center scientific and administrative responsibilities. The Seattle ERIC is based at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and is 1 of 4 epidemiologic research centers in the national VA Cooperative Studies Program (CSP). The scientific portfolio of the Center includes 4 CSP studies: (1) Vietnam-Era Twin (VET) Registry, a register of 14,632 male-male twins with large and expanding data and biospecimen repositories; (2) National Vietnam Veteran Readjustment/Longitudinal Study (NVVR/LS), a longitudinal study of male and female Veterans; (3) Millennium Cohort VA Follow-Up Study, a Department of Defense collaboration of deployment health of those served after 2000; and (4) Pulmonary Health and Deployment to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan, a multi-site cohort study of deployment airborne hazards and pulmonary health. Also included in the portfolio are Seattle ERIC investigator-initiated research programs funded by VA and by the National Institutes of Health.

The duties of the Deputy Director are multi-fold and include the following:

1. Assume responsibilities of the Associate Director of Scientific Operations, a role responsible for the oversight and integration of the Center’s analytic activities with its research activities. The Associate Director of Scientific Operations will bring epidemiologic scientific expertise to the research program and will help assure high-quality science and project successes.
2. Assume administrative leadership and scientific leadership of the Vietnam-Era Twin (VET) Registry and the National Vietnam Veteran Readjustment/Longitudinal Study.
3. Provide leadership to new and ongoing CSP initiatives. This includes the Integrated Veteran Epidemiologic Study Data Resource (INVESTD-R), a CSP Epidemiologic Research Analytics (ERA) program currently being developed, and new initiatives to better integrate epidemiologic research with the mission of the VA.
4. In the absence of the Center Director, serve as the primary liaison with VA Central Office and direct all Center activities.
5. Other administrative and leadership responsibilities that may be assigned to fulfill the mission of the CSP Center.

Ideal candidates will have the following attributes:

• Doctoral-level training in epidemiology or a related field
• 5 or more years of experience conducting independent epidemiologic research in areas related to the health of Veterans, such as:
  • Chronic diseases
  • Mental health
  • Genetics
• Understanding of the VA research program and VA health care
• Strong analytic knowledge and skills
• Ability to think critically about scientific and administrative planning and execution
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills

The position is full-time (1.00 FTE). Candidates must be US citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by VA Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for GS-13 position. Salary information for the General Schedule is available on the Office of Personnel Management website at opm.gov.

Please send a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, materials received by January 26, 2018 will be considered first.

For more information about the Seattle ERIC, please see seattle.eric.research.va.gov.

(08/02/18) Associate Center Director – Scientific Operations - Seattle, WA

The Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is recruiting one or more master’s-level Biostatisticians to work with an experienced and growing group of researchers committed to high-quality epidemiologic research using large, complex health data to address Veterans health issues. The Center is one of five epidemiologic centers within the VA Cooperative Studies Program (CSP), prioritizing a collegial, collaborative, learning-based research environment.

The Center is recruiting for a full-time statistical position to support the core research mission of the ERIC, which is to coordinate and conduct large observational, epidemiologic research studies of Veterans and Veteran twins, specifically addressing deployment, environmental, genetic, and clinical exposures. The position provides biostatistical support to Center studies under the supervision of the PhD Biostatistician. Primary scientific responsibilities will be the application of statistical methods to support observational health research including the design, analysis, interpretation, and documentation phases.

Key Duties:

• Collaborate with Principal Investigators, the PhD Biostatistician, and other scientific staff in the selection of appropriate study designs and analyses to address research on Veteran-related health issues;
• Assist with data analysis plans and perform advanced statistical analyses of observational data from multiple sources including VA administrative data, pharmacy data, genetic and genomic data, and correlated data from twin studies;
• Prepare statistical and scientific reports and work with other scientific staff to publish the findings in peer-review journals;
• Collaborate with biostatisticians and other scientific staff at other VA epidemiologic research centers.

Qualifications:

Candidates must have a minimum of a master’s-level degree in biostatistics, statistics, or a closely related field. The applicant must be proficient in standard statistical software packages, such as R, SAS, and Stata. Excellent communication skills are necessary, as is the ability to work effectively in a team setting. Familiarity with VA data systems, health care data, twin research, statistical genetics, and with gene expression and genomic data are also desired qualities.

Candidates must be US citizens. Depending on the candidate’s experience, the target salary will range from grades GS-11 through GS-12.

Contact:

Please send a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, materials will be considered starting June 26, 2018.

For more information about the Seattle ERIC, please see www.seattle.eric.research.va.gov .

(04/24/18) Director, Atlanta VA Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation - Atlanta, GA

The Atlanta VA Medical Center seeks a new Director for its Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation (CVNR; funded by VA Rehabilitation Research and Development). The CVNR, one of 13 VA Rehab R&D Centers across the nation, has a 30 year history of continuous VA support for its mission to foster the health and well-being of Veterans through uniquely synergistic research impacting visual or neurocognitive function. The CVNR engages over 20 MD, PhD, or MD/PhD scientists in innovative research ranging from basic molecular studies to translational interventions in patients. The center currently receives over $4 million per year in VA support plus an additional $12 million per year from other sources. The Director will: 1) be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CVNR in collaboration with the Associate Directors and support staff, 2) provide scientific guidance to CVNR colleagues, 3) mentor junior investigators, 4) ensure high-quality grant development, 5) collaborate effectively with VA operational partners, 6) continue to elevate the CVNR’s national profile, and 7) develop a strategic vision in collaboration with its investigators and staff that propels the CVNR forward to continued success in achieving its mission and serving the needs of veteran patients.

Applicants for this position must possess a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent) and have extensive experience in research related to visual or neurocognitive rehabilitation. Successful candidates will have a strong track record of extramural grant funding from VA, Department of Defense, or NIH sources, as well as a strong background in mentorship of junior investigators. Prior leadership experience and knowledge of VA funding mechanisms is preferred. More information about the CVNR can be found at: http://www.varrd.emory.edu/.

The Atlanta VA Medical Center is affiliated with outstanding academic affiliates, including Emory University and Morehouse University, and candidates will be appointed at the Associate or Full Professor level, commensurate with experience. Opportunities for participation/leadership within affiliate academic departments may also be available.

Interested candidates should contact:

C. Michael Hart, MD
Associate Chief of Staff for Research
Atlanta VA Medical Center:
1670 Clairmont Road (151-P)
Decatur, GA 30033
michael.hart3@va.gov
(404) 321-6111, ext. 6170 (phone)

The Atlanta VA Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.

(03/27/18) Program Manager – Chief of the Behavioral Science Core (GS-14) - Waco, TX

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans at the Central Texas VA Medical Center is accepting applications for the Chief of our Behavioral Science Core. In addition to conducting his/her own research, the individual in this role will supervise a team of four principal investigators, 6-8 psychology technicians, and numerous trainees, all of whom are conducting research designed to improve the lives of Veterans returning from recent deployments to warzones. Competitive applicants will demonstrate a successful track record in obtaining extramural funding and have a strong publication history. This is a full-time, permanent position with the Veterans Health Administration.

ABOUT THE CENTER

The VISN 17 Center of Excellence (CoE) for Research on Returning War Veterans is a unified scientific and educational institution of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs designed to conduct state-of-the-art research on the mental health problems associated with combat exposure, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance use disorders, depression, suicide, and chronic pain. Its state-of-the-art facility provides space for 75 staff members and faculty and features clinical space, observation rooms, wet labs, electrocardiography (EKG), electroencephalography (EEG), a three Tesla MRI for brain imaging, and a transcranial magnetic stimulation suite (TMS). Their team is also training the next generation of clinical scientists who will continue to improve the health and well-being of Veterans through world-class clinical care.

TO APPLY

Please contact the Director, Dr. Michael Russell at michael.russell5@va.gov or 254-297-3850.

This position will be open until filled.

(03/21/18) Mid- to senior-level researchers - Charleston, SC

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC is currently searching for experienced mid- to senior-level researchers to expand our team at the Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC). Applicants for this position must possess a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent) and have extensive experience in health services research in areas relevant to HEROIC foci. Candidates must have a strong track record of extramural grant funding that includes VA, DoD, and NIH sources. Prior experience leading VA HSR&D-funded studies and knowledge of VA funding mechanisms is strongly preferred.

HEROIC is one of 19 nationally funded VA HSR&D Centers of Innovation (COIN) aimed at increasing the impact of health services research on the health and healthcare of Veterans. HEROIC's mission is to improve access and equity in healthcare for all Veterans by eliminating geographic, racial/ethnic, and gender-based disparities. To accomplish this, HEROIC focuses on three areas of research: Health Equity, Access to Care, and Rural Health. HEROIC is comprised of a dedicated multidisciplinary team of 24 doctorally-trained core investigators conducting cutting-edge research through a diverse portfolio of grants.

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center enjoys a collegial and highly successful relationship with our academic affiliate, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), and candidates will be eligible for faculty appointment at MUSC at the Associate Professor or Full Professor level commensurate with experience. Opportunities also exist for participation and/or leadership within the MUSC Center for Health Disparities Research housed in the MUSC Department of Medicine, as well as in other departments such as Psychiatry, Population Health Sciences, or Surgery as appropriate.

The position is located in Charleston, SC - tucked along the Atlantic coastline and amid the ever-bustling harbor. Rated America’s best travel destination by Condé Nast, Charleston houses various art galleries, boutiques, and historic sites. Interested candidates should contact R. Neal Axon, HEROIC Director, at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center:

Research Service
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Robert.Axon@va.gov
(843)789-6670 (phone)

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.

(01/03/19) Postdoctoral Health Services Research Fellowship Opportunity - Providence, RI

Unique interdisciplinary fellowship training opportunities in Health Services Research are available in Providence Veterans Affairs' Center of Innovation (COIN) for Long-Term Services and Support (LTSS) for Vulnerable Veterans.

Funded by the Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) service of the Department of Veterans Affairs, our Center's vision is to stimulate and develop partnered health services research that will enhance access, quality and value of LTSS for Veterans with medical and/or psychosocial vulnerabilities and facilitate the implementation of programs to support the mission of VA's GEC service in maximizing Veterans' social participation and quality of life in the least restrictive setting possible. The primary goal of the COIN-LTSS is to advance the science in LTSS for Veteran and other populations with medical and/or psychosocial vulnerabilities.

Our program aims to train both physician and non-physician researchers to become successful independent investigators in health services research and health system improvement, to give trainees didactic as well as "hands-on" supervised experience in health services research, and to teach health services research methods as well as content material relevant to gerontology, long term care, and chronic disease management. Post-doctoral fellows will have the opportunity to participate in on-going research in one or more substantive areas, including chronic disease management, long-term care, quality of care, community-based systems of care, organization of health care delivery, health care disparities, and methodological approaches to comparative effectiveness research. We have a robust mentoring program to promote the career development of our fellowship trainees.

Located at the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island, the COIN-LTSS works closely with its partners, the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service (GEC), the GEC Data & Analysis Center (GEC DAC) and the Brown University Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research. Many of our faculty hold joint appointments with Brown University and are nationally and internationally renowned for their work in health services research and policy.

The COIN-LTSS Fellowship program welcomes applications from those with a previous doctoral degree, such as a PhD or MD. The position requirements for a post-doctoral fellowship are: MD and continuation of basic clinical training, or PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in health services research, sociology, epidemiology, economics or other related field. Term of appointment is for one year, renewable contingent upon funding.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

For more information, please contact Dawn Mello 401-273-7100 ext. 6222 or Dawn.Mello@va.gov.

(01/03/19) Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship in Interprofessional Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research for Associated Health Professionals - Washington, DC

Overview: The Interprofessional Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research (P/TBI) Fellowship at the Washington DC VA Medical Center (DC VAMC) is recruiting associated health professionals for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship program. The P/TBI Fellowship at the DC VAMC reflects the high VA priority to address the complex rehabilitation of injured active duty service members. The primary goal of this fellowship program is to develop clinician-investigators with the appropriate research skills and clinical expertise to advance P/TBI rehabilitation who may assume positions of leadership across the country in the service of Veterans with polytrauma.

Program Description: This interdisciplinary program aims to train associated health professionals for an academic research career with a focus on the rehabilitation of Veterans with polytrauma and/or acquired brain injury. These aims will be achieved by providing: 1) structured career development training, 2) formal clinical and research mentorship, 3) access to the equipment, human capital, and other resources associated with a strong clinical research environment, 4) a comprehensive, individualized fellowship training curriculum, and 5) protected research time in close collaboration with a P/TBI investigator. Fellowship candidates with professional licensure will allocate 25% of their time to participate in clinical rotations within the PM&R Service. Additional program guidance is provided by the P/TBI Fellowship Directors and Advisory Board, and peer-to-peer interaction is facilitated through the Fellows’ Forum seminar series. Fellows will receive a salary, health benefits, and an annual research stipend.

How to Apply: Interested associated health professionals who meet the eligibility requirements should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to Michael Harris-Love, DSc (Michael.Harris-Love@va.gov). The cover letter should specify the reasons for your interest in the fellowship program, a brief overview of your previous clinical and research experiences, a succinct statement of your research interest, and how the fellowship program may aid your professional and career goals. Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis. Associated health professional fellows must be U.S. citizens.

(11/01/18) Post-residency Fellowship for Psychiatrists - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA

The Greater Los Angeles VA Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) is recruiting psychiatrists for a one-year post-residency training program in quality and safety, to begin Summer, 2018. The VA Chief Residents in Quality and Patient Safety (CRQS) program is a national program that redesigns medical education and patient care to include quality and patient safety. Positions are funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) in partnership with the VA National Center for Patient Safety. The Greater Los Angeles VA Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center has positions in Psychiatry. This program aims to train physicians for an academic research career with a focus on quality and safety. Candidates must have completed their residency training and be U.S. citizens. The CRQS provides specialized training and experience, including a national curriculum and boot camp, a mentored project, and opportunities to participate in affiliated research training programs and seminars. More information about CRQS can be found at https://www.va.gov/oaa/crqs.asp. Interested professionals who meet the eligibility requirements should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to Alexander Young at Alexander.Young@va.gov. The cover letter should specify the reasons for your interest in this particular training program, a brief overview of your previous experiences, and how you see this program promoting your professional and career goals. In addition, three letters of recommendation should be sent via email directly from the letter writers.

(06/29/18) Physician Career and Research Training Fellowship - Chicago, IL

The University of Illinois at Chicago has recently established a new fellowship program titled, Clinical Leaders and Academic Scholars (CLASS) and is recruiting a small number of outstanding graduates from ACGME accredited internal medicine and family medicine programs to enroll in July 2019. The fellowship director, Dr. Saul Weiner, is also  Deputy Director of the VA Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Health Care (CINCCH), an HSR&D Center of Innovation. Faculty include Dr. Frances Weaver, CINCCH Director.

The program, which is based the at the University of Illinois at Chicago, affiliated with Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, was established with three tracks to provide early career physicians with intensive training to jump start their careers in one of three areas: as (a) future education leaders (e.g. program directors, associate deans), (b) clinical service leaders (e.g. chief medical officers), or (c) clinician research scientists. 

The education and clinical service tracks are just one year. The research track is two years. Those in the education track complete a for-credit certificate program in Health Professions Education.  Those in the clinical services track complete a Certificate in Patient Safety, Error Science and Full Disclosure. Those in the research track complete the MS in Clinical and Translational Science. In addition, each fellow has a mentored project with a senior leader or expert at UIC or at VA CINCCH.  All participate in seminars related to career development and skill building topics. 

Fellows will commit 0.25 FTE to clinical time within their home department at UIC (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine).  The fellow’s stipend will be set at the PGY-6 level each year (even if they are coming from a PGY-3 or 4 position), and tuition will be covered  for the certificate program into which they enroll. 

Interested residents or junior attendings may contact Dr. Weiner directly at sweiner@uic.edu or saul.weiner@va.gov.