Madmc Research Associate (Researcher 2)

About the Job

The School of Public Health Division of Health Policy and Management is seeking applications for a full-time (40 hours/week) Midwest Analytics and Disease Modeling Center (MADMC) Research Associate position, job code 8352R2, Researcher 2.

The School of Public Health (SPH) is committed to antiracism and anti-oppression and welcomes you to join us in our pursuit of building equity and driving justice. We particularly encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our School, including those who are American Indian, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, veterans, and those from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Starting pay is dependent upon the selected candidate's relevant qualifications, experience, and internal equity: $45,000-$65,000.

Work Arrangements: The University of Minnesota endorses a "Work. With Flexibility." and we offer a flexible work environment that meets the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and partners we serve. This position will have the option to work at least partially remotely. Onsite location: Mayo Memorial Building, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis on the East-bank campus

Center Description

The newly CDC-funded $17.5 million Midwest Analytics and Disease Modeling Center (MADMC) in the University of Minnesota School of Public Health is seeking a Research Associate (Researcher 2) to support center activities. MADMC is one of 13 CDC-funded Insight Network sites. Over the next 5 years, MADMC will work with public health and health system partners to establish and pilot test mathematical modeling and data analytic tools to support decision-making during a pandemic or other infectious disease emergency. MADMC brings together academic experts in decision analysis, infectious disease modeling, data analytics, health informatics, machine learning, and geospatial analysis to work with state public health and health system leaders.

Position Overview

We are seeking a candidate with training in data analytics, epidemiology, mathematical modeling, and/or health services research who also has an interest in pandemic preparedness and/or infectious disease topics. The Research Associate will have the opportunity to work closely with team members at University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Electronic Health Record Consortium (MNEHRC), and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Job Responsibilities

With supervision and guidance from faculty, the Research Associate will contribute to the development, pilot testing, and integration of a geospatial analysis tool and an infectious disease modeling platform to support pandemic preparedness and emergency response decision-making. Specifically, the Research Associate will have the following job duties:

• Assist in the development of data analytic and/or mathematical modeling tools (60%), which may include the follow tasks

• Run or modify existing code to generate or update geospatial analyses and/or infectious disease modeling projections during tool development and pilot testing phases.

• Conduct literature searches when needed to identify appropriate input parameters and/or assumptions for analytic and modeling tools.

• Develop data summary templates to communicate the data needs of the analytic and modeling tools to data owners.

• Assist in the creation of analysis protocols and code templates of geospatial data and/or modeling input data that would be adaptable to respond to future disease outbreaks.

• Assist in the analysis of social contact survey data that will parameterize the infectious disease model.

• Assist with semi-structured interviews and qualitative data analysis related to use of data analytic tools during pandemics as well as evaluating the ease-of-use and decision impacts of tools during pilot testing (25%).

• Assist with other center-related work, such as creating operational protocols and documenting existing resources to be leveraged in response to emerging threats and other levels of public health emergency (15%).

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least one year of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience equal to 5 years

• Demonstrated excellence in written, virtual, and in-person communication

• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a research team

• Experience coding in at least one computer science or statistical software language (e.g., R, SAS, Stata, Python, MATLAB, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in public health, epidemiology, health services research, or other relevant field

• Interest in pandemic response

• Experience coding in the R programming language

• Experience with geospatial analysis

• Understanding and/or experience with mathematical disease modeling

• Experience working with public health and/or health system organizations

Are you excited about this job and meet the required qualifications, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every preferred qualification? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply because you just may be the right candidate for this role.

About the Department

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today's biggest health challenges. SPH includes four academic divisions and 23 internationally recognized centers and is home to roughly 1,025 students, 130 tenured/tenure-track and contract faculty, and 450 staff. SPH is a research powerhouse: #1 level of research funding per capita at UMN, #2 largest research portfolio at the UMN, #2 NIH funding among UMN schools and colleges, $137.6M in research grants and contracts (FY22), and $1.1M average grant funding per faculty member. The school is ranked nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, #6 public school of public health, and offers more than 20 leading master's, doctoral, and certificate programs, with its Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program second and its Biostatistics program ninth.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program

• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• University HSA contributions

• Disability and employer-paid life insurance

• Employee wellbeing program

• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity

• Financial counseling services

• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required Documents:

• Cover letter

• Resume or CV

• Contact information for at least 2 references

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Please note: At this time, the University's employment site is limited in how it collects applicant demographic information. Applicants are encouraged to provide their preferred name and/or pronouns within their attached application materials.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).