Research Scientist

The Research Scientist may be from any discipline in support of the CT Children's mission. In this role, he or she develops and leads research projects as Principal Investigator and secures external funding for research. Exercises a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding extensive scientific research programs and activities of outstanding novelty and/or importance. Participates in academic activities in support of CT Children's, including teaching and supervision of medical students, residents and fellows. Faculty appointment at the University of Connecticut available for qualified applicants at the discretion of the Department Chairperson and relevant UConn Dean.

We are seeking a highly motivated health science professional to join our interdisciplinary team in developing a consortium registry infrastructure and completing a pilot assessing the feasibility of integration of real-world data arising from clinical practice for development of artificial intelligence (AI) that optimizes personalized, risk adapted, cardiac care to pediatric cancer patients through every stage of treatment.

This project is currently in development. Connecticut Children's leads a multicenter consortium "Imaging in Cardiac Hematology Oncology Research" (ICHOR). Participating centers include: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. This newly established consortium will facilitate the creation of an imaging registry with initial accrual of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and echocardiographic studies from 1200 pediatric patients.

Advanced echocardiography tools and CMR have been introduced for the detection and follow-up of heart damage during and after cancer treatment. Earlier and more precise identification of heart disease in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) will allow the provision of lifesaving treatments to children with cancer to prevent permanent, irreversible heart damage, and even death. We aim to leverage the multicenter registry to identify the earliest imaging biomarkers that predict heart failure (HF) and mortality in CCS and develop AI models using machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) to aid in diagnoses, risk prediction and therapy decision-making. The ultimate goal is to develop machine learning models that can identify risk of HF at the time of cancer diagnosis and guide therapy to prevent progression to irreversible heart damage and death.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in managing the transfer, integration, and analysis of complex imaging data from multiple children's hospitals, contributing to crucial research aimed at enhancing early diagnosis and treatment strategies for pediatric cancer patients.

Works with the Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on all aspects of research studies, including study design and conduct, analysis, reporting, and regulatory compliance

Collaborates on applications to secure external funding for research projects

In support of the CT Children's academic mission, may participate in teaching and supervision of students and learners at all levels, including undergraduate, medical and graduate students.

Exercises a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding research programs and activities.

Applies diverse knowledge of scientific research principles, practices, and protocols in research projects; makes recommendations and conclusions which serve as the basis for decision making in a specialty area.

Interprets, organizes, executes, and coordinates scientific research assignments concerned with unique or controversial problems.

Supplies technical leadership and consultation to professional co-workers and collaborators.

Contributes to research publications in peer-reviewed academic journals; may present findings at local, national, and/or international meetings.

Seeks collaborations to strengthen and support research opportunities for CT Children's. Maintains a broad knowledge of state-of-the-art research methods and technology, equipment, and/or systems.

Demonstrates support for the mission, values and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with the CCMC STANDARDS

Master's degree in healthcare related field with (4) years minimum experience related to conducting quantitative research

OR Bachelor's degree in healthcare related field with (6) years minimum experience related to conducting quantitative research

Record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Research methods and principles and protocol development

• Experimental design, data collection and management, and statistics.

• Computer applications, and computer data management

• Ethics regulatory procedures (i.e., informed consent, IRB applications, FDA regulations, data and safety monitoring plans, boards, safety of subjects in clinical research) involved with clinical research

• Quality control methodologies related to research projects

SKILLS:

Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community

• Project management, interpersonal and organizational skills

• Coordination across multiple study sites to ensure uniform interpretation of data

• Strong foundation in data integration, management, and statistical techniques.

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL highly desirable but not required.

• Proficiency in AI/ML model development deployment highly desirable but not required.

• Experience with database management systems and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Qlik).

• Knowledge of medical imaging data formats and standards (e.g., DICOM) is highly desirable but not required.

• Familiarity with data privacy regulations and ethical considerations in medical research.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in Windows environment; intermediate to advanced level word processing and spreadsheet skills (Microsoft Word & Excel); and intermediate to advanced skills developing presentations (Microsoft Powerpoint); advanced skills in database design and database management (Microsoft Access, REDCap, or other similar program)

• Intermediate skills in a statistical software package (SPSS, SAS, STATA, JMP etc.)

ABILITY TO:

• Design, organize, and coordinate multiple scientific research projects.

• Plan, develop, and manage highly influential and/or groundbreaking research projects in area of expertise.

• Use independent judgment to develop model concepts and approaches for research.

• Conduct systematic analysis and develop solutions to complex scientific problems.

• Draw conclusions and make recommendations based on research data and findings.

• Develop scientific reports and manuscripts based on original research.

• Develop and deliver presentations to technical and non-technical (general) audiences.

• Educate others in research methods and techniques in area of expertise.