Research Scientist - Cancer Survivorship

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (Massey) is working toward a future without cancer - one revolutionary idea, one promising therapy and one life saved at a time. Through innovative research, patient care, education and community engagement, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is discovering, developing, delivering and teaching effective means to prevent, detect, treat and cure cancer and to make these advancements equally available to all. Founded in 1974, Massey was among the earliest cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It is the only cancer center in the Richmond metropolitan region and one of only two NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the state, placing it among the top 4 percent of cancer centers in the country.

Major strengths for VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center are in translating research discoveries into advances in treatment and prevention and in addressing cancer disparities to provide equal access to quality cancer care and screenings. Massey is leading the nation in establishing a 21st-Century model of equity for cancer research and care, in which the community is informing and partnering with Massey on its research to best address the cancer burden and disparities of those the cancer center serves.

Massey conducts cancer research across multiple domains including basic science (laboratory), translational, clinical and population sciences research. A key part of the research cycle is developing and conducting clinical trials that test promising scientific breakthroughs, and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center leads Virginia in offering the largest selection of cancer clinical trials as well as a statewide clinical trials network that brings cutting-edge trials to patients throughout the commonwealth.

Position Description:

We are seeking a Research Scientist who will work with the senior leadership team of Cancer Survivorship Institute (survivorship) to conduct rigorous, high-quality research on the survivorship issues at Massey Cancer Center, the Research Scientist will help us set the standard for rigorous, policy-relevant analyses using large administrative datasets to develop research that improves survivorship research and care.

The Research Scientist will serve as a key member of survivorship's research team, working closely with survivorship co-Directors. The Research Scientist will work on survivorship research projects on conceptual and research design, project management, data management, analytics, and other areas. The role includes opportunities for co-authorship and to expand research into new directions. The Research Scientist will also support junior fellows as well as survivorship community activities such as the mobility seminar series and annual mobility conference.

Applicants are expected to have strong analytical skills, have demonstrated interest in survivorships' research agenda, and be skilled at working in team settings. We especially encourage applications from backgrounds under-represented in economics and related fields.

The Research Scientist is a two-year appointment to begin July 1, 2024*, renewable based on mutual agreement. This is a non-faculty , career-level position, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the field. The salary and benefits are competitive with other academic positions in economics.

We are seeking candidates who are local or willing to relocate to the Richmond, VA area. Fully Remote work is a potential option for the ideal candidate.

Position Responsibilities:

The over-arching responsibilities for this position include the following:

• Responsible for research planning and coordination related to prioritization of activities that address cancer disparities across all relevant Research Programs, working groups, and disease-specific focus groups

• Coordinate and facilitate Center-wide research initiatives targeting health disparities that address the catchment area

• Meet with Program Leaders to foster inter-programmatic collaboration, especially across disciplines

• Assist Research Programs in addressing health inequities through their research themes and projects

• Guide community outreach and service efforts in the catchment area

• Participate in strategic planning and recruitment activities for the MCC through Executive and Governance Committees

• Responsible for planning and organizing MCC all-member scientific retreats related to health disparities and addressing the cancer burden of underserved members within the MCC safety-net catchment area

• Conducts in-depth high-quality research under the direction of Co-Directors leveraging large-scale administrative datasets

• Develops research methods to answer academic questions of interest.

• Develops paper and slide material for disseminating research results to stakeholders.

• Develops and implements efficient coding and data handling processes.

• Meets with and briefs relevant external contacts on research.

• Collaborates with survivorship policy impact efforts to help develop analyses that are useful to support research translation.

• Authors or co-authors policy reports, blogs, op-eds, and other commentary.

• Supports junior staff and fellows.

Qualifications:

The following minimum qualifications are required to be considered for this position:

• Ph.D. or equivalent combination of education and experience in medicine and psychology or related field.

• Strong technical skills in statistics, survivorship research, and quantitative methods.

• Orientation and familiarity with research and questions that align with survivorships' research agenda and mission.

• Results-oriented, flexible, and enthusiastic about working within a fast-paced setting.

• Personal obligation to uphold organization's expectations.

• Personal accountability for consistent application of processes and policies.

Additional Qualifications:

• Able to lead independent statistical research on topics that align with survivorships' research agenda.

• Ability to work collegially with staff at all levels and in all job profiles.

• Interest in or experience with mentoring junior staff.