Biostatistician- The Child Health Research Center

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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Child Health Research Center is seeking a Biostatistician. We welcome applicants with strong consulting, communication, and partnership skills who are interested in serving as a statistical advisor, collaborator, and mentor within a multidisciplinary research setting.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a highly collaborative, relationship-focused position embedded within an interdisciplinary team. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted statistical partner to investigators, clinicians, research staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students across the Center. We seek someone who enjoys working directly with others, the challenge of translating complex statistical concepts into rigorous study protocols, data management pipelines, advanced analytical models, and peer-reviewed publications while directly mentoring developing researchers and driving project execution from initial study design through final publication, including data management.

LOCATION

This position is based at Penn State's University Park campus and offers a hybrid work arrangement. Regular face-to-face collaboration, problem-solving, and engagement with research teams are essential to success. The ideal candidate values teamwork, builds strong working relationships, and thrives in an environment where partnership and communication are as important as technical expertise. We may consider remote work arrangements for exceptionally qualified candidates who demonstrate a proven track record of independent methodological leadership, high-impact peer-reviewed publications, and a history of successful cross-functional collaboration within complex academic or clinical research ecosystems.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Study Design & Methodology

• Consult and advise researchers on study design, statistical analysis strategies, reliability, data collection procedures, statistical power, sample size, and randomization schemes.

• Oversee the design, development, and coordination of study forms, instruments, measurement protocols, and equipment.

Statistical Analysis & Data Management

• Perform statistical analyses using R, SAS, or other statistical software and apply advanced methods such as regression, mixed-effects, and longitudinal models.

• Interpret findings, identify gaps, and translate results into meaningful insights that inform research and policy.

• Develop and oversee data management processes to ensure data quality, integrity, and reproducibility.

• Advise on and develop REDCap projects, databases, surveys, and other data collection tools, ensuring efficient, secure, and high-quality data capture.

Collaborative Research Support

• Provide strategic pre-award methodological support by partnering with investigators to operationalize pediatric research hypotheses into rigorous protocol designs, define primary endpoints, construct robust randomization schemes, and author defensible sample size and power justifications for extramural grant applications.

• Translate complex statistical modeling strategies into clear methodological frameworks for multidisciplinary child health investigators, establishing trusted consultative partnerships to align study designs, analysis plans, and pediatric-specific clinical interpretations across the Center.

• Serve as the primary technical pivot across interdisciplinary research teams to troubleshoot data integrity anomalies, optimize reproducible statistical workflows, and resolve complex data pipeline bottlenecks during ongoing study execution.

Scientific Communication & Dissemination

• Co-author extramural grant proposals, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and technical reports, leading the drafting of rigorous methodology sections and ensuring the precise articulation of complex inferential frameworks.

• Direct the preparation of comprehensive statistical reports and communicate primary findings to diverse audiences through structured written summaries, interactive data visualizations, and formal presentations to multi-disciplinary child health investigators.

Mentorship & Capacity Building

• Mentor postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and other junior team members on the development of research questions, data analysis plans, execution of data analyses, and interpretation of findings.

• Provide guidance on advanced statistical methodologies, study designs, data management frameworks, and interpretation of findings.

• Share knowledge and best practices with research teams, helping elevate statistical literacy across the Center.

• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and teamwork.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders with varying levels of statistical expertise.

• Strong consultation skills with a customer-service mindset and the ability to explain complex statistical concepts in a clear, approachable manner.

• Proficiency in analyzing large and complex datasets using advanced statistical techniques.

• Deep understanding of linear, logistic, mixed-effects, longitudinal, and multilevel regression models.

• Proficiency in statistical software such as R, SAS, or comparable analytical tools.

• Experience designing and implementing data collection protocols and managing datasets for analysis and reporting.

• Skilled in creating clear data visualizations and communicating findings through reports, manuscripts, grant proposals, and presentations.

• Experience mentoring students, trainees, or junior team members in statistical methods and research design.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a collaborative research environment.

• Ability to work with independence as the sole methodologist within a larger institutional ecosystem, demonstrating exceptional self-direction in project prioritization and timeline management.

• Demonstrated proficiency in independent data cleaning, database structural design, data architecture preparation, and merging disparate, messy data sources without reliance on a data engineering team.

• Proven track record of reproducible research workflows, including clean, well-commented, version-controlled code that can be audited for peer review.

• Understanding of health data privacy landscapes, including data sharing agreements, IRB statistical requirements, and secure management of sensitive human subjects data.

Preferred:

• Experience serving as a statistical consultant within a collaborative research, healthcare, academic, or clinical environment.

• Demonstrated success mentoring students, trainees, or junior colleagues.

• Experience working directly with interdisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholder groups.

• Evidence of strong communication skills through presentations, teaching, publications, or collaborative research contributions.

• Familiarity with the unique statistical constraints of child health, developmental, or clinical datasets (e.g., handling skewed pediatric growth metrics, complex longitudinal data, missing data patterns, or family/sibling clusters).

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

APPLICATION MATERIALS

For full consideration, highly motivated applicants should apply online by uploading a cover letter describing relevant skills and experience, a current resume, and the names of at least 3 job references. Review of candidates will begin immediately.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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