Health Research Data Programmer
Job No:
BI57
Location:
Melbourne
PURPOSE
The Burnet Institute implements novel, multidisciplinary scientific programs that use progressive epidemiology, high quality laboratory science, first-rate clinical and social research, and strong public health principles to address major health problems in the areas of HIV and other blood borne viruses (BBVs) including viral hepatitis, sexually transmissible infections (STIs), malaria, tuberculosis and drug and alcohol use. In order to understand prevalence and transmission of disease in the community, the Centre for Population Health has developed several local, national and international data based systems to monitor these diseases and also leads several behavioural and bio-behavioural surveys and prevalence studies both locally and in the Asia Pacific region.
The Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections (ACCESS) is a national health surveillance network of blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections. ACCESS collates de-identified data from over one hundred sexual health clinics, general practice clinics, hospitals, community health services and pathology laboratories across Australia.
The Health Research Data Programmer is an exciting new position within the ACCESS project (www.accessproject.org.au) and the successful applicant will join a team of experienced epidemiologists and surveillance experts and data analysts. Working alongside a Data Manager, the Health Research Data Programmer will primarily develop and update in-house processes for data manipulation using SQL and STATA, and review how improvements might be made using alternative programming languages or tools.
The Health Research Data Programmer will also develop a data dissemination website to enable the provision of health research data to researchers nationally. The incumbent will work closely with our scientific experts to ensure consistency and allow comparability between studies. The role will involve working independently but also as part of a team. We are looking for individuals with advanced data manipulation/programming and analytic skills who show a passion and interest in public health.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Your responsibilities will include:
- Manipulate and build datasets to support analyses through use of efficient SQL and STATA code
- Review data for quality and implement ongoing quality assurance processes for the data
- Develop and maintain documentation related to all data manipulation processes
- Development of a data dissemination website for a national disease monitoring program
- High-level consultation for long-term improvement of data manipulation processes and strategy
- Collaborate with study researchers about data generated by the studies
- Participate in regular meetings related to the ACCESS project and other related research
CRITERIA
You will have:
- A relevant qualification in applied maths, applied biomedical sciences or health informatics disciplines and/or relevant experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of technical challenges related to the collation of health related data in relation to data security, format migration, preservation, metadata, data retrieval
- Database experience (medium size - millions of records) e.g. MySQL, Postgres, SQL server
- Natural language/text processing experience in any major scripting language: e.g. Python/Ruby/R and statistical packages (STATA/R/SysStat/Numpy)
- Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills with an ability to quickly acquire new technological skills to resolve problems
- Demonstrated capacity to work effectively and professionally with staff at all levels
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing that includes detailed documentation of all work processes and protocols
- Ability to manage time and multiple projects in a dynamic environment with a positive, flexible, and innovative attitude
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Benefit from ongoing support, a monthly accrued day off and attractive salary packaging working for this leading not-for-profit organisation. Remuneration will be commensurate with skills and experience.
Burnet Institute is committed to providing our people with a supportive working environment. We value diversity and gender equity at the institute and provide flexible working arrangements for our staff. Burnet is participating in the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter in Australia.
APPLICATIONS
To apply for this position, please complete the details below and attach the following documents:
- Statement addressing the selection criteria (as outlined in the attached position description)
- Resume including the names and contact details of three referees
Applications close 18th December 2016 at midnight AEDT (GMT+11)
Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant may be required to apply for a Working with Children check and/or criminal record check from the Australian Federal Police.