Director of Data and Analytics

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Job Summary:

The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) is a university-wide initiative dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused primarily on the quantitative social science of population change, socioeconomic development, and public health. Our goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and resilient societies.

The HCPDS is seeking a full-time, experienced Director of Data and Analytics to serve on its NIH-funded study, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA). HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the health and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa. The goal of this research project is to explore aging in South Africa, with focal areas in cognitive health, cardiometabolic disease, HIV and HIV treatment, public policies, social determinants of health, and health inequalities. Research focuses on exploring the interrelationships between: Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias; physical and cognitive functioning; lifestyle risk factors; household income & expenditure; depression and mental health; social networks and family composition; HIV infection; and cardiometabolic disease.

HAALSA is currently in the middle of its third renewal, which includes continuation of the community cohort study as well as the launch of a nationally representative survey in South Africa. The community and national surveys each include a sub-study with in-depth focus on cognition and dementia. The studies are designed to be aligned with the international Health and Retirement (HRS) sister studies, and the HRS Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP), while also addressing research questions specific to aging in the South African context. HAALSA is led by Dr. Lisa Berkman at HCPDS and Dr. Thomas Gaziano at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, plus a team of collaborators at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town in South Africa, as well as other institutions in South Africa and the US.

The Director of Data and Analytics will oversee research analyses for multiple papers related to aims of the study. They will supervise data management processes, including data quality assurance, and the preparation and public release of datasets. They will significantly contribute to study design and analytic strategy with an aim to generating results, and will provide hands-on support for manuscript development.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:
 

Reporting to the HAALSA Project Director, the Director of Data and Analytics' duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads and oversees research plans for papers related to project aims
• Supports and reviews manuscript development, including co-authorship and contribution to scientific publications with coinvestigators
• Supervises data management processes, including quality assurance protocols and public-use dataset development to ensure consistency across outputs
• Directs technical project activities, including analytic dataset production and data analysis
• Oversees the public release of data and ensures timely and appropriate dissemination of research findings
• Leads the identification and adoption of innovative statistical methods to address evolving analytic challenges and enhance the scientific impact of HAALSI outputs
• Oversees and coordinates statistical and data management activities across projects to ensure alignment with study goals and timelines
• Oversees the development of analytic tools and resources addressing key data challenges
• Provides strategic oversight and guidance on statistical approaches across HAALSI projects, ensuring methodological rigor and alignment with study objectives
• Reviews and advises on the selection and implementation of statistical method, including complex longitudinal analyses and advanced modeling techniques, working closely with the Senior Statistical Analyst
• Reviews statistical outputs, models, and results to ensure quality, reproducibility, and readiness for publication and reporting
• Oversees the preparation of analytic datasets and ensure adherence to data management and documentation standards
• Leads cross-team coordination of analytic workflows and communication among investigators, data managers, and collaborators in the US and South Africa
• Oversees progress on analytic deliverables and timelines across multiple analyses and studies
• Provides direct supervision of the Senior Statistical Analyst and Data Manager, including direction on task prioritization, workflow, and project activities
• Other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of May 31, 2027 with the possibility of extension. The position may require travel to South Africa for short durations up to twice a year.   

Basic Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or a closely-related field 
• 5+ years of related experience 
• Experience with statistical software (such as SAS, R, Stata, etc.)

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree or higher in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or related field  with two or more years of post-doctoral training/experience preferred
• Doctoral level degree a plus
• Prior experience with longitudinal observational studies
• Experience managing budgets
• Experience working on NIH studies
• Experience with IRB protocol preparation/compliance
• Prior capacity building experience
• Experience with US Health and Retirement Survey or sister study (with longitudinal data)
• Experience and/or strong interest in low-income, low literacy settings
• Experience managing or contributing to longitudinal observational research studies, including primary data collection and cohort-based research
• Experience supporting NIH-funded research and IRB protocol preparation/compliance
• Experience working with health-related research in low- and middle-income countries, including field-based research, medical record data, or longitudinal cohort studies
• Experience with large-scale longitudinal datasets such as the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) or related international sister studies
• Experience developing survey instruments and working with computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) systems
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency with statistical software such as Stata, SAS, and/or R
• Record of scholarly publications and research dissemination   

• Appointment End Date: May 31, 2027
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country! 

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions. 

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings. 

• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period.

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines. 

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.