Postdoctoral Fellow - Symptom Research

We are searching for applicants who have a Doctoral degree in which they have gained demonstrable experience in psychometrics, machine learning, biostatistics, or epidemiology. Applicants will be comfortable working with code-based statistical tools (e.g., R, MPlus, SAS, STATA). Successful applicants will be given training on data science and statistics using R and have access to one-to-one supervision will be available for technical aspects of work as support for early-career planning and strategy building.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to apply both technical and problem-solving skills to create new data-driven discoveries and to see their work benefit patients at the United States of America's leading cancer center. Strong priority will be given to applicants who have a clear passion for creating solutions to improve the lives of cancer patients using data science and other computational technologies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Research Activity
• Data analysis (preferably with R, Python; training provided).
• Data preparation, cleaning, and manipulation.
• Self-directed learning.
• Expert knowledge and nascent evidence of publication in either biostatistics, psychometrics, computational social science, or machine learning.
• Developing proposals for grant-funded research.
• Developing research protocols and IRB submissions.
• Present results in departmental meetings.
• Engage with collaborators at MD Anderson and around the world.
• Present work at international and national meetings.
• Lead the preparation, submission, and revision of manuscripts for publication.

2. Interpersonal Skills, Communication, and Learning Skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience of working collaboratively on data science projects.
• Good problem-solving abilities.

3. Other
• Maintaining databases derived from electronic health records.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Applicants will be supported to develop new skills in strategic areas relating to patient-reported data. They
will develop technical skills in data science, statistics, and machine learning. Full support will be given to
the candidate to develop a strong academic career.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A doctoral degree in which they have gained demonstrable experience with techniques relevant to the
INSPiRED Cancer Care mission which may include any combination of data science and machine
learning, psychometrics, epidemiology, or computational linguistics.

Applicants must be comfortable working with R and RStudio and will be motivated to constantly develop
their skills with self-directed training. Frequent one-to-one supervision will be available for technical
aspects of work as well as early-career strategy and planning.

FACULTY MENTOR
Dr. Christopher Gibbons