Career Center

Job Description:

The Research Scientist at the Brown School of Public Health is responsible for developing and executing investigative protocols that support the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health (CDH). The Research Scientist joins a vibrant team to lead key research-to-practice projects, proof-of-concept work, intervention evaluations, and translational science initiatives aimed at addressing key ongoing and emerging problems in digital health, violence prevention, and public health.

Reporting to and working closely with the CDH Program Director, under the direction of the CDH Founding Director Dr. Megan Ranney, the Research Scientist establishes, fosters, maintains, and leads major research partnerships with public, private, and academic institutions and with commercial/industry organizations. Using their expertise in intervention design, evaluation, and research translation, the Research Scientist serves as the primary contact for scientific decision making as it relates to investigations, and will collaborate with principal investigators across Brown University and Lifespan Healthcare System in various disciplines (e.g. public health, medicine, computer science, engineering). The Research Scientist is responsible for the design and implementation of studies with particular focus on methodology (i.e. survey design, data analysis, program evaluation), and oversees the IRB and regulatory activities related to these investigations. The Research Scientist will also support grant writing including conducting literature reviews.

Major Responsibility: Devise, formulate, and execute investigative protocols (50%)

Supporting Actions:

Working closely with the CDH Founding Director, Program Director, and other staff and faculty leaders, take lead in executing key research-to-practice projects, proof-of-concept work, intervention evaluations, and translational science initiatives

Build and manage interdisciplinary project teams across reporting hierarchies, working with faculty/investigators across Brown University and Lifespan Healthcare System

Build and hold relationships with key stakeholders in commercial/industry and non-profit sector

Ensure that research methods are appropriate for the project, and executed in alignment with scientific standards  

Ensure best practices in intervention design and evaluation are applied 

Explore available methodologies across fields at the university and drive a process of iterating, refining and improving public health approaches to evaluating complex interventions  

Advise on the development of surveys, interviews, observation protocols, focus groups and other items, as appropriate 

Suggest best practices to analyze quantitative and qualitative data and use data visualization techniques to report findings, as appropriate

Contribute to the dissemination of knowledge gained through research by preparing and publishing findings and presenting findings in meetings with partners and stakeholders

Assist investigators with study design, statistical analyses, and methodological questions related to their research projects, both pre- and post-award, as appropriate

Provide statistical input on the design, analysis, and dissemination of the study results including the application of appropriate statistical and methodological techniques, as appropriate

Develop functional specifications and work with programmers/analysts to implement new methods, develop new analytic tools, or enhance existing tools functionalities and outputs

Major Responsibility: Grant writing and publish findings in authoritative publications and documents (30%)

Supporting Actions:

Participate in writing interim and final deliverables, including reports and peer-reviewed publications

Write and edit science-based briefs and reports in laymanâ™s terms for a broad range of constituencies and platforms

As appropriate, assist with drafting, revising, and executing data analysis

Major Responsibility:Support research personnel (20%)

Supporting Actions:

Mentor and assist fellows and junior faculty with their research projects, from design to analyses.

Section 4: Decisions Position is Free to Make

Describe the authority held by the position by listing 1 to 2 examples of decisions that the position is free to make and explain the decisions that depend on the positionâ™s advice.

Decisions free to make:

Offer advice on scientific experiments and conclusions

Explain the decisions that depend on positionâ™s advice:

Assignment of research projects

Hiring of research assistants

Budget projections and analysis

Section 5: Dimensions

List quantitative measures that define the size and scope of the position (for example, the number of students counseled, the number of faculty and/or staff supported, the number of employees supervised, the number of events planned, the size of budget managed).

Interact with CDH Operations Team and larger CDH affiliated faculty and leadership members

Interact with the CDH Founding Director

Interact with other research scientists, program managers, and research faculty at the School of Public Health

Education and Experience

• Masterâ™s degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics or relevant field
• 5+ yearsâ™ experience in managing research studies, grant writing, designing/evaluating programs
• Demonstrated interest / experience in digital health, public health, violence prevention
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a complex and diverse community required
• Demonstrated capacity to work both collaboratively and independently, to exercise sound judgment, to switch between leading a team and effort and contributing to another, and to handle sensitive and confidential matters.
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills for translating goals into operations, identifying needs and developing innovative proposals, programs and project structures
• Strong project leadership and management skills to facilitate timely and professional deliverables
• Demonstrated ability to support a community of diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment
• Ability to handle complex topics and present them well
• Track record working successfully in rapid-response environments

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification that are satisfactory to Brown University.

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Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Vaccination Requirements:

In order to maintain 90% or greater universal vaccination rates on campus, all newly hired employees at Brown University must receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they begin work, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. All employees must also receive a COVID-19 booster within thirty (30) days of becoming eligible. For more information, please visit the Healthy Brown site.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

Brown University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community; as an EEO/AA employer, Brown considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, race, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.