Research Scientist I

Hello Humankindness: Join a Legacy of Healing at Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center (SJHMC) 

Ready to make a real difference? Join SJHMC in Phoenix AZ., a 571-bed nonprofit founded by the Sisters of Mercy over 125 years ago. We're more than a hospital; we're a global destination for life-changing care, embracing patients with humankindness.

Here, your calling will flourish. We're not just a workplace; we're a community dedicated to a mission of service.

Leaders in Specialized Care:

• Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI): A world-renowned center for groundbreaking neurological research and innovative treatments.
• Norton Thoracic Institute (NTI): A national leader in advanced thoracic care with pioneering surgical techniques.
• Level I Trauma Center: One of Arizona's busiest ERs, providing immediate, comprehensive care for critically injured patients 24/7.

Why SJHMC?

• Culture of Excellence & Well-being: We care for our people, fostering professional and personal growth.
• Community & Collaboration: Be part of a network committed to global health and well-being.
• Join a Legacy, Shape a Future: Over 20% of our patients travel internationally for our specialized care.

This is an invitation to join a family of dedicated professionals at the forefront of medical innovation, united by the power of humankindness.

As a Research Scientist, you will leverage your deep scientific knowledge to support and facilitate the organization's research programs and projects. You are expected to apply various scientific principles to drive innovation.

Every day you will design and execute rigorous laboratory research, contributing to ongoing studies through meticulous analysis. You will also actively support manuscript preparation and participate in grant writing.

To be successful in this role, you will possess proven scientific expertise, a strong track record in experimental execution and analysis. Your ability to plan research, contribute to publications, and assist in securing funding will be paramount.

The Barrow Neuro Analytics Center (BNAC) is a data science-focused research facility led by Dr. Brad Racette and co-directed by Dr. Chia-Ling Phuah, that aims to harness the power of big data to advance understanding of neurological diseases and develop new treatments. This state-of-the-art dry laboratory space is located in the Park Central Bioscience hub adjacent to both Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) and Creighton University School of Medicine Phoenix Health Sciences campus. Housed in BNAC are the Racette Laboratory and Criswell Laboratory, which together make up the Neuroepidemiology Research Program. The Neuroepidemiology Research Program focuses on 1) epidemiologic studies, that elucidate risk factors for neurodegenerative disease, with an emphasis on the environment and neurodegenerative disease; and 2) environmental and occupational risk factors in neurodegeneration, specifically neurotoxicants related to parkinsonism and cognitive impairment. We employ a variety of methods in our research, including field-based epidemiology, advanced neuroimaging, and administrative data studies across three continents. Our highly multidisciplinary team aims to solve intractable problems, such as the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases using innovative research methods.

Job Summary / Purpose
The Geographer Research scientist will use their knowledge of scientific principles and concepts in Geography, Epidemiology and Biostatistics including methodological techniques such as Spatial Quantitative and Qualitative Methods, Cartography and Internet Mapping, Geocomputation and Spatial Modeling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing and Image Processing, Visualization and Visual Data Mining, Spatial Decision Support Systems and Participatory GIS to support Neuroepidemiologic research initiatives at BNAC. They will facilitate and support the organization's scientific research programs/projects by applying a wide variety of
scientific principles. Plans and executes epidemiologic research. Supports data analysis, manuscript preparation
and participates in grant writing related to one or more of the organization's scientific research programs.

Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for operational oversight and implementation of funded Geographic and epidemiologic research program(s)
• Facilitates research activities in partnership with laboratory PI(s) and Research Administration leveraging scientific experience in related specialty area.
• Plans and executes Geographic and epidemiologic research.
• Participates in appropriate administrative and programmatic committee work.
• Serves as a liaison for internal and external project sponsors, routinely informing project plans, status updates and milestones through regular reporting.
• Serves as a liaison for the training of technical personnel in the neuroepidemiology program including postdoctoral fellows, residents, and graduate and undergraduate students
• Working knowledge of GCP, ICH, DHHS, OIG and FDA regulations and scientific expertise in the assigned area is required along with familiarity of all applicable federal and state regulations and institutional policies.
• For translational programs, coordinates the process flow of a study from initial concept to IRB through the final study closure. Facilitates feasibility reviews based upon governing policies.
• The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Required

• Doctor of Medicine/Philosophy MD or Ph.D in Geography or Environmental Epidemiology 
• Five (5) years or equivalent of Geospatial and epidemiologic research- experience and data analysis/GIS analysis 
• Experience with a statistical package (R or Stata) and Geospatial Required and analysis
• Specialized computer analysis program experience (Use of High Performance Compute)