Job Description

The Director Computational Research leads and manages large/critical complex areas or teams within the department related to Computational Research. Contributes to the overall research strategy and drives implementation in line with Computational Research objectives. This role will also drive resource planning and process development and implementation in line with strategic priorities and support the Computational Research leadership teams.

The DISCOVER Director of Computational Research leads and manages large/critical complex areas or teams within the Department of Oncology related to Computational Research. This position will develop and lead the Data Integration and Scientific Collaboration to enable the Virtual Exploration of Childhood CanceR (DISCOVER) research team. This position contributes to the overall research strategy, drives implementation, resource planning and process development in line with Departmental and Institutional Data Science objectives. This position will report directly to the Division Director of Neuro-Oncology and will work closely with the Chair of the Department of Oncology.

DISCOVER is a new and exciting project that aims to build a platform that seamlessly integrates complex clinical and molecular data from pediatric patients with cancer into an easy-to-use visualization tool for instant data query and analytics. To accomplish this, demographics, staging, treatment, outcomes, radiologic, and histologic information will be combined with in depth tumor and germline multi-omic information. This information will then be abstracted from clinical and research records, imported into a HIPAA compliant unified database, and categorized into an expert-guided data dictionary. Once curated, the aim is to comprehensively display this data on an interactive portal using advanced visualization techniques developed here at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Consequently, this project will drive laboratory, translational, and clinical research discovery across the entire landscape of pediatric cancer.

The DISCOVER team will be comprised of Bioinformatics, Visualization Bioinformatics, and Data Abstraction and Analyst teams. We are seeking a team leader who excels at developing and managing mid-size teams, is skilled at matrix management, and is highly collaborative.

It is essential that candidates have a bachelor’s degree in data science or a related field. It is strongly preferred that candidates have a master’s degree or doctorate (PhD) in data science.  Successful candidates will have expertise in the areas of database development, extraction of complex health-related data, computational research experience in the academic and/or industry settings, have a proven track record of academic productivity including clinical research collaborations, and experience managing and leading interdisciplinary teams.

About the Department of Oncology

The Department of Oncology provides a highly collaborative and interactive environment where leadership has ample opportunities to participate in clinical, educational, and translational research initiatives. The department has a diverse portfolio of investigator initiated and collaborative studies. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the department has had a steady track record of high productivity disseminating knowledge via presentations and publications, as well as successful grantsmanship. The Department of Oncology is committed to multidisciplinary collaboration for both clinical and research activities.  

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage large/critical complex areas/teams

• Contribute to the overall research strategy androadmap, anddrive implementation in line withDISCOVER data science and computationalobjectives

• Drive resource planning and process development/implementation in line with strategic priorities and support theDISCOVER data science andcomputational leadership team.

• Collaborate with key leaders in internal functions and partner/vendor organizations to optimize organizational outcomes.

• Lead systems for governance, monitoring, review, and control of processes and functions performed by the department.

• Provide input into overall budget and variance management for departmental initiatives.

• Actively drive processes for team management in terms of goal setting, performance, development, and engagement.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field with experience and evidence of research output (typically first author publications).
• Master's degree preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• 10+ years of relevant experience in functional area within Computational Research.
• Experience managing mid-large teams with focus on both achievement of objectives as well as critical skill-building.
• Experience having led large-scale research programs/projects/processes through to implementation.
• Experience with operational management, budget planning, and resource management.
• Prior experience in building external connections with peers and emerging technology/research communities.
• Significant publication record demonstrating relevant experience.
• Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $138,320 - $262,080 per year for the role of Director of Computational Research - DISCOVER.

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St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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