Computational Associate II - BTI

Dr. Karestan Koenen is seeking a self-starting, detailed-oriented individual with strong experience in quantitative data analysis for a full-time Computational Associate role to join their research groups at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. We are particularly interested in candidates from traditionally unrepresented groups in academia, and a passion and commitment to health equity is appreciated. This position is ideal for a candidate interested in early life adversity, population mental health, social determinants, and neuropsychiatric genetics. Finally, the ideal candidate may have a strong interest in an academic or research career given the strong mentoring and opportunities for publication that the Computational Associate can expect.

Dr. Karestan Koenen is a Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH) and leads the Broad Trauma Initiative and Global Neuropsychiatric Genomics Initiative of the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at Broad Institute. The broad goal of Dr. Koenen's research program is to reduce the population burden of mental disorders through research, training, and advocacy. Her current research portfolio covers three broad areas:
1) reducing disparities in psychiatric genetics research through large scale projects on the
genetics of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, and Uganda
2) investigating risk and resilience following violence and other traumatic events; and
3) understanding how violence, trauma, and PTSD alter long-term physical health and accelerate aging.

Dr. Koenen also leads HSPH's Interdisciplinary Concentration in Population Mental Health, the goal of which is to increase expertise in mental disorders among public health professionals.
Descriptions of Dr. Koenen and her research program: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/karestan-koenen/

Job-Specific Responsibilities (Duties and Responsibilities):

Under minimal supervision, the Computational Associate provides comprehensive research support to Drs. Koenen's research groups on several programs broadly aimed at biopsychosocial investigations of risk and resilience following exposure to trauma and early life adversity. Specific projects focus on two grant-funded lines of research on childhood adversity and mental health in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and the UK Biobank. This role will engage in multiple research programs across the HSPH, the Broad Trauma Initiative, and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research of the Broad Institute.

The Computational Associate will contribute to multiple research projects by engaging in the following activities: (1) ensuring adherence to data security and the responsible conduct of research guidelines; (2) psychosocial and genetic data management, analysis, and interpretation; (3) engaging in manuscript preparation and submission; (4) grant writing and
administrative components of grant submissions including drafting progress reports; (5) conducting literature reviews and summarizing large amounts of published material; and (5) minor administrative tasks related to lab management such as scheduling meetings, managing data transfer agreements, developing content for website, managing social media, and
executing proposals. Note that efforts on any manuscripts would include co-authorship, and the candidate could expect strong mentoring.

Job responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Coordinates and carries out designated research tasks and projects, making use of selected methodology and materials,
library research, statistical analysis, or other investigative techniques;
* Processes, organizes and summarizes data, reporting results using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or
statistical software applications or program platforms;
* Submits periodic reports of project status to supervisor, regularly suggesting additional tests or modifications in current
procedures;
* Collates, organizes, and/or drafts material for the preparation of research papers, manuscripts, progress reports, articles
or other documents for publication and/or presentation;
* Serves as a source of information or reference on specific research techniques, and trains others in technical procedures
or operations;
* Participates in the design of analysis;
* May oversee the activities of other research staff;
* May assist in assessment or judgment of data validity;
* Other related duties as assigned

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree is required
• Master's Degree is preferred

Preferred Experience:
* Experience and/or interest in a research or academic career is encouraged and preferred
* Experience with human subjects research and grant-funded research is preferred
* Interest in trauma, health disparities, and/or resilience field a plus
* Passion and commitment to advocacy and health equity work a plus

Preferred Technical/Hard Skills
* Experience with web-based applications such as OSF, web-page design, and Covidence a plus
* Experience with research management, data compliance, IRB review, and/or best practices for lab management

Preferred Soft Skills
* Experience with working both independently with minimal supervision and within a team environment preferred
* Highly organized and detail-oriented preferred
* Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills preferred