The Faculty Director of Data Science and Biostatistics (FD-DS) will lead visionary strategic planning, development, and execution of state-of-the-art research for DCRI to achieve its scientific goals. The Faculty Director will have an appointment as a senior faculty member of the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (B&B) in the Duke University School of Medicine and will be a key member of the senior leadership of the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). 

 

The Duke Clinical Research Institute, part of the Duke University School of Medicine, is the world’s largest academic clinical research organization. Our mission is to develop, share, and implement knowledge that improves health around the world through innovative clinical research. 

DCRI projects are led by physician scientists whose expertise and commitment to patient care informs their research and is supported by staff with deep expertise in data science and operationalizing global studies. We conduct groundbreaking clinical research from early phase research to large clinical trials and landmark outcomes research. Our work spans multiple disciplines including cardiology, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, nephrology, and neuroscience. Our biostatistics and bioinformatics capabilities include clinical trial design and statistics, risk-based monitoring, independent data monitoring, outcomes and comparative effectiveness research, predictive medicine, and data sharing. 

The successful candidate will contribute to and promote the development of data science and biostatistical methods related to DCRI projects; participate in DCRI strategic planning; and ensure new statistical faculty and staff are appropriately recruited, trained, and mentored. The FD-DS will work in partnership with the DCRI Director, senior scientific leaders, and senior operations personnel including the Director of Operations and Director of Statistical Operations to achieve the overall goals of the DCRI. The FD-DS will also interact, as necessary, with scientific, statistical, regulatory, and administrative staff at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device industry in the design, implementation, and analysis of DCRI studies. The FD-DS is ultimately accountable for the project portfolio within the Data Science and Biostatistics Department. Additionally, this individual will engage faculty and fellows in academic endeavors that advance data science and clinical science. The individual will also engage in the development of strategic initiatives with other Duke University entities such as the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Clinical Translational Science Institute, and the University more broadly. 

WORK PERFORMED 

Strategic Planning 

As a member of the DCRI Executive Team, the FD-DS will participate in strategic planning for scientific research.

The FD-DS will be a member of the Strategy Planning Group of the B&B Department and will represent the DCRI B&B faculty in strategic decisions. 

The FD-DS will be responsible for integrating data science and biostatistics activities with the other aspects of clinical research at the DCRI. 

The FD-DS will be responsible for strategic directions and decisions regarding DCRI data science and biostatistics to advance state-of-the-art clinical research.

The FD-DS, in partnership with the Director of Statistical Operations, will be responsible for assessing data science and biostatistics needs and feasibility when evaluating and selecting projects and determining expansion into new areas. 

The FD-DS, in partnership with the Director of Statistical Operations, will serve as a liaison between the DCRI leadership and the DCRI biostatisticians. The FD-DS will ensure that the interests and concerns of the statistical faculty and staff are represented. 

The FD-DS will provide statistically sound scientific guidance to peers, collaborators, and senior management, within the DCRI, the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, and for select University projects. 

Faculty & Functional Group Relations 

The FD-DS will sit on the Senior Management Team, the highest governance committee of the DCRI. The person will work closely with the Director of Statistical Operations to oversee the biostatistics functional group. Key partnerships include the Chief Science and Digital Officer of DCRI, Vice Dean for Data Science of Duke University School of Medicine, and the Chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. 

The FD-DS will develop strong working relationships with all DCRI clinical and biostatistics faculty and with all functional groups and key research programs. 

The FD-DS will serve as the primary contact and point person for DCRI B&B faculty who wish to submit grant applications for multi-center clinical research studies and will evaluate the feasibility and advise as appropriate. 

The FD-DS, in collaboration with the DCRI senior leaders and the Director of Statistical Operations, will engage in business development activities to promote the DCRI and to identify and pursue potential new business that aligns with faculty research interests. 

The FD-DS will promote and participate in methodological research to accelerate DCRI data science and biostatistics capabilities, visibility, name recognition, and manuscript reviews. 

The FD-DS will develop, refine, and enhance statistical ideas and techniques impacting the analysis, reporting, and presentation of clinical research data. 

The FD-DS will promote DCRI biostatisticians within the broader clinical and biostatistical research community, including involvement with the NIH and FDA, professional societies, and collaborative initiatives to improve approaches to statistical and clinical research. 

The FD-DS will serve as a liaison between the DCRI and the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. 

The FD-DS will collaborate on specific DCRI and University research projects as required.

The FD-DS will be responsible for ensuring the recruitment, development, and retention of data science and biostatistics faculty at DCRI. 

The FD-DS will be responsible for creating a climate of collaboration, creativity, and innovation that enables diversity and inclusion within the group. 

The FD-DS will ensure assignment of adequate, appropriate faculty effort to support DCRI’s data science and biostatistics activities. 

The FD-DS will determine the level of faculty support required by DCRI groups, plan for resource needs, and a facilitate appropriate project support. 

The FD-DS will help designate a mentor for new B&B faculty members working in the DCRI and will arrange appropriate training. 

The FD-DS will develop a plan to manage faculty availability to ensure continuity of biostatistics effort for ongoing projects. 

The FD-DS will provide support and serve as a resource to biostatistics faculty regarding career interests and individual development plans, give ongoing coaching and feedback to help them identify development opportunities and refine and enhance their skills. 

The FD-DS will facilitate efforts to promote, develop, implement, and refine continuing education and training programs. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

A PhD in biostatistics, statistics, or a closely related field is required. Significant prior clinical research experience across different funders as well as relevant personnel management experience, preferably involving faculty, are also required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, leadership and interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with non-statisticians are essential. Demonstrated ability to successfully write and publish (e.g., proposals, white papers, specification documents, and research manuscripts) is required.   

DCRI is a member of the School of Medicine of Duke University and closely affiliated with Duke University Health System. DCRI has completed thousands of clinical trials and observational studies with thousands of sites in more than 65 countries, enrolling millions of patients around the world. Collectively, for over 25 years DCRI faculty have published more than 17,500 publications in peer-reviewed journals using a variety of data sources. DCRI has over 800 employees, including more than 120 full-time faculty. 

For more information about the Duke Clinical Research Institute and the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, please visit our websites: http://dcri.org and https://biostat.duke.edu/. 

Further inquiries may be directed to Michael Pencina, PhD, Vice Dean for Data Science at the Duke University School of Medicine, michael.pencina@duke.edu. 

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. 

Location: Durham, North Carolina.