Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat has an immediate opening for a Principal Research Associate/Data Science to join our team of leading researchers in health studies conducting large and complex projects. As a Principal Research Associate, you will lead and support large and small epidemiology research and evaluation studies. You will collaborate with external investigators and internal project teams, providing input into analytic plans and advising on project data collection strategies including for multi-site network studies across a variety of clients and topic areas. You will provide data management, programming, and quantitative analytic support including overseeing project data management teams as well as conducting programming and analysis for Westat projects to support and contribute to scientific peer reviewed publications.  

Responsibilities:
•    Responsible for all stages of project data management and analysis including developing data pipelines and architecture, data collection, management, QC, transformation, analysis, and reporting. 
•    Utilizes advanced and sophisticated programing, AI and machine learning methods, employing highly complex algorithms.
•    Develops innovative and effective approaches in response to client's data management and analytic needs and clearly communicates results and methodologies.
•    Works with IT and project teams to support data collection, integration, and retention requirements.
•    Mentors and trains data management and programming staff.
•    Contributes to reported results for publication in peer-reviewed and technical journals. 

Basic Qualifications: 
•    Master's degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Informatics or Social Sciences and 10 years of experience or a Doctoral degree with 7 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
•    Expertise in working with complex data; experience combining and managing multi-site network and electronic health record (EHR) data.
•    Expertise in quantitative research methods and statistical techniques. 
•    Experience drafting statistical analysis plans, conducting and overseeing analysis.
•    Demonstrated experience performing data management activities and analyses using statistical programs (e.g. SAS, R).
•    Experience collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources including administrative (e.g. EHR, claims, registries) and primary sources (e.g. agencies, individuals), and conducting complex data linkages.
•    Experience developing machine learning algorithms.
•    Experience in data visualization methods and presentation.

Your demonstrated experience working in a government contracting environment will be complimented by your strong collaboration and communication skills. In this role you'll share research findings with a variety of audiences and continue to build your established publications experience.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Eligible employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Holiday Leave
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

 

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.