Harvard University


Description:

10-Apr-2024

Research Assistant IV Non-Lab

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

65434BR

Job Summary

The Department of Epidemiology, at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studies the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in humans, a fundamental science of public health. In addition to pursuing ground-breaking global research initiatives, we educate and prepare future medical leaders and practitioners as part of our mission to ignite positive changes in the quality of health across the world.

Dr. Andrew Beam’s research lab is principally concerned with improving, stream-lining, and automating decision-making in healthcare through the use of quantitative, data-driven methods. We do this through rigorous methodological research coupled with deep partnerships with physicians and other members of the healthcare workforce. As part of this vision, we work to see our ideas translated into decision-making tools that doctors can use to better care for their patients.
For more information on Dr. Beam's lab and his research, please visit: http://beamlab.org/

The development of Cria, an artificial intelligence system specialized for neonatal medicine, has the potential to significantly advance health outcomes for vulnerable newborns. By creating a dedicated tool to navigate the exponentially growing literature, synthesize the latest evidence, and generate insights tailored to the neonatal field, this project promises to enhance clinical decision-making and accelerate the translation of discoveries into improved patient care.

In the short term, Cria will help address the challenge of information overload facing neonatal providers through efficient sorting and summarization of new research findings. This could allow physicians to more readily incorporate recent pivotal trial results and evolving best practices into their medical decisions and protocols. Over the longer-term, wide adoption of Cria across neonatal care units may help reduce variability in practice and promote greater adherence to evidence-based standards - impacting mortality, complications, and costs.

Additionally, this research will establish a general framework to adapt AI to other medical disciplines. The methods developed to transform an open-source language model into a reliable specialty-specific assistant can serve as a template for customizing tools across areas like cardiology, orthopedics, and more. By contributing an adaptable model and accessible tools, this project opens the door to powering precision medicine through AI.

Position Description

Reporting to Dr. Beam, the Research Assistant (RA) will support the development of Cria, an open-source AI system designed for neonatology, by contributing to machine learning and data science research efforts.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Utilize deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow, as well as Python and R programming languages, to perform data analysis and software development relevant to the Cria project.
• Create data visualizations and effectively communicate results to the research group and clinical collaborators, focusing on the application of large language models (LLMs) in neonatal medicine.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of machine learning models, including deep learning models for computer vision and natural language processing, to enhance Cria's capabilities in neonatal medicine.
• Perform data cleaning, preprocessing, and exploratory data analysis in R and Python, with a focus on neonatal-specific datasets.
• Summarize and prepare results for manuscripts and research papers, contributing to the dissemination of findings related to the Cria project.

Other related duties may include assisting in the development of a general framework for adapting LLMs to specific medical domains and promoting open science and transparency in AI research.

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of 8/30/2024. This is a part-time, benefits eligible position with a 20 hour work week.

Basic Qualifications

• 4+ years of related experience required; a combination of education and practical experience may be considered
• Experience working with pytho programming and the pytorch framework required

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree is strongly preferred
• Master’s level training in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or related fields is a strong plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong attention to detail, excellent time management and organizational skills, and experience prioritizing multiple tasks
• Experience working independently with minimal supervision and working collobratively with a team

The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity
• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and goals

Additional Information

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Research

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

403126 Research Assistant IV Non-Lab

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

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Salary Grade

055

Department

Epidemiology

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Part-time

Appointment End Date

30-Aug-2024

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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