Sr Research Associate, Evidence Synthesis

At the American Cancer Society, we're working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Our employees and 1.3 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We are a culture comprised of diverse backgrounds and experience, to better serve our communities. 

The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

The Senior Research Associate, Evidence Synthesis works as part of the Center for Early Cancer Detection Science (CECDS) Cancer-related Evidence Synthesis Team (CrEST) to lead systematic evidence reviews used to inform ACS guidelines for the early detection of cancer. Using their advanced understanding of systematic review methods, they will serve as a working principal investigator (PI) or a co-PI to develop and refine evidence needs with CrEST leadership and the CECDS guidelines team, and will subsequently design, lead, and conduct all aspects of a range of evidence synthesis products. In addition, they will supervise, train, and mentor junior research staff, and coordinate and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, including but not limited to, ensuring adherence to deadlines, assigning tasks to project team members, and communicating with relevant internal and external subject matter experts and interest holders.

Essential Functions:

The Senior Research Associate, Evidence Synthesis serves as a working principal investigator (PI) or co-PI to lead the design, conduct, and dissemination of high-quality systematic evidence reviews (e.g., systematic reviews, living systematic reviews, rapid reviews) to inform ACS guidelines for the early detection of cancer.

Evidence Synthesis Research and Administration (65%)

• Lead and conduct all stages of systematic evidence reviews, including protocol development, study selection, critical appraisal, data abstraction, and quantitative and qualitative synthesis
• Critically evaluate the quality and applicability of included research studies, and assess the strength of the body of evidence for selected outcomes
• Lead communication of findings; write presentations, reports, and manuscripts for journal publication; review, edit, and combine sections written by project team members
• Communicate and manage relationships with internal and external subject matter experts and interest holders
• Manage administration of systematic evidence reviews by delegating tasks, providing guidance, and monitoring progress for review team members of various backgrounds (BA/BS, MPH, MD, PhD, etc.)
• Ensure adherence to project deadlines
• Develop working knowledge of current cancer screening practices and guidelines for relevant ACS cancer screening guideline topics 
• Use appropriate software and tools to manage each project (e.g., DistillerSR, EndNote, data visualization tools); train project team members to use relevant software and tools

Evidence Needs and Scoping (5%)

• Coordinate with CrEST leadership and the CECDS guideline development team to determine scope of evidence needs for cancer screening topics
• Communicate project updates and disseminate findings to the CECDS guideline development team and ACS Guideline Development Group

Research or Research-related (5%)

• Provide subject matter expertise, peer-review, etc.
• Represent ACS at professional meetings
• Perform ad-hoc evidence tasks for ACS CAN or ACS leadership
• Participate in other research tasks as assigned

Management and Growth (25%)

• Participate in staff recruitment efforts (screening, interviewing, etc.)
• Supervise, train, and mentor junior research staff
• Provide formal and informal leadership, oversight, mentoring, training, and guidance to volunteers and research team members
• Professional development; maintain and apply working knowledge of systematic review methods

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE       

• Master's degree in public health, health policy/services, or related field AND a minimum of 5 years of experience working with and leading teams conducting systematic evidence reviews, health technology assessments, or rapid reviews.
• Research methods employed in epidemiology and/or clinical research, including study design and basic biostatistics, current systematic evidence review methods
• Prefer advanced or specialized knowledge in at least one of the following areas: medicine or clinical practice, epidemiology, biostatistics, meta-analysis, genetics, biomarkers, data visualization, and/or artificial intelligence

SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR KNOWLEDGE          

Required

• Ability to translate complex findings into digestible and actionable written research products
• Outstanding organization and prioritization skills, including the ability to coordinate and complete multiple large projects simultaneously, on time, and with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate effectively to scientific/technical audiences and non-clinical policymakers
• Excellent writing, grammatical, and proofreading skills, including the ability to follow a variety of style guides
• Proficiency in evidence synthesis, including:
  • conducting systematic reviews or health technology assessments
  • conducting critical appraisal of scientific literature using established quality assessment tools
  • assessing strength of the body of evidence using established methods/criteria
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Proficiency in citation management software (e.g., EndNote)

Preferred

• Record of peer reviewed publication
• Experience conducting systematic reviews to inform clinical practice guidelines
• Experience working with systematic review software applications (e.g., DistillerSR, Covidence)
• Skilled using analysis and data visualization techniques and software (e.g., R, Stata, Tableau)
• Experience conducting meta-analyses
• Use of project management tools or software (e.g., Monday)

SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a remote position. Much of the work is performed independently, with frequent team collaboration. Quarterly in-person meetings may require travel.

The starting rate is $90,000 to $105,000. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.