Statistical Analyst

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,017 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern University is seeking a Master’s‑level statistical analyst to join the Quantitative Data Sciences Core in the Feinberg School of Medicine. The role focuses on collaborating with cancer research investigators on clinical trials and epidemiological studies, managing complex datasets, and producing reproducible statistical analyses.

Responsibilities include planning analyses, developing pipelines in R/R Markdown, and delivering reports for meetings and publications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field.
• 4 years data analysis/report writing or similar experience.
• Strong proficiency in R and R Markdown.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and analyze multiple datasets and analyses.
• Develop statistical analysis plans with biostatistics faculty.
• Prepare statistical analysis reports with reproducible pipelines.
• Write well-documented code and ensure data quality.

Skills

statistical methods

R

R Markdown

data management

communication

Education

Master's degree in Biostatistics or Statistics

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

R Studio

R

R Markdown

Job description

Department: MED-Preventive Medicine

Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Target hiring range for this position will be between $70,017 - $80,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Job Summary

The Quantitative Data Sciences Core (QDSC) of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM) is recruiting a Master’s‑level statistical analyst to join a highly collegial academic environment in the Division of Biostatistics & Infectiv onistics in FSM’s Department of Preventive Medicine. This role involves collaborating with cancer research investigators on clinical trials and other clinical, epidemiological, and basic science studies, working under the supervision of Biostatistics faculty members. Duties include managing and analyzing multiple complex datasets; ensuring data integrity, quality, and timeliness of results; developing statistical analysis plans in collaboration with biostatistics faculty; and preparing statistical analysis reports using reproducible pipelines. Level of appointment and responsibilities will be commensurate with experience and education.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Manages and plans for data/analysis requests and projects.
• Provides consultation to customers on appropriate data management, methodological issues and statistical analyses.
• Assists in the development of statistical analysis plans.
• Manages multiple ongoing projects.
• Assists in the development of project analysis milestones and timelines, and ensures timely completion.
• Collaborates with Quality Assurance Monitoring team and other groups on data collection tool development and other data management activities.

Administration

• Reviews reports before presentation to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Develops and maintains documentation of process for quality assurance and reporting methodology.

Development

• Interprets results using a variety of techniques, ranging from simple data aggregation via statistical analysis to complex statistical analysis.
• Determines data structure for local datasets.
• Cleans and organizes data in preparation for analysis.
• Prepares statistical analysis reports, including tables and figures, for meetings with investigators, and for presentations and publications.
• Develops well‑documented code using code style best practices.
• Prepares structured and well‑annotated statistical analysis reports using R and R Markdown.
• Develops data collection tools independently and in collaboration with other groups.
• Learns new statistical methods as needed for projects.

Performance

• Develops and documents standards for data quality and regulatory compliance pertaining to reporting.
• Ensures quality and compliance by reviewing reports.
• Performs range, logic and consistency checks, reporting errors when preparing reports.
• Produces readable well‑documented code according to code style best practices.
• Maintains professional and clear communication style.
• Adheres to project timelines and deadlines.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4‑year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 4 years data analysis/report writing or similar experience required.

Infrastructure

• High Performance Computing (HPC)
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook)
• Programming Languages and Frameworks
• Other: R, RStudio, R Markdown

Compliance

• HIPAA
• IRB

Analytical

• critical thinking
• data mining
• data modeling
• database design/ data structure
• Debugging
• decision making
• judgment
• problem solving
• Troubleshooting

Project

• Code documentation
• collaboration and teamwork
• organizational skills
• planning
• workflow development & documentation
• write proposals and project charters

Minimum Competencies (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Strong foundational knowledge of statistical methods used in cancer biostatistics.
• Advanced proficiency in R and R Markdown for data management, analysis, and report generation, including the ability to write clean, well‑documented, and reproducible code using the tidyverse and related packages.
• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain statistical results to clinical collaborators.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills with a high level of attention to detail; ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong foundational knowledge of statistical methods used in cancer biostatistics.
• Advanced proficiency in R and R Markdown for data management, analysis, and report generation, including the ability to write clean, well‑documented, and reproducible code using the tidyverse and related packages.
• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain statistical results to clinical collaborators.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills with a high level of attention to detail; ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Master’s degree in Biostatistics or Statistics, or equivalent level of education.
• Professional experience applying high‑level biostatistical methods (e.g. survival analysis, longitudinal modeling, clinical trial analysis) within a collaborative environment.
• Prior experience in cancer research, including familiarity with early phase clinical trial design and cancer‑specific endpoints.
• Experience with data management, quality control, data cleaning and curation.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet competing deadlines within a shared resource collaboration model.

Preferred Competencies (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Advanced modeling, including knowledge of survival analysis, regression modeling, longitudinal models, and model diagnostics.
• Familiarity with or interest in propensity score methods, causal inference, and high‑dimensional data analysis.
• Familiarity with exploratory data analysis, and publication‑quality data summaries and data visualization.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work‑Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non‑discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.