Operations Research Scientist

At Moffitt Cancer Center, we strive to be the leader in understanding the complexity of cancer and applying these insights to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. Our diverse team of over 9,000 are dedicated to serving our patients and creating a workspace where every individual is recognized and appreciated. For this reason, Moffitt has been recognized on the 2023 Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers and America’s Best Employers for Women, Computerworld magazine’s list of 100 Best Places to Work in Information Technology, DiversityInc Top Hospitals & Health Systems and continually named one of the Tampa Bay Time’s Top Workplace. Additionally, Moffitt is proud to have earned the prestigious Magnet® designation in recognition of its nursing excellence. Moffitt is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, and the leading cancer hospital in both Florida and the Southeast. We are a top 10 nationally ranked cancer center by Newsweek and have been nationally ranked by News & World Report since 1999.
Working at Moffitt is both a career and a mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. Join our committed team and help shape the future we envision.

Summary

OPERATIONS RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Position Summary:

The Operations Research Scientist position provides comprehensive technical expertise to the business unit specific operations data activities at Moffitt Cancer Center (“Moffitt”). This position works both collaboratively and independently under the direction of the Associate Center Director (ACD) of Research Diversity & Workforce Development (RDWD) to design agile quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies and to securely collect, analyze, store, quality control, visualize, and report potentially sensitive operational data and other information to internal and external stakeholders using in-house and third-party software solutions.

This position partners with other Moffitt analytic teams to design, develop, connect, launch, and maintain business unit data repositories and dashboards linked to Moffitt and external data sources to ensure continual integrity and accuracy of business unit data and metrics.

The incumbent works independently and with leadership to cultivate positive relationships with internal and external collaborators and contributes to business unit specific data components of Moffitt’s Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), which signifies Moffitt’s status as a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrable experience with advanced data analytic tools and software
• Demonstrable experience independently designing and conducting operational research and applying conclusions/solutions to business practice
• Ability to deliver high quality and accurate work products within complex and fast-paced environments
• Ability to independently interpret and apply instructions to assigned activities
• Applies service oriented and consensus building approach to problem solving
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, etc)
• Exceptional planning, time management, and organizational skills
• Exceptional judgment and discretion with sensitive topics

Responsibilities

• Designs and applies advanced quantitative and qualitative analytic strategies or methodologies to gather, assess, track, and report on profiles, patterns, and trends of data relevant to the business unit ( demographic data, educational data, etc).
• Employs leading field and institutional knowledge to provide benchmarking reports of Moffitt internal and external data relative to peer institutions and other national benchmarks.
• Works with RDWD and senior leadership to proactively meet reporting needs. Designs, prepares, and coordinates data visualizations, tables, scorecards, and other infographics for communication to internal and external stakeholders.
• Independently creates and assesses qualitative and quantitative surveys or related instruments for distribution to research personnel and other specific organizational units to gather data. Records, codes, harmonizes, and interprets survey and/or other data and communicates gaps and best practices to meet the goals and objectives of the business unit and/or organization.
• Develops and presents novel operational research methodologies and/or analyses through professional association and scientific conferences and through scientific publications in field relevant journals.
• Functions as primary honest broker of sensitive data, providing aggregate, de-identified information to center leadership, CCSG research programs, academic departments, research administration, and other related offices as appropriate.
• Cultivates strong, positive working relationships with key analytic areas within Moffitt including, but not limited to, Business Intelligence; Health Informatics; Research Information Technology; Center for Digital Health; Human Resources; and Enterprise Equity.
• Works collaboratively, flexibly, and independently as appropriate, with other Moffitt analytic teams to design, develop, connect, launch, and maintain business unit data repositories and dashboards linked to other Moffitt and external data sources. Ensures continual integrity and accuracy of data and metrics.
• Partners with ACD, business unit leadership, and/or other stakeholders to implement and maintain in-house and third-party software solutions to securely collect, store, and report on potentially sensitive information (, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, catchment) as defined by the National Institutes of Health as being underrepresented in the sciences and as part of reporting requirements outlined for NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the Plan to Enhance Diversity component.
• Maintains strong and up-to-date knowledge of Cancer Center Support Grant data reporting requirements as related to the Plan to Enhance Diversity and other relevant CCSG components. Additionally maintains deep knowledge of all business unit programs, initiatives, and plans.
• Engages with the national research community through conferences, workshops, lectures, and/or seminars to maintain up-to-date knowledge of findings, methodologies, collegial scientific network, and general research skills related to field expertise.
• Works with business unit and senior leadership to design and report on metrics for quantifying, evaluating, and reporting progress towards unit specific strategic plans, ensuring accurate data for data-driven decision making.
• Designs and implements appropriate instruments to measure effectiveness and impact of all initiatives and programs within the business unit. Identifies and communicates opportunities and other insights for process and program improvements.
• Consults and collaborates with work units across Moffitt to discern gaps related to business unit goals and objectives, and designs appropriate strategies based on field leading best practices.
• Provides guidance and project specific supervision to subordinate analytic staff within the business unit.
• Identifies technical education and training needs within business unit. Generates and delivers training materials/plans to business unit team members as directed by unit leadership and/or ACD.
• Employs agile work practices that enable business unit to effectively prioritize routine and project specific tasks to deliver high quality products for non-negotiable and/or flexible deadlines.
• Works collaboratively and/or independently on ad hoc projects of strategic importance to the business unit and/or institution to include data generation, analysis, visualization, and/or other related activities.
• Engages in other ad hoc activities as assigned by business unit leadership, ACD, or institutional senior leadership.

Credentials and Qualifications:

• PhD. in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Operational Research, Natural or Behavioral Sciences, or other related discipline required.
• At least five (5) years of experience at the postdoctoral and/or research scientist (or equivalent) levels in data analysis, data quality, business analysis, information technology, quantitative and/or qualitative research, or degree-related field required.
• At least one (1) year of experience in field relevant to business unit (, community health, diversity, education, training, sponsored research, grants management, library science) required.
• Experience with advanced data collection, analysis (quantitative and/or qualitative), visualization,
• and/or business intelligence software required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, etc) required
• Exceptional judgment and discretion with sensitive data required.
• Experience independently designing operational research questions, conducting studies, analyzing results, and applying conclusions/solutions to business unit required.
• Experience applying professional concepts and company policies and procedures to solve a variety of challenges/problems required.

Preferred Experience

• At least three (3) years of experience in analyzing complex datasets preferred.
• Experience in a healthcare, academic, community, or research setting strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience in implementing honest broker principles preferred.
• Experience with application program interfaces and dashboarding tools strongly preferred