dbGaP Study Data Curator for NCI

General Dynamics Information Technology • Bethesda, MD

38d • $142,792 - $184,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

GDIT is seeking an experienced dbGaP Study Curator to support the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The role involves reviewing, organizing, and validating genomic, phenotypic, and clinical research data for submission to the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP). This position ensures that NCI-supported studies are accurately curated, properly documented, and compliant with NIH data-sharing policies and consent/privacy requirements. The curator will collaborate with investigators and study teams to standardize metadata, implement quality control protocols, and prepare submission materials, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and integrity of cancer research data.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific or data-focused discipline (e.g., genomics, biomedical science, bioinformatics).
• 1–3 years of submitting dbGaP data.
• 4 years curating biomedical data.
• Proven experience reviewing, curating, and organizing scientific data, including genomic, phenotypic, and clinical metadata, in fast-paced or complex research environments.
• Strong ability to quickly learn new workflows, study processes, and submission requirements, adapting effectively within an established team structure.
• Demonstrated expertise in metadata standards, data dictionaries, variable harmonization, and controlled vocabularies to ensure accuracy and consistency across studies.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency with large datasets, including advanced Excel, SQL, Linux/Unix, Python, and R.
• Experience performing rigorous quality control checks and identifying documentation gaps or inconsistencies in study materials.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with investigators, NCI staff, study teams, and other stakeholders to resolve questions and obtain missing information.
• Ability to interpret consent, data-use limitations, and NIH data-sharing policies to ensure compliant and accurate dbGaP submission materials.
• Genomic Analysis, Pandas Python Library, R Programming, Structured Query Language (SQL), Unix Operating Systems

Nice To Haves

• Background creating large genomic, phenotypic, or epidemiologic datasets in a research environment.
• Proficiency coordinating with diverse study teams, investigators, and federal staff in complex or multi-stakeholder environments.
• Direct curation experience working in the receipt of genomic, phenotypic, and clinical metadata.
• Teaching others how to collate, format, and curate data for data submission into government datasets.

Responsibilities

• Ensure NCI-supported studies are accurately curated, complete, and ready for compliant submission to dbGaP.
• Strengthen data quality by reviewing and validating phenotype, sample, and metadata files for clarity and consistency, carefully documenting curation decisions throughout the process.
• Standardize phenotype and variable metadata using controlled vocabularies to improve usability across studies.
• Identify missing, unclear, or inconsistent documentation and work with study teams to resolve gaps.
• Prepare and organize key dbGaP submission components, ensuring alignment with NIH data-sharing and consent requirements.
• Implement quality control checks that enhance the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of study submissions.
• Support updates to existing dbGaP records, maintaining accurate, current, and well-documented study metadata.
• Collaborate with investigators, researchers, and NCI staff to support timely, transparent, and policy-aligned data sharing.

Benefits

• Variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts
• Dental plan options
• Vision plan
• 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match
• Full flex work weeks where possible
• Variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave
• Short and long-term disability benefits
• Life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level