Sr Research Associate, Evidence Synthesis

American Chemical Society•Portland, OR

1d•$90,000 - $105,000•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Research Associate, Evidence Synthesis works with the American Cancer Society’s Center for Early Cancer Detection Science (CECDS) Cancer-related Evidence Synthesis Team (CrEST) to lead systematic evidence reviews that inform ACS early cancer detection guidelines. Acting as a working principal investigator or co-principal investigator, this role works with CrEST leadership and the CECDS guideline team to define evidence needs, then designs, leads, and conducts evidence synthesis products, including systematic, living systematic, and rapid reviews. The role supervises, trains, and mentors junior research staff and coordinates multiple projects and tasks. It manages deadlines, delegates work, guides review-team members, and communicates with internal and external subject matter experts and interest holders. The position also develops working knowledge of cancer screening practices and guidelines relevant to ACS topics, contributes subject-matter expertise and peer review, represents ACS at professional meetings, and undertakes other research-related tasks as assigned. This is a remote position. Work is performed largely independently, with frequent team collaboration; quarterly in-person meetings may require travel. The starting salary range is $90,000–$105,000, with actual pay dependent on relevant experience, skills, specialty, education, and other non-discriminatory factors. ACS offers paid time off, medical and dental benefits, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs.

Requirements

Master’s degree in public health, health policy/services, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience working with and leading teams conducting systematic evidence reviews, health technology assessments, or rapid reviews.
Knowledge of epidemiology and/or clinical research methods, including study design and basic biostatistics, and current systematic evidence review methods.
Ability to translate complex findings into clear, actionable written research products.
Strong organization and prioritization skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple large projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and work with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate effectively with scientific and technical audiences and non-clinical policymakers.
Excellent writing, grammar, and proofreading skills, including the ability to follow different style guides.
Proficiency in evidence synthesis, including conducting systematic reviews or health technology assessments, critically appraising scientific literature with established tools, and assessing the strength of evidence using established methods or criteria.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Proficiency in citation management software, such as EndNote.

Nice To Haves

Advanced or specialized knowledge in at least one of the following: medicine or clinical practice, epidemiology, biostatistics, meta-analysis, genetics, biomarkers, data visualization, or artificial intelligence.
Record of peer-reviewed publication.
Experience conducting systematic reviews to inform clinical practice guidelines.
Experience with systematic review software such as DistillerSR or Covidence.
Skill using analysis and data visualization techniques and software such as R, Stata, or Tableau.
Experience conducting meta-analyses.
Experience using project management tools or software such as Monday.

Responsibilities

Serve as a working principal investigator or co-principal investigator for systematic evidence reviews that inform ACS early cancer detection guidelines.
Lead and conduct review stages, including protocol development, study selection, critical appraisal, data abstraction, and quantitative and qualitative synthesis.
Evaluate the quality and applicability of research studies and assess the strength of evidence for selected outcomes.
Communicate findings and prepare presentations, reports, and journal manuscripts; review, edit, and combine sections drafted by project team members.
Manage relationships and communications with internal and external subject matter experts and interest holders.
Delegate review tasks, provide guidance, monitor team progress, and ensure project deadlines are met.
Develop working knowledge of cancer screening practices and guidelines relevant to ACS topics.
Select and use appropriate project software and tools, and train team members in their use.
Coordinate with CrEST leadership and the CECDS guideline development team to determine the scope of evidence needs for cancer screening topics.
Provide project updates and disseminate findings to the CECDS guideline development team and ACS Guideline Development Group.
Provide subject-matter expertise and peer review, represent ACS at professional meetings, perform ad hoc evidence tasks for ACS CAN or ACS leadership, and participate in other research tasks as assigned.
Participate in staff recruitment, including screening and interviewing.
Supervise, train, and mentor junior research staff; provide leadership, oversight, training, and guidance to volunteers and research-team members.
Pursue professional development and maintain and apply working knowledge of systematic review methods.