Immediate Job Opening: Director of Data and Analytics: Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA)

The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) is a university-wide initiative dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused primarily on the quantitative social science of population change, socioeconomic development, and public health. Our goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and resilient societies.

The HCPDS is seeking a full-time, experienced Director of Data and Analytics to serve on its NIH-funded study, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA). HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the health and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa. The goal of this research project is to explore aging in South Africa, with focal areas in cognitive health, cardiometabolic disease, HIV and HIV treatment, public policies, social determinants of health, and health inequalities. Research focuses on exploring the interrelationships between: Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias; physical and cognitive functioning; lifestyle risk factors; household income & expenditure; depression and mental health; social networks and family composition; HIV infection; and cardiometabolic disease.

HAALSA is currently in the middle of its third renewal, which includes continuation of the community cohort study as well as the launch of a nationally representative survey in South Africa. The community and national surveys each include a sub-study with in-depth focus on cognition and dementia. The studies are designed to be aligned with the international Health and Retirement (HRS) sister studies, and the HRS Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP), while also addressing research questions specific to aging in the South African context. HAALSA is led by Dr. Lisa Berkman at HCPDS and Dr. Thomas Gaziano at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, plus a team of collaborators at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town in South Africa, as well as other institutions in South Africa and the US.

The Director of Data and Analytics will oversee research analyses for multiple papers related to aims of the study. They will supervise data management processes, including data quality assurance, and the preparation and public release of datasets. They will significantly contribute to study design and analytic strategy with an aim to generating results, and will provide hands-on support for manuscript development.

The job will require travel to South Africa up to twice a year. Candidates are asked to visit the project and HCPDS websites for more information.

https://haalsi.org/

https://.popcenter.harvard.edu

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Leads and oversees research plans for papers related to project aims.
  • Supports and reviews manuscript development, including co-authorship and contribution to scientific publications with coinvestigators.
  • Supervises data management processes, including quality assurance protocols and public-use dataset development to ensure consistency across outputs.
  • Directs technical project activities, including analytic dataset production and data analysis.
  • Oversees the public release of data and ensures timely and appropriate dissemination of research findings.
  • Leads the identification and adoption of innovative statistical methods to address evolving analytic challenges and enhance the scientific impact of HAALSI outputs.
  • Oversees and coordinates statistical and data management activities across projects to ensure alignment with study goals and timelines.
  • Oversees the development of analytic tools and resources addressing key data challenges.
  • Provides strategic oversight and guidance on statistical approaches across HAALSI projects, ensuring methodological rigor and alignment with study objectives.
  • Reviews and advises on the selection and implementation of statistical method, including complex longitudinal analyses and advanced modeling techniques, working closely with the Senior Statistical Analyst.
  • Reviews statistical outputs, models, and results to ensure quality, reproducibility, and readiness for publication and reporting.
  • Oversees the preparation of analytic datasets and ensure adherence to data management and documentation standards.
  • Leads cross-team coordination of analytic workflows and communication among investigators, data managers, and collaborators in the US and South Africa.
  • Oversees progress on analytic deliverables and timelines across multiple analyses and studies.
  • Provides direct supervision of the Senior Statistical Analyst and Data Manager, including direction on task prioritization, workflow, and project activities.
  • Other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term end date of May 31, 2027 with possibility of renewal.

PLEASE NOTE: This position may require travel to South Africa for short durations up to twice a year.

Required Qualifications

  • 6 years of experience working on health-related research projects involving primary data collection with longitudinal cohort studies, medical records or field work in Africa other low or middle income countries
  • Experience developing survey instruments, especially those involving CAPI systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with professionals at all levels in diverse settings. Must be flexible, dependable, responsive, and resourceful.
  • Fluency in English.
  • Strong publication record.
  • Superior organizational and communication skills required.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and meet multiple deadlines.
  • High level of proficiency with statistical software such as Stata, SAS, and/or R.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or related field with two or more years of post-doctoral training/experience preferred.
  • Prior experience with longitudinal observational studies; budget experience; experience working on NIH studies; IRB protocol preparation/compliance; prior capacity building experience.
  • Experience with US Health and Retirement Survey or sister study (with longitudinal data)
  • Experience and/or strong interest in low-income, low literacy settings.
  • Supervisory experience.

Application Process

Please visit this link to learn more and to apply for this position. The job reference number is 002957SR.

Questions

Feel free to email Laura Price, Deputy Director. lprice@hsph.harvard.edu