[Hiring] Biostatistician @ISF

Role Description

This contractor would support an applied public health research project producing a state-level decision-support system for a government agency client. The system is built on a two-stage predictive modeling pipeline:

• A Bayesian hierarchical abundance model that estimates the latent at-risk population from six surveillance outcomes across thousands of census tracts statewide.
• A gradient-boosted machine learning layer with SHAP-based feature importance.

Model outputs feed a live Azure-hosted interactive dashboard used by agency stakeholders for planning and resource allocation.

A doctoral-level lead data scientist (Ph.D., Public Health) designs and manages the full analytical pipeline. A second data scientist supports data structuring and pipeline development. This Consulting Biostatistician would serve as an independent methodological reviewer and collaborator:

• Evaluating the statistical specification and its assumptions.
• Providing structured written feedback before deliverables reach the client.
• Contributing to the preparation of peer-reviewed publications describing the methods and findings.

Qualifications

• Doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) in biostatistics, statistics, quantitative epidemiology, or a closely related field.
• Meaningful hands-on experience with Bayesian hierarchical modeling and public health surveillance data.
• Ability to evaluate statistical assumptions with authority.
• Experience with government-contracted or externally accountable research.
• A publication record in applied biostatistics or epidemiology is strongly preferred.

Requirements

• Proficient in R and at least one Bayesian modeling framework (e.g., Stan, brms, INLA, NIMBLE, JAGS).
• Must currently hold, or be able to obtain, CITI Human Subjects Research certification before restricted data access is granted.
• Ability to assess a defined scope of work and offer a reasonable hour estimate before beginning.
• Comfort surfacing scope questions and clarifying tasks early.
• Experience tracking and reporting hours on consulting or contract work.

Benefits

• Hourly rate commensurate with senior doctoral-level consulting experience; billed monthly on hours worked.
• Approximately 10–20 hours per month on a defined-deliverable basis, with the option to scale hours depending on project need.
• Occasional 1-hour meetings between 9 AM – 5 PM ET (onboarding, periodic client meetings).

Engagement Logistics

• Access to project data requires current CITI Program certification in Human Subjects Research.
• This is a 1099 independent contractor engagement.
• The contractor is responsible for their own taxes and benefits, as well as resources required to complete work assignments.
• The contractor will have access to sensitive public health surveillance data governed by applicable data use agreements and confidentiality obligations.