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University of South Carolina

Assistant Scientist

🇺🇸 Columbia, SC

🕑 Full-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Other

🗓️ May 30th, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring an Assistant Scientist. The role involves leading data management, analysis, and power calculations under the supervision of the Prevention Research Center Director and project Principal Investigators. The Assistant Scientist will manage data, conduct statistical analyses, and participate in drafting statistical sections for grants and manuscripts, primarily focusing on randomized trials and quasi-experimental study designs. 

 Highlights 
  • Responsible for data management, including organization, cleaning, preparation, and analysis.
  • Involvement in writing SAS code and creating data formats, labels, and codebooks.
  • Conduct and lead statistical analyses and provide insights for research projects.
  • Collaborate with faculty and graduate students on various study questions.
  • Requires expertise in SAS and experience in data analysis, especially related to physical activity and diet.
  • Position is full-time with a 37.5-hour workweek.
  • Requires a terminal degree (PhD or similar) and one year of post-graduate experience.
  • Preferred qualifications include a PhD in statistics/biostatistics or a related field.

Assistant Scientist Full Description

Assistant Scientist

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by June 5, 2025.

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Logo For Posting   
Posting Number  | RTF00116PO25
USC Market Title  | Assistant Scientist
Link to USC Market Title  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156373
Business Title (Internal Title)  | Assistant Scientist
Campus  | Columbia
Work County  | Richland
College/Division  | Arnold School of Public Health
Department  | ASPH Prevention Research Center
Advertised Salary Range  | Salary commensurate with qualifications
Location of Vacancy  |
Part/Full Time  | Full Time
Hours per Week  | 37.5
Work Schedule  | Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Type of Staff Position  | Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis  | 12 months
Job Search Category  | Other Professional
 
About USC 
About University of South Carolina 
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Inclusive Excellence Statement  
At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.
 
Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below 
The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
South Carolina Retirement  | Yes
State Insurance Programs  | Yes
Annual Leave  | Yes
Sick Leave  | Yes
 
Position Description 
Advertised Job Summary 
Under the overall supervision of the Prevention Research Center Director, along with the supervision of project Principal Investigators, the assistant scientist will take the lead in data management (including data organization, cleaning, and preparation), data analysis, and power calculations. The assistant scientist will be involved in writing code to check and process data, create formats and labels, create codebooks, and identify potential errors and outliers in the data. The assistant scientist will also propose, lead, and conduct statistical analyses in collaboration with faculty investigators and graduate students to answer study questions. Finally, the assistant scientist will participate in leading the development of statistical sections for grant proposals and manuscripts, as needed. Data will largely come from randomized trials and quasi-experimental study designs. The assistant scientist must have expertise and experience using SAS and a solid grasp of data analytic skills. He/she will work on multiple projects and with multiple project teams. Most studies will focus on physical activity, diet, and/or weight loss. The assistant scientist must be able to work independently and access resources within and outside the school to inform new analytic practices.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience 
Requires a terminal degree (PhD or similar) in an area of research specialty and one year of post-graduate job-related experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials   
Preferred Qualifications  | Prefer candidates with a PhD in statistics/biostatistics or closely related field (e.g., quantitative psychology).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities  
Must have a strong working knowledge of and experience with SAS. Must be very attentive to details and accuracy. Must have experience analyzing behavioral data, preferably physical activity and dietary data. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access. Experience using relational databases. Must be comfortable taking initiative and juggling multiple projects and timelines.

Job Duties 
Job Duty  | Meet with investigator(s) to propose data management and/or data analysis needs to lead plans and timeline. Provide regular updates to investigator(s).
Essential Function  | Yes

Percentage of Time  | 10Job Duty  | Work with investigator(s) to understand and implement data management support needs for multiple projects and then lead these efforts. Support includes writing SAS code to check and process data, create formats and labels, create codebooks, and identify potential errors and outliers in the data. Communicate this information to investigator(s) in a clear and timely fashion by sharing output and products, answering questions, and making revisions as needed.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 40Job Duty  | Propose, lead, and conduct statistical analyses for multiple projects. Clarify study questions with investigators and propose statistical analyses to answer study questions. Conduct analyses and provide output to investigators; answer questions about the output and its interpretation; make revisions as needed.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 30Job Duty  | Lead the drafts and revisions of the statistical analyses portions for scientific manuscripts.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 15Job Duty  | As needed, conduct power calculations, propose statistical analyses, and draft analytic sections for grant applications.

Essential Function  | No
Percentage of Time  | 5
 Position Attributes 
Hazardous weather category  | Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.  | No
 Posting Detail Information 
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Desired Start Date  |
Position End Date  |
Job Open Date  | 05/28/2025
Job Close Date  | 06/05/2025
Open Until Filled  | No
Special Instructions to Applicant  | Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by June 5, 2025.
Quicklink for Posting  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/188069

EEO Statement  
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * Do you have at least a terminal degree (PhD or similar) in an area of research specialty and one year of post-graduate job-related experience? 
    • Yes
    • No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. List of References and Contact Information
Optional Documents