Research Associate STS (Biostatistics and Bioinformatics)

Description

Date: November 2025

Title: Research Associate STS (Biostatistics and Bioinformatics)

Department: Population and Quantitative Health Sciences

School: Medicine

Location: Case Western Reserve University

Supervisor Name and Title: Liangliang Zhang, Assistant Professor

 

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Research Associate STS will contribute to the development, optimization, and execution of high-quality bioinformatics and biostatistical methods, and will lead large-scale data analyses for investigators. The Research Associate is expected to work independently to design, plan, and execute research projects from early-phase development through completion. This includes overseeing collaborations, supervising students, and keeping the PI informed of progress while providing recommendations on analytical and methodological strategies. The position involves working across a broad range of clinical and pre-clinical research studies, engaging in all aspects of statistical and data-science workflows—including data management, analysis of large and complex datasets, advanced analytics, database handling, and development or testing of novel computational and statistical approaches aligned with project goals. The Research Associate will generate results, prepare documentation and method summaries, contribute to manuscript preparation, and support the development of grant proposals through preliminary data and analytical insight. They will participate actively in biostatistical methodology development and/or applied quantitative health research, translating large-scale biomedical and omics data (e.g., microbiome, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics) into scientific knowledge that advances precision medicine. Preference will be given to highly motivated candidates with expertise in biomarker discovery, Bayesian modeling, cancer or Alzheimer’s disease research, and the analysis of high-dimensional biomedical datasets.

Under the guidance of the PI, the Research Associate is expected to design and plan projects, oversee collaborations, source data, coordinate the lab, and carry out research activities of an assigned project through completion. The Research Associate will keep the PI informed of progress of research projects and provide recommendations on research design and action plan. The Research Associate will also present data and findings at lab and scientific meetings, seminars, etc., prepare manuscripts, and contribute preliminary data for grant proposals. 

The CWRU SOM is affiliated with some of the best hospitals in the United States, such as University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC), Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF), The Metro Health System (MHS) and Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Through these partnerships, cutting-edge technologies, research facilities and collaborative opportunities are accessible to our research team. The recruited candidate will support collaborations with researchers in the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCC), Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (CADRC), Case Western Reserve University AIDS Research (Case CFAR), The Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Center, and Cleveland Clinics Foundation (CCF).

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.     Methodological and Statistical Development; Assist the PI in developing new techniques, statistical methods, and computational approaches; implement simulations, assess models, and select appropriate statistical methodologies to support collaborative research projects.(15%)

2.     Independent Project Planning and Management; Prepare and manage research plans and protocols with a high degree of independence. Oversee timelines, multitask across multiple projects, and conduct consistent follow-up to ensure timely and successful completion. (10%)

3.     Project Oversight and Collaborative Engagement; Help the PI oversee lab projects, carry out assigned research activities through completion, and participate in meetings with collaborators, with or without the supervisor, as directed. (10%)

4.     Results Summaries, Analysis Reports, and Grant Support; Prepare result summaries and generate analysis reports, including documentation of analytic pipelines. Ensure statistical rigor, contribute preliminary data, and assist in preparing grant proposals. (10%)

5.     Tool, Workflow, and Pipeline Development; Develop and implement tools, workflows, and protocols for processing, analyzing, and integrating high-