Programmer Analyst II

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The Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) at the University of Southern California is seeking a Programmer Analyst II to join our dynamic team. We are looking for a skilled and motivated individual who can lead and contribute to projects within the Program on Global Aging, Health, and Policy (Global Aging Program).

The primary responsibilities of the Programmer Analyst II will be data management for the Harmonized Diagnostic Assessment for the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI-DAD). LASI-DAD is an in-dept study of cognitive aging and dementia for a sub-sample of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI). Responsibilities include leading the development, testing, and documentation of code for data cleaning, harmonization, and analysis, while maintaining secure data-sharing practices and facilitating access for external researchers. The position also serves as the primary point of contact for geographic data integration and supports the preparation of analytical outputs such as tables and figures for research publications. In addition, the role involves producing final datasets and documentation for public release and supporting the Harmonized Gateway to Global Aging initiative through codebook development and workflow maintenance.

This is a grant funded, one year (renewable) fixed term position and hybrid work arrangement.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop, test, debug, and document code for the LASI-DAD study. This includes being the lead programmer in the cleaning and management of survey data for the Harmonized LASI-DAD study.
• Prepare extensive documentation for the Harmonized LASI-DAD codebook in accordance with internal and external standards.
• Conduct data analysis using statistical programming with a focus on accuracy and reproducibility
• Develop and implement statistical protocols for quality control
• Oversee the work of junior programmers and provide guidance and training.
• Develop datasets, create tables, perform analyses, and otherwise participate in the production of publications in collaboration with researchers.
• Attend conferences as a representative of the Gateway to Global Aging Data. Give technical presentations and demonstrations.

Successful candidates for this position will have demonstrated data management and programming skills. The role demands the ability to produce careful and detail-oriented work, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the capacity to lead projects while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams. You will be part of a team of dedicated professionals in a dynamic and supportive environment that values innovation and scientific excellence.

Required Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Stata.
• Experience working with large-scale observational cohort studies.
• Familiarity with survey data structures, metadata, and documentation standards
• Knowledge of data quality assurance and quality control procedures, including validation checks and monitoring workflows
• Experience working with geospatial data
• Experience harmonizing data across multiple countries or study waves
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting findings.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Applicants with a master’s degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, or other quantitative social or health science field are encouraged to apply.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years of experience after completion of master’s degree.
• Experience monitoring fieldwork operations and tracking survey progress metrics in real time
• Knowledge of biomarker data
• Knowledge of sampling methods, survey weights, and complex survey design
• Experience producing dashboards, reports, or automated monitoring tools for data collection tracking

This is a grant funded position.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

Preferred Experience: 3 years Minimum Field of Expertise

The hourly rate range for this position is $44.76 - $56.42. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

About the Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR)

The Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) is a multidisciplinary research center dedicated to discovering how people around the globe live, think, interact, age, invest, and make important, life-changing decisions. Our in-depth research and analysis are deepening the understanding of human behavior in a wide range of economic and social contexts.  Our ultimate goal: to improve social welfare by informing and influencing decision-making in the public and private sectors. Along the way, we are leading a creative revolution in how scientists conduct social science and economic research through the use of innovative technology.

About the USC Schaeffer Institute

The USC Schaeffer Institute develops evidence-based solutions to address the nation’s most pressing policy issues. It serves as a policy laboratory to develop and test ideas generated by the USC academic community, fosters civic engagement, and provides a forum to reach federal policymakers.

Established by an historic gift from Leonard D. Schaeffer in 2024, it houses three flagship programs: the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service, and the Center for Civic Society. Schaeffer experts have testified before numerous Congressional committees and are regularly sought out by media outlets—including the New York Times, NPR, Stat, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post—to provide insight on policy issues.

The Schaeffer Institute is home to more than 150 scholars and staff, including three Nobel Laureates and seven members of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It has offices at USC in Los Angeles and at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC.

About the Sol Price School of Public Policy

Ranked among the foremost schools of public policy in the nation, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy generates uncommon knowledge for the common good. The school is composed of overlapping disciplines that generate innovative approaches to critical issues ranging from health-care policy to homelessness, and sustainability to congestion – to name a few. A wide-ranging curriculum, including extensive experiential learning, prepares our graduates to navigate problems that demand multi-layered solutions driven by critical, informed thinking.

The Price School, founded in 1929, is anchored by four departments: Public Policy and Management, Health Policy and Management, Wilbur H. Smith III Department of Real Estate Development, and Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis. The School’s rigorous academic programs provide students with the knowledge and distinctive opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their professions. Integrating classroom instruction with real-world experience and led by some of the world’s most renowned faculty in their fields, our students establish a clear pathway to successful careers.

Our academic programs are augmented by numerous research centers, institutes and initiatives that provide additional research expertise and experiences, notable among them are: The Judith and John Bedrosian Center on Governance and the Public; The Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy; The USC Lusk Center for Real Estate; The METRANS Transportation Consortium; The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics; and The Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy. Together, they account for over $100 million in externally funded research grants and contracts.

Together, these departments and research enterprises provide unmatched breadth and depth to tackle an enormous range of challenges facing our country and the world. Price graduates hold leadership positions across diverse sectors – public, private, and nonprofit – championing the advancement of the common good. They come from around the world and from a variety of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds to create a rich intellectual environment that celebrates, supports and benefits from a variety of backgrounds and opinions.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 1 year
Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience
Minimum Skills: Sound knowledge of programming and documentation procedures, programming methods, program flow charts and operator instructions. Knowledge of one or more appropriate computer languages.
Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree
Preferred Experience: 3 years

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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