Job Information
University of Massachusetts Amherst Research Fellow in Amherst, Massachusetts
Research Fellow
Apply now (https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/822/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=523711&lJobSourceTypeID=801&sLanguage=en-us) Job no: 523711
Work type: Senior/Research Fellow (Amherst Only)
Location: UMass Amherst
Department:Biostatistics & Epidemiology
Union:Non-Unit Exempt
Categories: School of Public Health & Health Sciences
About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Description
To lead and support research activities in the Reich Lab in the UMass-Amherst Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology related to a CDC-funded project “Center for Implementation in Outbreak Analytics and Disease Modeling: Multi-Scale Outbreak Decision-Support Tools.” As part of this project, our team is developing an ecosystem of open-source tools called the Hubverse. This technology suite is designed to assist public health agencies and academic modelers by creating data standards and open-source tools to organize and administer collaborative infectious disease modeling projects, referred to as modeling “hubs”. The successful candidate in this position will participate in developing, documenting, and testing software for the Hubverse. Additionally, they will work with users looking to set up new hubs, helping them with the technical configuration and use of software packages necessary to succeed. Must be able to multi-task and manage diverse projects with deadlines while working under the direction of the project lead.
Essential Functions Function 1: Participate in Hubverse team meetings
Attend once monthly Hubverse community meetings
Attend once weekly Hubverse development team meetings
Attend ad-hoc team meetings as needed
Function 2: Develop, test and document new Hubverse features
Develop new features as needed for the Hubverse
Based on issue prioritization and tracking provided by the project manager, fix bugs and add new features to the Hubverse code base
Conduct code reviews from a user perspective
Stress-test pre-release code in Hubverse packages as new features are developed by running example code provided by developers
Write and submit code reviews on GitHub that focus on usability of new features and user-friendliness of documentation and warnings
Keep documentation updated and relevant
Draft new and edit existing user manuals and vignettes for Hubverse software
Edit and monitor deployments of hubverse websites, including themain project documentation site (https://hubdocs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) as well as individual package websites (e.g.,hubUtils (https://infectious-disease-modeling-hubs.github.io/hubUtils/index.html) orhubVis (https://infectious-disease-modeling-hubs.github.io/hubVis/index.html) ).
Function 3: Support Hubverse users and expand user base
Meet with and assist new Hubverse users in setting up and administering a hub
Assist new users in designing hub configuration files
Help new users navigate the suite of tools and determine which tools they should use
Serve as a primary point of support contact for new Hubverse users as they launch a hub
Support existing Hubverse users
Troubleshoot issues for existing Hubverse administrators
Provide ongoing user support for Hubverse users and administrators
Expand Hubverse user base
Present hubverse tools and functionality at virtual and/or in-person conferences and meetups
Function 4: Other related functions as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
3+ years' experience using and writing code collaboratively on version control systems such as GitHub, BitBucket, etc.
3+ years' experience working in the R programming language
Expertise developing software packages/libraries in R
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written formats with both technical and lay users
Experience coordinating and communicating across diverse stakeholders of developers and users in an open-source software community
Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, prioritize, and escalate while delivering results on time
Experience working with continuous integration server
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate
Preferred Requirements
5+ years' experience using and writing code collaboratively on version control systems such as GitHub, BitBucket, etc.
Expertise with Python programming language
Expertise developing software packages/libraries in Python
Familiarity with web development technologies such as HTML, CSS and Javascript
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Additional Information
Flexible work arrangement possible
Occasional evenings and weekends required as needed to meet deadlines
Travel within US (and perhaps occasionally international) around 1-2 times per year may be required to attend meetings and/or conferences
May work around standard office conditions
Application Instructions
Cover Letter
Resume
Names and contact information for three (3) work references including at least one current or former supervisor
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Advertised: Jun 12 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
