Health Economic Software Developer Associate

School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States

Information Technology Services

Post Date Apr 18, 2024

Requisition # 102953

Stanford Health Policy (SHP) at Stanford University is seeking a Software Developer Associate, under general supervision, execute all programming tasks, including programming, analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, modifying, and maintaining computer programs. Work on systems of small size and elementary complexity or segments of larger systems under general supervision. SHP invites applicants for a full-time Health Economic Software Developer Associate position, to develop microsimulation models to inform policy relating to cancer, and other non-communicable diseases.

SHP produces interdisciplinary, world-class research on domestic and international health that advances our understanding of how health care can be delivered and shapes the formulation of health care policy worldwide. This critical work takes place across campus with multiple schools, organizations and individuals. At SHP, our mission focuses on interdisciplinary innovation, discovery, and education to improve health policy. To achieve this mission, we develop and apply cutting-edge methodology from decision sciences, statistics, machine learning, AI, and health economics. The development and use of microsimulation models is essential to evaluate current and yet-to-be-observed health policies.

SHP seeks a Health Economic Software Developer Associate to join the modeling team led by Assistant Professor Fernando Alarid-Escudero that conducts modeling analyses on the health impact, costs and cost-effectiveness of cancer, other non-communicable diseases and infectious disease prevention and treatment programs to inform health policy and guide public health decision-making and prioritize future research at local, state, national and international levels. The Health Economic Software Developer Associate will join multi-institutional research groups, including CISNET (https://cisnet.cancer.gov), a consortium of cancer modelers funded by NCI that focus on the long-term objective of reducing the impact of cancer by providing the information needed to address key policy questions and prioritize future research, and The Decision Analysis in R for Technologies in Health (DARTH) workgroup (https://darthworkgroup.com). The successful applicant will take a lead role in the development and application of microsimulation models and contribute to a broader portfolio of projects through regular participation in working groups.

Stanford University is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and academic staff. It welcomes nominations of and applications from women and members of minority groups, as well as others who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching, and clinical missions. The culture of the group is inquisitive, collaborative, and inclusive so that team members can do their best work. We have high standards for rigor, quality, and ethics and help each other learn to reach these objectives.

The Health Economic Software Developer Associate will execute all programming tasks, including programming, analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, modifying, and maintaining computer programs. Work on systems of small to moderate size and complexity or segments of larger systems. More specifically, the appointed person will work on simulation model-based evaluation of health policies, medical technologies including pharmaceuticals, therapeutic devices, and diagnostics; public health and social care research; development of methods; and evaluative research focusing on the U.S. and low- and middle-income countries.

The Health Economic Software Developer Associate will have training opportunities to develop their analytical skills in economic evaluation, including advanced decision analysis, microsimulation simulation modeling, statistical analysis of individual-level data, data science, AI, and evidence synthesis.

Duties include:

• Assess user needs and requirements.

• Assist with design and development of applications that may involve sophisticated data manipulation.

• Assist with maintaining and updating existing programs.

• Troubleshoot and solve basic technical problems.

• Assist in the design and implementation of user and operations training programs.

• Contribute to documenting changes in software for end users.

• Follow team software development methodology.

• Suggest improvements and/or changes to help increase efficiency.

• Collaborate with researchers at Stanford and partner institutions, to conceptualize, design, develop and program microsimulation models.

• Collaborate with researchers at Stanford and partner institutions, to determine updates to microsimulation models.

• Debug microsimulation models’ code and collaborate with researchers at Stanford and partner institutions to develop solutions and methods to solve technical problems.

• Follow coding framework and standards developed by Stanford researchers based on the DARTH’s coding framework (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6871515/)

• Write, update and maintain documentation to describe model development, structure, logic, coding, and testing.

• Maintain and update current microsimulation models for policy analysis and health economic evaluation.

• Continuously develop unit tests to make sure the codes or functions are secure.

• Author and publish abstracts, poster presentations and research articles based on the model and modeling results

• Assist in developing research proposals, progress reports, and final reports for external and internal sponsored research.

* - Other duties may also be assigned

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

This role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate. The expected pay range for this position is $37.50 to $48.08 per hour.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources atstanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit acontact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in a quantitative discipline such as economics, finance, statistics, engineering, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, applied mathematics, or a related field.

• Strong background in mathematical/statistical or computational techniques.

• Strong programming skills in R, Python, or other languages.

• Experience with unit tests tools

• Experience in software accessibility, reproducibility and open science programming

• Developing and documenting functions

• Developing and documenting packages

• Developing Markdown or quarto documents.

• Data wrangling.

• Data visualization (e.g., proficient use in the ggplot package).

• Preferable skills in shiny apps

• Experience in using private and public repositories in git-based platforms (e.g., GitHub)

• Create new repositories.

• Track changes in history.

• Use issues.

• Work in parallel on the same project by branching the work into separate branches.

• Track record of good practices for coding reproducibility and transparency.

• Experience in developing simulation models.

• Ability to work independently and under deadlines is essential.

• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately and thoroughly.

• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a research team that includes investigators based inside and outside Stanford.

• Training in health economics, public health, medicine, or biology.

• Interest in health policy and public health.

• Prior experience in collaborative empirical research.

• Be passionate about software quality and be prepared to advocate on behalf of good processes and best practices.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):

Bachelor's degree or a combination of education and relevant experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):

• Familiarity with latest software and design standards.

• Ability to solve logical problems for technical applications.

• Knowledge of and ability to select, adapt, and effectively use programming methods.

• Ability to recognize and recommend needed changes in user and/or operations procedures.

• Basic knowledge of software engineering principles.

• Strong knowledge of at least one programming language.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.

• Frequently sit, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.

• Occasionally stand/walk, writing by hand.

• Rarely use a telephone, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

May work extended hours, evening and weekends.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time

• Job Code: 4819

• Employee Status: Regular

• Grade: H

• Requisition ID: 102953

• Work Arrangement : Remote Eligible