Programmer II

Job Summary:
The Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR), an organization within the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is responsible for the design, monitoring and statistical analysis of clinical trials and observational studies for several major national and international NIH-funded clinical research networks. CBAR employs over 60 statisticians and epidemiologists including Harvard faculty, research scientists, and staff. Investigators within CBAR have provided statistical leadership and support for clinical research networks for thirty-five years. Currently this includes infectious disease networks such as: Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally for HIV/AIDS and Other Infections (ACTG) and the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network (IMPAACT). Results from studies have helped to establish the paradigm for the treatment and prevention of HIV and other infectious diseases, and contributed to international treatment and prevention guidelines.
This position is located in the Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR) within the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts. Programmers are valued contributors to the strategic and research goals of the organization and enjoy an environment of learning and growth. CBAR features a well-defined promotional track and support system for staff professional development.
CBAR has a hybrid work environment which includes a combination of on-campus/in-person work and remote work.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
The Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR) is actively recruiting an R Programmer II. The R Programmer II works as an individual contributor to improve programs and processes that enhance CBAR’s operational efficiency. This position also conceptualizes and implements tools and techniques that enhance statistical programming across research networks through collaboration with researchers.
Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Develop, maintain, and enhance reusable R programs, R packages, BASH programs, prepare analysis datasets, create tables, listings, and figures for statistical reports, and produce professional graphics
Develop and refine large-scale programs that facilitate data manipulation and improve researchers’ experience for organizing and analyzing data
Write and maintain Linux utilities and related guidance documents for researchers
Test, validate, and document R, BASH, and Linux programs to ensure they meet CBAR and applicable CDISC requirements
Develop and enhance programs that maintain and use metadata repositories, including CRAN, pharmaverse, CDISC, MedDRA, and WHODrug metadata
Translate existing SAS macros and programs into validated, well-documented R functions and packages while maintaining the accuracy and reproducibility of existing processes
Partner with senior management and programmers to learn and apply artificial intelligence technologies that may improve CBAR systems and processes
Serve as a programming resource for statisticians, epidemiologists, and other programmers by troubleshooting complex programming problems and providing general programming support
Educate statisticians and programmers on advanced R data manipulation, package development, programming techniques, and best practices
Collaborate with researchers to implement standard operating procedures and other programming standards
Participate in relevant CBAR committees and collaborate with researchers, clinicians, programmers, and data managers to advance CBAR’s research
Mentor programming personnel to strengthen their skills and technical knowledge
Maintain and expand technical knowledge by attending relevant workshops or conferences
Develop and deliver statistical programming presentations, seminars, and other training activities for research staff
Contribute to the programmer recruitment and hiring process as an interviewer
Perform other duties as assigned
Please attach the following required documents when applying: 1) Resume, 2) Cover letter, 3) Sample of R code (solely created by the applicant) and 4) Names and email addresses for three (3) Professional references.
PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term date of November 30, 2027 with a likelihood of extension.
Basic Qualifications:
2+ years post‐secondary experience required, or combination of education and/or relevant work experience
Experience in R programming and/or R package development required
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Bachelor's Degree in a quantitative or scientific field such as mathematics or computer science
Experience designing, developing, testing, documenting, and maintaining R functions or packages
Experience with tidyverse, pharmaverse, or other CDISC-focused R packages
Experience programming in SAS, BASH, or Linux environments is desirable but not required
Experience with CDISC standards is desirable but not required
Experience with data cleaning or preparing data for statistical analysis
Experience working in a clinical trials or clinical research setting
Experience following organizational standard operating procedures and project-specific work instructions
Experience working independently to assess needs, identify solutions, develop specifications, and implement finalized programming solutions
Interest in learning and applying emerging artificial intelligence technologies to improve programming processes
Knowledge of information technology applications, processes, software, and equipment
Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor.
Desire to remain informed of new developments in programming that are relevant to the industry and the development of tools in R
Strong attention to detail, as well as a high level of self-motivation
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong deductive reasoning and organizational skills

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid