Assistant research scientist/engineer - department of surgery

Position Summary

Participate in the design, execution, supervision, and publication of acute care surgery, trauma, burn, and injury prevention related research studies. Assist with a variety of tasks including IRB protocol development and maintenance, trauma/burn registry data analysis, data collection, database design, implementation, and maintenance, statistical analysis, and the interpretation and writing of peer-reviewed manuscripts associated with performance improvement, injury prevention, and research projects being performed within the division. Assist with grant preparation and submit grants as a PI, Co-PI, or co-investigator.

Specific Job Duties and Tasks

• Experiments, Simulations, Modeling or Theoretical Investigations
  • Able to work independently on advanced to complex research tasks with minimal oversight by faculty or principal investigators (PI)
  • Initiate research design and methodology
  • Develop hypotheses to be tested and select appropriate methodology.
  • Maintain laboratory equipment and databases.
  • Coordinate and conduct research.
  • Collect data and evaluate relevance of data.
  • Contribute to documentation of equipment and procedures.
• Data/Research Analysis and Evaluation
  • Perform advanced data analysis techniques
  • Develop new applications of existing data analysis techniques
  • Analyze data for relevance, data quality and validity
  • Assist in the design, implementation and maintenance of data bases.
  • Develop and implement analytic procedures
  • Compare results of scientific investigations to previously published work.
• Dissemination of Research Results
  • Prepare and submit manuscripts as contributing or first author for publication
  • Review manuscripts for peer-reviewed scientific journals
  • Present results in departmental seminars and at professional meetings.
  • Provide results to research collaborators and community stakeholders
  • Maintain a strong record of publications through contribution and first author efforts within the specific department and the overall research community.
  • Prepare manuscripts for contributing author for publication
  • Present results in departmental seminars and at professional meetings
• Research Proposals/Grants
  • Contribute to new or continuing research grant proposals to obtain funding for research activities
  • Obtain grant funding as a PI, Co-PI or Co-Investigator
  • Investigate and share applicable sources of funding
  • Responsible for drafting new IRB applications for studies, completing modifications and continuing reviews
  • Maintain a working knowledge of IRB, WIRB policy, procedures and ethical practices of scientific research
• Service
  • Participate in public outreach activities as projects and findings of research activities indicate
  • Serve on grant review panels and committees (division, departmental, university-based and community based) as requested and as expertise indicates
  • Review submitted manuscripts and research proposals
  • Consult and collaborate within the research community.
• Human Resources/Supervision
  • Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure outcomes are achieved.
  • Co-supervise medical students and undergraduates participating in division research and injury prevention projects.
  • Provide input into graduate student research activities
  • Provide functional and administrative supervisor for staff

Technical Competencies

• Qualitative Research Knowledge of and ability to gain insights concerning attitudes, beliefs, motivations and behaviors as part of a research study
• Quantitative Research Knowledge of and the ability to use numerical methods to compile information about a given situation or condition.
• Research Analysis Knowledge of and the ability to locate, interpret and evaluate research findings compiled and documented by others and use this material to support empirical research.
• Research Documentation Knowledge of and ability to utilize tools and techniques for producing well-written, meaningful and usable documentation of research findings
• Research Ethics/Compliance Knowledge of practices, behaviors, applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing proper research conduct; ability to demonstrate ethical and compliant behavior in diverse situations
• Research Safety Knowledge of the procedures and programs in place in the organization to ensure employee, student and subject safety (occupational safety, fire, patient, animal, drug, radiation, environmental safety and emergency plans); ability to train others; ability to take appropriate actions in case of emergency.

Percent of Time: 100%, 40 hours per week

Schedule: 40 hour week with a 30 minute lunch

Location: UI Main campus

Pay Grade: 5A

Benefit Highlights: Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits/employee-benefits

Education or Equivalency Required

A Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Computer Science, or a related discipline is required.

Required Qualifications

• 1-3 years of related experience is required.
• Demonstrated experience working with health care teams, concepts and projects.
• Demonstrated experience with development and publication of scientific manuscripts is required

Highly Desired Qualifications

• Experience and working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, database software, presentation software and web survey tools including Microsoft Office Products: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
• Experience working with RedCAP database
• Experience with SAS, Stata or SPSS
• Strong educational background or work experience in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Public Health.

Desired Qualifications

Proven track record of working with individuals and groups to successfully complete projects.

Application Process: In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission: Resume Cover Letter Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For additional questions, please contact devin-deanda@uiowa.edu

If your H-1B petition is subject to the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, please note that the department will not cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. We encourage you to explore alternative pathways for work authorization. Our team is available to help identify options that may be suitable for your situation.

Additional Information

Compensation Contact Information