QA Specialist

Black Canyon Consulting (BCC) is currently searching for a QA Specialist to support our work at the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications at the National Library of Medicine (NLM), an institute of the National Institutes of Health. This opportunity is part-time with BCC and it is on-site in Bethesda, MD and/or remote.

Position Title: QA Specialist

Position Requirements:

• Identifies and formulates program needs to achieve an integrated and responsive effort in the assigned area. Using specialized training and experience and knowledge of current advances and developments in his/her field, provides leadership and technical expertise in the assigned area of responsibility. Identifies opportunities and problem areas, research gaps and relevant program needs and makes recommendations for and facilitates new research efforts, clinical studies, or other initiatives. Evaluates the significance of trends and emerging fields and assesses the adequacy of research competency within the field to achieve a quality and quantity of research to meet the agency’s mission and objectives.


• Performs scientific and administrative reviews and analyses of applications/proposals from a programmatic viewpoint. Provides expert advice and makes recommendations regarding actions on matters relating to research for specific research proposals in assigned program area. Prepares information for and attends advisory/review committee/panel meetings and responds to issues and concerns about specific applications/proposals pertaining to assigned program area.


• Coordinates program efforts with other Branch and Division staff and NIH staff offices, as required. Coordinates the scientific and technical management of grants/contracts within assigned program area with other IC Divisions and other investigators in the NIH community. Interfaces with and provides effective liaison with grantees/contractors, IC staff (e.g., grants management staff, scientific review staff) and NIH staff and IC peer review groups. Technical advice and consultation provided to researchers, grantees, and consultants is rarely subject to technical review.


• Communicates with grantees/contractors, cooperative group members/representatives and others on policy interpretation, merit review and evaluation processes and procedures, and on decisions, concerns, or other issues/matters of a scientific nature.


• Periodically, and on request, prepares research highlights and other reports summarizing and explaining the significance of key research accomplishments by grantees. From his/her knowledge of the field, indicates trends of research and recommends areas of future need and expansion, and takes the lead on new program implementation.


• Assist with RCDC reporting on NIH funding in more than 280 research, condition, and disease categories and other data calls.


• Assists in organizing and conducting workshops, conferences, symposia, or similar activities to foster the aims of the Unit and the Division to facilitate communication among investigators, or to advise on the status of progress and emerging directions of research in the assigned program area.


• Stays abreast of relevant science and of current research, developments and advances in his/her scientific field and maintains an awareness of national efforts in assigned and related program areas by attending and representing the Institute at professional society meetings, national/international workshops, conferences, and symposia.


• Responds to requests for information in areas of assigned responsibility.


• Act as a liaison between Program and Communications for developing content for the Division’s website. As a domain expert, will prepare new text, graphics, and other relevant content for the Unit’s public facing webpages, and/or collaborate with staff in the Program Unit on monitoring and executing changes to existing webpages.


• Facilitates communication and collaborative efforts with other Institute components, other ICs, and other DHHS agencies in assigned area of responsibility. Also, establishes and maintains effective collaborative and working relationships with other government agencies and academic and other research institutions and organizations.


• Serves as a scientific liaison with other IC’s and NIH scientists and with scientific and other professional staff representing other Government agencies, or nongovernment organizations and institutions.


• Extract information from publications for the development of new funding opportunities, workshops, data calls, and for highlighting research outcomes supported by NLM.

REQUIREMENTS

• Masters, Ph.D., or equivalent degree(s) with experience in informatics, data science, and/or clinical research.


• Documented research experience demonstrating familiarity with artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches in biomedical informatics research.


• Experience setting scientific agendas, planning, executing, and scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences for diverse stakeholders.


• Experience developing partnerships and collaborations with internal and external stakeholders.


• Experience organizing and leading work groups and interest groups.


• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.


• Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences.


• Ability to work on multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously.