Position Summary
The DRIVES Project has an opening for a senior scientist with interests in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), biomarkers, driving, machine learning, and/or artificial intelligence. This role would advance three ongoing NIH/NIA R01 funded grants that investigate the long-term impact of AD brain pathology on driving behavior and driving cessation among persons with and without preclinical AD. The ability to identify who will be at most risk of driving decline and to predict when decline will occur will inform early driving safety intervention trials for older drivers. Our research program employs several methods to study driving but exclusively uses a commercial off-the-shelf datalogger using a fleet-based telematics device that collects naturalistic driving behavior. We also collect a cadre of biomarkers to study disease pathology, including brain imaging (Positron Emission Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and fluid-based (cerebrospinal fluid, blood/plasma) biomarkers.
We now seek a senior scientist with strong experience in data science skills to organize, manage, and analyze high frequency data relating to whether daily driving behavior reflects underlying neuropathological AD and is associated with prevalent and incident cognitive impairment. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, collaborative, and growing laboratory, and will work directly with Dr. Ganesh Babulal to develop new models to examine and visualize changes in driving behavior and risk of crash. This position is responsible for collaborating with the principal investigator (PI) on the design, conduct and reporting of research projects.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborates with the PI on the design, conduct and reporting of research projects. ​
• Leads oversight of driving data analytics platform, enhancement and maintenance for vehicle telematics data involving data ingestion from multiple data streams, data pipeline development for cleaning and transformation, data aggregations and feature development, model deployment, development of risk indicators and data visualization.
• Leads data exploration efforts to pull in external data streams like air quality (CO, PM10, PM 2.5), weather (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, humidity), neighborhood deprivation (ADI) to merge with current datalogger streams.
• Assists with grant preparation and reporting. May submit grant proposals in rare circumstances with the approval of the PI, Department Head and Dean.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Develops hypotheses to be tested and ways of testing it.
• Complies with established safety procedures and maintaining required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
• Manages research projects with other institutions and investigators.

Working Conditions
This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological, chemical and radioactive hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Vision.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using statistical software (such as SAS, R, Python, SPSS).
• Demonstrated proficiency with running standard parametric analyses (regression, survival analysis, mixed models).
• Experience with sensor data, specifically telematics data from vehicles and other onboard sensors.
• Experience with classification methods (decision trees, random forest, neural networks and LSTM models for time series classification).
• Ability to produce publication-quality figures representing data.
• Experience with writing scientific papers.
• Ability to review scientific literature.
• Analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills. 
• Demonstrated working knowledge of standard laboratory policies, procedures and equipment. 
• Ability to communicate in oral and written form with all levels of personnel and technical publications. 
• Ability to work well independently or as a team member.

Required Qualifications

PhD, M.D. or equivalent terminal degree and at least three years of postdoctoral experience; or a combination of education and experience equaling twelve years.

Grade
R12

Salary Range
$62,200.00 - $112,700.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.