Penn State is hiring an Applied Statistics Staff Scientist at NSF-NCEMS

Penn State is hiring an Applied Statistics Staff Scientist to support the NSF National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS). In this role, you will design and apply rigorous statistical approaches to integrate, analyze, and visualize complex molecular and cellular biology data, supporting 2-3 NCEMS Working Group projects simultaneously.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with NCEMS Working Groups to design and apply rigorous statistical approaches for integrating, analyzing, and visualizing complex molecular and cellular biology data.
• Apply inferential statistics and formal hypothesis testing to biological datasets, including model specification, estimation, uncertainty quantification, multiple testing control, and power/sample size considerations.
• Develop and validate statistical models for diverse data types and modalities, including genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, metabolomic/lipidomic, single-cell, and multi-omics data.
• Support the publication of intermediate data products, code, and documentation.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in the application of statistics to bioinformatics, computational biology, and available biological datasets.

What We're Looking For

• A Bachelor's Degree and 1+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong proficiency in R and/or Python for statistical modeling and data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of statistical foundations and applied inference, including probability and estimation, study design, linear models/GLMs, multiple comparisons, and resampling.
• Ability to identify and appropriately address confounders, mediators, and effect modifiers.
• Experience working with complex molecular and cellular datasets and their common pitfalls.
• Experience developing reproducible statistical workflows and producing publication-quality tables and figures.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating contributions to the field.
• Experience supporting or contributing to multi-PI projects.
• Commitment to ethical conduct and research integrity, strong work ethic, strong interpersonal and written communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment.

Nice to Have

• An M.S. or PhD in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related field.

Technical Stack

• R
• Python

Team & Environment

You will support multidisciplinary scientific teams (NCEMS Working Groups), typically contributing to 2-3 projects simultaneously.

Benefits & Compensation

• Compensation range: $61,800.00 - $89,600.00
• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time.

Work Mode

This is a hybrid position based at the Penn State University Park campus.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.