Research Data Engineer

Virginia Commonwealth University is hiring a Research Data Engineer for the Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. The role builds, validates, and maintains data infrastructure for biomedical research by integrating health data sources and collaborating with research and clinical teams to deliver data solutions.

Responsibilities

• Integrate and harmonize data from disparate sources, including medical claims, electronic medical records (EMR/EHR), and public health surveillance data
• Design and execute data validation and quality testing across source systems, pipelines, and data warehouses (completeness, accuracy, consistency, and plausibility checks)
• Write, version, and document SQL and Python code following reproducible, peer-reviewed coding practices
• Maintain data dictionaries, lineage documentation, and metadata catalogs
• Build and maintain dashboards and visualizations that communicate data quality metrics, cohort characteristics, and research findings
• Collaborate with investigators, biostatisticians, clinicians, and informaticists to translate research needs into data solutions

Skills

• Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, health informatics, biostatistics, data science, public health, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 2+ years of experience in data engineering, database development, or data management
• Proficiency in programmatic data manipulation using Python or SQL
• Experience working with relational databases (e.g., SQL Server)
• Experience building ETL processes and performing data validation or quality assurance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and ability to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
• 3+ years of experience working with health data, ideally in an academic, health system, payer, or public health setting
• Experience creating dashboards or data visualizations (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Hands-on experience with OMOP CDM, including ETL implementation and use of OHDSI tools (e.g., Achilles, Data Quality Dashboard, ATLAS, WhiteRabbit/Rabbit-in-a-Hat)
• Experience with claims data (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, commercial, or all-payer claims databases) and EMR data (e.g., Epic Clarity/Caboodle, Cerner)
• Knowledge of healthcare terminologies and code sets (ICD-10, CPT/HCPCS, SNOMED)
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric or similar cloud data warehouses
• Working knowledge of HIPAA, human subjects research regulations, and data governance principles

Benefits

• All full-time university staff are eligible for comprehensive health benefits.
• All full-time university staff are eligible for paid annual and holiday leave.
• All full-time university staff are eligible for generous tuition benefits.
• All full-time university staff are eligible for retirement planning and savings options.
• All full-time university staff are eligible for tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs.
• All full-time university staff are eligible for employee discounts.
• All full-time university staff are eligible for well-being resources.
• All full-time university staff are eligible for abundant opportunities for career development and advancement.
• Hybrid work arrangement: at least two days per week in person at the Richmond office.

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