Summary
The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a collaboration between Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, seeks a qualified candidate to manage researcher access to NHATS restricted data. Begun in 2011, NHATS is a longitudinal study of more than 8,000 older adults in the U.S. with a focus on disability and care. Most NHATS data are made available to researchers as public or sensitive files. However, access to data products that link to contextual, genetics, administrative (including claims and assessment files from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)) and other files that may increase risks related to privacy and confidentiality, are restricted. NHATS shares its restricted data with approved users through two secure data enclaves: the Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging (MiCDA) hosts NHATS' restricted data repository (other than CMS files) and the National Institute on Aging's LINKAGE enclave hosts NHATS-CMS linked files. Both enclaves support remote access through a 2-factor authenticated Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) system. Output from analyses of restricted data are reviewed by NHATS prior to release in order to minimize disclosure risks.

This position requires working directly with NHATS investigators and the research community to ensure appropriate scientific use and privacy/confidentiality safeguards for NHATS restricted data. This position requires strong communication and technical skills as well as attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be able to work effectively with the scientific community, be highly organized and dependable, have experience creating and implementing scalable administrative processes (e.g. applications, approval processes), be comfortable reviewing statistical output, have familiarity with human subjects research, and have the ability and willingness to address challenges and seek assistance when needed. Discretion with handling confidential data is required.

The Data Architect will support all aspects of access to and scientific use of NHATS restricted data. The individual will be responsible for enclave procedures and processes; managing the NHATS restricted data application process; creating an online application and integrated database; managing restricted data accounts; vetting of files requested to be imported into and out of the enclaves for disclosure risks; representing NHATS to enclave partners; and leading NHATS restricted data meetings.

Responsibilities*
Overseeing enclave procedures and processes - The Data Architect will be responsible for implementing and updating as needed procedures and processes and related documentation for the NHATS website related to NHATS restricted data access and use;

Processing and reviewing NHATS restricted data applications - The Data Architect will process and review applications to use NHATS restricted data from research investigators. The individual will be responsible for communicating with research investigators and advising/supporting applicants through the process;

Developing and overseeing implementation of on-line application portal - A goal for NHATS is to make an online application available to restricted data applicants in order to facilitate the initial application, modifications, and closeout. The Data Architect will lead this process, including key design decisions, testing, and supervising programmer work;

Designing and implementing a database - The Data Architect will be responsible for integrating the current paper (and future online) application process into a database. The database will be used to facilitate tracking of application status and regular and ad-hoc reporting to project leadership and funding agency;

Managing restricted data accounts - The Data Architect will be responsible for setting up accounts for/with approved researchers, providing access to approved files, documenting access, as well as removing access when needed;

Vetting imported and exported files - The Data Architect will be responsible for vetting files requested to be imported into and exported out of the enclaves by approved researchers for disclosure risks. This individual will be responsible for appropriately reporting/mitigating any protocol violations;

Representing NHATS with collaborating enclave partners - The Data Architect will serve as a member of MiCDA's Enclave Resource Group, liaison to the Computing and Multi-Media Technology group that runs the MiCDA enclave, and as the compliance officer/liaison with the LINKAGE enclave; and

Leading regular NHATS restricted data meetings - The Data Architect will manage the agenda and action items for regular restricted data meetings with the NHATS investigators.

Required Qualifications*
Experience with relational database software
Experience with statistical analysis software
Ability to design and implement new processes, procedures, databases
Coursework in statistics
Demonstrated ability to be attentive to detail
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Master's degree in information science, statistics, social sciences, or related field
Familiarity with human subjects research
Experience with statistical analysis (e.g. using SAS, Stata, or R), preferably with social science survey data (Intermediate level: Four (4) or more years; Senior level: Six (6) or more years).
Desired Qualifications*
Familiarity with CMS claims and assessment files
Proficiency with relational database design and reporting
Advanced knowledge of statistics
Experience protecting privacy / confidentiality of human subjects
Data training experience (e.g. leading a workshop, training others in data use)
Experience working in an academic or grant-funded environment