Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety

Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Program (BD-STEP)

Junior-level physical scientist trainees from accredited programs in relevant disciplines (including engineering, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics) are encouraged to apply to the advanced fellowship through participating sites.  BD-STEP will draw on the expertise of these highly skilled data scientists-in-training to facilitate the execution of large-scale system changes in clinical care to expeditiously improve patient outcomes. BD-STEP matches trainees with VA medical centers across the country to leverage VA data systems, supporting clinically-relevant, two year training and research opportunities in collaboration with VA clinician scientists.

Fellowship benefits:

• A paid full-time fellowship (stipend plus books) through VA Office of Academic Affiliations and National Cancer Institute.
• Opportunities to access big data sets at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center or through the VA Corporate Data Warehouse.
• Interprofessional mentoring and teamwork.
• Experience working within a healthcare system.
• Distance learning with data scientists and fellows at BD-STEP sites across the country.

Program Directors:

• Drew Helmer, M.D.
• Javad Razjouyan, Ph.D., M BME

Current Postdoctoral Fellows:

• Katherine Bay, Ph.D., M.P.H.
• Jacqueline Le Kennedy, JD, ME, DEng 
• Kallie McWhinney, M.S., M.P.H., R.N.

Requirements:

• US Citizenship
• Ph.D. or M.S. in a physical science, engineering, or related discipline (to include chemistry, physics, engineering disciplines, computer science, statistics, and mathematics) from an accredited educational institution
• Experience in bioinformatics, modeling, or management of large data sets and demonstrate interest in big data clinical and health services research and healthcare improvement

Application materials:

1. CV
2. Cover letter/statement of interest
3. Letter of support from academic mentor for postdoctoral research (existing or planned research relationship)

Deadline:

1. Deadline to submit application is December 1

For more information or any questions you may have, contact Education Program Coordinator. Once you have compiled your application materials, please submit your application HERE.

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