POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Database Manager
Department: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
School or Management Center: School of Medicine
Location: University West – Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods
Supervisor Name and Title: Elaine Borawski, PhD
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Data Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining complex databases used for
research and evaluation projects within the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods
(PRCHN), primarily working on an ongoing, multi-year NIH-funded multi-level (child, family, school,
community) intervention trial aimed at reducing obesity in adolescents. The study is led by a three
PI team, each heading a core of the study (clinical, family intervention, school & community). The
Data Manager reports to the PI of the School and Community core; however works directly with all
three PIs and study staff across all three cores. The study is also part of a four-site national project
where common measurements and protocols have been developed although each site’s population,
intervention, and research questions are unique. Thus, this position works across multiple entities
at CWRU (School of Medicine, School of Nursing), university partners (RB&C Hospital, Metro
Hospital), and community partners (Cleveland Metropolitan School District), requiring skills to work
effectively with a varied team of university staff and faculty, as well as staff and faculty from other
universities and the NIH. The Data Manager develops and maintains systems and protocols for
data collection, handling and storage; trains data collection staff; monitors and troubleshoots all data
collection through Redcap and Qualtrix; maintains and revises the data collection tools delivered on
multiple platforms (paper, electronic, extraction); monitors, maintains and develops new integrative
tracking and reporting systems, conducts data cleaning and analysis and supports the development
of manuscripts and other products disseminated from the project and other Center-related products.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Maintain the five main trial database housed in UH REDcap, making adjustments to the
databases (perhaps creating new ones) based on study plans and requirements as the trial
moves forward.
2. Conduct annual retraining of data collection staff (and initial training of all new data collectors)
to ensure proper working knowledge of electronic data collection systems and data collection
protocols.
3. Monitor ongoing data collection by clinical and intervention staff to ensure completeness and
properly working electronic collection systems.
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4. Monitor, maintain and revise (when needed) over a dozen integrative reporting systems using
Excel and REDcap that are used for recruitment and intervention tracking, quality assurance,
data monitoring, adverse event reporting, lab results reporting and triggers for follow up
clinical care or intervention.
5. Extract (from REDcap) and upload common data (data that all four sites collect) to the
centralized database maintained by University of North Carolina (UNC; Research
Coordinating Center). Regularly communicate with UNC counterparts to ensure successful
data transfer.
6. Prepare monthly, bi-annual and annual recruitment and data reports for study PIs, the
Research Coordinating Center (UNC), the national Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB)
and NIH program office.
7. Represent the CWRU study on a number of national committees for the multi-site study: Data
Capture (serve as primary representative for the study), Measurement Committee,
Measurement and Implementation Working Group, and any other committees that might be
assigned at another data.
8. Provide initial data cleaning of all process and outcome data collected at baseline, 12, 24 and
36 months. Conduct initial psychometric analyses of all survey measures; update and refine
codebooks. Work with PIs to develop new scales and indices to summarize data. Conduct
initial analyses and prepare working dataset for PIs and the study statistician.
9. Meet monthly with all three PIs to discuss data and reporting needs of their cores (i.e.,
intervention, clinical, school and community). Meet with study statistician to coordinate data
analytic tasks. Meet weekly with the coordinators for each of the three cores.
10. Attend weekly PI meetings, providing updates on recruitment, data collection and results
reporting.
11. Serve as a technical assistance resource to other studies within the PRCHN.
12. Contribute to the development of scientific manuscripts, presentations, and grant applications.
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Attend and participate in staff meetings.
2. Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with faculty, staff and collaborators of the Prevention Research Center
for Healthy Neighborhoods to develop strategic directions, discover communication needs,
publication deadlines, etc.
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University: Weekly contact with collaborating investigators and PRCHN staff, University Hospitals
staff and Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing staff.
External: Regular contact with COPTR field sites (Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Case
Western Reserve University, Stanford University, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities) and
Coordinating Center (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill).
Students: Daily/weekly supervision of student employees.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
This position has no direct supervision of staff employees; however, data manager oversees all
data collection and reporting by study staff across all three cores (clinical, intervention, school &
community). Responsible for training (and annual retraining) of all staff who conduct data
collection or provide tracking data through the REDcap system.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Must have: at least 3 years prior experience developing/managing complex
databases; experience working in a research team environment and working with IRBs.
Experience with clinical trial databases and mulit-site projects preferred; knowledge of data safety
and storage requirements. Familiarity with a range of data collection settings and project types
preferred. Knowledge of accelerometry preferred. A MS degree is expected, although a BS
degree with significant, directly relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.
REQUIRED SKILLS
1. Solid understanding of the principles of database management.
2. Experience with REDCap, FileMaker Pro., Qualtrics, Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel,
Access and internet searches; knowledge of SPSS and SAS. Experience with SQL and
advanced skills in Word and Excel (for reporting purposes) preferred, as well as proficiency with
REDcap.
3. Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
4. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with high degree of accuracy and attention to
detail.
5. Work independently and collaboratively to accomplish responsibilities, goals and projects.
6. Organize work to meet deadlines and work independently
7. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
8. Exhibit excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to work with both technical
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and non-technical users.
9. Knowledge and understanding of research and data collection; experience with a communitybased participatory research is preferred.
10. Ability to troubleshoot hardware and software problems.
11. Experience with programming language with the ability to create SQL queries required, stored
procedures and functions a plus.
12. Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment across multiple departments and
organizations
13. Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
WORKING CONDITIONS
There are no special health or safety hazards, environmental conditions or hazardous equipment
or supplies. However, the staff member will need to work collaboratively in a community
environment. Occasionally it will be necessary to travel to local meetings and events. Flexibility in
work schedule (early mornings, early evenings) may be required to accommodate the schedules
of our multiple partners.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In employment as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to equal
opportunity and world-class diversity.
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