Job Summary

Are you looking to be part of something big? Radical innovations begin with small, impactful steps. Take your next step with the Dunn Lab, the distinguished team of Dr. Erin C. Dunn (www.thedunnlab.com), as we prepare for our next giant leap: discovering the causes of mental illness and creating roadmaps for prevention.

The Opportunity: Senior Data Analyst, Epigenetics

The Data Analyst will be responsible for projects focusing on genetic and epigenetic analyses, working on a multi-disciplinary team under the direct supervision of principal investigator Dr. Dunn. The Data Analyst will work with multiple types of data, especially longitudinal survey and biological data from large birth cohort studies across the globe that have followed participants for decades. The successful candidate will also work closely alongside Dunn Lab team members, especially post-doctoral research fellows, in a mentorship capacity to help them drive forward their analyses. This position is an excellent opportunity for someone wanting to apply cutting edge statistical methods to high resolution data, tackle new analytic challenges that come from working at the forefront of science, and carry out team science, with a dynamic international team of collaborators spanning multiple career stages.

The successful candidate will be able to contribute to innovative projects to identify risk and protective factors linked to depression. Our overarching goal is to identify possible sensitive periods in development, or life stages when the brain is highly plastic and experience, including stress exposure, can impart more enduring effects on risk for depression.  

This position is based at the Indianapolis location. Remote options, with frequent travel to campus, may be available.  

Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Responsible for data management and statistical analysis for new and ongoing studies, including developing and applying regression-based analyses of epidemiologic and epigenetic data.  
• Maintains standard operating procedures for data management.
• Collaborate on the preparation of grant applications, manuscripts, and presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience:
Required:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 4 years of data analysis experience. 
• Understanding of data management and data analysis workflows.
• Advanced knowledge of statistical and epidemiological study design.
• Proven ability to learn new computational tools and packages.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of R and data analysis pipelines. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to interpret acceptability of data.
• High degree of computer literacy.
• Careful attention to detail.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to identify problems and develop solutions.

Preferred:

• MA/MS.

Additional Information:

• Purdue will not sponsor an employment related visa for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period

Application Materials:

• Must include a cover letter and resume/CV. Your cover letter should include:
  • Relevant experience and skills that make you uniquely qualified for this role.
  • What interests you about being part of the Dunn Lab team and why you are excited about the opportunity.
  • How your experiences, skills, and interests align with the culture of the College of Liberal Arts (#ThinkBroadlyLeadBoldly).

Why the Dunn Lab? 

• Be at the Cutting Edge of Discovery: Work at the forefront of research, using interdisciplinary approaches to explore the social and biological factors that contribute to mental health disorders. Our focus on understanding depression risk among women, children, and adolescents, paves the way for groundbreaking prevention strategies.
• Impactful Research: We’ve made significant contributions to understanding how social and biological factors impact mental health. We’ve led pioneering genetic and gene-environment interaction studies, including some of the first genome-wide association studies of depression risk in non-European ancestry populations. We’re also leading cutting-edge new studies examining baby teeth as novel biomarkers for mental health risk.
• Collaborate and Innovate with a Renowned Leader: Dr. Erin Dunn brings over a decade of experience from her previous roles at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital. Now a Professor at Purdue and Director of a new university-wide interdisciplinary Center focused on sociogenomics, Dr. Dunn is a leading voice in integrating genomics with social sciences. With national and international research collaborations, the Dunn Lab offers a bold environment for innovative thinking and collaboration as you work alongside experts in genetics, sociology, psychology, and more. 
• Career Advancement: Whether you’re planning for a career in academia or another professional path, being part of the Dunn Lab will provide invaluable experience, mentorship, and a competitive edge. Our 80+ trainees have gone on to successful careers in clinical psychology, public health, medicine, and beyond.
• Diverse Perspectives: The Dunn Lab knows good science is built on a foundation of diverse and inclusive teams. We foster an environment where different thinking and approaches drive meaningful advances in mental health research.  We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
• If you are passionate about advancing the field of mental health research and eager to make a difference, take the leap with the Dunn Lab at Purdue University. Explore our work and how you can be a part of it at www.thedunnlab.com.

Why Purdue University:

Purdue University is a powerhouse of innovation and discovery, offering a world-class research environment that fosters groundbreaking advancements across diverse disciplines. As Indiana’s land-grant university and a Carnegie Foundation tier-one research institution, Purdue combines a rich history of education with a commitment to tackling global challenges.

The Dunn Lab, led by Dr. Erin C. Dunn, bridges Purdue University’s West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses, creating a dynamic research environment that leverages the best of both worlds. This dual-campus structure allows The Dunn Lab to tap into Purdue’s world-class academic community while embedding its research within the vibrant, interdisciplinary hub of Indiana’s capital city. West Lafayette connects The Dunn Lab to Purdue’s renowned strengths in social sciences, STEM disciplines, and collaborative research networks. This academic foundation fosters rich interdisciplinary partnerships and drives innovative research. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis campus provides access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities, proximity to leading biomedical and public health institutions, and the opportunity to engage directly with a dynamic urban ecosystem that amplifies real-world impact. Being situated in Indianapolis enables The Dunn Lab to build strong partnerships with local healthcare systems, industry leaders, and community organizations, all committed to our scientific discoveries that translate into meaningful societal change.

At the heart of the Dunn Lab’s operations, Innovation Hall in Indianapolis is a 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance collaboration. It houses advanced wet and dry lab spaces, makerspaces, a fabrication lab, and a Class 100 clean room, providing the tools and infrastructure necessary for groundbreaking research. 

Together, The Dunn Lab’s presence across West Lafayette and Indianapolis represents a forward-thinking model for research—integrating Purdue’s academic excellence with the dynamic opportunities of Indiana’s largest city. This strategic approach fosters transformative discoveries, while creating unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and impact.

Purdue is also dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable education. Ranked among the top 10 public universities in the US, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees for over 10 years, enabling more students to graduate debt-free. The College of Liberal Arts, home to the Dunn Lab, is an emerging leader in innovative education, offering nationally recognized programs like the Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts program, Degree+, and the Degree in 3 initiative. These programs enhance Purdue’s renowned STEM education by pushing all students to become bold, visionary leaders capable of addressing the complexities of today’s world.

Benefits of a Purdue Career:

• Competitive benefits package including generous paid sick time and vacation 
• Tuition remission (Purdue and Purdue Global)

Purdue University is an EO/EA University.