dbGaP Study Data Curator for NCI

Type of Requisition:
Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:
None

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:
None

Public Trust/Other Required:
None

Job Family:
Science and Research

Job Qualifications:

Skills:
Genomic Analysis, Pandas Python Library, R Programming, Structured Query Language (SQL), Unix Operating Systems
Certifications:
None
Experience:
4 + years of related experience
US Citizenship Required:
No

Job Description:

GDIT is seeking an experienced dbGaP Study Curator who will support the National Cancer Institute by reviewing, organizing, and validating genomic, phenotypic, and clinical research data for submission to the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP). This role ensures that NCI-supported studies are accurately curated, properly documented, and compliant with NIH data-sharing policies and consent/privacy requirements. The curator will collaborate with investigators and study teams to standardize metadata, implement quality control protocols, and prepare submission materials, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and integrity of cancer research data.

How a dbGaP Curator Supporting NCI Will Make an Impact

The dbGaP Curator will play a critical role in ensuring that high-value genomic, phenotypic, and clinical research data are accurately curated, well-documented, and responsibly prepared for secure and compliant sharing through dbGaP.

• Ensure NCI-supported studies are accurately curated, complete, and ready for compliant submission to dbGaP.
• Strengthen data quality by reviewing and validating phenotype, sample, and metadata files for clarity and consistency, carefully documenting curation decisions throughout the process.
• Standardize phenotype and variable metadata using controlled vocabularies to improve usability across studies.
• Identify missing, unclear, or inconsistent documentation and work with study teams to resolve gaps.
• Prepare and organize key dbGaP submission components, ensuring alignment with NIH data-sharing and consent requirements.
• Implement quality control checks that enhance the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of study submissions.
• Support updates to existing dbGaP records, maintaining accurate, current, and well-documented study metadata.
• Collaborate with investigators, researchers, and NCI staff to support timely, transparent, and policy-aligned data sharing.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Master's degree in a relevant scientific or data-focused discipline (e.g., genomics, biomedical science, bioinformatics) with 1-3 years of submitting dbGaP data, and 4 years curating biomedical data.
• Proven experience reviewing, curating, and organizing scientific data, including genomic, phenotypic, and clinical metadata, in fast-paced or complex research environments.
• Strong ability to quickly learn new workflows, study processes, and submission requirements, adapting effectively within an established team structure.
• Demonstrated expertise in metadata standards, data dictionaries, variable harmonization, and controlled vocabularies to ensure accuracy and consistency across studies.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency with large datasets, including advanced Excel, SQL, Linux/Unix, Python, and R.
• Experience performing rigorous quality control checks and identifying documentation gaps or inconsistencies in study materials.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with investigators, NCI staff, study teams, and other stakeholders to resolve questions and obtain missing information.
• Ability to interpret consent, data-use limitations, and NIH data-sharing policies to ensure compliant and accurate dbGaP submission materials.

Preferred

• Background creating large genomic, phenotypic, or epidemiologic datasets in a research environment.
• Proficiency coordinating with diverse study teams, investigators, and federal staff in complex or multi-stakeholder environments.
• Direct curation experience working in the receipt of genomic, phenotypic, and clinical metadata
• Teaching others how to collate, format, and curate data for data submission into government datasets

The likely salary range for this position is $142,792 - $184,000. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Travel Required:
Less than 10%

Telecommuting Options:
Hybrid

Work Location:
USA MD Bethesda

Additional Work Locations:

Total Rewards at GDIT:
Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process:
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.