darryl@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca (Darryl Pahl) (09/07/89)
POSITION TITLE: Computer Programmer FACULTY SUPERVISORS: Drs. Brian Haynes and Michael Ramsden, Dept. of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics REPLY TO: BHAYNES@SSCVAX.McMASTER.CA Dr. Brian Haynes Department of C.E.&B. McMaster University Health Sciences Centre 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5 (416) 525-9140 x2311 ------------------------------------------------------------ SCOPE OF THE POSITION This is a full time position. On a day to day basis the incumbent will be responsible for the testing and developing of expert programmes to be evaluated, when complete, in clinical trials. The process of development of these expert programmes involves understanding complex medical data bases (to be learned on the job), delineation of programming tasks, allocations of tasks to one of three collaborating teams, doing the main share of programming and integrating the other parts into a polished final product. He/she will also screen commercial programmes for potential evaluation by the Health Information Research Unit, assist with the training of personnel in the use of software and for the installation and basic maintenance of equipment. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES o test and develop software for use in clinical trials using common programming languages (e.g. "C") plus data base programs such as Paradox, DBase III+ and Nexpert (most of the programmes will be for the development of expert systems and data collection, some for analysis; there may be a requirement to work with hypermedia pro- gramming) o the incumbent will be the main programmer for, and oversee the development of expert programmes based on complex data bases for the management of medical disorders. He/she will evaluate the programming tasks, allocated specific subtasks to one of two other colla- borating programmers, integrate the allocated tasks and be responsible for the final product o identify the availability of commercial programs and select to fit predetermined criteria o install and perform the initial screening of commercial packages o assist with the training of personnel both within the research team and in study settings o perform new equipment installations and carry out the basic maintenance for existing equipment o investigate and recommend on hardware and software pur- chases for the furtherance of the study objectives POSITION REQUIREMENTS o highly desirable to have experience in artificial intelligence and the development of expert programs o must have a facility in several programming languages (primarily C; dBase; Pascal and Basic secondary) and competency with WORDPERFECT is desirable o must have practical, thorough working knowledge of IBM PC's and clones. Desirable to have experience with Vax workstations. o experience in Microsoft Windows or Dec Windows software development and an interest in exploring new areas such as object oriented programming would be an asset o facility in telecommunications work, especially using modems o some knowledge of network software and hardware would be helpful o must be flexible, with good interpersonal skills and willing to work as a member of a team