Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Epidemiology Researcher

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about using data to solve complex public health challenges? This role requires a dedicated and analytical Epidemiology Researcher to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will design, execute, and interpret cutting-edge research studies that contribute to our understanding of disease patterns, risk factors, and treatment outcomes. You will be at the forefront of generating real-world evidence, publishing impactful findings, and shaping public health strategy. The Epidemiology Researcher is a key scientific contributor responsible for providing the epidemiologic expertise necessary to support our research portfolio. This role involves leading observational research projects from conception to publication, leveraging real-world data (RWD) to address critical questions about disease burden, treatment pathways, and patient outcomes. If you have a strong foundation in epidemiologic methods, advanced statistical skills, and a drive to make a difference, we want to hear from you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Research Assistant / Associate
Public Health Analyst
Data Analyst (Healthcare/Biotech)

Advancement To:

Senior Epidemiologist / Principal Epidemiologist
Director of Epidemiology
Principal Investigator

Lateral Moves:

Biostatistician
Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) Scientist
Clinical Research Scientist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, implement, and manage complex epidemiologic studies, including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional designs, to investigate disease etiology, risk factors, and health outcomes.
Develop comprehensive study protocols, statistical analysis plans (SAPs), and data collection instruments (e.g., questionnaires, case report forms) in alignment with research objectives.
Conduct thorough and systematic literature reviews to synthesize existing evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and inform study design and strategic research questions.
Lead the preparation and authoring of scientific manuscripts for submission to high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, taking primary responsibility for key publications.
Perform advanced statistical programming and analysis on large-scale datasets (e.g., claims, EHR, registry data) using statistical software such as SAS, R, or Stata.
Interpret complex analytical results with scientific rigor and translate findings into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Present research findings and study methodologies at national and international scientific conferences, symposia, and investigator meetings.
Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including biostatisticians, clinicians, data scientists, and project managers, to ensure successful project execution and alignment.
Contribute significantly to the writing and development of grant proposals and other funding applications to secure resources for new and ongoing research projects.
Manage and query large, complex real-world databases, ensuring data quality, integrity, and appropriate application for observational research.
Provide expert epidemiological insight and strategic input to support clinical development programs, regulatory submissions, and health technology assessments.
Critically appraise internal and external research protocols, publications, and reports to assess scientific validity, potential biases, and relevance to organizational goals.
Lead the development and delivery of scientific reports, slide decks, and other communication materials for a variety of internal and external audiences.
Manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables, ensuring that critical research milestones are achieved on schedule and within budget.
Evaluate the effectiveness and real-world impact of public health programs or medical interventions using rigorous quasi-experimental and observational study designs.

Secondary Functions

Mentor and provide scientific guidance to junior researchers, analysts, or students, fostering their development in epidemiologic methods and research best practices.
Conduct outbreak investigations and support public health surveillance activities by analyzing patterns of disease occurrence and identifying key transmission dynamics.
Develop and validate predictive models to forecast disease trends, identify at-risk populations, and inform targeted public health interventions.
Ensure all research activities are conducted in strict compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), regulatory requirements, and internal standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Engage with external experts and key opinion leaders (KOLs) to gather insights, validate research approaches, and foster scientific collaboration.
Support ad-hoc data requests and conduct exploratory data analysis to generate new hypotheses.
Contribute to the organization's overarching data strategy and research roadmap.
Participate in sprint planning, retrospectives, and other agile ceremonies within the broader data and analytics team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Statistical Programming: High proficiency in at least one major statistical software package such as SAS, R, or Stata.
Epidemiologic Methodology: Deep theoretical and practical understanding of epidemiologic principles and advanced study designs (e.g., cohort, case-control, nested case-control, clinical trials).
Biostatistics: Strong quantitative skills in biostatistical methods, including survival analysis, multivariable regression modeling, and longitudinal data analysis.
Real-World Data (RWD) Expertise: Proven experience working with large-scale healthcare databases, such as administrative claims, electronic health records (EHR), or patient/disease registries.
Data Management & Querying: Proficiency in SQL for complex data extraction, transformation, and management from relational databases.
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis: Competency in conducting comprehensive literature searches and performing meta-analyses.
Scientific Publication: A track record of authoring or co-authoring publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Soft Skills

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Superior ability to critically evaluate research, identify potential biases, and develop innovative solutions to complex analytical challenges.
Scientific Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
Collaboration & Teamwork: A collaborative mindset with a proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary team environments.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and detail-oriented approach to study design, data analysis, and reporting to ensure scientific rigor and accuracy.
Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to evolving research priorities, new data sources, and shifting project timelines in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master's Degree in Epidemiology (MPH, MSc) or a closely related quantitative field.

Preferred Education:

Doctoral Degree (PhD, ScD, DrPH) in Epidemiology, Public Health, Biostatistics, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Epidemiology
Public Health
Biostatistics
Health Services Research
Pharmacoepidemiology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

For Master's level: 3-5+ years of relevant post-graduate experience in an applied research setting.
For PhD level: 0-3+ years of post-doctoral or equivalent experience.

Preferred:

Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or contract research organization (CRO) industry.
Direct, hands-on experience analyzing large, real-world healthcare databases (e.g., Optum, MarketScan, CPRD, national registries).
A strong record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant therapeutic areas.