Epidemiology represents an impactful and highly rewarding career field that allows passionate professionals to drive impressive health outcomes. This career path often centers around the investigation of dangerous diseases and conditions, with epidemiologists leveraging key findings to promote and implement initiatives that make a discernible difference.
This field is far more diverse than many people realize, and this can be a key advantage of studying epidemiology. The right skills and degree can open doors in the public sector, among nonprofits, and even at the corporate level. To illustrate this wide range of opportunities, we will highlight top epidemiology jobs and employers below:
When many people picture epidemiologists, they think public sector professionals hired by health departments and other well-known agencies. This perception rings true to some extent; data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the majority of epidemiologists currently hold public sector positions. These positions can vary considerably, however, depending on whether epidemiologists work at the federal, state, or local level.
The CDC plays a crucial role in disease prevention on a national and even global scale. This agency's role has evolved alongside the public health profession itself, with the recognition that the global threat of disease always leaves the US population vulnerable.
As CDC resources explain, "The most effective – and cost-effective – way to protect Americans from known and unknown health threats that begin overseas is to stop them before they spread to our shores." This begins with a strong team of epidemiologists, often tasked with coordinating responses to emerging outbreaks and other urgent health threats.
Because the CDC maintains a strong global presence, the agency also provides many international job opportunities that epidemiologists may find compelling. CDC-employed epidemiologists can get involved in the development of public health surveillance systems or may serve in a collaborative capacity, advocating for policies that limit the spread of disease or help to respond to global outbreaks more effectively.
Offering a locally curated response to emerging threats, epidemiologists employed by state health departments collaborate with local agencies to develop and implement initiatives that account for regional concerns, opportunities, or limitations. Community engagement is a strong priority, as this can help epidemiologists obtain more accurate data from a wider range of sources. It can also drive trust and eventually action as these professionals communicate health risks and recommended behaviors with the public.
Those employed at the state or local level are often instrumental in implementing surveillance programs. This helps determine the occurrence and distribution of various health conditions within specific populations or geographic regions. To improve emergency preparedness, these professionals may work with healthcare providers or other agencies to develop emergency response plans or to enhance surge capacity.
Epidemiology calls for global collaboration, and those employed by the CDC or even by state agencies may work closely with public health professionals or policymakers all around the world. As we've mentioned, some even have the opportunity to serve internationally.
Beyond this, many global health organizations hire epidemiologists, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). While many roles center around coordination for global outbreak responses, epidemiologists may also be needed to facilitate multi-country studies and other expansive research initiatives.
Research plays a crucial role in the field of epidemiology. New findings can provide much-needed insight into the determinants of health, the transmission of diseases, and the interventions that promise to control outbreaks.
As experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explain, "Epidemiological research helps us to understand how many people have a disease or disorder, if those numbers are changing, and how the disorder affects our society and our economy."
To that end, many epidemiologists are committed to planning and carrying out epidemiology studies. This involves defining research objectives, selecting study designs and protocol, collecting data, and analyzing it to drive nuanced interpretations in the context of each study's unique objectives. These research roles exist across a variety of organizations, ranging from higher education institutions to nonprofits and even pharmaceuticals and biotechnology firms.
Research fellows are committed to expanding the epidemiological body of knowledge. They often implement innovative methodological solutions or pursue an interdisciplinary approach to investigating and addressing public health challenges.
University-based research initiatives may be overseen by principal investigators, who are often faculty members or senior scientists. They secure funding, influence study design, and collaborate with stakeholders. These epidemiology jobs are highly respected but may call for considerable research experience or even doctoral degrees.
While research roles are often associated with higher education, research scientists are also in high demand across several sectors, including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. These researchers are often tasked with identifying possible adverse effects or other potential safety concerns. They are committed to promoting pharmacovigilance, the systematic monitoring and evaluation of drugs to prevent adverse reactions.
Private sector professionals may also contribute to pharmacoepidemiology research, which reveals the impact of pharmaceutical products across large populations. For example, drug utilization studies provide valuable insight into treatment regimen adherence and even prescribing practices. Meanwhile, health outcomes research indicates the effectiveness of these drugs and whether they improve patient outcomes.
Epidemiology researchers play a similar role in the biotech industry, with targeted research driving faster innovation cycles while minimizing the risk of adverse effects. These professionals investigate cutting-edge therapies and may also have an important role to play in promoting regulatory compliance.
Representing the intersection between public health, data science, and epidemiology, this role leverages large data sets derived from electronic health records, surveillance systems, and many other sources. This data must be properly cleaned and managed to ensure exceptional quality and integrity.
By implementing advanced data science techniques, including machine learning, public health data scientists can detect disease outbreaks, investigate risk factors, and reveal trends regarding disparities and other concerns. Through interactive data visualization, these data scientists help to communicate complex epidemiological insights to stakeholders, including policymakers and public health officials.
While epidemiology is a non-clinical role, there are many opportunities for epidemiologists to contribute their knowledge and expertise within the modern healthcare system. These roles can drive better responses amid health crises and may also limit rates of infection among patients and staff members alike.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a huge threat, with concerning research from the CDC suggesting that 1 in every 31 hospitalized patients in the U.S. can be expected to have an HAI at any given time.
Hospital infection control specialists address these risks by helping healthcare providers understand the extent to which HAIs develop in specific facilities or among certain patient populations. From there, specialists can help develop and implement infection control measures and educate staff on the importance of hand hygiene, disinfection, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
In the event of an outbreak, infection control specialists play a similar role as field epidemiologists employed by public agencies. They determine the source of the outbreak, identify at-risk patients, and implement control measures.
Clinical research coordinators play an instrumental role in planning, implementing, and managing research studies that strive to understand the patterns of diseases and associated risk factors or long-term health outcomes. Many are directly employed by healthcare providers, such as respected hospitals or health systems.
These professionals work closely with principal investigators and research teams to determine which study protocols and designs are most appropriate, but that is only the beginning. They may also be responsible for recruiting study participants, securing informed consent, administering surveys, and handling the day-to-day complexities that arise with multiple study sites or strict timelines.
The nonprofit sector allows epidemiologists to pursue their passion, often while addressing specific health concerns that align with their interests or their expertise. Often, these roles or initiatives involve underserved populations or other social concerns believed to contribute to health disparities.
Responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing public health initiatives, public health managers can work in many settings and for many organizations but are often heavily involved in the nonprofit sector.
In this context, program managers may assist with identifying community health concerns and defining program goals that aim to address these issues while also aligning with nonprofit missions.
Program managers can play a role in securing funding, often through grant proposals and applications. Their efforts promote effective program delivery, especially as public health program managers delegate tasks to nonprofit staff members (or volunteers) and monitor progress via systematic data collection.
Offering targeted guidance to nonprofits and even government agencies, public health consultants are often employed by consulting firms, although some work independently. They identify areas for improvement by conducting needs assessments. Then, they assist stakeholders with designing and implementing public health interventions or policies.
In their work with nonprofits, public health consultants strive to address health disparities and contribute to health promotion and disease prevention initiatives. They are also committed to helping nonprofits make progress toward their core missions. This role may encompass capacity building, community engagement, and even policy advocacy or grant proposal writing.
Epidemiologists are most effective when they can communicate their findings with the public in a way that resonates. Often, complex findings are difficult to convey.
This is where science writers, journalists, or, increasingly, content creators can come into play. They help break down epidemiological study results and complicated concepts so that the public not only understands health concerns and risk factors, but also feels engaged by this messaging and eager to be a part of the solution.
Qualifications can differ between epidemiologist jobs, although MPH careers that call for targeted graduate credentials are among the industry's most common and most desirable pathways. Many entry-level epidemiology professionals begin their career trajectory by obtaining their master's degree while embracing experiential learning opportunities and taking a deep dive into today's most compelling epidemiological research.
Success as a public health professional is not possible without a comprehensive, yet targeted skill set that includes strong analytical acumen along with soft skills such as empathy and adaptability. Essentials include:
The vast majority of the roles highlighted above call for graduate-level training. The BLS highlights a master's degree as the typical entry-level requirement to find work in the field of epidemiology. Some public health professionals can also benefit from securing additional certifications, which convey their expertise in niche areas or may facilitate ongoing networking opportunities.
Epidemiologists play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of health conditions and underlying risk factors. They also advocate for public health initiatives that can make a real difference for vulnerable populations.
Epidemiologists often receive the most attention during public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Their surveillance systems ensure they are alerted to concerning trends early on.
From there, epidemiologists can help to inform response efforts by collecting and analyzing data on transmission patterns and symptom severity. Their field investigations aim to reveal root causes of outbreaks and ultimately, determine which control measures will limit the spread and which surge capacity measures may be necessary.
Efforts to educate the public are also essential, and often, epidemiologists are actively involved in public service announcements or even social media messaging. The goal is to alert the public while taking active efforts to dispel misinformation.
As the CDC Field Epidemiology Manual explains, messaging must be framed in the context of anticipated perceptions, as this could impact the "degree to which persons feel alarmed or outraged." Empathetic messaging is a must, along with conveying honesty and expertise.
Epidemiologists collaborate closely with policymakers to provide much-needed insight into disease trends and potential control measures. If they can communicate these insights effectively, they can drive powerful policies and initiatives that benefit sizable populations. They may also make actionable policy recommendations backed by a wealth of epidemiological research. These epidemiologists facilitate collaborative efforts involving not only policymakers, but also, nonprofit organizations and even corporate entities.
If you are passionate about preventing or mitigating today's most significant health conditions, you could have a bright future in epidemiology. There are many exciting opportunities available, but most call for graduate-level training.
