What does a research epidemiologist do?
Research epidemiologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research epidemiologist resumes:
- Manage IRB submissions, approvals for single and multi- site research studies.
- Manage investigator initiate and cooperative group correlative studies to identify biomarkers to ascertain tumor burden and clinical outcomes in lymphoma.
- Establish data sharing and instigates communication with various agencies, programs and organizations to disseminate the information gather by the registry.
- Develop and introduce standardised case definitions for communicable diseases in Caribbean countries.
Research epidemiologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 36% of Research Epidemiologists are proficient in Statistical Analysis, SAS, and Public Health. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math and statistical skills, and Teaching skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Epidemiologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Statistical Analysis, 36%
Perform data management and statistical analysis, and provide epidemiological support to other projects in development of manuscripts.
- SAS, 27%
Research activities included extensive SAS programming to support econometric and simulation of policy relevant analysis of longitudinal household surveys.
- Public Health, 17%
Collaborated with clinical microbiologists and state epidemiologists to identify priority MRSA public health needs.
- Data Management, 7%
Work involves metadata management and providing GIS application solutions for successfully implementing projects to protect and conserve coral reefs.
- IRB, 5%
Drafted and submitted study protocol documents to IRB, completed required grant regulatory documentation, and assisted with grant application submissions.
- Literature Searches, 4%
Conduct literature searches related to combat trauma situations.
Common skills that a research epidemiologist uses to do their job include "statistical analysis," "sas," and "public health." You can find details on the most important research epidemiologist responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a research epidemiologist to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "epidemiologists must be precise and accurate in moving from observation and interview to conclusions." Research epidemiologists often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "create basic detail and summary reports using sas procedures (proc tabulate, proc report) and ods. "
Math and statistical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling research epidemiologist duties is math and statistical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "epidemiologists may need to analyze data when reviewing results from studies and surveys." According to a research epidemiologist resume, here's how research epidemiologists can utilize math and statistical skills in their job responsibilities: "managed irb submissions, approvals for single and multi- site research studies. "
Communication skills. research epidemiologist responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "epidemiologists use speaking and writing skills to inform officials and the public, such as for community outreach activities to explain health risks." This resume example shows what research epidemiologists do with communication skills on a typical day: "designed space-time block codes for multi-antenna communications (c++). "
The three companies that hire the most research epidemiologists are:
- Emory Healthcare1 research epidemiologists jobs
- Emory University1 research epidemiologists jobs
- US Meat Animal Research Center1 research epidemiologists jobs
Compare different research epidemiologists
Research epidemiologist vs. Communicable disease specialist
A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a research epidemiologist are more likely to require skills like "statistical analysis," "sas," "data management," and "health care system." On the other hand, a job as a communicable disease specialist requires skills like "patients," "patient education," "communicable diseases," and "tb." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, communicable disease specialists reach similar levels of education than research epidemiologists. Communicable disease specialists are 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 13.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research epidemiologist vs. Infectious disease epidemiology director
Each career also uses different skills, according to real research epidemiologist resumes. While research epidemiologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "statistical analysis," "sas," "public health," and "data management," infectious disease epidemiology directors use skills like "development programs," "collaborative relationships," "business development," and "advisory boards."
Infectious disease epidemiology directors earn similar levels of education than research epidemiologists in general. They're 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research epidemiologist vs. Research fellow
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a research epidemiologist is likely to be skilled in "data management," "health care system," "literature searches," and "health care services," while a typical research fellow is skilled in "patients," "research projects," "data analysis," and "cell culture."
Most research fellows achieve a similar degree level compared to research epidemiologists. For example, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 17.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research epidemiologist vs. Chronic disease epidemiologist
Types of research epidemiologist
Updated January 8, 2025
