Senior Technical Advisor – Epidemiology & Surveillance, Palladium

Position Description

Palladium is seeking an Epidemiologist to provide technical and strategic epidemiologic support to plan, develop, and implement COVID-19 and HIV response activities related to surveillance, information systems, data analytics, and monitoring and evaluation.   

The DIAS Practice is a dynamic and innovative group with talented and passionate members working toward the goal of improving informed decision making and implementation efficiency in international development projects.  The Epidemiologist will provide technical support for projects and business development activities in support of CDC, USAID and other international donors for funded programs globally. The home office for this position is Palladium’s Washington, D.C. office. Remote work options on Eastern Standard Time hours may be considered for exceptional candidates. The position will entail approximately 25-30% overseas travel from mid-2021.

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Epidemiologist are:

• Provide epidemiological expertise and technical assistance in the intersection of service delivery and data analytics and use for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. This may include strengthening or supporting the development of systems for disease surveillance (for early detection, investigation and response), contact tracing, and tracking the delivery of immunizations and safety surveillance for AEFIs.
  
• Define key indicators for monitoring immunization performance, review existing national information management systems and determine their usability for COVID-19 vaccination data management and identify required modifications.
  
• Provide technical support to Digital Solutions team to inform development, deployment, implementation and monitoring of necessary tools to manage COVID-19 vaccination programs, improve supply chain and logistics management information systems, surveillance systems, etc.
  
  • Support the introduction of an electronic tool, paper-based or partially digitized system, for capturing and monitoring COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, if no such system exists, based on standard requirements.
    
• Advise and contribute to the analysis of information to guide the appropriate planning, deployment, management, and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine delivery
  
• Strengthen the collection, management, analysis, interpretation and use of surveillance data to inform the COVID-19 response, contributing thought leadership and engaging country-based teams to build local capacity building and expedite transition
  
• Monitor global developments and provide recommendations to apply current norms and guidelines to Palladium’s technical and strategic approaches across a number of projects.
  
• Catalyse new and maintain existing client and partner relationships through the management of technical work, strategic initiatives
  
• Assist with the identification, assessment and pursuit of new business opportunities.

Experience Required

• Experience in immunization, public health surveillance systems, disease prevention and control programming efforts, vaccine preventable disease programming, and/or emergency preparedness and response in international settings, including experience working with developing country disease surveillance systems
  
• Experience in routine immunization program management and/or vaccine delivery implementation, including AEFI surveillance and response and the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
  
• Experience in collection and use of epidemiologic data for program planning and implementation, including knowledge of predictive analytics and innovative methodologies
  
• Experience in the response to outbreaks in low and middle-income countries (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola, zika, cholera, etc). Experience in HIV/AIDS, preferred.
  
• Experience working with USAID and multiple host country governments and local partners
  
• Experience working with bilaterals and multilaterals (including WHO, UNICEF, other UN agencies, Gavi, World Bank) and foundations (BMGF)

Key Competencies & Professional Expertise Required

• Knowledge and understanding of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), including use of EPI data
  
• Knowledge and understanding of the Global Health Security Agenda, including pandemic preparedness and response, diagnostic networks/early warning system, laboratory systems
  
• Strong work planning, budget and staff planning skills.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Proficiency in statistical software (STATA, SAS, SPSS, R)
  
• Ability to work in a dynamic and agile environment with changing requirements and priorities.
  
• Ability to guide and support the clients, project teams and technical teams in designing and implementing solutions that meet the specified requirements.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with team members and clients of different cultures, gender, and hierarchical levels. 
  
• Willingness to travel and work abroad 25-30% of the time in developing countries and elsewhere.

How to Apply

Click here to read more about this position and apply online! 

Senior Research Administrative Coordinator, Rollins School of Public Health

Opportunity Description

Post-doctoral Fellowship in Energy Balance and Cancer Survivorship, Kaiser Permanente

Description 

Epidemiologist, EPA

Organization Description 

The Chemical Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD) plans to recruit for epidemiologists to join a highly motivated, mission-focused team of health assessment scientists within the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development at the Environmental Protection Agency. CPAD is responsible for developing the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) and Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTV) assessments, which are well-known throughout the national and international environmental regulatory community.

Be on the look-out for a posting on USAJobs in early spring 2021!

Recruitment Process

GET READY IN ADVANCE! Once the announcement is posted, the recruitment period is relatively short (10 working days), so you will want to have an account in USAJobs and set up an automated search  to receive alerts about job postings. To do this, search for the job position, Epidemiologist, and then apply a filter to select jobs in the Environmental Protection Agency. You can then scroll to find jobs in ORD in CPAD. In addition to your CV, you will need to provide academic transcripts.  Updating and gathering these materials in advance will help to make the application process go more smoothly. Here’s a tip. Your CV and transcripts will be reviewed for evidence supporting your responses to the questions in the online application.

Position Description 

This position is for an epidemiologist (GS-0601) who is responsible for preparing or reviewing environmentally related health assessments for use by scientists and managers inside and outside the Agency and performing research to develop new assessment methods. The Division’s chemical pollutant priorities are generally determined by the needs of the EPA programs to meet their statutory requirements. Epidemiologists at this level are considered technical experts in their fields who work on multi-disciplinary teams to support assessment efforts. The development of these assessments typically involves the identification, analysis and synthesis of various kinds of scientific information related to stressors in the environment and the potential harm these may cause. This work can include a broad array of assessment products, such as evidence maps and systematic reviews of the literature that review and integrate evidence from a body of literature, and quantitative analyses of health or environmental assessment data. The results of these efforts are communicated through influential EPA reports, journal publications and at professional meetings.

Additional Information 

• Potential geographic locations: Cincinnati, OH, Washington, DC, and Research Triangle Park, NC
• Educational and other requirements: completion of a degree program in epidemiology or environmental health sciences. Note that applicants must be US citizens.

Contact Information 

For more information, please contact Barbara Glenn (glenn [dot] barbara [at] epa [dot] gov). She can answer questions and send you a link to an announcement when it is posted.

Epidemiologist III, Texas HHS

Job Description

The Informatics data exchange epidemiologist provides informatics expertise to the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) efforts, including electronic lab reporting (ELR), electronic case reporting (eCR), and integration efforts with local health departments not fully utilizing NEDSS. The informatics epi analyzes public health programmatic needs for electronic data exchange with NEDSS and identifies and implements appropriate technical solutions. Using (1) strong analysis and communication skills, (2) a comprehensive understanding of electronic disease surveillance systems, and (3) experience with Health Level 7 (HL7), Orion Health Rhapsody Integration Engine, secure transmission protocols (e.g. Secure File Transfer (SFT) and Secure Object Access Protocol (SOAP), this position will have primary responsibility to identify and resolve exceptions with electronic data exchange between NEDSS, data submitters, and data recipients. Additional responsibilities inclue updating the public health reportable condition mapping tables for the NEDSS, and evaluating and ensuring compliance with the local, state, and federal public health legal and regulatory environment.

Essential Job Functions

• (40%) Work with local health department (LHD) program staff, private and public laboratories, healthcare providers, EHR system vendors, and submitter systems, to inform, educate and ensure that there is a thorough understanding of the business processes and informatics needs. Contribute informatics expertise to systems software configuration and modifications.
• (25%) Investigate and resolve exceptions in the receipt, processing, or transmission of data of public health significance between NEDSS and its partners. Identify enhancements and improvements in the electronic data exchange pathways to assure secure, sustainable, and complete data exchange; and develop and execute plans to implement these modifications.
• (20%) Work in an application support role to include: system modification and upgrade planning, data extractions, and tasks that successfully implement, document and validate modifications and upgrades. Collaborate with the NEDSS technical team and the Information technology team, as needed, to maintain HIPAA-compliant secure transport, and Orion Health Rhapsody Integration Engine. Evaluate and ensure compliance with the local, state, and federal public health legal and regulatory environment. Participate in the analysis and development of a product roadmap of ELR/eCR/NEDSS, including the collection of user requirements, documentation, review, and validation of functional specification documents.
• (10%) Participate in quarterly meetings with the CDC EDX Program team, providing expert evaluation and analysis, present written and verbal reports and analysis of complex technology issues. Attend professional conferences and training classes, as appropriate, to maintain and enhance the current level of service to NEDSS stakeholders.
• (5%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of informatics, epidemiology, and related biostatistics; of infectious diseases, and of how causes of disease affect epidemiologic practices.
• Knowledge of LOINC, SNOMED, ICD and other control vocabularies
  Knowledge of software tools that support public health informatics, public health data acquisition, entry, abstraction, management, analysis, and reporting
• Knowledge of medical terminology

Skills 

• Skill in HL7 development and analysis such as using 7-edits, HL7 soup
• Skill in ensuring the utilization of interoperable data standards for storage and transmission
• Skill in HL7 analysis for ELR, entry, abstraction, management, analysis, and reporting.
• Skill in informatics planning and records management of complex data/databases, analyzing and solving problems
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities

Abilities 

• Ability to create informatics processes to maintain electronic documents, including documented versions, dissemination methods, and relevant
• Ability to use informatics knowledge management tools to organize, manipulate, and maintain complex data files
• Ability to create, maintain, and manipulate large, complex relational databases
• Ability to use HL7 and Orion Rhapsody for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information
• Ability to work effectively with regional and local health department personnel, private physicians, hospital staff and laboratory staff to facilitate disease surveillance
• Ability to train external and internal partners
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to design and implement systems necessary to collect, maintain, and analyze data
• Ability to apply technical means (security) to ensure the integrity and protection of confidential information in electronic files and computer systems
• Ability to conduct short-range and long-range project planning studies

How to Apply 

Click here to read more about this position and apply online! 

Lead Epidemiologist, Moderna

Description 

Moderna is seeking an Epidemiologist to develop the epidemiologic strategy and execute activities to support its early stage vaccine portfolio.  A PhD in epidemiology is required, along with at least 3 years of industry experience, preferably within vaccine development.  This role will report to Moderna’s Senior Epidemiology Lead, under the Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, and will drive the strategic development and execution of the Epidemiology Plans for early-stage prophylactic vaccines, e.g., EBV, influenza, and Zika.  The position is based at Moderna’s Cambridge, MA site. 

The successful candidate is driven, curious, collaborative, with a bold ambition to contribute to the development of ground-breaking mRNA-based vaccines.  The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills and a collaborative mindset. 

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the leadership, development, and execution of the Epidemiology strategy for early-stage vaccines.
• Provide epidemiologic input to the product development, pre-clinical, safety, and regulatory affairs teams, contributing to the integrated evidence plans for early-stage assets.
• Design and execute pre- and post-marketing epidemiology plans, including burden of disease studies, literature reviews and gap analyses, mathematical modeling, and post-marketing safety and effectiveness studies, as needed.
• Set the scientific direction and develop protocols, data analysis plans, study reports and peer-reviewed publications for early-stage assets.
• Actively contribute to the development of Target Product Profiles, particularly in terms of demonstrating burden of disease/unmet medical need and shaping post-licensure plans.
• Serve as a key partner with Medical Affairs and Commercial in terms of market-building activities, including building of HE models.
• Lead the Epidemiology strategy for early asset Advisory Board meetings.
• Develop collaborations with key epidemiology partners in the external environment.
• Provide epidemiologic support to other Moderna programs as needed.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the broader Moderna organization.

Skills and Qualifications 

• PhD in Epidemiology.  Preference given to candidates with previous experience in vaccine development.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in an industry setting, preferably in Vaccines or a related therapeutic area.  Proven ability to:
  • Plan and execute epidemiologic studies and related activities to support early-stage assets
  • Deliver high-quality results within established timelines
  • Demonstrated track record in leading cross-functional teams and work streams.
• Creative problem-solver with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail, internal drive to generate high-quality work, and sense of passion and urgency to achieve team and program goals.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and strategic planning skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills commensurate with the need to work closely with CROs, investigators, consultants, and Moderna team members across functions in a matrix environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills to meet the needs of varied audiences.
• Integrated understanding of global regulatory authorities, ICH GCP, and GPP/GEP guidelines. Prior interaction with major public health agencies is preferred.

How to Apply 

Click here to read more about this opportunity and apply online! 

Project Manager, TEPHINET

Position Description 

The Project Manager directs the planning, development, and operations of a program with the Task Force for Global Health. The primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collaborates with representatives from private, government, and international agencies.
• Plans, executes, and monitors program budgets, including approval of expenditures; prepares annual financial and program reports to external parties with interests in the program.
• May engage in fundraising initiatives on behalf of the program.
• Ensures that the program is in compliance with federal and international laws and regulations.
• Oversees program communications, including development of communications strategies, development of key program messages, production of print and electronic materials, and reputation management.
• Represents the program in various national and international fora, and actively engages with representatives from other NGO’s for purposes of conducting research and designing new initiatives.

Project Management

• Directs the planning, development, and operations of project(s) with the TEPHINET program of the Task Force for Global Health.
• Works with the Project Management Team Lead and funders to define scope of a project.
• Documents project work plan/timeline, resources needs, resource expectations, key milestone dates and tracks project process.
• Creates project and budget narratives for grants, status reports for distribution to project team and/or external customers.
• Updates activities and modifies deliverable dates as needed.
• Acts as a liaison to partner organizations and all project related personnel and affiliates, with a high level of diplomacy and tact.

Resource Management

• Plans, executes, and monitors project(s) budgets, including approval of expenditures.
• Creates contracts for consultants as needed.
• Identifies subcontractors in countries and provides guidance on reporting, payment and the implementation of activities
• Approves expense reports and manages detailed budget.
• Works with the financial management staff to provide information for financial reports.
• Creates, submits, and processes invoices.

Collaboration

• Establishes and maintains regular collaborative contact with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Meets regularly with the project team to review all current projects and escalates issues to supervisor as needed.
• Builds and nurtures relationships with consultants and external customers by interacting through email, phone calls, meetings, and/or personal visits.
• Participates in problem solving and resolution of operational issues.

Staff Development

• Attends conferences/meetings and reviews literature in order to stay abreast of current knowledge and issues.
• May supervise program staff.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Participates fully as a member of the Task Force for Global Health and TEPHINET by contributing, assisting and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by management.
• Represent TEPHINET in different activities like conferences, meetings, contact with donor or activities assigned by the supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications 

Minimum

• Bachelor’s degree in field related to specific program as indicated.
• Six years program related experience, or equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in a field related to the program
• Language Proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Prior experience in donor and partner relations
• Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills; high attention to detail and quality
• Proficiency in a second language preferred
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills
• Previous experiences working on international projects

How to Apply 

Click here to read more about this position and apply online! 

Epidemiologist II, New York Emerging Infections Program

Description 

Oversees surveillance and research activities pertaining to infectious diseases of public health importance as part of the New York State (NYS) Emerging Infections Program (EIP), one of 10 national, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) EIP sites. Plans, directs, monitors, and coordinates surveillance and research activities. Serves as an intermediate-level professional epidemiologist, responsible for carrying out a broad and complex range of analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and prevention of communicable diseases. Works independently or as an experienced team or project member, providing epidemiologic expertise for specific programs or more complex individual epidemiologic analyses.  Guides Tier I Epidemiologists in the conduct of surveillance, project management, and analytic pursuits.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Participates in the design, management, and use of surveillance systems for diseases of public health importance as part of the CDC EIP in NYS. Conducts surveillance for infectious diseases of public health importance. Identifies program surveillance data needs, designs instruments for the collection of surveillance information and data in partnership with CDC and implements new or revises existing surveillance systems.
• Provides technical leadership and guidance and coordinate work of staff in the Epidemiologist I position, other professional staff or technical and administrative staff, as assigned. Coordinates EIP-wide data validation efforts to ensure high quality data are produced.  Works with junior staff to address deficiencies in understanding of data collection procedures and ensure data accuracy.
• Performs statistical analyses related to complex analytical investigations involving highly specialized scientific data. Adapts or combines a variety of existing statistical methods to fulfill specific project needs. Designs, manipulates, and utilizes databases for analysis of health problems. Reports key findings and performs evaluations of surveillance systems.
• Provides scientific advice and technical assistance with respect to implementation and conduct of surveillance. Consults on technical problems where solutions many not conform to established protocols and may require the modification of approaches or applications in a specialty area. Provides feedback to CDC including potential solutions to identified problems. Provides epidemiologic advice and assistance in the resolution of technical issues that include significant barriers to program or project delivery.
• Conducts literature reviews for program planning, preparation of publications and evaluation. Designs and prepares reports from analyses of surveillance data, literature reviews, and other information. Makes oral presentations to diverse audiences. Oversees Tier I Epidemiologist staff when preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed medical literature and abstracts/posters for local, state and national level conferences.
• Participates in writing grants and other funding proposals. Participates on internal and external committees and workgroups related to areas of expertise. Participates in and provides actionable input during CDC-led conference calls and in-person meetings. Develops and conducts training for local staff as needed.

Qualifications 

Education 

• Required:  Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or relevant field; Master’s degree or higher in Public Health (MPH) or Master’s of Science degree in Public Health (MSPH) with a focus on epidemiology or analysis and assessment
• Preferred:  Other non-epidemiology graduate degree or certification with specific epidemiology training (e.g., CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service or CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship)

Experience

• Required: 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Preferred: Experience providing epidemiology mentorship and guidance to junior-level staff

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities 

• Required:  Knowledge of medical terminology and clinical concepts; excellent program management, oral and written communication skills; ability to interact effectively with a wide range of individuals; proven ability to lead a team, promote teamwork and efficiency, and provide technical supervision to staff in the Epidemiologist I position; ability to travel locally to visit program partners and ability to attend regional and/or national meetings.

How to Apply

Click here to apply online and learn more about this position!

Biostatistician, Statistics Collaborative, Inc.

Description

Our biostatisticians are integral parts of teams. They collaborate with external clients on studies involving new drugs, biologics, devices, and vaccines, as well as behavioral interventions across a range of disease areas.

Duties

• Writing descriptions of methods and analyses in protocols, statistical analysis plans, data monitoring committee reports, manuscripts, and clinical study reports
• Analyzing clinical data
• Performing statistical programming
• Contributing to the quality assurance of statistical analyses
• Communicating with clients and other external parties
• Organizing and maintaining confidential project materials

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Biostatistics or Statistics, or Master’s degree or Ph.D. in epidemiology with considerable coursework in Biostatistics
• Knowledge of applied statistical methodology

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of base SAS, SAS macro language, SAS graphics, and SAS/STAT or facility with R
• Experience using SAS or other statistical software to report results of clinical trials or other type of studies
• Attention to detail, accuracy, initiative, excellent written and oral communication skills, and scientific curiosity are essential, as well as the ability to juggle several complex projects simultaneously.

How to Apply 

Click here to read more about this position and apply online! 

Interested individuals can also reach out to Maggie Langhamer (Emory EPI 2017 graduate) at margaret [dot] langhamer [at] gmail [dot] com to discuss this opportunity further.