Senior Epidemiologist

MPF is seeking an experienced, mission-driven, Senior Epidemiologist with substantial real-world, applied epidemiology experience to support Operational Infectious Diseases (OID) at Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, CA.

Compensation: $120,000 - $127,000 annually

NHRC focuses on military mission readiness through research and development that delivers high-value, high-impact solutions to health and readiness challenges facing service members. The OID Directorate contributes to this mission hands-on infectious disease surveillance, field-based clinical studies, and operational research and development in military settings.

As a Senior Epidemiologist, you will join a multidisciplinary team of researchers and scientists that includes active-duty service members, federal civil servants, and contractors, all dedicated to NHRC’s vision of being the Department of War (DoW) premier operational health research center.

This role is well-suited for a Senior Epidemiologist who thrives under pressure, is clear and effective in communicating findings with military and civilian partners and has proven track record of securing and managing funded, large-scale research studies.

You will lead and analyze epidemiologic studies that directly inform Force Health Protection (FHP) and operational decision-making, with emphasis on Enteric / Respiratory Surveillance, Wastewater-Based Biosurveillance (WBB), Outbreak/ Clinical Studies support, Diagnostic and Operational Epidemiological Studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Study Design & Implementation
• Lead innovative surveillance initiatives, including but not limited to, Enteric/ Respiratory projects, Wastewater-Based Biosurveillance, genomic epidemiology, and the integration of diverse Real-World Data (RWD) sources.
• Design and conduct epidemiological studies on infectious diseases impacting military readiness, including surveillance studies, outbreak investigations, and observational research in operational environments.
• Develop and refine study protocols, sampling methodologies, and data collection tools to ensure high-quality, valid, and reproducible research outcomes.
• Lead the implementation of epidemiological studies, coordinating effectively with research staff, field teams, command leadership, and external partners to meet timelines and deliverables.
• Manage competing priorities and time-sensitive tasks in dynamic, high-pressure settings while maintaining scientific rigor and data integrity.
• Data Collection & Analysis
• Collect, manage, and oversee complex datasets from surveillance systems, clinical encounters, and field studies, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and compliance with regulatory and DoW standards.
• Perform and lead advanced statistical analysis and machine learning analysis to assess disease patterns, risk factors, and the impact of preventive measures relevant to military operations.
• Develop and apply novel analytical methods, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and predictive modeling, to enhance surveillance and outbreak detection capabilities.
• Use epidemiological and statistical software tools (e.g., SAS, R, Python, STATA, SQL, REDCap, Excel [advanced], Power BI) to conduct analyses, visualize data, and interpret findings.
• Monitor disease trends and provide timely, actionable insights to leadership and stakeholders to guide operational health decisions, policy development, and resource allocation.
• Communication, Reporting & Dissemination
• Prepare clear, concise research reports, manuscripts, and presentations that summarize study findings for peer-reviewed publications, military briefings, and scientific conferences.
• Communicate complex epidemiological concepts, study results, and operational implications to diverse audiences, including military leadership, public health officials, clinicians, and scientific peers.
• Engage in open, transparent communication with stakeholders, providing regular status updates, risk assessments, and recommendations.
• Contributes to grant writing and funding proposals, leveraging epidemiological expertise in study design, feasibility, and impact to secure and maintain external funding.
• Public Health Surveillance & Outbreak Response
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of infectious disease surveillance systems tailored to military and deployed populations.
• Participate in outbreak investigations, collaborating with local, national, and military health authorities to identify sources, characterize transmission, and recommend control measures.
• Analyze surveillance data to monitor disease incidence, identify emerging threats, and inform rapid response strategies for force health protection.
• Provide epidemiological guidance during urgent public health events, balancing operational demands with scientific and regulatory requirements
• Collaboration & Research Leadership
• Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including microbiologists, immunologists, bioinformaticians, clinicians, and operational planners, to integrate epidemiological research into broader studies and mission planning.
• Coordinate with external collaborators, including academic institutions, government agencies, and international partners, to advance joint research initiatives and multi-site studies.
• Provide epidemiological expertise to support the development and evaluation of prevention strategies, vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions relevant to military populations.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

• Master’s degree (MPH, MSPH) in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience; or a PhD in Epidemiology or related field with 1-3 years of experience conducting epidemiologic surveillance and research.
• Demonstrated experience in applying advanced analytical techniques, such as machine learning or artificial intelligence, to epidemiological or biological datasets.
• At least 5 years of proven experience in infectious disease surveillance and epidemiologic analysis, ideally with operational or field-based components.
• Demonstrated experience working with data management and quality assurance for large, complex datasets (5+ years).
• Proficiency in statistical software and epidemiological analysis tools (e.g., SAS, R, STATA, SQL, REDCap, Excel [advanced], Power BI, data visualization tools, and Microsoft Office).
• Strong understanding of study design principles, including cohort studies, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials.
• Strong attention to detail, with a track record of maintaining high standards in documentation, data quality, and compliance.
• Hands-on experience with outbreak investigations, case definitions, incidence and prevalence calculations, trend analysis, risk factor analysis, epidemiologic design, and public health reporting.
• Familiarity with infectious diseases of military relevance, such as influenza, dengue, malaria, acute gastroenteritis pathogens, respiratory viruses, and antibiotic-resistant organisms.
• Experience designing, managing and implementing surveillance protocols and operational health research projects.
• Proven track record of securing and managing large-scale, externally funded research projects (e.g., federal DoW) as a Principal Investigator, with direct responsibility for budgets, timelines and deliverables.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams that include both military and civilian personnel, with demonstrated ability to collaborate and build trust in structured, hierarchical environments.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data sets into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to present findings clearly to both scientific and non-scientific audiences, including senior military leadership.
• Proven ability to maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure, manage urgent tasks and competing priorities, and meet deadlines in fast-paced settings.
• History of scientific publications or technical reports in epidemiology, infectious disease, or public health.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including planning, tracking milestones, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Experience working with federal agencies such as VA, CDC, DoD, Navy, or other federal research or public health organizations.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a T3/Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior military experience (service, deployment, or direct support to military units) or significant experience in a military, government, or public health research environment.
• Experience serving on scientific review boards or in an advisory capacity for national or internation health organization (e.g. NATO, WHO).
• Demonstrated leadership in binational or international public health collaborators.
• Experience contributing to competitive grant proposals and participating in funded research studies.
• Experience engaging with leadership, presenting operational health findings, and contributing to policy or guideline development.
• Experience supporting multi-site or international studies and collaborations involving military or government partners.
• If you are an experienced epidemiologist who can operate confidently in high-stakes environments, communicate openly and effectively with military and civilian stakeholders, and lead funded, large-scale research that protects the health and readiness of U.S. forces, we encourage you to apply.