Research Associate II - Epidemiologist

University of Maine System • Portland, ME

36d • $70,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine (USM) is pleased to announce an opening for a full-time, Research Associate II position.
The Research Associate II (RAII) carries out a full range of complex epidemiologic and surveillance activities, with a focus on Environmental and Occupational Health. This position is part of a team of USM epidemiologists and health communication specialists dedicated to building epidemiology and communication capacity at USM and the Maine CDC (the state’s public health agency).
The RAII provides epidemiology and subject matter expertise to state, federal, and local partners. The RAII, in partnership with Maine CDC staff and other USM staff, is responsible for developing, implementing and sustaining public health surveillance systems within the Maine CDC’s Environmental Health Program (EHP); this includes assessing the burden and trends of environmental health-related outcomes, exposures, and risk factors in the general population and among sub-populations; and coordinating grant deliverables and reports and overseeing technical staff in the execution of grant activities. In addition, the RAII will lead and collaborate on epidemiologic studies with various Maine CDC programs and with partners in other state and federal agencies.
The Muskie School of Public Service is Maine’s distinguished public policy school, combining an extensive applied research and technical assistance portfolio with rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs in geography-anthropology; tourism and hospitality; policy, planning, and management (MPPM); and public health (MPH). The school is nationally recognized for applying innovative knowledge to critical issues in the fields of sustainable development and health and human service policy and management and is home to the Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy. The Muskie School and Cutler Institute engage in cross-disciplinary opportunities through the University of Maine Graduate & Professional Center, which brings together programs in business, law, policy, and public health.
This is a full-time position with a hybrid balance of 2 days per week in the Maine CDC-Augusta office and 3 days teleworking with a starting annual salary of $70,000.
The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond. USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society.
The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.
We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or related field, preferably from an accredited school of public health, and a minimum of 6 years of epidemiologic-related work experience.
• Demonstrated mastery of principles of epidemiology and public health.
• Experience developing and implementing public health surveillance systems.
• Experience building partnerships and successfully collaborating with internal and external partners.
• Ability to identify the need for applied epidemiologic studies.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including experience with major computer-based statistical packages, preferably SAS and/or R.

Responsibilities

• Carries out a full range of complex epidemiologic and surveillance activities, with a focus on Environmental and Occupational Health.
• Provides epidemiology and subject matter expertise to state, federal, and local partners.
• Responsible for developing, implementing and sustaining public health surveillance systems within the Maine CDC’s Environmental Health Program (EHP)
• Assessing the burden and trends of environmental health-related outcomes, exposures, and risk factors in the general population and among sub-populations
• Coordinating grant deliverables and reports and overseeing technical staff in the execution of grant activities.
• Lead and collaborate on epidemiologic studies with various Maine CDC programs and with partners in other state and federal agencies.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• Low-cost short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
• A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level