Senior Epidemiologist, Research and Evaluation

HEALTH FEDERATION OF PHILADELPHIA•Philadelphia, PA

1d•$80,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention (CDIP) works to reduce the burden of chronic disease (e.g., heart disease, stroke, asthma) and injury (including gun violence) for Philadelphians across the life course. We take a people-centered, data-driven approach to programming and policy design. We look to solutions grounded in research and build evidence with our own data. This process drives policy and environmental changes to improve health for all people. The Senior Epidemiologist will support CDIP programs by overseeing surveillance activities, data management, analysis, evaluation, reporting, and interpretation of data trends to inform decision-making and improve public health outcomes in Philadelphia. This role requires strong analytical skills, the ability to synthesize and clearly communicate findings, and close collaboration with program staff, division leadership, and external partners to ensure accurate and consistent data reporting. The position will work closely with two program areas within the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention (CDIP): the Injury Prevention Program and the Health Partnerships Program. The Injury Prevention Program works to create a safer environment for all Philadelphia residents, with a current focus on reducing and preventing gun violence. The program convenes cross-sector coalitions, operates a Violence Reduction Council to conduct in-depth fatality case reviews, and promotes strategies such as youth engagement and safe firearm storage. For this program, the Senior Epidemiologist will partner with community leaders, law enforcement, healthcare, and academic institutions to evaluate violence prevention strategies; analyze injury and mortality data to identify trends and inform interventions; and examine the social and structural factors contributing to violence and injury. The Health Partnerships Program leverages the power of partnerships in public health to address risk factors for chronic diseases through innovative clinical care and population health initiatives. The program leads the CDC-funded Philadelphia Innovative Cardiovascular Health Program, working to improve health outcomes for Philadelphians with hypertension, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease, while addressing the social drivers of chronic disease. The program also promotes access to primary care, addresses asthma and its risk factors, and strengthens cross-sector referral networks. For this program, the Senior Epidemiologist will oversee grant-related performance measurement and evaluation; monitor trends in childhood asthma and chronic disease; and generate data to inform strategies that improve access to care and strengthen community-clinical linkages. This position reports to the Director of Research and Evaluation and works closely with program managers across both program areas. The role requires collaboration across City agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and academic partners to ensure that research and evaluation efforts inform effective public health action. This role offers the opportunity to shape citywide strategies to reduce violence and improve chronic disease outcomes. This role may also support analytic activities across additional CDIP program areas and cross-cutting initiatives, contributing to division-wide priorities and emerging public health needs.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of epidemiologic and social science research methods, including study design, statistical analysis, and evaluation methodology.
Advanced analytic skills using statistical software such as R (preferred), Stata, or SAS.
Experience working with complex, multi-source datasets (e.g., administrative data, EHR, survey data).
Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects and translate data into policy- and program-relevant insights.
Experience communicating technical findings to diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and the public.
Experience developing evaluation frameworks, performance measures, and data collection tools (e.g., surveys, REDCap).
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing reports and manuscripts.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, work collaboratively, and lead projects to completion.
Master’s or doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH) in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, demography, economics, data science, or a related field.
Master’s degree with at least 3–5 years of relevant experience, or doctoral degree with at least 1–3 years of relevant experience in public health or social science research and evaluation.
OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Department of Public Health, including a bachelor’s degree as a minimum

Nice To Haves

Experience with geospatial analysis (e.g., ArcGIS) and/or data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Shiny).
Experience with qualitative research methods.
Experience with grant reporting and/or proposal development.
Experience conducting research activities with underserved communities
Subject matter expertise in injury prevention, violence prevention, or chronic disease epidemiology.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with program leadership and the Director of Research and Evaluation, develop, design, and lead analytic activities, research, and evaluation projects across CDIP program areas.
Plan, design, and conduct epidemiologic and applied research studies, including developing research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies, and constructing data collection instruments.
Provide supervision, mentorship, and technical guidance to research and evaluation staff, including supporting project management, analytic skill development, and professional growth.
Manage, clean, and analyze complex datasets (e.g., administrative, survey, hospitalization, electronic health records, and census data) to monitor trends, evaluate programs, and inform policy and practice.
Interpret and synthesize quantitative and qualitative findings to generate actionable insights for program, policy, and strategic decision-making.
Develop and maintain surveillance systems and core metrics to track population health outcomes, risk factors, and program effectiveness; identify gaps in data and lead efforts to address them.
Lead evaluation of public health and violence prevention initiatives in collaboration with program leadership and the Director of Research and Evaluation, including tracking implementation, coordinating with internal and external partners, and reporting progress and outcomes to stakeholders and funders.
Produce and communicate findings through reports, data briefs, dashboards, presentations, and peer-reviewed manuscripts for a range of audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and the public.
Lead or contribute to grant-related performance measurement, reporting, and proposal development.
Manage data requests and conduct rapid analyses to support emerging research questions, policy priorities, and program needs.
Guide projects through Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes and ensure adherence to data governance and ethical standards.
Collaborate with City agencies, academic partners, healthcare providers, and community organizations to expand data access, integrate data sources, and strengthen analytic capacity.
Provide methodological and analytic guidance to program staff and junior analysts; contribute to team-based projects and division-wide data initiatives.
Review and synthesize scientific literature to inform research, evaluation, and policy development.
Contribute to the development of new research and evaluation priorities aligned with division and departmental goals.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.