Public Health Foundation Enterprises, In
Epidemiologist / Data Scientist (Remote) (Biotech)
SUMMARY
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Division of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC) and Heluna Health are recruiting for an Epidemiologist / Data Scientist for the CDPH Wastewater Surveillance Program. This position is supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) cooperative agreement. The CDPH Wastewater Surveillance Program is a national Center of Excellence and a part of the CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS).
Wastewater, or sewage, can be tested for RNA from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, along with other infectious disease pathogens, such as Mpox and influenza. Wastewater data are used to augment existing public health surveillance and to help monitor infectious disease trends and outbreaks. This position will serve as an epidemiologist / data scientist on the CDPH wastewater surveillance team and is responsible for reporting, analysis, visualization, and interpretation of wastewater data as a complementary epidemiological surveillance tool to inform public health response.
Responsibilities of this position include data analysis, development of metrics and indicators, and epidemiologic interpretation of data generated by an evolving statewide wastewater surveillance system in collaboration with multidisciplinary CDPH teams, the CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), California wastewater utilities, public health and non-public health testing laboratories, local health departments, and other partners (e.g., academia, state partners) as appropriate. Wastewater data will be analyzed alongside epidemiologic data and environmental and laboratory parameters, for public health reporting, use, and response. Required data analysis, reporting, and visualization activities include using statistical software to compare multiple existing surveillance data sources with wastewater data. Analyses are varied and may include multivariable regression models and spatial analyses to better understand trends and burden of disease and time series analyses to identify and interpret trends.
The Epidemiologist / Data Scientist will analyze wastewater concentration data for various pathogens. These pathogens can include those already being monitored in wastewater (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], Mpox, norovirus, Candida auris) as well as pathogens being piloted for potential routine public health monitoring in wastewater (e.g., West Nile Virus, Dengue). The Epidemiologist / Data Scientist will work with CDPH epidemiologists, subject matter experts, and local health departments to understand existing public health surveillance systems, needs for wastewater surveillance, and develop methods to effectively integrate wastewater monitoring for different pathogens into existing public health infrastructure. This position will also coordinate with other CDPH teams to use wastewater surveillance to support response efforts, preparedness, routine surveillance, and outbreak investigations.
This position will work on special analytical projects related to wastewater, and communicate findings and results through presentations, written communications, and as appropriate, through publications. As needed, this position will also support other projects including, but not limited to, enhanced surveillance projects, outbreak investigations and surge efforts.
The salary range for this position is $79,000 to $98,000 annually depending on experience/qualifications.
Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered.
This position is a remote working position. Some travel for conferences or meetings is expected.
Must be able to work flexible hours that may include occasional holidays and weekends.
If hired for this position, applicant will be required to provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 prior to the start date; or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying the applicant for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation). The applicant will need to have the qualifying exemption.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience
Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
KEY
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Fully remote, with occasional travel expected.
Must have functioning internet access at remote location.
EEOC STATEMENT
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
See job description