Breadcrumb
Careers in Epidemiology
Epidemiologists focus on determining the occurrences and risk factors of disease, and evaluating the effectiveness of prevention and treatment of disease. This can include surveillance and monitoring, screening, establishing and administering intervention programs for prevention or treatment of diseases, designing studies for determining risk factors or the effectiveness of prevention approaches, and analyzing data.
Most epidemiologists choose particular areas of expertise, e.g., cardiovascular, reproductive, cancer, nutrition, hospital infections, genetic diseases, infectious disease, birth defects, based upon on their interests. The possibilities and approaches are endless.
Placement opportunities for epidemiology graduates include positions in local, state, and federal health agencies; academic departments within schools of public health or colleges of health sciences; pharmaceutical companies; and hospital and health systems.
Our graduates have been very successful in finding placements in the field. Here is a sampling of positions held by Epidemiology graduates who graduated within the past two years:
- Emerging Infections Surveillance Fellow, El Dorado (CA) Public Health Dept.
- Staff Epidemiologist, University of Iowa Epidemiology Department
- Biological Safety Professional, University of Iowa Health Protection Office
- HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Fellow, California Epidemiology Investigation Service
- Assistant Director, Research Injury Surveillance System, N.C.A.A.
- Epidemiologist, DeKalb County (Georgia), Board of Health
- Health Services Research and Development Fellow, VA Medical Center, Indianapolis
- Preventive and Community Dentistry Fellow, University of Iowa
- Epidemiologist, San Joaquin County (CA) Health Dept.
- Disease Prevention Specialist, Johnson County (IA) Public Health Dept.
- Medical Epidemiologist, Virology Research, U.S. Navy, Cairo, Egypt
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- Project Forester at State of New Mexico
- Health Information Administrator at Illinois Department of Human Services
- Food Safety Consumer Safety Inspector in Cloquet, MN at USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
- Food Safety Consumer Safety Inspector in Eagle Grove, IA at USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
- Social Worker II at Illinois Department of Human Services
- LOX – Correctional Treatment Specialist (Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist) at Federal Bureau of Prisons
- VIX – Social Worker at Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Manager, Public Health Programs – Health Promotion and Planning (Hybrid) at Anoka County
- Renewables Analyst II at Illinois Power Agency – State of Illinois
- Quality Assurance Counselor-Eastern Region at NC Department of Public Safety
- Region Spotlight: Serving in Europe, Mediterranean, & Asia Region (Friday, June 27th 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT)
- Info Session: Financial Preparation for Service (Wednesday, June 25th 2025, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm CDT)
- Info Session: Introduction to Peace Corps (Tuesday, June 24th 2025, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT)
- Office Hours: Online (Tuesday, June 17th 2025, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT)
- Region/Country Spotlight: Serving in Africa Region (Monday, June 16th 2025, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT)