1. Home
  2. Find a job
  3. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologist

MSF epidemiologist, Saleem, providing care to people displaced by conflict in the Bunia region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Caption
MSF epidemiologist, Saleem, providing care to people displaced by conflict in the Bunia region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Epidemiologists play essential roles in our teams.

In the midst of an outbreak, our project teams look to our epidemiologists to learn where and how fast a disease is spreading, and how it can be stopped. From Ebola outbreaks in Liberia to predicting cholera outbreaks in Haiti after an earthquake, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) epidemiologists save lives.

Responsibilities

MSF epidemiologists work in a variety of contexts, and may be either based in a country coordination centre or out in a field project. They may support one or many projects, and work on a variety of issues, from mortality surveys to mapping the spread of diseases.

It’s a diverse role and you would be responsible for some or all of the following: 

  • ​Conducting surveys in the community
  • Creating reports to be used for project planning
  • Helping plan appropriate responses to outbreaks of disease, such as active case finding, vaccination campaigns, WATSAN interventions (e.g. meningitis, measles or cholera) or conducting mortality surveys
  • Setting up surveillance systems in MSF hospitals or in the community 
  • Building the capacity of the medical teams to analyse and interpret the results to support evidence-based decision making

I love numbers, I love medicine and I love interacting with people from different cultures. As an epidemiologist I get to experience all my passions while improving people´s lives.

PATRICIA NDUMBI
|
Epidemiologist

Application guide

Read our guide on the application process for all overseas roles

Role requirements

  • Training in epidemiology or in public health with extensive experience in epidemiology
  • A minimum of 2 years relevant post-qualification work experience
  • Ability to design and implement monitoring and surveillance systems for disease and outbreak monitoring, including mortality and nutritional surveys, and to train others in appropriate methods of data collection and analysis
  • Practical skills in database management and software for epidemiological and statistical analysis (Microsoft Excel and at least one statistical program)
  • Ability to design, implement and evaluate quantitative and qualitative epidemiological research
  • Experience in training, coaching and supervision
  • Work or travel experience in developing countries
  • A good command of the English language (B2)
  • Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload
  • Ability to work in an international team
  • Willingness to work in an unstable and insecure environment.
  • Availability of at least 12 months

Assets

  • Medical/biomedical background
  • Familiarity with tropical diseases / infectious diseases
  • Previous experience in a similar role with another non-governmental organisation
  • Previous experience in a similar role in an unstable environment

Languages

We're currently looking for epidemiologists with good French or Arabic skills.

If you can speak French or Arabic you're much more likely to be accepted onto our register.

Your language level may be tested during the recruitment process.

Before you apply

Make sure you read our application process guide for an overview of what to expect when you apply for an overseas role.

We take your safety, security and wellbeing seriously. Please watch these videos before you decide whether or not to apply for this job.

Apply to be an epidemiologist 

Please only apply if you meet all of the requirements below.

1/6

I have read and understood the role description, and feel I can fulfil this role

2/6

I have spent at least a year working in low- and/or middle-income countries

3/6

Ireland is my place of residence and I have the right to live and work in Ireland

4/6

I have a valid passport

5/6

I have managed a team of people

6/6

I am available for up to 9 months