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Director Population Science information

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$80.5K

$111.9K

$144K

How much do director population science jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for director population science in the United States is $111,876.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Director of Population Science?

A Director of Population Science is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing research and initiatives focused on understanding health outcomes, patterns, and disparities across populations. They guide teams in designing studies, analyzing data, and developing strategies to improve public health at a community or population level. This role often involves collaborating with healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers to translate findings into actionable interventions. Directors of Population Science play a key role in advancing disease prevention, health equity, and evidence-based policy.

How does a Director of Population Science typically collaborate with clinical teams and data analysts to drive research initiatives?

A Director of Population Science regularly works with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, epidemiologists, and data scientists, to design and implement large-scale studies. This collaboration involves setting research priorities, ensuring data quality and integrity, and translating findings into actionable strategies for patient care or policy recommendations. Effective communication and coordination are essential, as directors often facilitate meetings, oversee data-sharing agreements, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The role offers opportunities to lead innovative projects and mentor junior researchers, fostering a culture of scientific excellence.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Population Science, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Population Science, you need advanced expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health, typically supported by a doctoral degree and experience in health research leadership. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (such as SAS, R, or SPSS), research databases, and grant management systems is essential. Strategic thinking, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills set standout candidates apart in this interdisciplinary role. These skills are crucial for effectively guiding research initiatives, securing funding, and translating data-driven insights into impactful public health strategies.

What is the difference between Director Population Science vs Epidemiologist?

AspectDirector Population ScienceEpidemiologist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD, DrPH), leadership experienceMaster's or PhD in epidemiology or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, public health agencies, academiaPublic health departments, research organizations, healthcare settings
Employer & Industry UsageLeading research, policy development, program oversightData analysis, disease investigation, health trend assessment

The main difference is that a Director Population Science typically holds a leadership role overseeing large-scale research and programs, requiring advanced credentials and strategic responsibilities. An Epidemiologist focuses on studying disease patterns and conducting research, often with a focus on data analysis and field investigations. Both roles are vital in public health but differ in scope and seniority.

More about Director Population Science jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Population Science jobs? Cities with the most Director Population Science job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Population Science jobs? The most popular types of Population Science jobs are:
What states have the most Director Population Science jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Population Science jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Population Science job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 53% Full Time, 42% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,876 per year, or $53.8 per hour.
Open Rank UNMCCC IM Epidemiology - Cancer Health Services Researcher/Behavioral

Open Rank UNMCCC IM Epidemiology - Cancer Health Services Researcher/Behavioral

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM

Other

Posted 9 days ago


University Of New Mexico rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

65th of 535 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The University of New Mexico National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC) and the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine at the UNM School of Medicine (UNM SOM), seek established population scientists focused on cancer control, health services research, and behavioral intervention research to lead programmatic efforts in cancer control in New Mexico. A distinguishing characteristic of the UNMCCC is the multiethnic, multicultural, rural, and underserved populations it serves in its catchment area - primarily Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, and non-Hispanic White - with strikingly different patterns of cancer incidence, mortality, and disparity. We seek accomplished mid-career to senior faculty with sustained records of outstanding scholarly achievement, including peer-reviewed funding (preferably NCI and NIH) and impactful publications. With the opportunity for UNMCCC endowed leadership roles (Associate Director, Program Leader), selected candidates will have the requisite organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills to foster interdisciplinary collaborations. The selected candidate will join a vibrant and highly collaborative research community based in the UNMCCC Cancer Control and Population Sciences Research Program whose members conduct research along the cancer continuum. The UNMCCC has an extensive array of shared resources, registries, and infrastructure to conduct population science research, including a Behavioral Measurement and Population Science Shared Resource and an Office of Community Outreach and Engagement. Particularly exciting opportunities include collaborative biomedical research consortia with New Mexico's Tribal Nations and extensive education and training programs for underrepresented minorities. Additional infrastructure and opportunities include: the NCI SEER-funded New Mexico Tumor Registry; the nation's only prospective HPV/PAP Screening Registry; a developing Colorectal Cancer Screening Registry; the innovative Project ECHO (echo.unm.edu), a hub-and-spoke knowledge-sharing network led by expert teams who use multi-point videoconferencing to conduct virtual clinics with community providers which center investigators are using to conduct cancer control, cancer care delivery research, and therapeutic and community interventions; the New Mexico NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NM NCORP: Minority/Underserved), a statewide cancer research and clinical trials network; and the NIEHS/USEPA-funded Center for Native Environmental Health Equity, the NIEHS/NIH/NCI-funded METALS Superfund Research and Training Center, and the Navajo Birth Cohort/Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program who are investigating the role of environmental exposures in our catchment area with cancer causation; and a NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Center. The UNMCCC is a member of the ORIEN National Cancer Precision Medicine Network (http://oriencancer.org/). The successful candidate will have a tenure track academic faculty position in the Department of Internal Medicine, membership in the UNMCCC, and will be provided significant resources, including Endowed Chairs or Fellowships, excellent salaries, comprehensive start-up packages, and support to recruit additional faculty.

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC) is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. The 134 oncology physicians, 122 cancer research scientists, and staff are particularly focused on discovering the causes and the cures for cancers that disproportionately affect the people of the American Southwest - primarily Hispanic, American Indian, and Non-Hispanic White - with strikingly different patterns of cancer incidence, mortality and disparity. The Center treated 12,000 unique patients in FY18, 12% of whom participated in therapeutic interventional studies and 35% of whom participated in interventional studies. The UNMCCC has outstanding research programs in Cancer Control and Population Sciences; Cellular and Molecular Oncology; and Cancer Therapeutics. These programs house several national centers including: The Molecular Discovery and High Throughput Target Screening Center (nmmlsc.health.unm.edu), one of the nation's 6 Chemical Biology Consortium Centers of Excellence in The NCI NExT Program; The New Mexico Center for the Spatiotemporal Modeling of Cell Signaling (stmc.health.unm.edu), one of 13 NIH National Centers for Systems Biology; and a NIH Clinical and Translational Sciences Center. Rich collaborations with UNMCCC partners (Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories; Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute) enrich our research endeavors.  The UNMCCC has well-established Shared Resources for centralized biospecimen collection and tissue analysis, genomics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, cancer population science and behavioral interventions, and the conduct of clinical interventions. The UNMCCC is the center of a collaborative statewide cancer clinical trials and health delivery research network funded in part through a NCI NCORP Grant (Minority/Underserved) and is also a member of the ORIEN National Cancer Precision Medicine Network (http://oriencancer.org/). Center members have conducted more than 60 statewide community-based cancer education, prevention, screening, and behavioral intervention studies involving more than 10,000 New Mexicans. Learn more at http://cancer.unm.edu/.


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