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Entry Level Epidemiologist Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Epidemiologist information

See Michigan salary details

$39.2K

$74.3K

$115.9K

How much do entry level epidemiologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level epidemiologist in Michigan is $74,279.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,800.00 and $88,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level epidemiologist do?

As an entry-level epidemiologist, your responsibilities include conducting research into the spread of disease, treatment of epidemics, and how to prevent epidemics and public health crises. You work under the supervision of a more experienced epidemiologist or a principal investigator who heads a research lab. Your duties depend on whether your office focuses on crafting public policy or conducting research, and they may include planning and conducting studies, collecting data for analysis, writing reports, or developing policy based on research.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level epidemiologists when transitioning from academic study to professional practice?

Entry level epidemiologists often find that applying theoretical knowledge to real-world data and public health issues can be challenging. In the workplace, they must quickly adapt to using specialized software, follow strict protocols, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Balancing multiple projects and deadlines, communicating findings to non-experts, and navigating public health bureaucracy are also common hurdles. However, supportive team environments and mentorship opportunities can help ease this transition and build practical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level epidemiologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Epidemiologist, you need a solid background in public health, biostatistics, and epidemiological methods, typically backed by a bachelor's or master's degree in public health or a related field. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (such as SAS, SPSS, or R) and data management systems is highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective written and verbal communication skills help you interpret data and collaborate on research teams. These abilities are crucial for accurately analyzing public health data, identifying trends, and supporting evidence-based decision making.

What is the difference between Entry Level Epidemiologist vs Public Health Analyst?

AspectEntry Level EpidemiologistPublic Health Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Public Health, Epidemiology, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Public Health, Health Policy, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, healthcare facilities, government agenciesPolicy analysis, program evaluation, government or NGO offices
Employer & Industry UsagePublic health departments, research institutions, hospitalsGovernment agencies, non-profits, consulting firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Epidemiologists and Public Health Analysts often share similar educational backgrounds and work in public health settings. While epidemiologists focus on disease investigation and data analysis, public health analysts tend to concentrate on policy, program evaluation, and health outcomes. Both roles are essential in public health initiatives and frequently overlap in skills and work environments.

How to start a career in entry level epidemiologist?

To start a career as an entry-level epidemiologist, obtain a bachelor's degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships, developing skills in data analysis and statistical software, and pursuing a master's degree can improve job prospects in this field.

Is there a demand for entry level epidemiologists?

Entry level epidemiologists are in demand due to ongoing public health needs, disease outbreaks, and the emphasis on data analysis and disease prevention. Job growth is expected to be steady, especially for those with strong analytical skills and proficiency in statistical software like SAS or R.
What are the most commonly searched types of Epidemiologist jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Epidemiologist jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Epidemiologist jobs in Michigan? For Entry Level Epidemiologist jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Entry Level Epidemiologist jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Entry Level Epidemiologist job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Epidemiologist job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,279 per year, or $35.7 per hour.

Research Associate, Population Sciences - Department of Oncology

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Wayne State University rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

287th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Research Associate, Population Sciences - Department of Oncology
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Associate, Population Sciences - Department of Oncology at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
Support the design and implementation of clinical research protocols involving human subjects. Recruit and screen study participants through approved methods, including outreach, surveys, and interviews. Conduct study visits and collect clinical and research data in compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB), regulatory, and protocol requirements. Communicate regularly with the Principal Investigator and research team regarding study progress and participant status.
Collect, enter, and maintain accurate clinical and research data, including outcomes, surveys, and case report forms. Monitor data quality and completeness. Perform preliminary data analysis and generate graphs, charts, and tables to summarize results in accordance with study protocols. Proofread and verify research data and documentation for accuracy.
Prepare and assist with presentations of research findings for professional, scientific, and academic conferences. Organize and summarize study results for submission to peer-reviewed journals. Assist in drafting, factchecking, editing, and proofreading scientific manuscripts, study reports, and regulatory documents.
Maintain organized research records and study files in accordance with regulatory and institutional requirements. Coordinate study materials and supplies, and support documentation for audits, monitoring visits, and regulatory submissions. Ensure workspaces remain organized and compliant with confidentiality and data security standards.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Unique duties:
We seek a full-time, entry-level Research Associate with a strong foundation in computational genomics and a keen interest in cancer and epidemiology. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to various projectsutilizing -omic data (e.g., GWAS, sequencing, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq) and integrating publicly available datasets from All of Us, UK Biobank, and dbGaP. The focus will be on understanding susceptibility to and survival following hematologic malignancies. This position is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to strengthen their computational skills while developing deeper expertise in cancer genomics and epidemiology. - Under the direction of the PI, design, execute, and interpret genetic studies using diverse quantitative and binary traits from large-scale cohorts. - Collaborate with colleagues in various multi-PI research consortia, including presenting and discussing analysis results. - Stay up to date with advances in human genetic analysis methods and be able to discuss these developments with both experts and non-experts.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public health, psychology, social sciences, nursing, biology, or related fields.
Requires advanced knowledge, predominantly intellectual in character, in a field of science or learning acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction.
Experience: Intermediate (3 to 4 years job-related experience)
Experience conducting clinical or human subjects research is preferred.
Experience with participant recruitment, informed consent, data collection, and maintenance of regulatory documentation is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to work independently and manage multiple clinical research activities while adhering to study protocols, regulatory requirements, and timelines. Ability to analyze, summarize, and interpret clinical research data and communicate findings effectively in reports and presentations. Requires knowledge predominantly intellectual in character in a field of science or learning acquired through specialized instruction. Knowledge of scientific integrity principles, responsible conduct of research, and human subject protections (e.g., IRB requirements, confidentiality standards). Excellent time management, organizational, and documentation skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to interact professionally with research participants, clinical staff, and multidisciplinary research teams.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with clinical research databases or electronic data capture systems is preferred. Ability to recruit and communicate effectively with diverse populations, including medically underserved communities.
Ability to identify workflow issues and recommend process improvements.
Preferred qualifications:
- MS in Statistical Genetics, Human Genetics with Computational Biology, Quantitative Epidemiology, or a relatedfield OR BS with 3+ years of work experience demonstrating an equivalent MS-level understanding of subjectmatter and skill set. - Experience with data QC, analysis, and interpretation of human biological data. Prior experience in human genetics (single variant and gene-based association analysis using WES/WGS/array genotyping data) is ideal, but candidates with relevant experience in adjacent fields and a willingness to learn areencouraged to apply. - Basic understanding of EHR data (e.g., UK Biobank, All of Us) and genomics databases (e.g., gnomAD, 1000 Genomes, TOPMed). Prior hands-on experience with these resources is preferred but not required. - Proficiency in R required; Python is also acceptable. - Working knowledge of Unix/Linux and cloud computing environments. - Strong interest in developing written and verbal communication skills for conveying analysis results to experts and non-experts. - Some experience with peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations is preferred.
School/College/Division:
H06 - School of Medicine
Primary department:
H0632 - Oncology
Employment type:
  • Regular Employee
  • Job type: Full Time
  • Job category: Research
Funding/salary information:
  • Compensation type: Annual Salary
Working conditions:
Typical work environment may include office, clinical, community, and/or research settings. May require evening or weekend hours to accommodate study participants. May require local travel for recruitment, community engagement, or professional conferences.
Job openings:
  • Number of openings: 1
  • Reposted position: No
  • Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
  • Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

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