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Public Health Research Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Health Research, Inc.

Research Scientist I

Albany, NY · On-site

$69K/yr

Join us in our mission to make a difference in public health and advance scientific research! At Health Research, Inc. (HRI), your work will contribute to meaningful change and innovation in the ...

Health Research, Inc.

Research Scientist I

Albany, NY · On-site

$69K/yr

Join us in our mission to make a difference in public health and advance scientific research! At Health Research, Inc. (HRI), your work will contribute to meaningful change and innovation in the ...

Georgia State University

Research Scientist I

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Sponsored Funded Professional - Research Scientist I Georgia State University School of Public Health Department Health Policy & Behavioral Sciences GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH ...

Washington University of St. Louis

$91K - $117K/yr

... Public Health is seeking a Research Scientist to serve as a core scientific contributor and ... Research Design and Scientific Leadership * Leads the design of population health studies across ...

City of New York

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Queens, NY · On-site

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744 Qualifications 1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or ...

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City of New York

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Queens, NY

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744 Qualifications 1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or ...

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Public Health Research Scientist information

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$50.5K

$130.1K

$174K

How much do public health research scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for public health research scientist in the United States is $130,117.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public health research scientist?

A Public Health Research Scientist is a professional who studies health trends, diseases, and factors affecting populations to improve public health outcomes. They design and conduct research studies, analyze data, and evaluate programs or policies. Their work often informs public health guidelines, interventions, and policy decisions. They may focus on topics like disease prevention, health disparities, or environmental health risks. Public Health Research Scientists typically work in universities, government agencies, or health organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public health research scientist?

To thrive as a Public Health Research Scientist, you need a solid background in epidemiology, biostatistics, and research methodology, often supported by an advanced degree such as an MPH or PhD. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (e.g., SAS, SPSS, R), database management, and regulatory compliance (like IRB processes) is typically required. Strong critical thinking, clear communication, and collaboration skills help effectively translate research findings to diverse stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for generating impactful research that informs policy and improves public health outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by public health research scientists when conducting community-based studies?

Public Health Research Scientists often encounter challenges such as building trust with community members, navigating diverse cultural norms, and ensuring data collection methods are both ethical and effective. Gaining access to representative populations can require strong partnerships with local organizations and clear communication about the study’s purpose. Additionally, balancing rigorous scientific protocols with the practical realities of community settings requires flexibility and a collaborative mindset.

What is the difference between Public Health Research Scientist vs Epidemiologist?

AspectPublic Health Research ScientistEpidemiologist
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in public health, epidemiology, or related fieldsMaster's or PhD in epidemiology, public health, or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, universities, government agenciesPublic health departments, research organizations, healthcare settings
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in research and academia, government, NGOsPublic health agencies, hospitals, research institutes
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for research roles in public healthOften compared for disease tracking and outbreak investigation

Public Health Research Scientists focus on designing and conducting studies to improve community health, often working in academic or research settings. Epidemiologists specialize in studying disease patterns, causes, and control measures, frequently working in public health agencies. While both roles require similar credentials and work environments, their primary focus differs: research versus disease investigation.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Public Health Research Scientist jobs?

The most popular types of Public Health Research Scientist jobs are:

What job categories do people searching Public Health Research Scientist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Public Health Research Scientist jobs are:

Public Health Research Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Health Research Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,117 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Research Scientist, Environmental Health, School of Public Health

Boston, MA • On-site

Boston University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

209th of 622 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about Boston Universityexternal

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description


Research Scientist - Center for Climate and Health
Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH)
Position Overview
The Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) Center for Climate and Health (CCH) invites applications for a Research Scientist to support interdisciplinary research on the health impacts of extreme weather, with embedded roles in major NIH-funded initiatives including the CAFE Research Coordinating Center (CAFE RCC) and the Gateway Exposome Coordinating Center (GECC). CCH advances research, training, and translation to reduce climate-related health risks with a focus on actionable science for vulnerable populations. The successful candidate will contribute to research spanning extreme weather, air pollution, built environment, and exposome science, while helping to build shared data infrastructure and collaborative science communities.
Key Responsibilities
  • Apply advanced geospatial, environmental, and spatiotemporal analytic methods (e.g., GIS, remote sensing, causal inference, statistical modeling)
  • Manage and harmonize large-scale datasets across climate, environmental, and population health domains
  • Lead and contribute to studies of climate-related exposures and health outcomes, including extreme heat, air pollution, and climate hazards
  • Contribute to manuscripts, grant proposals, and reports for NIH and other sponsors
  • Mentor trainees and support team science across BUSPH and partner institutions

CAFE RCC Activities:
  • Support development of the CAFE community of practice, convening researchers, agencies, and partners across disciplines with a focus on data, metadata and ontologies, and data pipelines.
  • Contribute to data sharing and reproducible science infrastructure, including the CAFE Dataverse and GitHub resources
  • Engage in training, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives (e.g., methods training, pilot projects, collaborative networks)
  • Facilitate integration and harmonization of environmental and health datasets to accelerate climate-health research

GECC Activities:
  • Contribute to development and application of exposome frameworks spanning environmental, social, and policy-related exposures
  • Support harmonization, linkage, and dissemination of exposure data and measures across cohorts and studies
  • Participate in generating science-ready tools, guidance, and best practices for exposome research
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance research on life-course environmental exposures and health outcomes

Required Skills
Required Qualifications
  • PhD in data science, engineering, environmental health, epidemiology, biostatistics, geography, or related field
  • 1-3 years of experience in creation and management of complex spatial environmental or health datasets and development of reproducible data pipelines. Substantive expertise in climate and health, environmental epidemiology, or exposure science also an asset.
  • Strong programming and analytic skills (e.g., R, Python, ArcGIS/QGIS)
  • Demonstrated publication record

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with extreme weather and climate exposure metrics
  • Expertise in spatial or spatiotemporal modeling
  • Familiarity with NIH data management, FAIR principles, and open science practices
  • Experience in collaborative or coordinating center environments
  • Interest in data infrastructure, harmonization, and community-engaged research

Research Environment
The Center for Climate and Health is a convergent science hub linking environmental health, epidemiology, data science, and policy. The Research Scientist will work within a highly collaborative ecosystem that includes:
  • The NIH-funded CAFE RCC, which convenes and accelerates a global community of practice for health and extreme weather research, supporting data sharing, training, and collaborative science
  • The NIA-funded GECC, a national coordinating center that standardizes, harmonizes, and disseminates exposome data and tools to advance life-course environmental health research
  • Partnerships across BUSPH and beyond focused on climate hazards, health equity, and actionable research translation

The Research Scientist will report directly to Dr. Kevin J. Lane, Associate Professor of Environmental Health at the Boston University School of Public Health and a leader within the Center for Climate and Health. Dr. Lane will provide scientific oversight, mentorship, and strategic guidance, particularly in the areas of exposure assessment, geospatial data science, and interdisciplinary climate-health research. The position is a 12-month, full-time appointment, with continuation contingent upon the availability of external research funding.
Application Instructions
All materials should be sent directly to Dr. Kevin Lane (klane@bu.edu), not submitted to this website.
Applicants should submit:
  • Cover letter describing research interests and alignment with CCH, CAFE, and GECC
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Contact information for three references

**Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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About Boston University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. Boston University is committed to generating new knowledge to benefit society. We remain dedicated to our founding principles: that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—local and international. These principles endure in the University’s insistence on the value of diversity, in its tradition and standards of excellence, and in its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world. Boston University comprises a remarkable range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs built on a strong foundation of the liberal arts and sciences. With the support and oversight of the Board of Trustees, the University, through our faculty, continually innovates in education and research to ensure that we meet the needs of students and an ever-changing world.

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Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

Year founded

1839

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