Your role
As an epidemiologist in public and population health, you'll study diseases and other factors that affect the health of communities and population groups. This includes tracking outbreaks and using data to help prevent the spread of disease. Your work will protect people's health, either in a local area through a public health unit or across all of Queensland.
Some epidemiologists may also apply skills and qualifications in health economics to look at healthcare costs and provide advice on policies and funding to improve population health.
What you'll do
In your role, you'll:
- measure healthy behaviours and diseases in communities
- design ways to collect data using surveys, interviews, and health information systems
- use specialised computer programs to analyse data and explain the results to the public, media and other health professionals
- track disease patterns to help prevent, find and investigate outbreaks
- design and review health programs to ensure they’re effective
- train and support students and other health professionals in epidemiology
- work with researchers, public health teams, health professionals and the community.
To learn more about this role, visit the Australasian Epidemiological Association website.
Qualifications
To work as an epidemiologist in Queensland Health, you need a university degree. This is usually a degree in epidemiology, or in health sciences or public health with a major in epidemiology.
In some cases, a postgraduate degree in public health with a focus on epidemiology or biostatistics may also be accepted.
Wages
Your pay will depend on your health practitioner (HP) classification and employment status. Read our health practitioner wage rates.
Career progression
Graduate positions for epidemiologists in Queensland Health may commence at HP level 3 (HP3). Most epidemiologist positions are at HP level 4 (HP4) and above.
In some locations, cadet (HP level 1) positions may be available for those studying university qualifications to become an epidemiologist.
We also employ data analysts to support the work of epidemiologists.
Read more about technical, administrative and other supporting roles in public health.
How to apply
We advertise all our jobs on the Queensland Government SmartJobs website. We also have information about the application process.