Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Epidemiologist (Research)
Disease research and modelling
What this life looks like
You study how diseases spread and how to stop them. Research Epidemiologists investigate the patterns and causes of disease in populations, identify risk factors, evaluate health interventions, and provide the scientific evidence that guides public health policy. Your work shapes the response to every health crisis — from malaria to Ebola to COVID-19.
What she actually does
You design research studies to investigate disease patterns, collect and analyse health data, identify the causes and risk factors of diseases, evaluate whether health interventions work, write research reports and papers, and advise governments and health agencies on evidence-based health policies. You may work in the field during disease outbreaks or in a university laboratory analysing data.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Research Institutions | KEMRI Kenya, MRC Gambia, AHRI South Africa, WACCBIP Ghana, NICD South Africa |
| Universities | Schools of public health at UCT, Makerere, Ibadan, Wits, Addis Ababa University |
| International Health | WHO Africa, CDC Africa, Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust Africa programmes |
| Government | National disease surveillance and control programmes, health ministries, Africa CDC |
Why it matters in Africa
Africa bears a disproportionate burden of infectious, maternal, and nutritional diseases. African epidemiologists who understand local contexts, speak local languages, and live in the communities they study are essential for generating relevant knowledge and designing interventions that actually work.
Your pathway in
- Study Biology, Mathematics, or a health science at school and university
- Complete a degree in Medicine, Public Health, Statistics, or a biological science
- Pursue a Master's in Epidemiology — KEMRI, UCT, Makerere, and LSHTM offer excellent programmes
- Develop strong quantitative skills including biostatistics and health data analysis
- Engage with field research during training through attachments at public health institutions
Skills you will need
- Biostatistics and quantitative analysis
- Study design and research methodology
- Epidemiological software (STATA, R, SPSS)
- Scientific writing and publication
- Field data collection
- Policy communication
A woman in this field
Dr. Adesola Yinka-Ogunleye
Nigeria
Adesola is both a virologist and an epidemiologist whose research epidemiology work at the NCDC has been critical in understanding and containing disease outbreaks in Nigeria. Her dual scientific expertise — combining virology with epidemiological field investigation — makes her one of Nigeria's most effective public health scientists and a model for those considering careers in disease research.
Take your first step
- Study Biology and Mathematics — epidemiology requires both biological and quantitative thinking
- Research public health and epidemiology master's programmes available at African universities
- Follow Africa CDC and WHO Africa's weekly disease surveillance reports to see epidemiology in action
- Learn what a cohort study and a randomised controlled trial are — these are the core tools of epidemiology