Overview
We are expanding how viral genomic data supports public health surveillance and response across the state. This Senior Epidemiologist role leads the Viral Genomics Unit within the Molecular Epidemiology Program and plays a central role in shaping how viral genomic surveillance systems are developed, and how viral genomic data are analyzed, interpreted, and applied to real public health questions. The position provides scientific and operational leadership to strengthen statewide disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and emergency preparedness, while supporting staff and partners who rely on viral genomic data to inform their work.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the Viral Genomics Unit by setting direction, priorities, and standards for viral genomic surveillance work
Design and oversee cloud based computational infrastructure that supports large scale genomic analysis and visualization
Translate complex viral genomic data into insights that inform disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, and situational awareness
Partner closely with epidemiologists, local health jurisdictions, IT teams, and academic collaborators to strengthen statewide genomic capacity
Coach, mentor, and support epidemiology staff through clear expectations, feedback, and professional development
Drive innovation by advancing new analytic approaches, tools, and methods in viral genomic epidemiology
Contribute expertise during public health emergencies involving viral pathogens
Why You’ll Love This Role:
You get to shape how viral genomic data are used across an entire state, not just within one project or lab
Your work has immediate impact on public health, influencing real time decisions during outbreaks and emergencies
You will lead a highly skilled team doing cutting edge work at the intersection of epidemiology, molecular evolution, and data science
The role offers space to innovate, experiment, and modernize how public health uses advanced molecular detection
You will collaborate with passionate public health professionals, local partners, and academic leaders who value science-driven solutions
About Washington Department of Health
At DOH, we safeguard public health in an ever-evolving world. Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs, and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily. We're driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.
