Director, Epidemiology & Methodological Innovation

Tempus AI; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Tempus is seeking a Director of Epidemiology & Methodological Innovation to lead high-impact research at the intersection of outcomes research and data science.

You will develop novel epidemiological methods, design retrospective HEOR/RWE studies, and advise biopharma clients on innovative study designs. The role demands a PhD/PharmD, 7+ years in HEOR/RWE, and strong leadership with oncology expertise.

Qualifications

• PhD (preferred) or PharmD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years in HEOR/RWE with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Deep oncology expertise is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of novel approaches for RWE, including external control arms and causal inference in high-dimensional data.
• Oversee end-to-end retrospective database analyses and study protocol design.
• Advise biopharma clients on first-in-kind study designs and contribute to publications and conferences.

Skills

Leadership

Science communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

PhD (preferred) or PharmD in Epidemiology/ Biostatistics/ Health Economics

Tools

R

SAS

Job description

Passionate about precision medicine and advancing the healthcare industry?

Recent advancements in underlying technology have finally made it possible for AI to impact clinical care in a meaningful way. Tempus’ proprietary platform connects an entire ecosystem of real-world evidence to deliver real-time, actionable insights to physicians, providing critical information about the right treatments for the right patients, at the right time.

The Director of Epidemiology & Methodological Innovation will lead high-impact research for Tempus’s biopharma partners, sitting at the intersection of traditional outcomes research and cutting-edge data science. This is a high-visibility, client-facing role within the Data Business. You won’t just apply existing frameworks; you will develop and validate novel epidemiological methods to unlock the full potential of Tempus’s multimodal datasets. The ideal candidate is a scientific visionary who can translate complex, non-linear data into regulatory-grade insights that accelerate drug development and improve patient outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Methodological Innovation: Lead the development of novel approaches for RWE, including the use of external control arms (ECA), causal inference in high-dimensional data, and the integration of longitudinal clinical data with molecular/genomic signatures.

• Research Design & Implementation: Oversee the end-to-end execution of retrospective database analyses. You will act as the primary architect for study protocols, ensuring they push the boundaries of current HEOR/RWE standards while maintaining scientific rigor.

• Scientific Thought Leadership: Serve as a subject matter expert for biopharma clients, advising them on “first-in-kind” study designs. You are expected to contribute to the broader scientific community through high-impact publications and presentations at conferences like ISPOR, ISPE, and ASCO.

• Client Strategy & Partnership: Partner with Key Account Directors and Business Development to identify opportunities where novel methodology can solve “unsolvable” client problems (e.g., rare disease characterization or complex biomarker validation).

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Bridge the gap between Data Science, Biostatistics, and Product teams to productize successful novel methods, ensuring they are scalable across the Tempus ecosystem.

• Project Management & Quality: Ensure all innovative research meets stringent regulatory and ethical standards (e.g., GEP, HIPAA), delivering high-quality results on timelines that match the pace of the biopharma industry.

Qualifications

• Education: PhD (preferred) or PharmD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Economics, or a related quantitative field.

• Experience: 7+ years in HEOR/RWE, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.

• Deep expertise in oncology is required.

• Methodological Mastery: Proven track record of developing or implementing advanced methods (e.g., target trial emulation, propensity score applications in complex cohorts, or machine learning-augmented epidemiology).

• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in R or SAS. Experience working with “messy” real-world data (EHR, claims, and/or genomic data) is essential.

• The “Consultant” Mindset: Exceptional ability to walk into a room of biopharma executives and simplify complex methodological hurdles into a clear strategic roadmap.

• Leadership: Demonstrated experience mentoring junior scientists and leading cross-functional squads in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

CHI: $170,000-$230,000 NYC/SF: $180,000-$250,000

The expected salary range above is applicable if the role is performed from Illinois and may vary for other locations (California, Colorado, New York). Actual salary may vary based on qualifications and experience. Tempus offers a full range of benefits, which may include incentive compensation, restricted stock units, medical and other benefits depending on the position.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.