• Public Health Epidemiology Intern – Spring 2027 – Hybrid – Chicago

    Candidates must have secure home internet access, a hotspot, or VPN and the ability to work remotely while collaborating with program staff at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).  

    The Public Health Epidemiology intern will support the Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Epidemiology Unit by assisting with routine surveillance, data analysis, and outbreak prevention and response efforts. This internship offers an opportunity to understand how epidemiological research contributes to public health and how the unit collaborates with healthcare facilities and local health departments to strengthen infection prevention and control.

    Responsibilities:

    • Conduct data quality checks for XDRO data across IDPH’s communicable disease surveillance systems. Address any data quality issues identified.
    • Track specimens submitted to the public health laboratory for testing, results, and associated case epidemiology for the team’s Carbapenemase-Producing Organism Testing Pilot Program.
    • Maintain point prevalence screening data and summarize the HAI/AR team’s screening activities. 
    • Analyze epidemiological data of XDRO cases in unusual or emerging populations, such as transplant donors and recipients.
    • Apply public health surveillance practices through case reporting, data tracking, and data quality assurance.
    • Analyze epidemiologic data using statistical or visualization software.
    • Other duties as assigned and related to the projects’ scope of work. 


    Requirements:

    • Must be in good academic standing and currently enrolled in a graduate program in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or related fields.
    • Ability to work independently and maintain regular communication with the supervising team.


    Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Prefer some experience in SAS and Tableau for cleaning, managing, and analyzing data.
    • Experience with data analysis and data visualization.
    • Experience with Excel and basic data and spreadsheet management.
    • Strong attention to detail when working with data, reports, and partner communications.
    • Experience analyzing quantitative epidemiologic data using descriptive statistics and summarizing findings in clear written reports.
    • Ability to analyze epidemiological data and summarize findings.
    • Ability to organize, track, and maintain accurate data and records.
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
    • Knowledge of public health surveillance practices, epidemiology, or data quality assurance and management practices.
    • Commitment to confidentiality and secure handling of protected health information.


    Duration and Compensation:

    This hybrid internship will be for the Spring 2027 semesters (approximately mid-January to mid-May) and will require 10-20 hours per week, with two days in person per month onsite in the Chicago, IL office - 115 S LaSalle - (Onsite days are pre-planned to align with the HAI/AR Epidemiology Unit on select Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursdays, flexible based upon your academic schedule).

    This is an unpaid internship, but academic credit may be available depending on your institution’s policies and guidelines – please speak with an academic advisor.


    All applications must be submitted by 9 a.m., Wednesday, November 12 , 2026, to be considered for this internship. 

     Apply Here