Public Health Research Scientist

Public Health Research Scientist

The Public Health Research Scientist supports the planning, execution, and interpretation of public health research to advance the company's scientific and regulatory objectives. This position plays a key role in generating and evaluating evidence to support FDA applications such as the Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTAs) and Supplemental PMTAs (SPMTAs), with a focus on demonstrating that products are appropriate for the protection of public health (APPH).

The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop research strategies, oversee clinical and nonclinical studies, conduct scientific literature reviews, interpret research findings, and prepare high-quality scientific documentation. This role requires a strong foundation in public health research, human subjects research, and scientific communication.

The Public Health Research Scientist is a member of the Research and Development (R&D) department and reports directly to the Vice President of Science and Technology. This position serves as the primary subject matter expert in public health research within the R&D team and works collaboratively with internal and external team members from Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, Analytical Chemistry, Quality, and CROs.

The role provides scientific expertise that supports product development, evidence generation, and FDA regulatory submissions, while contributing to the company's overall research and innovation strategy.

As a member of a growing organization, the Public Health Research Scientist is expected to work collaboratively across functional areas, adapt to evolving business priorities, and contribute wherever scientific expertise is needed to support the company's mission and strategic objectives.

Public Health Research

• Design, coordinate, and support public health research initiatives that inform regulatory and scientific decision-making.
• Conduct systematic literature reviews and evidence syntheses to support research programs and regulatory submissions.
• Evaluate epidemiologic, behavioral, clinical, and population health data to assess the potential public health impact of products.
• Identify scientific evidence gaps and recommend research strategies to address them.

Clinical and Nonclinical Research Support

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of clinical and nonclinical research studies.
• Develop and review study protocols, informed consent documents, case report forms, and study-related materials.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external research partners to ensure studies are conducted according to approved protocols and applicable regulations.
• Support the interpretation and integration of study findings into broader scientific evidence packages.

Human Subjects Research and Regulatory Compliance

• Prepare and manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and study closeout documentation.
• Ensure research activities comply with applicable ethical standards and regulations governing human subjects research.
• Maintain documentation supporting research compliance and study oversight.

Regulatory and Scientific Support

• Contribute scientific evidence to support PMTA and SPMTA submissions and other regulatory initiatives.
• Prepare scientific summaries, technical reports, literature reviews, and regulatory documentation.
• Assist in responding to regulatory information requests by compiling and interpreting scientific data.
• Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs to ensure scientific documentation aligns with regulatory expectations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate activities with contract research organizations (CROs), academic collaborators, consultants, and external investigators.
• Present research findings and scientific recommendations to technical teams and leadership.

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Sciences, Behavioral Science, Clinical Research, Biostatistics, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of three years of experience in public health research, clinical research, epidemiology, health…