に従事していた

was engaged in

→ に
phrase Rare #35,513
was engaged in A formal expression used for being involved in or working on a job, activity, or field. The verb 従事する is commonly used with に.
JA: 彼は長年、医療の研究に従事していた。
EN: He was engaged in medical research for many years.

彼は医学の研究に従事していた

He was engaged in medical research.

当時彼女は何らかの仕事に従事していた

At the time, she was engaged in some kind of work.

その時彼女はトラクター運転に従事していた

She was driving a tractor at the time.

彼は生物学の研究に従事していた

He was engaged in biological research.

私が訪れた彼女はある興味深い仕事に従事していた

When I visited her, she was engaged in some interesting work.