Principal Research Scientist

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life, the organization emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, and opportunities for employee engagement in various communities. The organization is committed to fostering a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Principal Research Scientist will be a key member of the Discovery Product and Surveillance (DPS) team within the Gates Foundation's Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM). This role focuses on leading dynamic modeling efforts related to tuberculosis (TB) to enhance the design, evaluation, and strategic deployment of TB prevention and treatment products. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing scientific understanding of TB epidemiology and refine TB transmission models that reflect the complexities of disease risk and intervention impacts. This position requires the ability to adapt interdisciplinary knowledge and research methodologies to develop innovative solutions to persistent challenges in global health. The candidate will also be responsible for effectively communicating complex research methods and findings to diverse audiences, ensuring that insights from modeling support programmatic decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Research Scientist will lead and develop disease modeling projects aimed at supporting global tuberculosis elimination efforts and fulfilling the foundation's program needs. Key responsibilities include:

• Communicating insights from modeling results to senior leaders, non-technical staff, partners, and stakeholders to ensure findings inform programmatic decisions.
• Establishing trusted relationships with internal and external entities, including academic institutions and industry partners.
• Serving as a strategic advisor to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director of Discovery, Products & Surveillance on modeling topics and advising on the utilization of IDM resources across initiatives.
• Challenging existing TB modeling approaches, evaluating long-standing assumptions, and making recommendations for improvements to inform next-generation intervention discovery and development.
• Collaborating with topic experts, field partners, and in-country policymakers to develop effective solutions to critical problems.
• Advising and supporting other disease modeling projects across IDM and the Foundation as needed, while staying informed about developments in the modeling field.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics, computational biology, mathematical modeling, or a related field. They should have over 15 years of experience in infectious disease modeling, with a strong publication record and demonstrated expertise in TB modeling. The candidate must be recognized as an expert in infectious disease modeling and have a proven ability to communicate complex scientific and modeling results clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Strong programming skills, particularly in Python and R, are essential, along with the ability to design and implement dynamic models for infectious disease transmission. The candidate should be capable of working independently and collaboratively within team environments, with a focus on supporting programmatic needs and advancing the Foundation's mission. Attention to detail and a high standard for quality work are critical, as is the ability to manage and organize research projects effectively.

Educational Background:
A PhD in a relevant field such as epidemiology, biostatistics, computational biology, or mathematical modeling is required for this position. This advanced degree is essential to ensure the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and research skills to contribute effectively to the organization's mission.

Experience:
The position requires over 15 years of experience in infectious disease modeling, with a strong emphasis on tuberculosis modeling. Candidates should have a robust record of publications and research that demonstrates their expertise in the field. Experience in leading research projects and collaborating on complex modeling initiatives is also essential.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely required given the nature of the role and the organization. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly mentioned as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Seattle, WA, and candidates are encouraged to apply with a resume and optional cover letter. The salary range for this role is between $261,700 to $405,700 USD, with higher ranges for positions in Seattle and Washington D.C. The organization recognizes market differences in these locations, with a specific range of $285,300 to $442,100 USD. As a mission-driven organization, the Foundation aims to balance competitive pay with its mission. New hire salaries typically fall between the range minimum and midpoint, depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and expertise as evaluated during the interview process. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, and accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the application process.