Senior Research Scientist

Job Posting Organization:
The Gates Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequity on a global scale. Founded with the mission that everyone, regardless of their identity or circumstances, should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the foundation emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the global populations it serves. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various community initiatives. The foundation is committed to fostering a workplace environment that supports both personal and professional growth for its employees.

Job Overview:
The Senior Research Scientist position is situated within the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) at the Gates Foundation, which plays a crucial role in global efforts to eradicate infectious diseases and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The IDM develops and shares computational modeling tools, advises policymakers, promotes data-driven decision-making, and advances scientific methodologies. The team consists of research scientists and software engineers dedicated to making their work accessible as public goods for the global community, particularly in low-income and low-resource areas. The Sexual & Reproductive Health team, part of IDM’s Gender, Vulnerability & Health Equity portfolio, focuses on conducting and elevating research that identifies and addresses health inequities. The Senior Research Scientist will be instrumental in this mission, leveraging their expertise in sexual and reproductive health to contribute to impactful research initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Research Scientist will be responsible for contributing to a comprehensive research portfolio in Sexual & Reproductive Health, with a specific emphasis on family planning and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Key responsibilities include building partnerships with relevant programmatic teams within the foundation, acting as a thought partner and advisor, and developing and implementing research plans that involve analyzing large-scale surveys, user insights research, and panel studies using rigorous statistical methods. The role also entails utilizing and enhancing agent-based modeling tools within the SRH domain, collaborating with teams of researchers to design, execute, and complete research projects, and presenting research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, including internal colleagues and external partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD or equivalent degree in a quantitative field such as biostatistics, public health, demography, or a social science. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required, along with an extensive background in statistical or dynamical modeling, particularly agent-based modeling. Expertise in sexual and reproductive health areas, including family planning, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and menstrual health, is essential. Familiarity with family planning is highly desired. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to communicate complex technical results to a diverse audience, including executive leadership, program staff, grantees, and government officials. Professional courage, the ability to engage in trust-based debate, and a commitment to equitable global health for all are also critical qualifications.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a PhD or equivalent degree in a quantitative discipline such as biostatistics, public health, demography, or a relevant social science field. This advanced education is crucial for the candidate to effectively engage in the complex research and modeling tasks associated with the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of experience in a relevant field, with a strong emphasis on statistical or dynamical modeling. Candidates should have a proven track record of conducting research in sexual and reproductive health, demonstrating their ability to apply their expertise in practical settings and contribute to the foundation's mission.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the nature of the role and the need to communicate research findings effectively. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in regions where the foundation operates, to facilitate collaboration with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Seattle, Washington, and candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is between $186,400 and $288,800 USD, with specific adjustments for high-wage markets like Seattle and Washington D.C., where the range is $203,100 to $314,900 USD. The foundation aims to balance competitive compensation with its mission-driven focus, and new hires typically fall within the minimum to midpoint of the salary range based on their skills and experience. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, and the foundation is committed to providing accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the application and recruitment process.