Senior Research Scientist, Health and Data Systems Modeling at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – United States
Recruiter: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
About Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is part of the United Nations system, working to promote international cooperation and address global challenges. As a UN entity, it contributes to the organization’s mission of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting international cooperation in solving international problems and encouraging respect for human rights.
Job Summary
This position offers an opportunity to contribute to administrative management within Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s important work in international cooperation and sustainable development. Working in United States, you will collaborate with international colleagues and partners to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. This role provides an excellent opportunity for professional growth while making a meaningful contribution to international cooperation and global peace and security.
Full Job Description
The Foundation We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, were committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally. The Team As part of the Gates Foundation, the Institute for Disease Modelings (IDM) mission is to support global efforts to eradicate infectious diseases and achieve permanent improvements in health by developing, using, and sharing computational modeling tools and promoting quantitative decision-making. The IDM team is composed of research scientists and software developers who create advanced models of disease transmission, develop computational tools to inform global disease eradication policy, conduct analysis of epidemiologically- and policy-relevant data, and identify and address critical knowledge gaps. IDM is a highly dynamic organization with a work environment that is defined by innovation and collaboration. As part of our work, we routinely collaborate with international health agencies, ministries of health in the developing world, as well as universities and research institutes across the globe. Your Role In this role, we seek a full-time Senior Research Scientist to join the Health and Data Systems (HDS) team within IDMs Gender, Vulnerability and Health Equity (GVHE) research team. We are seeking a candidate that will apply advanced quantitative modeling to inform strategies that improve the delivery and impact of health interventions. This will span both vertical programs (focusing on the design optimization and delivery models that guide strategy teams in developing disease-specific interventions that balance coverage, cost, and impact) and cross-cutting health systems questions by embedding vertical models within broader realities to ensure that recommended intervention mixes are feasible and sustainable. You will apply multi-objective optimization approaches that integrate cost, delivery, equity and system constraints to provide insights more than best value for money. You will play a key role in engaging with internal and country partners, ensuring our models provide actionable insights for delivery, optimization, and investment strategies. What Youll Do Lead the design, development, and application of quantitative models to assess delivery strategies and optimize the mix of interventions such as vaccines, mass drug administration, and integrated health services. Generate actionable insights that inform strategic priorities, investment decisions, and policy guidance through scenario analysis, optimization, and systems modeling. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and partners, including program strategy teams and country partners, to co-develop modeling questions, ensure relevance to real-world delivery challenges especially in low- and middle-income country contexts, and interpret findings for decision-making. Advance methodological innovation by improving modeling frameworks, incorporating new and non-traditional data sources, and ensuring scientific rigor, transparency, and reproducibility in all analyses. Integrate gender, equity, and vulnerability considerations into modeling approaches to ensure equitable delivery and impact across populations. Communicate modeling insights effectively through clear, actionable recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences. Lead and contribute to cross-portfolio collaborations. Explore and apply AI, machine learning, and digital analytics tools to improve model efficiency, scalability, and predictive power for delivery optimization. International travel may be necessary. Your Experience A Ph.D. in relevant discipline (e.g., health economics, decision science, applied mathematics, epidemiology, public health, systems engineering or related field) with significant coursework in quantitative methods (e.g., Statistics/Biostatistics, Data Science). Minimum of five years of research experience in a related field. Advanced quantitative modeling expertise, with demonstrated experience designing and applying mathematical, simulation, or optimization models to guide health intervention delivery – e.g., vaccination, mass drug administration, or integrated service delivery. Proficiency with programming languages (R strongly preferred) and computational tools, and familiarity with optimization or simulation frameworks. Strong foundation in systems and operations research, with the ability to model real-world delivery constraints such as logistics, workforce, coverage, and cost. Applied understanding of public health delivery systems and intervention implementation, particularly in low- and middle-income country contexts. Experience leading complex analytical projects, managing data and model development pipelines, and ensuring rigor, transparency, and reproducibility in modeling work. Other Attributes Ability to synthesize and communicate complex modeling insights into actionable recommendations for diverse audiences. Collaborative and interdisciplinary mindset, with experience engaging across teams of epidemiologists, economists and program implementers to co-design and interpret modeling analyses.Desirable: Familiarity with geospatial modeling, economic evaluation or integration of epidemiological and delivery models. *Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is $190,100 to $294,700 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $209,100 to $324,100 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidates job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process. #LI-CM1 Hiring Requirements As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Candidate Accommodations If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here. Inclusion Statement We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion of voices, ideas, and approaches and we support this diversity through all our employment practices. All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity. Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyoneespecially those with the fewest resourceshas access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.
Key Details
- Job Title: Senior Research Scientist, Health and Data Systems Modeling
- Grade: N/A
- Location: Seattle, United States
- Department: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Contract Type: Permanent (Full-Time)
- Estimated Salary Range:$96,600 – $165,600 USD annually
Qualifications
- Not specified in the official posting
Skills
- Not specified in the official posting
Benefits
- Competitive compensation package
- Professional development opportunities
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
- Inclusive and collaborative work environment
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official UN careers portal. Female candidates and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.