Careers

Description:

As part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the Institute for Disease Modeling’s (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 groups at the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, the Centers for Disease Control, PATH, ministries of health in the developing world, as well as universities and research institutes across the globe.

We seek an exceptional Research Scientist to join IDM’s HIV/TB team. You are passionate about applying rigorous quantitative research methods and mathematical modeling to impactful research questions in HIV epidemiology. Key to this position is a thorough investigation of the social, behavioral, biological, and network-level factors that drive HIV transmission in high-burden settings. Specific areas of research may include: uncertainty analyses of key model-based HIV transmission parameters; quantifying the effects of antiretroviral drug resistance on persistent HIV transmission; and evaluation and prioritization of epidemiological data needed to guide decision-making related to HIV treatment and prevention. In addition to studies of HIV, there may be opportunities to apply the candidate’s specific expertise to studies of other infectious diseases, including TB and sexually transmitted infections.

Joining our group provides unique opportunities to interact with global-health policymakers, to collaborate with world-class researchers and non-profit organizations, and to contribute to more effective burden reduction and disease eradication strategies.

Responsibilities:

• Design, lead, and participate in various HIV modeling-related research projects. Share code via public-facing repositories to foster model adoption.

• Gather and analyze datasets related to HIV epidemiology, spatial/geo-statistics, phylogenetics, within-host viral dynamics, or care cascade metrics.

• Work closely with the modelers and statisticians on the team to build models, calibrate models to data, conduct sensitivity analyses, explore tradeoffs among possible interventions, and optimize global health strategies.

• Communicate research through publications, conference and stakeholder presentations, and collaborations with external partners.

• Clearly communicate sophisticated methods to diverse audiences.

• Travel may be necessary

• PhD in a quantitative field (e.g. Epidemiology, Bioinformatics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics/Biostatistics, Physics, Computational Biology).

• Proficiency in at least one scripting language (R or Python a plus)

• A track record of published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. List of articles to be submitted with application.

• Experience communicating diverse and technical work to stakeholders

• Demonstrated ability to work productively independently and as part of a team

• Attention to detail and high standard for quality of work product

• Knowledge of issues of public health in developing world settings

• Ability to initiate, organize, and manage research projects and clearly communicate analysis results to diverse audiences

• Must be highly inquisitive, self-motivated and results-oriented