Careers

Description:

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is an independent research center at the University of Washington. Its mission is to deliver to the world timely, relevant, and scientifically valid evidence to improve health policy and practice. IHME carries out its mission through a range of projects within different research areas including the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors; Future Health Scenarios; Cost Effectiveness and Efficiency; Resource Tracking; and Impact Evaluations. Our vision is to provide policymakers, donors, and researchers with the highest-quality quantitative evidence base so all people live long lives in full health.

IHME is committed to providing the evidence base necessary to help solve the world’s most important health problems. This requires creativity and innovation, which are cultivated by an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment that respects and appreciates differences, embraces collaboration, and invites the voices of all IHME team members.

IHME has an outstanding opportunity for a full-time Data Specialist to join the IHME Scientific Publications team. This position offers an opportunity to implement custom analyses, generate tables and figures, fact-check materials, and write custom code to facilitate number-plugging for capstone, country, and topic-specific papers. The Scientific Publications Data Specialist should have a command of a variety of research needs and analytic functions.

The Data Specialist must be able to independently translate requests into actionable results by writing and implementing novel code. The individual must be adept at navigating complex databases and analytic engines and troubleshooting problems in order to resolve them. They must be able to independently interpret results to assess their quality and must be able to assess, transform, and utilize a broad array of quantitative data using multiple coding languages (R, Python, SQL, Stata). Frequently the individual will be given assignments where a desired end result is identified but there is no preset path laid for achieving it. The individual therefore must carry out individual planning and problem solving to resolve computational questions and produce results.

This position will additionally work alongside other research staff on complementary projects and will require knowledge and skill sharing and collective problem solving. Overall, the Data Specialist will be a critical member of an agile, dynamic research team. This position is contingent on project funding availability.

Responsibilities:

Research command

• Exhibit command of the dimensions and uses of health estimates and the analytic underpinnings of different research streams.  
• Understand the context of the estimates and ensure that they are relevant to the analyses themselves.

Data Analytics

• Problem-solve computational and analytic challenges by investigating the estimates, understanding the root questions, and coming up with alternative measurement strategies.
• Enhance and execute analytic engines, statistical models, and tools to carry out functions responsive to the analytic questions to be resolved.?
• Execute queries and complete novel analytics.
• Assess and lead decision-making about what type of coding language and approach to use in accomplishing computational tasks.
• Develop novel representations of data and results. 
• Assess results and provide input on validity.
• Create new code functions to add to a common code library to make common tasks more efficient.
• Identify, design, and implement improvements to routine analyses, taking into account the relevant tradeoffs of different approaches.
• Identify problems with datasets and computational processes, rectify issues, and systematize processes for future analyses.

Publication Development  

• Work closely with team members to design, adapt, and create tables, figures, and other visualizations.  
• Query appropriate databases and write custom code for number-plugging.  
• Fact-check publications against database records and for internal consistency.  
• Participate in manuscript development and design of analytical plans.  
• Collaborate with others at the Institute to develop and implement novel ways to automate publication tasks

General

• Communicate clearly and effectively while contributing as a member of both the Institute and the University of Washington.
• Work closely with other team members to assist with relevant tasks, facilitate learning new skills, and to help resolve emerging problems on different projects.
• Serve as a resource to others in explaining analytic approaches, describing data, and instructing how to implement code. Develop and lead trainings for internal staff as well as external stakeholders.
• Participate in overall community of the Institute, carrying out duties as required as team members with other Institute members.
• Support general IHME projects, including but not limited to fulfilling requests from the Director’s Office and responding to media requests pertinent to specific publications.
• Other duties as assigned.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, engineering, computer science, or related field plus four years’ related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated success in developing code in R or Python.
• Interest in global health, population health, and/or ways in which quantitative research and data science can be used to create valuable global public goods.
• Demonstrated self-motivation and evidence of self-direction. Agility with detailed information and data. Demonstrated flexibility and mature communication skills with an ability to thrive in a fast-paced, energetic, highly creative, and entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to learn new information quickly and to apply analytic skills to better understand complex information in a systematic way.
• Strong quantitative aptitude and agility making sense of new data.
• Demonstrated experience with one or more of the key research areas undertaken at IHME. Ability to explain the major tenets, principles, and purpose of a subset of the analytic work.
• Experience interpreting results and creating effective visualizations.
• Ability to compartmentalize, illustrate, and explain how code implements analytic strategies.

A commitment to working to alongside others at IHME to illuminate the health impacts of systemic racism and to work within IHME to make our organization more diverse and inclusive. See IHME’s DEI statement here: http://www.healthdata.org/get-involved/careers/dei.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.