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, weโre committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The TeamThe Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) is an embedded research institute within the Gates Foundation, supporting global efforts to eradicate infectious diseases and achieve permanent improvements in health. We develop, use, and share computational modeling tools, and promote quantitative decision-making through robust mathematical and statistical modeling. The IDM team comprises both research scientists and software engineers. IDM has a bold and important vision, and you will play a key role in realizing that vision through the impact you have as a research leader, as a team manager, strategic thinker, and thought partner.
Application Deadline: Monday, May 5, 2025
Your Role
The Associate Officer will work across multiple IDM initiatives to support the operational execution of research projects and strategic partnerships. The successful candidate will bring a strong analytical mindset, experience in research and data analysis, and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
Reporting to the Deputy Director, Eradication and Elimination, AI, LLM, and Frontiers in Modeling, this position will also work on cross-foundation initiatives.
*This role is a limited-term position for 24 months located in Seattle, WA with foundation sponsored relocation benefits.
What Youโll Do
Introduce new mathematical techniques to inferring time series of disease ground truth from noisy surveillance data
Inform cross-cutting discussions on new algorithmic techniques for artificial intelligence advancement
Work in close collaboration with multiple senior program officers to implement a broad range of activities to support program results.
Engage stakeholders, both internally and externally, research, analyze, and synthesize to inform strategic goals and evaluate progress, effectiveness, and failures to guide future decisions.
Communicate, both verbally and in writing, formally and informally, on progress, challenges and opportunities, with a focus on knowledge management across multiple divisions and different scopes of work.
Utilize programming skills in Python, SQL, and data visualization tools to analyze large datasets and assess intervention effectiveness.
Conduct literature reviews and synthesize research findings to inform program strategies.
Coordinate information-gathering processes from grantees and other partners and assist in developing and administering specific investments to support strategy implementation.
Support the processes involved to define result metrics for program, portfolio, and individual grants, including the design of tools to track progress and learn in strategy implementation.
Facilitate the preparation of materials for submission to senior and foundation stakeholders, as needed.
Develop and refine tools to track program progress, measure impact, and optimize decision-making.
Help design and operationalize processes and systems that feed data and analysis from grants and research into key strategy and portfolio management decisions.
Use data to interrogate team hypotheses and support better decision-making.
Support existing partnerships with local, regional, and national IDM programs and efforts to enhance their leadership in the work the foundation supports.
Effectively manage key external meetings and events from initial design through to follow-up actions, keeping stakeholders informed of progress as appropriate.
Capture data coming in from grants, contracts, and partners. Analyze data in Excel and other programs.
Draft sections of key documents, reports, and presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences, summarizing developments and recommendations for program areas and external partners.
Interact and communicate clearly and consistently with grantees and partners in the field.
Support inclusive culture through modeling behaviors and actions; escalate issues in a timely fashion to appropriate stakeholders.
Your Experience
PhD in Mathematics with expertise in computational modeling, statistical analysis, and applied mathematics.
Strong background in mathematical epidemiology, disease modeling, or related fields, with experience conducting quantitative research.
Proven experience in data analysis and programming (Python, SQL, LaTeX), with the ability to manage and interpret complex datasets.
Demonstrated stakeholder engagement and project management skills, including coordinating across teams, setting strategic priorities, and ensuring timely execution of initiatives.
Strong communication skills, including experience writing reports, grant proposals, and presentations for diverse audiences.
Passion for public health, disease eradication, and the mission of the Gates Foundation.
Previous experience working with or within the Gates Foundation's Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) is highly desirable.
Experience coordinating partnerships with research institutions, nonprofits, or public health agencies.
Familiarity with global health intervention strategies, disease surveillance systems, and epidemiological research methods.
Experience mentoring, teaching, or leading educational initiatives related to mathematics, epidemiology, or public health.
*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
The salary range for this role is $127,400.00 to $191,200.00 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences where our offices are located, in Seattle and Washington D.C.. The range for this role in these locations is $138,900.00 to $208,300.00 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission and new hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary range between the minimum and the midpoint salary range. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidateโs job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.
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 โ of voices, ideas, and approaches โ 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.