Researcher, Mathematical Sciences And Computational Algorithms

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

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 (GBD); 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 excellent opportunity for a Researcher to join the Mathematical Sciences and Computational Algorithms (MSCA) team; a team that aims to address the complex analytic challenges of IHME’s portfolio of projects and provide deeper methodological expertise on cross-cutting methods and centralized modeling resources and tools.

POSITION PURPOSE
IHME Researchers analyze and produce key estimates relevant to their assigned research team by assessing available quantitative data, including surveys, vital registration, censuses, literature, registries, and administrative records. You will be integrally involved in producing, critiquing, improving, and disseminating methods and results. You already have a command of software development (Python or R), as well as epidemiology, statistics, disease modeling, or related interests, and we will help you develop an understanding of our core research and methodology. Our Researchers work with senior research leads and external collaborators and take part in the intellectual exchange about how to improve upon and disseminate the results. As a Researcher on MSCA, you will contribute to multiple streams of work including, but not limited to, the development of Verbal Autopsy (VA) correction methods and the Burden of Proof analysis for risk factor modeling on the GBD study.

This position is contingent on project funding availability.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop a core understanding of assigned research area methodology and its components.

Under the guidance of experienced scientist and/or faculty, carry out quantitative analyses and statistical modeling to produce results designated on a given timeline as part of collaborative research projects.

Develop code collaboratively following team standards and workflows.

Extract data from various sources and databases. Format, transform, review, and assess data sources to determine their relevance and utility for ongoing analysis. Understand key data sources and variations in these across and within countries.

Review, assess, and improve results and methods.

Apply computational and statistical tools and algorithms for the preprocessing, analysis, and visualization of source data.

Document code and analytic approaches systematically so that analyses can be replicated by other team members.

Lead discussion in research meetings about results and analyses to vet, improve, and finalize results.

Contribute to creation of presentations, manuscripts, and funding proposals. Coauthor paper(s).

Maintain scientific awareness and intellectual agility with data, methods, and analytic techniques.

Other duties as assigned that fall within reasonable scope of research team.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Master’s degree in computer science, public health, epidemiology, statistics, biostatistics, math, economics, quantitative social sciences, or related discipline plus 1 year of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Proven interest and some experience in a given disease, risk, key indicator, methodological area, and the related data sources and scientific underpinnings.

Strong analytic, critical thinking, quantitative, and programming skills.

Ability to professionally and effectively communicate and work with other staff at all levels in order to achieve team goals for the analyses and related outputs.

Results- and detail-oriented individual who can initiate and complete tasks under tight deadlines and changing priorities both independently and in a team environment. Flexibility with hours and workload is key.

Working ability with at least one statistical programming language (Python and/or R Required).

Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with a team.

A long-term interest in a research scientist position contributing to the overall mission of our research.

A commitment to working 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: https://www.healthdata.org/about/careers/dei

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Track record of success in co-authorship on scientific papers, presenting results, and representing research at meetings.

Knowledge of machine learning, data mining, and analytic techniques.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Weekend and evening work sometimes required.

This position is open to anyone authorized to work in the US. The UW is not able to sponsor visas for staff positions.

Office is located in Seattle, Washington. This position is eligible to work fully remote in the US; work schedule required to overlap 50% of IHME office hours, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific Time.