Global Burden of Disease Postdoctoral Fellowship

Position description

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington is currently accepting applications for multiple full-time fellowship positions based in Seattle. These fellowships offer an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge global health research in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

About IHME

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is an independent research organization at the University of Washington (UW). 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 (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors; Future Health Scenarios; Cost Effectiveness and Efficiency; Resource Tracking; and Impact Evaluations.

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.

About the GBD Fellowship Program

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Fellowship is a prestigious, cohort-based program at IHME at the University of Washington. Now recruiting its second cohort, the fellowship is designed to cultivate the next generation of health metrics scientists who will tackle the world’s most pressing health challenges through innovative research and data analysis.

We are seeking intellectually curious, analytically skilled, and mission-driven individuals committed to the field of health metrics and advancing its research and methodologies. Ideal candidates will bring expertise from fields such as public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, economics, or quantitative social sciences, and will demonstrate a strong commitment to improving global health through rigorous data analysis and methodological innovation.

As a GBD Fellow, you will begin with an intensive Boot Camp alongside your cohort, then rotate through projects across multiple IHME research teams, building a well-rounded understanding of GBD. You will receive extensive training throughout, and your work will directly contribute to the production of GBD estimates and related scientific publications. The fellowship is designed for early-career researchers. Fellows work within established GBD research areas and priorities, and are encouraged to take ownership of their analyses and lead within that scope. This is a two-year fellowship, with the possibility of a third year, subject to annual renewal based on performance and availability of funding. This structure is designed to support long-term professional growth and prepare fellows for impactful careers in academia, research, and global health policy.

Total appointment in postdoctoral title not to exceed 5 years, including postdoctoral experience(s) at other institutions. Annual salary for this fellowship is: $105,000 ($8,750/mo) - Year 1; $108,156 ($9,013/mo) - Year 2; $112,488 ($9,374) - Year 3. Anticipated start date is September 2027.

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Employee Benefits

As a fellow, you’ll have access to a generous benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid holidays, ample vacation and sick leave, retirement plans, transportation and fitness perks, tuition exemption, and more, which you can explore in detail here: Fellow Benefits

Responsibilities:

• Apply a working knowledge of GBD concepts and terminology (e.g., DALYs, YLLs, YLDs, attributable burden, age-standardized rates, and uncertainty intervals) from the start of the fellowship, and build on it through structured training.
• Participate in a structured professional development program including Boot Camp, Journal Club, Seminar Presentations, and Research Roundtables.
• Lead and contribute to quantitative analyses within the scope of GBD research, exercising independent judgment on methods and problem-solving, and proposing improvements to data, models, and processes.
• Design, implement, and refine statistical models and computational methods using R or Python, while continuously enhancing technical proficiency through structured training.
• Maintain scientific awareness and intellectual agility with new data, methods, and analytic techniques through continuous learning, and use emerging technologies to advance the rigor and impact of research, from methods development through to publication-ready results.
• Develop, manage, and quality-check complex datasets from diverse sources such as surveys, vital registration systems, censuses, and literature.
• Interpret analytical results, identify data and methodological issues, and effectively communicate findings to team leads and broader audiences.
• Draft and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, funding proposals, and conference presentations, supported by dedicated writing workshops and mentorship.
• Present research at internal seminars, professional conferences, and public forums, with opportunities to receive feedback and media training to enhance communication skills.
• Work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment to achieve research milestones and program objectives.
• Mentor junior staff and lead internal training sessions, contributing to a culture of knowledge sharing and collaborative learning.
• Engage in mentorship with senior researchers and take on leadership roles in training initiatives in later years of the program.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, DPhil, or foreign equivalent in epidemiology, demography, biostatistics, medical sciences, health policy, economics, mathematics, computer science, statistics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in health metrics, epidemiology, or related quantitative research.
• Strong programming skills in R or Python.
• Proven ability to conduct statistical modeling and troubleshoot complex code.
• Track record of scientific publication and effective communication of research findings.
• Working familiarity with GBD concepts and terminology.
• An early-career professional, no more than five years past their most recent degree as of the fellowship start date. This may include students currently pursuing a terminal degree, who must complete it before the start date.

Working Conditions:

• Weekend and evening work is sometimes required.
• This position is eligible for visa sponsorship through the University of Washington. Must be able to obtain a visa and be onsite by the first day of the fellowship.
• This position is located in Seattle, Washington, working in-person at the IHME office.
• This position is subject to the University of Washington’s five-year postdoctoral scholar appointment limit, inclusive of prior postdoctoral experience at other institutions. Applicants should have no more than three years of prior postdoctoral experience by the fellowship start date, and must have completed their terminal degree before the start date.

Application instructions

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