Posted: 16-Jul-23

Location: Seattle, Washington

Type: Full Time

Salary: Open

Categories:

Internal Number: 119380

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is an independent research organization that produces cutting-edge scientific and policy-relevant quantitative evidence for use by policymakers, donors, and other stakeholders. Based at the University of Washington, IHME's ongoing work provides high-quality measurement of the world's major health problems, assesses how these problems are being addressed, and identifies how best to dedicate resources to maximize health improvement. IHME's approach maximized cross-disciplinary, quantitative analytic approaches and methods aimed at incorporating all relevant data in order to produce policy-relevant results using ground-breaking science.

IHME and the Department of Health Metrics Sciences has an excellent opportunity for a Postdoctoral Scholar to join the Mathematical Sciences and Computational Algorithms (MSCA) team. The MSCA team develops and innovates statistical and mathematical methods at IHME by identifying areas of improvement, formulating and solving technical problems, implementing and supporting tools for use across IHME, and providing consultation to Research Teams to produce high-quality, relevant, and efficient estimates and analyses.

We are looking for someone ready to advance their career in global health research. As a Posstdoctoral Scholar you will take the lead on high-impact projects nd contribute statistical and computational methods, research design, and training and mentorship of junior staff. IHME researchers analyze and produce key estimates for their assigned research team and asess all available relevant quantitative data - including those on causes of death, epidemiology, and a range of determinants such as education and income - from surveys, vital registration, censuses, literature, registries, and administrative records.

You will ne integrally involved in developing methods as as producing, critiquing, improving, and disseminating results. You are someone that is capable of keeping your team on track to meet deadlines and research objectives. You have experience with the publication process, and at IHME, you will build out your portfolio with several peer-reviewed papers. You thrive in a collaborative work nvironment and are capable of working on multiple projects concurrently while meeting deadlines. You keep current of recent scientific, engineering, and technical advances and are able to translate these into your research. This position is contigent on project availability. Anticipated start date is Summer 2023.

Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are initially for 12-months with opportunities to renew. Appointment not to exceed 5 years, including postdoctoral experience(s) at other institutions.

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. The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $81,600.

Responsibilities

• Develop an understanding of the MSCA team's statistical and mathematical methods and its major projects.
• Develop and implement new computational and statistical methods.
• Independently carry out quantitative analyses and participate in reciprocal research projects. Interpret and vet results from team
• Characterize, vet, and develop data integration plans for complex, non-standardized data sets from international collaborators to be used in epidemiological and statistical analyses.
• Serve as both first author and collaborator in creating internal and external presentations, manuscripts, and funding proposals.
• Provide ideas and content for the development of internal trainings. Teach established trainings.
• Other duties as assigned that fall within reasonable scope of research team.

Condition of employment:

• This position is eligible for visa sponsorship through University of Washington.
• Office is located in Seattle, Washington. This position is eligible to choose work fully remote from Seattle, WA, or from the IHME office(s); work schedule required to overlap 50% of IHME office hours, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
• Weekend and evening work sometimes required.

Minimum

• PhD or foreign equivalent in statistics, applied mathematics, biostatistics, or other mathematical science discipline. plus four years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional

• Demonstrated ability to work with applied scientists, using statistical modeling and computational techniques to answer scientific questions.
• Excellent analytic, critical thinking, and quantitative skills *
• Results and detail-oriented individual that can initiate and complete tasks under tight deadlines and changing priorities both independently and in a team environment.
• Experience developing statistical models, implementing new approaches, and using quantitative modeling to answer scientific questions.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly recognize problems in results and identify root causes in data, methods, and code.
• Ability to devise error-checking protocols for existing and new datasets.
• Ease in designing, executing, and troubleshooting code in one or more languages. Python required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required, including track record of success in co-authorship on multiple scientific papers, presenting results, and representing research at meetings.
• Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with a team.
• A long-term interest in an academic position contributing to the overall mission of our research.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior employees on soft and technical skills.
• 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

Desired

• Strong software development skills (in Python); expertise with collaborative software development; including source control tools and test-driven development.
• Expertise with statistical modeling, optimization, and machine learning, as well as relevant underlying math/applied math fundamentals.

Instructions

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a brief statement (500-word limit) outlining research interests and one letter of recommendation via Interfolio: http://apply.interfolio.com/128237

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/ . Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint /). Additionally, the University's Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member's academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432 ).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .