Researcher, Simulation Science
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 excellent opportunity for a Researcher on the Simulation Science team. The Simulation Science team models the impact and cost-effectiveness of health care interventions for a variety of stakeholders. The scope of our work is wide. We produce models to compare interventions on maternal and child health, to evaluate new drugs for the treatment of non-communicable diseases, and to gauge the impact of public policy interventions on disease dynamics. This modeling work is done using a flexible, open-source simulation framework run on IHME’s 20,000-core high-performance computing cluster.
This position will focus on various simulation modeling projects to quantify the potential costs and effects of health interventions designed to reduce negative global health impacts and aid clients in strategic decision-making. The objectives of many of our projects are to develop modular components for our Python-based microsimulation framework and to validate/verify their behavior independently and in combination. This will require conducting background research into health interventions, risk factors, and diseases to understand current knowledge about their impacts and pathways and how this knowledge corresponds to GBD concepts, working with software engineers who will be programming in Python to implement and test modular components necessary for simulation models, and communicating results to the Simulation Science team lead.
We are looking for someone who has experience with simulation modeling, the ability to develop new methods and tools, and familiarity with epidemiology, statistics, disease modeling, data science, or related interests. 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. You thrive in a collaborative work environment and are capable of working on multiple projects concurrently while meeting deadlines. Overall, you will be joining an agile and collaborative team environment. This position is contingent upon project funding availability.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop a core understanding of assigned research area methodology and its components.
- 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.
- Under the guidance of experienced scientist and/or faculty, carry out quantitative analyses and participate in reciprocal research projects utilizing the microsimulation framework Vivarium. Interpret and vet results from junior staff, formulate conclusions, and inform team leaders.
- 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.
- Communicate methods and results to different audiences, helping them to learn and apply new skills.
- Contribute to creation of presentations, manuscripts, and funding proposals. Co-author 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 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.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
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, and quantitative skills.
- Ability to professionally and effectively communicate and work with other staff at all levels 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 (e.g., Python).
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with a team.
- A long-term interest in contributing to the overall mission of our research. 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 REQUIREMENTS:
- 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 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
- This position currently has funding until March 2023, with a possibility of extension.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.