Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research. They are seeking a Senior Global Health Development Economist/Data Scientist to lead research initiatives, design analytical frameworks, and contribute to policy and program design in global health and development.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a bridge between data scientists, economists, and domain experts, translating across disciplines to ensure that analytical approaches are both methodologically rigorous and grounded in real-world development and global health challenges
- Design and implement quantitative analyses to address global health challenges in low and middle income countries, with a focus on predictive analytics, geospatial analyses, and causal design
- Apply machine learning and AI approaches, including predictive analytics, to real-world datasets (e.g., on AIR’s malaria early warning system and other geospatial or satellite data) to generate forward-looking insights and support innovative, data-driven solutions in global health and development contexts
- Develop and implement machine learning and predictive analytics workflows using Python (and, where appropriate, R) to analyze complex development and global health data
- Integrate and analyze survey, administrative, and remotely sensed (e.g., satellite or geospatial) data to generate novel insights on development and global health challenges
- Contribute to the design and execution of applied research studies, including experimental and quasi-experimental approaches where appropriate
- Translate complex analytical results into clear, actionable recommendations for policymakers, program implementers, and funders
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including economists, data scientists, and sector specialists, to integrate data-driven approaches into projects
- Support business development efforts, including drafting technical approaches, shaping analytical strategies for proposals, and contributing to engagement with donors such as the Gates Foundation, World Bank, U.S. Department of State, UNICEF, and other partners
- Engage with partners and stakeholders in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to ensure analyses are grounded in contextual realities and implementation constraints
- Mentor and supervise junior researchers and data scientists, fostering professional growth and technical excellence
- Manage multidisciplinary project teams and ensure high-quality deliverables aligned with client expectations
Skills
- Ph.D. in Economics, Computer Science, Data Science, Public Policy, Global Health, or a related quantitative or social science field, with demonstrated expertise in econometrics, machine learning, computer science, applied statistics, or quantitative data science. A Master's degree in one of these fields, plus at least five years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Ph.D
- Minimum of 3 years of experience conducting quantitative research in policy-relevant domains
- Extensive experience with Python and R; working knowledge of Stata
- Proven track record of designing and executing data analytics tools, such as forecasting, geospatial analyses, Large Language Model (LLM) models, etc
- Prior research experience in areas such as development economics, health economics, global health, or international development more broadly
- Experience managing complex projects and working with government, nonprofit, or philanthropic clients
- Experience in business development and fundraising with nonprofit, government, or multilateral agencies in the global health space
- Exceptional quantitative and analytical skills
- Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical findings for non-technical audiences
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Strong business development acumen and proposal writing experience
- Ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Effective collaborator in virtual and cross-functional team settings
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