The Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Elimination & Eradication Job 2026 is a senior-level global health research opportunity for professionals with deep expertise in infectious disease modeling, epidemiology, malaria, and public health analytics.
Based in Seattle, Washington, this full-time position sits within the Gates Foundation’s Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) and focuses specifically on supporting the organization’s malaria elimination and eradication strategy. The successful candidate will lead a malaria modeling team, establish strategic research priorities, manage analytical projects, and work closely with internal and external partners to translate scientific evidence into decisions that can accelerate progress toward zero malaria cases.
The role is particularly suited to experienced researchers who have already demonstrated the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and translate sophisticated mathematical or statistical models into practical public health decisions. It is not an entry-level research position; the Foundation specifically requires a PhD in infectious disease modeling, infectious disease epidemiology, malaria epidemiology, or a closely related field.
The compensation is also substantial. The listed salary range is $238,400–$369,400 per year, while the range for Seattle and Washington, D.C. is $262,200–$406,400 per year. The Foundation notes that actual placement depends on job-related skills, experience, and expertise.
For qualified global health professionals, this position offers the chance to combine scientific leadership with direct influence on one of the world’s most important infectious-disease challenges.
Job Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Gates Foundation |
| Position | Senior Research Manager, Elimination & Eradication |
| Team | Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) |
| Focus | Malaria elimination and eradication |
| Location | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Employment Type | Full-time |
| Career Level | Senior leadership/research management |
| Education | PhD required |
| Core Expertise | Infectious disease modeling, epidemiology, malaria |
| Salary | $238,400–$369,400 annually |
| Seattle/Washington, D.C. Range | $262,200–$406,400 annually |
| Travel | Up to 20% domestic and international |
| Work Authorization | Unrestricted U.S. work authorization required |
| Visa Sponsorship | Not provided |
| Application | Online through Gates Foundation careers |
The information above is based primarily on the Foundation’s current vacancy listing.
About the Gates Foundation
The Gates Foundation is a major philanthropic organization focused on reducing poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Its work spans global health, development, and other areas where scientific innovation and investment can produce significant improvements in people’s lives.
The Senior Research Manager position belongs to the Institute for Disease Modeling, an embedded research institute within the Foundation. IDM develops and shares computational modeling tools designed to support efforts to eradicate infectious diseases and improve health outcomes.
Within IDM, the Elimination & Eradication team supports the Foundation’s malaria, polio, and immunization portfolios. Its work combines research, quantitative analysis, modeling, and strategic decision-making to help determine where investments and interventions can have the greatest health impact.
This makes the position considerably broader than a conventional academic research job. The successful candidate is expected not only to conduct or supervise sophisticated analysis but also to ensure that research findings are useful to program leaders and public health partners.
What Does the Senior Research Manager Do?
The central responsibility is to lead the malaria modeling team and develop a forward-looking modeling strategy that supports the Foundation’s malaria eradication objectives.
The position reports to the Deputy Director for Eradication and Elimination and works closely with IDM leadership, senior research managers, the malaria program strategy team, and Regional Country Office teams.
The role combines several areas of responsibility.
Lead the Malaria Modeling Strategy
The Senior Research Manager will help establish a long-term modeling strategy for malaria.
This includes determining which scientific questions should receive priority and ensuring that modeling work remains relevant as:
- New scientific evidence emerges
- New malaria interventions become available
- Transmission patterns change
- Program priorities evolve
- Country-level needs develop
The objective is to make modeling useful for strategic decisions rather than treating research as an isolated academic exercise.
Manage the Malaria Research Team
A major part of the position involves managing the IDM malaria modeling team.
The manager will be responsible for:
- Setting strategic priorities
- Guiding research approaches
- Managing analytical workflows
- Coordinating projects
- Supporting team performance
- Developing interdisciplinary collaboration
- Ensuring timely delivery of research outputs
The Foundation specifically seeks someone who has experience managing teams and delivering modeling results in public health settings.
Develop Advanced Modeling Approaches
The role requires advanced knowledge of mathematical modeling, particularly dynamical modeling for vector-borne diseases such as malaria.
The successful candidate may work with approaches involving:
- Disease transmission models
- Statistical modeling
- Spatial analysis
- Epidemiological analysis
- Quantitative forecasting
- Advanced computational methods
The vacancy also specifically mentions advanced coding and AI capabilities as part of the required technical knowledge.
Translate Research Into Public Health Decisions
One of the most important aspects of the position is the ability to turn complex research into useful information for decision-makers.
A strong candidate should have demonstrated experience translating modeling results into public health policy impact.
That means being able to explain sophisticated technical findings to people who may not have a modeling or statistical background.
For example, research might help program leaders evaluate how different malaria interventions could be implemented in specific endemic regions and which strategies could have the greatest potential impact.
Coordinate With Global Health Partners
The Senior Research Manager will work across organizational boundaries.
This can include collaboration with:
- Foundation program teams
- Regional Country Offices
- Public health partners
- Research organizations
- Universities
- Government institutions
- Other scientific teams
The ability to communicate effectively across cultures, disciplines, and geographical distances is therefore essential.
Salary and Compensation
The Gates Foundation lists a salary range of:
$238,400–$369,400 USD per year
For positions based in Seattle and Washington, D.C., the listed range is:
$262,200–$406,400 USD per year
This translates approximately to:
| Location/Range | Annual Salary | Approx. Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| General range | $238,400–$369,400 | $19,867–$30,783 |
| Seattle/Washington, D.C. | $262,200–$406,400 | $21,850–$33,867 |
The monthly figures are simple annual-to-monthly calculations and should not be interpreted as take-home pay.
The Foundation states that new-hire salaries are generally placed between the minimum and midpoint of the applicable range, with the final offer depending on skills, experience, and expertise.
Employee Benefits
The position comes with a comprehensive benefits package.
According to the Foundation’s vacancy announcement, benefits include:
- Medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- No employee premiums for those listed health benefits
- Generous paid time off
- Paid family leave
- Foundation-paid retirement contribution
- Regional holidays
- Opportunities to participate in employee communities
These benefits add significant value to the overall compensation package, particularly for a senior professional working in a demanding global health leadership role.
Who Is This Job For?
This is an opportunity for an experienced global health research leader, not a conventional graduate-level research vacancy.
An ideal candidate would likely have a background combining several of the following:
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Malaria research
- Mathematical modeling
- Public health
- Biostatistics
- Spatial analytics
- Computational research
- Research management
- Policy translation
- Global health strategy
The Foundation’s requirements make clear that candidates should already have a track record of applying research to real-world public health decision-making.
Education Requirements
A PhD is required for this position.
The Foundation specifically identifies relevant doctoral backgrounds such as:
- Infectious disease modeling
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Malaria epidemiology
- Similar closely related fields
This requirement means candidates without an advanced research degree are unlikely to meet the minimum educational requirement for this particular Senior Research Manager vacancy.
Detailed Eligibility Requirements
The Senior Research Manager, Elimination & Eradication position is a highly specialized leadership role. Applicants should carefully compare their background with the vacancy requirements before applying.
This is not a general research position. The role is aimed at professionals with substantial expertise in infectious disease modeling, epidemiology, malaria, and global health research.
PhD in a Relevant Field
A PhD is required for this position.
Relevant areas include:
- Infectious disease modeling
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Malaria epidemiology
- Public health
- Mathematical modeling
- Closely related quantitative disciplines
Candidates should be able to demonstrate how their doctoral training relates directly to infectious disease research and public health decision-making.
Professional Research Experience
Academic qualifications alone are not enough for this senior position.
Applicants should have substantial experience applying research and quantitative methods to real-world public health questions.
Relevant experience may include:
- Infectious disease research
- Malaria modeling
- Epidemiological analysis
- Public health research
- Quantitative modeling
- Health policy analysis
- Research programme management
- Translational research
Candidates should emphasize measurable research outcomes rather than simply listing previous positions.
For example, instead of only stating that you worked on malaria modeling, explain the type of model developed, the problem it addressed, the partners involved, and how the findings influenced a public health decision.
Leadership and Team Management
Because this is a Senior Research Manager position, leadership experience is particularly important.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate experience in:
- Managing research teams
- Setting scientific priorities
- Supervising researchers
- Coordinating multidisciplinary projects
- Managing research timelines
- Reviewing scientific outputs
- Mentoring colleagues
- Building collaborative partnerships
The strongest applications will demonstrate both scientific expertise and the ability to lead people effectively.
Advanced Modeling Expertise
The role requires strong knowledge of mathematical and computational modeling, particularly in relation to infectious diseases.
Relevant technical experience may include:
- Dynamical disease transmission models
- Statistical modeling
- Epidemiological modeling
- Spatial modeling
- Computational simulations
- Quantitative forecasting
- Data analysis
- Model validation
Experience applying these techniques to malaria or other vector-borne diseases is particularly relevant.
Programming and Data Skills
Strong computational abilities can be important for research leadership at the Institute for Disease Modeling.
Depending on your research background, useful skills may include experience with:
- R
- Python
- Statistical software
- Data visualization
- Scientific computing
- Simulation tools
- Reproducible research workflows
Applicants should mention specific programming languages and analytical tools rather than simply writing “computer skills” on their CV.
Ability to Translate Research Into Action
One of the most important requirements is the ability to connect scientific research with real-world public health decisions.
A successful researcher should be able to answer questions such as:
- What does the modeling evidence show?
- How reliable are the findings?
- What are the major uncertainties?
- How could the results affect intervention strategies?
- What should decision-makers consider?
This ability to communicate research beyond an academic audience is particularly valuable in global health.
Communication Skills
The position involves collaboration with scientists, programme leaders, country teams, and other stakeholders.
Strong candidates should therefore be comfortable:
- Writing technical reports
- Presenting research
- Explaining complex models
- Leading scientific discussions
- Communicating uncertainty
- Working with non-technical audiences
- Collaborating across disciplines
Excellent communication can be just as important as technical expertise when research needs to influence policy.
Global Health Experience
Experience working on international health challenges can strengthen an application.
Relevant exposure may include work involving:
- Malaria-endemic countries
- Infectious disease programmes
- National health systems
- International organizations
- Research institutions
- Public health agencies
- Global health partnerships
Experience working across different geographical and cultural settings can also be valuable.
Travel Requirements
The position may involve up to 20% domestic and international travel.
Travel could be connected to:
- Research collaboration
- Scientific meetings
- Partner engagement
- Programme discussions
- Conferences
- Country-level work
Applicants should therefore be comfortable with occasional international travel.
This is one of the most important points for international applicants.
The vacancy requires unrestricted U.S. work authorization and states that the Foundation does not provide immigration sponsorship for this position.
Therefore, simply being an international applicant with excellent qualifications is not enough.
Before applying, candidates outside the United States should determine whether they already have the unrestricted authorization required by the vacancy.
Important distinction
This is not a visa-sponsored job for foreign workers.
Applicants should not pay an agency or recruiter claiming they can arrange Gates Foundation sponsorship for this specific position.
How to Apply
Applicants should apply through the official Gates Foundation careers system rather than through an unofficial recruitment website.
The general process is:
Step 1: Review the Vacancy
Read the complete job description carefully.
Pay particular attention to:
- Required degree
- Research expertise
- Management experience
- Technical requirements
- Work authorization
- Location
- Travel expectations
Step 2: Prepare Your CV
Your CV should emphasize your most relevant experience.
For this position, prioritize:
- Infectious disease research
- Malaria research
- Modeling
- Epidemiology
- Publications
- Research leadership
- Team management
- Global health projects
Avoid filling your CV with unrelated information.
Step 3: Prepare a Targeted Application
Your application should explain why your experience matches the Foundation’s elimination and eradication work.
Strong applications demonstrate a clear connection between:
Your research experience → the role’s scientific objectives → potential public health impact.
Step 4: Submit Through the Official Portal
Complete the online application and provide the requested information and supporting materials.
Review everything carefully before submitting.
How to Make Your Application Stand Out
Competition for senior global health positions can be intense.
Here are practical ways to strengthen your application.
Quantify Your Research Impact
Whenever possible, include measurable achievements.
For example:
- Number of research projects led
- Size of research teams managed
- Countries involved
- Publications
- Research grants
- Policy programmes influenced
- Datasets analyzed
Numbers can make your experience easier for recruiters to evaluate.
Highlight Leadership
Don’t only describe yourself as a researcher.
Show how you have:
- Led teams
- Set research priorities
- Mentored researchers
- Managed projects
- Coordinated external partners
- Delivered projects under deadlines
Explain Your Malaria Expertise
If malaria is part of your professional background, make this highly visible.
Mention relevant experience with:
- Malaria transmission
- Intervention modeling
- Elimination strategies
- Eradication research
- Vector-borne disease epidemiology
- Geographic or spatial analysis
Demonstrate Policy Impact
If your research has influenced a government programme, public health strategy, funding decision, or intervention design, explain that clearly.
This can be more compelling than simply listing publications.
What Makes This Position Different?
Many research jobs focus primarily on producing academic knowledge.
This role combines research, leadership, modeling, strategy, and public health impact.
The successful candidate is expected to help answer difficult questions surrounding disease elimination and eradication while ensuring that research is useful to people making decisions in the real world.
That combination makes the position particularly attractive to researchers who want their scientific work to have a direct global health impact.
Potential Career Value
Experience as a Senior Research Manager at the Gates Foundation could strengthen a professional profile for future leadership positions in:
- Global health
- Infectious disease research
- Epidemiology
- Public health
- International development
- Research institutions
- Universities
- Government health agencies
- International organizations
- Philanthropic foundations
The combination of scientific leadership and policy-oriented research experience can be particularly valuable for professionals seeking senior positions in global health.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Elimination & Eradication job?
It is a senior global health research leadership position within the Gates Foundation’s Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM). The role focuses primarily on developing and leading malaria modeling research that can support elimination and eradication strategies.
2. Where is the position located?
The position is based in Seattle, Washington, USA. The vacancy also lists a separate compensation range for Seattle and Washington, D.C.
3. What salary does the Gates Foundation offer?
The listed annual salary range is $238,400 to $369,400. For positions based in Seattle and Washington, D.C., the listed range is $262,200 to $406,400 per year. Actual compensation depends on qualifications, experience, skills, and expertise.
4. Is a PhD required?
Yes. The vacancy requires a PhD in infectious disease modeling, infectious disease epidemiology, malaria epidemiology, or a closely related field.
5. Does this Gates Foundation job offer visa sponsorship?
No. This particular position requires unrestricted U.S. work authorization and does not provide immigration sponsorship. International applicants should therefore confirm that they already meet the work-authorization requirement before applying.
6. What type of experience is required?
Candidates should have substantial experience in areas such as infectious disease modeling, epidemiology, malaria research, quantitative analysis, public health, and research leadership. Experience translating modeling research into public health decisions is especially relevant.
7. Is malaria experience necessary?
The position is specifically focused on malaria elimination and eradication, so relevant malaria or infectious-disease expertise is highly important. Candidates should clearly demonstrate their experience with disease modeling, epidemiology, or related research.
8. Does the position involve international travel?
Yes. The vacancy indicates that the position may require up to 20% domestic and international travel.
9. What technical skills are useful for this role?
Relevant skills include mathematical and epidemiological modeling, statistical analysis, programming, computational research, data analysis, and scientific communication. Leadership and the ability to translate technical findings into policy-relevant insights are also important.
10. How can I apply for the Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager position?
Applications should be submitted through the official Gates Foundation careers portal. Candidates should carefully review the vacancy, prepare a tailored CV and application, and ensure that they satisfy the education, experience, technical, location, and work-authorization requirements before applying.
Salary and Benefits at a Glance
The compensation package makes this a particularly senior-level opportunity.
Salary
General listed range: $238,400–$369,400 per year
Seattle/Washington, D.C. range: $262,200–$406,400 per year
Approximate monthly equivalents before taxes:
- $238,400/year = about $19,867/month
- $369,400/year = about $30,783/month
- $262,200/year = about $21,850/month
- $406,400/year = about $33,867/month
These are gross calculations and do not represent take-home pay.
Benefits
The vacancy lists benefits including:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Paid time off
- Paid family leave
- Foundation-paid retirement contributions
- Regional holidays
- Employee communities
The exact benefits and eligibility conditions should always be confirmed in the official employment documentation.
Final Thoughts
The Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Elimination & Eradication Job 2026 is a highly specialized opportunity for an experienced global health researcher who wants to combine scientific leadership with measurable public health impact.
Unlike an entry-level research position, this role requires a sophisticated combination of infectious disease expertise, mathematical modeling, epidemiology, research management, strategic thinking, and communication skills. The successful candidate will help guide malaria modeling priorities and work with teams and partners to translate scientific evidence into strategies that can support disease elimination and eradication.
The compensation is also significant, with the advertised salary reaching more than $400,000 annually for the Seattle and Washington, D.C. range. In addition, the Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health coverage, paid leave, retirement contributions, and other employee benefits.
However, international applicants need to pay particular attention to the work authorization requirement. This specific position does not provide immigration sponsorship and requires unrestricted authorization to work in the United States. Therefore, candidates should not assume that being highly qualified automatically makes them eligible.
For researchers who already satisfy the U.S. work-authorization requirement and have a strong background in malaria, infectious disease modeling, epidemiology, and research leadership, this could be an exceptional opportunity to work on problems with worldwide significance.
The best approach is to carefully compare your qualifications with the official vacancy, tailor your CV to the position, demonstrate measurable research impact, and clearly explain how your previous work has contributed to public health decision-making.
