The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Fellowship is a prestigious, cohort-based program at IHME at the University of Washington. Launching in 2026, this inaugural fellowship cohort 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 be embedded within IHME’s interdisciplinary research teams, where you will receive extensive training and your work will directly contribute to the production of GBD estimates and related scientific publications.  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.

Key Responsibilities 

• Actively acquire and apply new knowledge, methodologies, tools and adapt to evolving industry trends through continuous learning and participation in IHME’s comprehensive fellowship training.
• Participate in a structured professional development program including Boot Camp, Journal Club, Seminar Presentations, and Research Roundtables.
• Conduct independent and collaborative quantitative analyses across IHME’s research areas, contributing to the advancement of global health metrics.
• Design, implement, and refine statistical models and computational methods using R or Python, while continuously enhancing technical proficiency through structured training.
• 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.