Application Guide

How to Apply for Economist/Senior Economist

at Health Finance Institute (HFI)

🏢 About Health Finance Institute (HFI)

The Health Finance Institute (HFI) is a specialized consultancy at the intersection of health economics and biopharmaceutical strategy, offering a unique opportunity to work on high-impact global health projects. With a focus on rigorous modeling and evidence-based decision-making, HFI provides a collaborative remote environment where your work directly influences policy and product access.

About This Role

As an Economist/Senior Economist, you will lead the development of state-transition models to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of health interventions for global health and biopharma clients. This role is impactful because your models will inform critical decisions on resource allocation, pricing, and market access, bridging the gap between clinical evidence and real-world policy.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coding a Markov model in R for a new oncology therapy, reviewing literature to extract transition probabilities, and collaborating via video call with a client to align on model assumptions. You'll also draft a technical report or prepare a slide deck for a payer submission, balancing multiple projects with deadlines.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Health Finance Institute (HFI)

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Health Finance Institute (HFI) Is Looking For

  • Holds a PhD or Master's in Health Economics, Decision Sciences, or a related quantitative field, with a strong track record of building Markov cohort models from scratch.
  • Possesses advanced R programming skills and is comfortable integrating R with Excel-based health economic models for sensitivity analyses and reporting.
  • Has a peer-reviewed publication record in health economics or outcomes research, demonstrating the ability to translate complex analyses into publishable findings.
  • Thrives in a remote, project-based environment, with excellent communication skills to explain modeling results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Tips for Applying to Health Finance Institute (HFI)

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific Markov model projects, including the disease area, model structure, and key outcomes (e.g., ICERs, budget impact).

2

In your cover letter, explicitly name the R packages you use for health economic modeling (e.g., heemod, mstate, or custom functions) and any experience with TreeAge or other decision analysis software.

3

Provide a link to your GitHub or portfolio showcasing at least one Markov model you've built in R, with clear documentation and reproducibility.

4

If you have experience with global health or biopharma clients (e.g., vaccines, oncology, rare diseases), mention it prominently to align with HFI's client base.

5

Submit a concise 1-page summary of a recent modeling project, including the problem, approach, and impact, as a supplemental document.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your hands-on experience developing Markov cohort models and your ability to adapt them for different therapeutic areas.', 'Highlight your publication record and how your research has influenced policy or clinical guidelines.', 'Show your proficiency in R and Excel integration, giving a specific example of a complex model you built or optimized.', "Express your interest in working at the interface of research and strategic decision-making, aligning with HFI's mission."]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review HFI's website and any published case studies or white papers to understand their modeling standards and client sectors.
  • → Look up recent publications by HFI team members on PubMed or Google Scholar to get a sense of their research focus and methodology.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the latest ISPOR guidelines for state-transition modeling and budget impact analysis, as HFI likely adheres to them.
  • → Investigate HFI's client base (e.g., global health organizations, biopharma companies) to tailor your examples to their needs.
Visit Health Finance Institute (HFI)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a Markov model you built from scratch: how did you structure the health states, derive transition probabilities, and validate the model?
2 How do you handle uncertainty in cost-effectiveness analyses? Describe your approach to deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
3 Explain a time you had to communicate complex modeling results to a non-technical audience. How did you ensure clarity?
4 What is your experience with budget impact models? How do you ensure they meet payer requirements?
5 How do you stay current with methodological advances in health economic modeling, and how would you apply them at HFI?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning Markov models or R proficiency – these are deal-breakers.
  • Overlooking the publication requirement; if you have fewer than 2 peer-reviewed papers, highlight conference abstracts or technical reports.
  • Failing to demonstrate remote work readiness; provide examples of successful remote collaboration and time management.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Health Finance Institute (HFI)!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →