How to apply for Researcher, GEM

About Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)

IHME is a globally recognized research institute at the forefront of health metrics and evaluation, producing data that informs policy and saves lives. Working here means contributing to high-impact research that shapes global health priorities, with a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

About the role

This temporary researcher role focuses on analyzing gender-based violence and sex differences in health metrics, using advanced statistical modeling to quantify disease burden. Your work will directly contribute to IHME's Global Burden of Disease study, influencing health policies and interventions worldwide.

A typical day

You might start your day by pulling data from a survey dataset, cleaning it in R, and running initial analyses to explore sex differences. After a team check-in, you'd spend time refining a statistical model, documenting your code, and preparing a progress update for a research meeting where you'll present preliminary findings and discuss next steps with colleagues.

Who Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is looking for

• Hold a Master's in public health, epidemiology, statistics, or related field, with at least one year of experience in quantitative research.
• Proficient in R (or similar statistical language) and comfortable with data wrangling, visualization, and reproducible research practices.
• Strong understanding of epidemiological concepts, particularly around gender disparities and burden of disease estimation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead meetings and collaborate effectively in a remote team.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume to highlight specific quantitative projects, especially those involving gender or health disparities, and list your R skills prominently.
• In your cover letter, mention your familiarity with IHME's GBD study and how your background aligns with analyzing gender-based violence data.
• Provide a link to your GitHub or code portfolio showcasing your R code, data cleaning, and statistical modeling examples.
• Address your ability to work independently in a remote setting, with examples of past self-managed projects.
• Clearly state your availability for the temporary duration and your willingness to coauthor publications.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Emphasize your quantitative modeling experience with health or social data, and any prior work on gender issues.', "Show your knowledge of IHME's mission and the importance of accurate burden estimates for policy.", 'Highlight your skills in R and your ability to document code and lead research meetings.', 'Express your enthusiasm for contributing to research that addresses gender-based violence and sex differences.']

Research before applying

• Read recent IHME publications on gender-based violence or sex differences in burden of disease.
• Understand the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study methodology, especially how risk factors like violence are incorporated.
• Explore IHME's website to see current projects and datasets related to gender equality.
• Check IHME's social media or news for any recent findings that resonate with this role.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach modeling sex differences in disease prevalence using survey data?
• Describe a time you used R to analyze a large dataset; what challenges did you face?
• How do you ensure your code is reproducible and well-documented for team collaboration?
• What is your experience with gender-based violence data, and what methodological considerations are important?
• How do you stay organized and communicate progress when working remotely?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't submit a generic cover letter; make it specific to IHME and this role.
• Avoid downplaying the temporary nature; instead, show your enthusiasm for the project.
• Don't neglect to showcase your R skills; provide concrete examples in your application.