Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Malaria Researcher
at GiveWell
🏢 About GiveWell
GiveWell is a highly influential nonprofit that rigorously evaluates global health and development interventions to identify the most cost-effective giving opportunities. What makes GiveWell unique is its evidence-driven, transparent approach to philanthropy and its direct impact on channeling hundreds of millions of dollars to high-impact programs. Someone might want to work here to apply analytical rigor to real-world problems and see their research directly translate into life-saving funding decisions.
About This Role
This Senior Malaria Researcher role involves creating and leading ambitious research agendas to inform GiveWell's malaria-related grantmaking decisions. You'll combine evidence review, cost-effectiveness modeling, and expert consultations to answer complex questions about malaria interventions. This role is impactful because your analysis will directly determine which malaria programs receive substantial funding, potentially affecting millions of lives in malaria-endemic regions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve analyzing new malaria research studies, updating cost-effectiveness models for different interventions, and discussing findings with other researchers to pressure-test assumptions. You'd likely spend time synthesizing evidence from multiple sources to form funding recommendations and communicating complex analyses to both internal teams and external stakeholders.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who GiveWell Is Looking For
- Has an advanced degree in epidemiology, statistics, or economics with substantial professional experience specifically in malaria (not just general global health)
- Demonstrates experience with both epidemiological modeling AND practical understanding of malaria program implementation or funding realities
- Shows a track record of truth-seeking research that withstands scrutiny, with examples of changing their mind based on evidence
- Can articulate strategic thinking about value judgments and confidence levels in complex decision-making contexts
📝 Tips for Applying to GiveWell
Quantify your malaria-specific experience: Instead of saying 'worked on malaria projects,' specify 'conducted cost-effectiveness analysis of 3 malaria bed net distribution programs affecting 500,000 people'
Demonstrate GiveWell's values: Show evidence of your truth-seeking mindset by describing a time you changed your research conclusion based on new evidence
Tailor your research portfolio: Highlight malaria-specific modeling work rather than general epidemiological experience
Address GiveWell's unique approach: Show understanding of their focus on marginal impact and cost-effectiveness rather than just program quality
Prepare for scrutiny: Anticipate and preemptively address potential weaknesses in your research methodology or conclusions
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific malaria expertise and how it aligns with GiveWell's evidence-driven approach", 'Examples of research that withstood rigorous scrutiny or led to changed conclusions', "How you've previously balanced quantitative modeling with practical implementation considerations", 'Your ability to think strategically about research priorities that maximize funding impact']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review GiveWell's existing malaria content and recommendations on their website
- → Study their research methodology and quality standards for evidence evaluation
- → Understand their current top charities in malaria and why they're recommended
- → Familiarize yourself with their transparency practices and how they communicate uncertainty
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with only general global health experience without specific malaria expertise
- Focusing on program quality without addressing cost-effectiveness and marginal impact
- Presenting research as definitive rather than acknowledging uncertainty and confidence levels
- Being defensive about research criticism rather than embracing scrutiny
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!