How to apply for Senior Vaccination Researcher

About GiveWell

GiveWell is a nonprofit that researches the most cost-effective ways to save and improve lives in global health and development. It directed over $400 million in 2025 and expects to approach or exceed $1 billion in grantmaking this year. Its research is funded by tens of thousands of donors who rely on its recommendations.

About the role

The Senior Vaccination Researcher will direct tens of millions of dollars annually to cost-effective vaccination programs, mainly routine immunization for children under two in high-burden areas. The role includes evaluating targeted outreach, mobile vaccination, demand-side incentives, and malaria vaccine rollout, with possible expansion into new areas. This position has outsized influence on GiveWell's funding decisions.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing evidence on a vaccination intervention, running cost-effectiveness models, and discussing grant recommendations with colleagues. You may also meet with implementing partners or external researchers to evaluate program results. The role is remote, so much of the work happens through written analysis and video calls.

Who GiveWell is looking for

• Experience designing or evaluating vaccination programs, especially routine immunization for children under two in low- or middle-income countries.
• Strong quantitative skills to assess cost-effectiveness, interpret evidence, and compare grant opportunities.
• Familiarity with global health implementation, including outreach, mobile vaccination, demand-side incentives, or malaria vaccine rollout.
• Ability to work remotely and communicate research findings clearly to inform funding decisions.

Tips for this application

• Show direct experience with vaccination programs, not just general global health work. GiveWell funds specific interventions, so name the interventions you have worked on.
• Quantify your impact where possible. GiveWell cares about cost-effectiveness, so describe budgets you managed, coverage increases you contributed to, or analyses you produced.
• Explain why you want to work at GiveWell specifically. Reference its mission, its scale of grantmaking (over $400 million in 2025, approaching $1 billion this year), and its focus on evidence.
• Address the remote nature of the role. Describe how you have worked effectively in remote teams and with partners in different time zones.
• If you have experience in malaria vaccine rollout or demand-side incentives, highlight it. These are named focus areas for this role.

What to cover in your cover letter

Emphasize your hands-on experience with routine immunization or vaccination programs in high-burden settings. Explain how you have used evidence to make or recommend funding decisions. Show that you understand GiveWell's cost-effectiveness approach and can direct large grants. State your interest in expanding into new vaccination areas as GiveWell's portfolio grows.

Research before applying

• Read GiveWell's vaccination grantmaking pages and its cost-effectiveness analyses to understand its methods.
• Review GiveWell's top charities and grant history to see the scale and type of vaccination programs it funds.
• Understand the disclaimer that 80,000 Hours' largest funder is Coefficient Giving, which works closely with GiveWell, to avoid confusion about affiliations.
• Look into recent GiveWell research on malaria vaccine rollout and routine immunization to speak specifically about current priorities.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would assess the cost-effectiveness of a new vaccination program against GiveWell's existing grants.
• Your experience with routine immunization for children under two, including challenges in high-burden areas.
• A time you used evidence to change a program or funding decision.
• How you would evaluate demand-side incentives or mobile vaccination strategies.
• What new vaccination areas you think GiveWell should consider and why.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying with only general global health experience and no specific vaccination program work.
• Ignoring GiveWell's cost-effectiveness framework and treating the role as a generic research position.
• Failing to explain how you would work remotely and collaborate with partners across countries.