The Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Polio 2026 position is a senior-level opportunity for an experienced infectious disease modeling, epidemiology, vaccinology or public health research professional. The role is based in Seattle, Washington, and focuses on using mathematical and statistical modeling to support global efforts to eradicate polio.
The position is part of the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) within the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The successful candidate will lead the polio modeling team and work closely with senior leaders, research managers and the foundation’s polio program strategy team to develop analytical approaches that can inform major public health decisions.
The advertised salary range is US$262,200 to US$406,400, making this a highly compensated senior research position. The role is listed as full-time and onsite in Seattle, with approximately 20% domestic and international travel expected.
| Position | Senior Research Manager, Polio |
|---|---|
| Organization | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Research Unit | Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) |
| Location | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Work arrangement | Onsite |
| Employment type | Full-time |
| Career level | Senior |
| Salary | US$262,200–US$406,400 |
| Education | PhD or professional degree |
| Travel | Up to 20% |
| Focus | Polio modeling, elimination and eradication |
About the Gates Foundation Polio Research Role
The Institute for Disease Modeling is an embedded research institute within the Gates Foundation. Its work involves computational modeling, quantitative analysis and decision-support tools designed to inform global infectious disease efforts.
The Eradication & Elimination team supports the foundation’s work across malaria, polio and immunization. For the polio portfolio, the team develops strategic analytical and modeling products intended to help guide investment decisions, support country and regional partners, and advance scientific understanding relevant to disease eradication.
The Senior Research Manager will play an important leadership role within this work.
The position involves collaborating with the Deputy Director for Eradication & Elimination, IDM leadership, senior research managers and the polio program strategy team to develop a forward-looking polio modeling strategy.
A central objective is to ensure that modeling results are delivered in a timely and useful way so that decision-makers can evaluate strategies aimed at reaching the long-term goal of zero global polio cases.
Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager Salary
The advertised salary range for the Senior Research Manager, Polio position is:
US$262,200–US$406,400
The position is based in Seattle, Washington, and is listed as onsite.
Because compensation can depend on factors associated with the position and candidate, applicants should rely on the employer’s current vacancy information for the definitive compensation details.
The position also includes a benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage with no premiums, paid time off, paid family leave and a foundation-paid retirement contribution.
Senior Research Manager, Polio Requirements
This is an advanced research and management position requiring substantial technical and leadership experience.
PhD and Technical Background
Applicants are expected to have a PhD in an area such as:
- Dynamical and statistical modeling of infectious diseases
- Epidemiology
- Polio-relevant immuno-epidemiology
- Vaccinology
- A similar discipline
The successful candidate should have advanced knowledge of mathematical modeling approaches, particularly dynamical models.
Experience relevant to polio or diseases with similar epidemiological dynamics is especially applicable to the role.
Public Health Modeling Experience
Candidates should demonstrate a track record of translating modeling results into public health policy impact.
This includes experience working with public health partners and delivering timely analytical results that contribute to improved decision-making.
The position also requires experience with:
- Statistical modeling
- Spatial analytics
- Advanced coding
- Artificial intelligence capabilities
- Analytical workflows
- Public health research teams
Research Leadership
The role requires experience working in complex, multidisciplinary environments, ideally within a large research institute or similarly structured organization.
Applicants should be capable of managing analytical teams and workflows while delivering modeling results that can influence public health strategy.
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and strong project management skills are also required.
Communication and Collaboration
The Senior Research Manager must be able to communicate complex research findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Important capabilities include:
- Strong written communication
- Strong verbal communication
- Excellent listening skills
- Empathy
- Ability to explain the strategic significance of modeling results
- Ability to work across cultural and geographic differences
- Ability to collaborate with non-technical stakeholders
The role also requires someone who can constructively challenge colleagues, managers, senior leaders and partners when appropriate.
Responsibilities of the Senior Research Manager, Polio
The successful candidate will have significant responsibility for shaping and managing the foundation’s polio modeling portfolio.
Develop the Polio Modeling Strategy
The Senior Research Manager will work with the E&E Deputy Director, IDM leadership and polio program leadership to develop a modeling strategy supporting the foundation’s efforts to eradicate polio globally.
The strategy will need to respond to scientific developments, new products and changing circumstances affecting polio elimination and eradication.
Manage the Polio Modeling Portfolio
The position involves developing and managing a portfolio of modeling projects aligned with strategic priorities.
The manager will oversee the IDM polio team’s project portfolio and ensure that analytical products are delivered on time and have meaningful impact.
Develop Modeling Approaches
Another major responsibility is developing modeling approaches capable of assessing new strategies for polio eradication.
These approaches should help evaluate how interventions can reduce transmission and disease in endemic settings while supporting continued elimination in areas where transmission has been interrupted.
Design Studies
The Senior Research Manager will also develop study designs capable of measuring the impact of public health programs on polio disease and transmission.
This work will be coordinated with the polio program.
Coordinate Across Research Teams
The role requires collaboration across IDM research pillars and other Gates Foundation teams.
The objective is to bring together different areas of expertise and develop interdisciplinary approaches capable of generating actionable insights for foundation decision-makers.
Support Regional Country Offices
The manager will develop and implement modeling strategies that support and strengthen regional country office priorities related to polio.
This means the role involves connecting global modeling strategies with the needs of country and regional partners.
Lead Research Reviews
The successful candidate will lead planning and coordination of polio projects for quarterly IDM Research Reviews.
These reviews provide an important mechanism for communicating research progress, priorities and analytical outputs.
Manage Direct Reports
The position includes people-management responsibilities.
The Senior Research Manager will performance-manage direct reports and work with other senior research managers across the Eradication & Elimination team to create a productive and collaborative environment.
Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager Skills
The position combines advanced scientific expertise with strategic leadership.
Candidates should be comfortable working at the intersection of:
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Mathematical modeling
- Statistical analysis
- Public health
- Vaccinology
- Data science
- Spatial analytics
- Artificial intelligence
- Research management
- Project management
- Policy-oriented analysis
Technical expertise alone is not enough for this position. The role also requires the ability to translate complex analytical findings into information that senior decision-makers and public health partners can use.
Travel Requirements
The position may involve up to 20% domestic and international travel.
Applicants should therefore be comfortable traveling as required to support research collaboration, engagement with partners and other activities connected to the foundation’s polio strategy.
Gates Foundation Employee Benefits
The advertised benefits include:
- Comprehensive medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- No premiums for the listed medical, dental and vision coverage
- Generous paid time off
- Paid family leave
- Foundation-paid retirement contribution
- Regional holidays
- Opportunities to participate in employee communities
The exact terms and eligibility conditions should be confirmed with the Gates Foundation during the recruitment process.
Work Authorization Requirement
An important requirement for this position is unrestricted work authorization in the country where the position is located.
The supplied job information states that the foundation does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role.
The restriction includes various forms of work authorization and immigration arrangements that require company sponsorship or immigration support.
Candidates should therefore confirm that they already have the required authorization to work in the United States before applying.
Who Is This Gates Foundation Job Best Suited For?
The Senior Research Manager, Polio position is primarily suited to highly experienced researchers and scientific leaders rather than early-career applicants.
A strong candidate would typically bring a combination of advanced academic training, infectious disease modeling expertise, public health experience and demonstrated research leadership.
Professionals with experience translating computational or epidemiological modeling into real-world public health decisions may be particularly well aligned with the position.
The role is also suited to candidates who can manage multidisciplinary teams while maintaining enough technical depth to guide modeling methodologies and evaluate analytical outputs.
How to Prepare for the Application
Applicants interested in the position should ensure that their CV clearly demonstrates the qualifications emphasized in the vacancy.
Particular attention should be given to:
- PhD-level training relevant to infectious disease modeling, epidemiology or vaccinology.
- Experience with dynamical and statistical modeling.
- Evidence that research has contributed to public health policy or decision-making.
- Experience leading research teams and analytical workflows.
- Experience managing multiple projects.
- Coding, spatial analytics and AI capabilities.
- Experience communicating technical findings to non-technical stakeholders.
- International or cross-cultural collaboration.
- Experience relevant to infectious disease elimination or eradication.
- Ability to meet the position’s work authorization and travel requirements.
Candidates should use specific examples and measurable outcomes wherever possible when describing their research leadership and public health impact.
Final Thoughts
The Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Polio 2026 opportunity is a senior scientific leadership position focused on applying mathematical and statistical modeling to one of the world’s major infectious disease eradication efforts.
With an advertised salary of US$262,200 to US$406,400, onsite work in Seattle and a comprehensive benefits package, the position is likely to attract experienced researchers with strong backgrounds in infectious disease modeling, epidemiology, vaccinology and public health decision-making.
The position also goes beyond technical research. The successful candidate will be expected to lead a modeling team, establish strategic priorities, manage projects, collaborate with senior stakeholders and translate complex analytical findings into actionable insights for polio eradication.
Applicants should carefully review the current employer vacancy before applying, particularly regarding work authorization, location, compensation and role-specific requirements.
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