The Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Polio 2026 position offers an opportunity for an experienced global health researcher to contribute to one of the world’s most ambitious disease-eradication efforts. The senior-level role focuses on infectious-disease modeling, epidemiology, statistics, and research leadership to support strategies aimed at ending polio transmission globally.
Based in Seattle, Washington, the full-time position sits within the Gates Foundation’s Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) and the Elimination & Eradication team. The successful candidate will provide scientific leadership to the polio modeling program while working with researchers, public health specialists, country teams, and senior Foundation leaders.
According to the available vacancy information, the position offers a general annual salary range of $238,400 to $369,400, while the applicable range for employees based in Seattle or Washington, D.C. is $262,200 to $406,400. The role may also involve approximately 20% domestic and international travel.
About the Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Polio Role
The Gates Foundation works across areas including global health and development to address major challenges involving disease, poverty, and inequality.
The Senior Research Manager, Polio role is part of the Foundation’s Institute for Disease Modeling. IDM brings together research scientists and software engineers who develop computational models and analytical tools to inform decision-making in global health. Its work includes disease eradication and elimination initiatives involving polio, malaria, and immunization.
The successful candidate will help shape the Foundation’s approach to polio modeling and support the broader Elimination & Eradication strategy.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to senior researchers with a background in infectious-disease modeling, epidemiology, vaccinology, statistics, or related disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
The Senior Research Manager will have both scientific and leadership responsibilities.
A major responsibility will be developing a forward-looking polio modeling strategy in collaboration with IDM leadership, the Elimination & Eradication Deputy Director, and the Foundation’s polio program leadership team.
The manager will also oversee the polio modeling team’s project portfolio. This includes establishing priorities, guiding scientific approaches, coordinating analytical projects, and ensuring research outputs are delivered accurately and on schedule.
Other responsibilities include:
- Developing mathematical and statistical models to evaluate polio eradication strategies.
- Assessing interventions designed to reduce transmission in endemic areas.
- Evaluating approaches for maintaining disease elimination.
- Designing studies to measure the impact of programs on polio transmission and disease.
- Working with research teams across the Foundation.
- Coordinating with regional country offices and other stakeholders.
- Planning polio projects for quarterly IDM Research Reviews.
- Managing and supporting direct reports.
- Translating complex modeling results into useful information for strategic decision-making.
The role therefore combines advanced research with scientific management and strategic public health decision-making.
Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager Requirements
This is a highly specialized position aimed at experienced scientific professionals.
Education
Applicants are expected to have a PhD in a relevant discipline. The source identifies fields such as:
- Infectious-disease dynamical or statistical modeling
- Epidemiology
- Polio-related immuno-epidemiology
- Vaccinology
- A closely related scientific discipline
Candidates should have a strong research background and the ability to work in complex multidisciplinary environments.
Professional Experience
The Foundation is particularly interested in candidates whose previous modeling research has influenced public health policy or decision-making.
Applicants should be capable of taking technically complex research findings and translating them into practical information for public health partners, policymakers, and senior decision-makers.
Strong experience with mathematical modeling is required, including dynamical models and statistical approaches. The vacancy information also highlights experience with spatial analytics, advanced coding, and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Leadership and Communication
Because this is a senior management position, candidates should demonstrate experience leading research projects, managing analytical workflows and working with multidisciplinary teams.
Strong communication skills are also important. The successful candidate will need to explain sophisticated scientific findings to people without technical backgrounds while collaborating effectively across geographical and professional environments.
Salary and Benefits
The Gates Foundation lists a general salary range of $238,400–$369,400 per year for the Senior Research Manager, Polio position.
For employees based in Seattle or Washington, D.C., the stated salary range is higher at $262,200–$406,400 annually. The Foundation indicates that new hires are generally placed between the minimum and midpoint of the applicable salary range depending on job-related skills, experience, and expertise.
The benefits package described in the vacancy includes:
- Medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Paid time off
- Paid family leave
- Foundation-paid retirement contributions
- Regional holidays
- Employee community opportunities
The listed medical, dental, and vision benefits are provided without employee premiums, according to the vacancy information.
Location and Travel
The position is a full-time role based in Seattle, Washington.
Candidates should also be prepared for domestic and international travel of approximately 20% of working time. This reflects the international nature of polio eradication research and the need to collaborate with global health and program partners.
Applicants should note an important employment condition: the Foundation states that candidates must have unrestricted authorization to work in the country where the position is located and that immigration-related sponsorship is not provided for this position.
Why This Gates Foundation Opportunity Stands Out
The Senior Research Manager, Polio position is different from a conventional academic research role because it connects advanced scientific analysis with large-scale public health strategy.
The successful candidate will not only conduct or oversee modeling research but will help determine which research questions matter most and how modeling evidence can support decisions related to polio eradication.
The position also provides leadership responsibility within an interdisciplinary environment involving scientists, software engineers, program specialists, country teams, and external partners.
For an experienced researcher interested in global health impact, the opportunity combines scientific leadership, mathematical modeling, epidemiology and international public health strategy.
How to Apply for the Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Polio Job 2026
Qualified candidates should review the official vacancy carefully before applying.
Applicants should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates:
- A relevant PhD or closely related advanced scientific qualification.
- Expertise in infectious-disease modeling or a related field.
- Experience with mathematical and statistical modeling.
- Knowledge of epidemiology and public health research.
- Experience translating research into policy or strategic decision-making.
- Leadership and project-management experience.
- Advanced analytical, coding, or spatial-analysis capabilities.
- Experience communicating technical findings to non-technical audiences.
- The ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary and international environments.
Candidates should also verify the current vacancy status, application requirements and any applicable employment conditions before submitting their materials.
Final Thoughts
The Gates Foundation Senior Research Manager, Polio 2026 opportunity is a senior global health research position for scientists with substantial expertise in infectious-disease modeling, epidemiology, and public health analytics.
With a listed salary of up to $369,400 under the general range and up to $406,400 for Seattle and Washington, D.C., together with a comprehensive benefits package, the position represents a significant career opportunity for an experienced researcher.
The role is especially suited to professionals who can combine deep technical expertise with scientific leadership and translate sophisticated modeling research into evidence that can inform disease-eradication strategies.
Interested candidates should use the official Gates Foundation application portal linked in the source material and carefully review all requirements before applying.
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