Research Scientist – Health Focus

About the role

The Research Scientist joins Innovations for Poverty Action’s Applied Research & Methods team, leading health‑focused surveys and impact evaluations across Sub‑Saharan Africa. The role combines technical survey design, health‑systems expertise, and field research management to generate credible evidence for malaria prevention and other health interventions.

Key responsibilities

• Design coverage survey protocols, sampling strategies, questionnaires, and quality‑control procedures.
• Serve as principal investigator for evaluations, data audits, and health‑facility data extraction and validation.
• Provide technical guidance on health‑system contexts in Nigeria and West African countries.
• Collaborate with the Survey Delivery Unit on data‑collection platforms and field protocols.
• Manage relationships with government health partners and program stakeholders.
• Supervise and mentor field research staff, including enumerators and coordinators.
• Write and review research proposals, budgets, and funder‑facing narratives.

Required profile

• PhD or equivalent in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, health economics, or a related social science.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading large‑scale health surveys or impact evaluations.
• Strong understanding of health‑system operations and data quality challenges in low‑ and middle‑income settings.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape research agendas that improve lives of people living in poverty.
• Collaboration with global partners and funders on high‑impact health programs.
• Professional development within a leading development research organization.