Researcher - Global Health & Effective Giving

About GiveWell

GiveWell is a leading research organization dedicated to identifying and funding the most cost-effective global health and poverty alleviation programs. Operating at scale, GiveWell directs over $400 million annually to high-impact initiatives worldwide, informed by rigorous research and evidence-based analysis.

The Role

We're seeking exceptional Researchers to help direct hundreds of millions of dollars to the world's most effective global health and development programs. You'll have outsized influence on our grantmaking decisions and directly contribute to saving and improving lives globally.

As a Researcher, you will execute ambitious research agendas, answer complex questions, and inform high-impact funding decisions by combining rigorous evidence review, cost-effectiveness modeling, and thoughtful judgment. Working within small grantmaking teams, your decisions will directly shape the allocation of resources to dozens of international grantees.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive empirical evidence reviews on global health interventions and development programs
• Build and refine cost-effectiveness models to evaluate program impact and resource allocation
• Engage with subject matter experts and field researchers to inform analysis
• Develop independent judgment on complex methodological and strategic questions
• Research questions spanning water quality improvements, infrastructure development, cash transfer programs, and poverty alleviation strategies
• Account for uncertainty and general equilibrium effects in impact modeling
• Support grantmaking decisions affecting hundreds of millions in annual funding

Career Development

Researchers have clear pathways to advance into Senior Researcher or Senior Program Officer roles, leading research agendas or owning complex grantmaking portfolios. We support diverse professional development options tailored to individual preferences and organizational needs.

What We're Looking For

You bring strong analytical capabilities, intellectual rigor, and the ability to synthesize complex evidence into actionable insights. Experience with quantitative analysis, research methodology, and impact evaluation is valuable. Most importantly, you're motivated by real-world impact and effective resource allocation in global development and health sectors.