Senior Program Officer, TB/HIV Diagnostics Research & Development

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation•Seattle, WA

4d•$212,800 - $362,800

About The Position

The Foundation is the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity globally. This role is within the Global Health division, specifically focusing on the TB/HIV joint Program Strategy Team (PST). The PST is responsible for research and development investments targeting more effective TB interventions, including vaccines, diagnostics, and drugs. The HIV team focuses on reducing HIV incidence through new prevention and treatment interventions. Accessible, low-cost, high-quality diagnostics are crucial for early TB detection and the success of TB treatment regimens. The TB Diagnostics R&D portfolio concentrates on near-point-of-care (nPOC) tests, distributable PCR kits, and affordable screening tools. HIV Diagnostics are also integral to the introduction of novel long-acting HIV prevention and treatment regimens. This role will work in close partnership with other teams to define and manage a research and development portfolio of TB diagnostics and devices.

Requirements

Advanced degree (PhD/MD with 10+ years, or MSc with 15+ years) in life sciences, biomedical engineering, public health, or related field, with substantial diagnostics product development or infectious disease R&D experience.
Deep expertise in TB, HIV and/or infectious disease diagnostics, including end-to-end product development for point-of-care assays (e.g., protein-based, antigen/serology, and familiarity with molecular platforms such as PCR and sequencing).
Proven experience leading diagnostic product development in industry, from early-stage concept through regulatory licensure.
Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and pathways across phases of diagnostic development.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate emerging technologies and align them with biomedical or public health applications.
Experience developing, managing, and executing cross-functional product development plans and coordinating across scientific, clinical, operational, and external partners.
Successfully managed complex partnerships, including with PDPs, biotech/industry, academic groups, and global health stakeholders.
Experience working in or with partners in low- and middle-income countries, with sensitivity to local implementation contexts.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience conveying complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated scientific writing and data analysis skills.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, simplify complex problems, and maintain flexibility, efficiency, and enthusiasm in fast-paced, matrixed environments.
Strong judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities and confidential information.
Intellectual curiosity, resourcefulness, resilience—and a sense of humor.
Deep commitment to global health equity and the Foundation’s mission, with strong results orientation.

Nice To Haves

Immunology expertise is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a strategic diagnostics R&D investment portfolio, applying scientific, technical, and business expertise to identify, assess, fund, and oversee grants and contracts across discovery, technology validation, clinical evaluation, and implementation readiness.
Provide strategic and technical leadership in diagnostics and device product development, including risk-based decision-making, iterative milestone planning, and expert guidance to product developers, PDPs, academic groups, and implementing partners.
Drive the creation and refinement of target product profiles (TPPs), use cases, and value propositions for TB/HIV diagnostics across diverse settings and populations, ensuring alignment with broader TB and HIV treatment and prevention strategies.
Shape and implement program strategy by partnering with team leadership and contributing to the cross-functional TB/HIV Diagnostics R&D Initiative, including goal setting, investment planning, and execution.
Review and recommend funding opportunities, including evaluation of letters of inquiry and proposals, and prepare clear, concise analyses and funding recommendations for internal stakeholders.
Monitor and evaluate investment performance, conducting site visits, convening stakeholders, supporting grantees, and ensuring progress toward defined milestones and outcomes.
Cultivate and manage partnerships across the TB/HIV ecosystem, including PDPs, diagnostics developers, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, global experts, and implementing agencies; proactively identify and establish new collaborations to accelerate innovation.
Stay current with scientific, technological, and market trends relevant to diagnostics development—especially for low- and middle-income country settings—and surface innovative approaches to accelerate cost-effective, geographically diverse product development.
Collaborate closely with internal teams (e.g., TB/HIV R&D, TB/HIV Delivery, EDGE) to ensure diagnostic innovations integrate effectively with treatment and prevention R&D and delivery strategies.
Manage portfolio information and decision processes, documenting key activities, contributing to business processes and performance measurement tools, and preparing materials for communication with foundation leadership.
Represent the foundation externally, engaging in global development networks and contributing to thought leadership in TB/HIV diagnostics.
Travel up to 30%, domestically and internationally, to support partners and investments.