Senior Water Researcher

GiveWell • International Falls, MN

3d • Remote

About The Position

GiveWell is seeking a Senior Water Researcher to help direct tens of millions of dollars annually to the most cost-effective water interventions. This role involves creating and leading ambitious research agendas, conducting rigorous evidence review, cost-effectiveness modeling, and applying thoughtful judgment to inform grantmaking decisions. The researcher will focus on a broad exploration of the water sector, including alternative water quality interventions, different clean water delivery models, water access and infrastructure, market shaping, and R&D for hardware and service delivery models. The position offers an opportunity to have an outsized influence on funding decisions and contribute to saving and improving lives globally. The researcher will also communicate externally about their work and mentor other team members.

Requirements

• A quantitatively oriented advanced degree (e.g., in epidemiology, environmental engineering, environmental health, public health, economics, or related fields).
• Substantial professional experience in the water sector or an adjacent field (broadly defined).
• Hands-on familiarity with water systems, epidemiology, or both.
• Ability to combine empirical evidence review and critical synthesis, cost-effectiveness modeling, discussions with subject matter experts, understanding of the broader context, and personal judgment.
• Commitment to a work schedule that has some overlap with American working hours and the schedules of key coworkers.
• Ability to work primarily remotely within the U.S. and abroad.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in chlorination, filtration, in-line UV, water access, market shaping, or R&D.
• GiveWell’s mission and methods are personally energizing.
• Abnormally curious and willing to interrogate others’ work.
• Not defensive when research comes under scrutiny.
• Routinely think about and surface value judgments, background knowledge, and strategic commitments.
• Understand the potential effects of mistaken mental models.
• Dislike expressing strong confidence in views not supported by evidence.
• Carefully and legibly communicate confidence levels.
• Appreciate the value of an excellent reputation and strong relationships.
• Ability to moderate directness and intensity when communicating with external folks.
• Love a gnarly problem and figure out the most important questions to answer.
• Go deep on details where they matter and move on where they don’t.
• Reassess mental models based on learning.
• Constantly assess whether you and the team are working on the most important things.

Responsibilities

• Create and lead ambitious research agendas related to water portfolios.
• Answer complex questions to inform GiveWell's grantmaking decisions.
• Combine rigorous evidence review, cost-effectiveness modeling, and thoughtful judgment.
• Sift through research questions and hone in on those that matter most.
• Communicate externally about work.
• Mentor and advise other researchers on the team.
• Shape a research agenda that brings rigor and creativity to the thorniest questions.
• Own grant investigations end-to-end, from research question through grant recommendation.
• Represent GiveWell to external counterparts.
• Propose new areas of work.

Benefits

• Fully funded health, dental, vision, and life insurance (100% of premiums covered for you and dependents in the US).
• Four weeks of paid time off per year.
• One week organization-wide summer break.
• 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
• Ergonomic home workstations or coworking space memberships.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Relocation expenses covered for candidates who wish to move to any of our physical office locations.
• Visa sponsorship for those needing a work visa in the US (up to 100% of relocation expenses covered on a case-by-case basis).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior