Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Fellowship 2027

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington invites early-career researchers to apply for its two-year GBD Fellowship. Fellows help produce global health estimates in Seattle. Applications close on 21 December 2026, and review is rolling.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington
• Funding: Salary of $105,000 in year one, plus full benefits
• Duration: Two years, with a possible third-year extension
• Location: Seattle, Washington, USA (in person)
• Start Date: September 2027
• Deadline: 21 December 2026, 11:59 PM ET

Focus Areas

• Global Burden of Disease methods
• Health metrics and statistical modeling
• Data extraction and standardization
• Scientific publication and mentoring

About the Fellowship

The program trains researchers who want careers in health metrics. Fellows contribute to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), a worldwide effort to measure health loss and its causes. Year one centers on learning GBD methods and joining research teams. Year two brings more independence.

Fellows then lead analyses and improve how estimates are made. They also co-author papers and present at conferences. Renewal is annual and depends on performance and funding. The program welcomed its first cohort in September 2026.

Fellows will:

• Complete a four- to six-week boot camp
• Rotate across IHME research teams
• Build statistical models in R or Python
• Join a monthly journal club and seminars
• Mentor junior staff in later years

What Fellows Receive

• A salary of $105,000 in year one, $108,156 in year two, and $112,488 in year three
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Retirement plans and tuition exemption
• Mentorship from IHME faculty and senior researchers
• Visa sponsorship from the University of Washington

Who Can Apply

Applicants must meet these requirements:

• Hold a PhD, MD, DPhil, or equivalent; current students must finish before September 2027
• Hold a degree with strong quantitative foundations
• Have research experience and strong R or Python skills
• Be no more than five years past their latest degree at the start date
• Have no more than three years of prior postdoctoral experience
• Know basic GBD terms, such as DALYs and uncertainty intervals

The fellowship is full-time and in person. Fellows cannot hold another position. International applicants are welcome, and fellows must reach Seattle by the first day.

Required Materials

• A CV
• Four short essays on your research, your GBD contribution, production work, and why this fellowship now
• Names and contact details for three references; letters are not required at this stage
• You may use writing tools, including AI. However, everything must be accurate and describe your own experience.

How to Apply

Apply through the Interfolio portal before the deadline. Interviews follow in winter 2027, with final rounds in early spring. IHME will notify applicants in spring 2027.

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Conclusion

This paid postdoctoral program offers a clear route into global health metrics. Strong candidates should apply early, because review is rolling.

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