From PhD to Senior Research Scientist

As a Senior Research Scientist at the Institute of Disease Modeling (IDM) at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington, Jessica works at the intersection of data science, infectious disease, and global health.

In her role, she:

• Builds and applies models to understand infectious disease transmission

• Analyzes empirical genetic data

• Supports data-driven decision making in global health

• Communicates scientific findings to diverse audiences

Best part of the job:
Collaborating with people across academia, industry, government, and nonprofits while continuously learning about the broader global health ecosystem.

Jessica took a proactive and self-directed approach to finding her role by Google searching (with pointed search terms) for opportunities that aligned with her interests.

Key steps in her career journey:

• PhD Graduate ➡️ Postdoc (same organization) ➡️ Researcher

For Jessica, the decision to leave academia was tied to both career goals and lifestyle.

She recognized that academia is not just a job but a lifestyle choice. While she enjoyed research, she was especially drawn to projects that created impact beyond the lab.

That pull toward real-world impact and science policy-adjacent work led her to explore opportunities outside traditional academic paths.

1. Talk to people to discover what is out there.
   The best way to learn about careers is through conversations. Attend seminars, networking events, and connect with alumni. If those opportunities are limited, reach out directly for informational interviews.

2. Reverse engineer the roles you want.
   When you find a job that interests you, ask what makes someone successful in that role. Use that information to start building those skills before you graduate.

3. Create your own opportunities.
   Jessica started a science policy group during her PhD, which helped her discover new career paths she had not previously considered. Taking initiative can open doors you did not know existed.

Jessica’s story highlights the importance of curiosity and initiative in career exploration.

The more you engage with people, explore ideas, and take action, the more visible new paths become.

Sometimes the right career is not one you planned from the start, but one you uncover by actively exploring what is possible.