Research Fellow, AI & Global Health Innovation

Program for Appropriate Technology in Health; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global health non-profit is seeking a Research Fellow to support AI initiatives in biomedical discovery. This role involves leading research activities, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and contributing to methodological rigor in health solutions. Candidates should have a Master's or PhD, strong analytical skills, and experience in global health or regulatory science. Legal authorization to work in the UK is mandatory.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory science or AI methods.
• Experience in global health or vaccine R&D preferred.
• Fluency in English required; additional languages desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to research activities across multiple projects.
• Support the design and implementation of research work packages.
• Liaise with regulators and stakeholders for tool co-design.

Skills

Analytical skills

Regulatory science

AI/ML methods

Scientific writing

Collaboration skills

Education

Master's degree or PhD in relevant field

Job description

Overview

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world's most pressing health challenges. PATH's AI Innovation portfolio is pioneering the use of generative AI and other advanced digital technologies to accelerate biomedical discovery, strengthen regulatory systems, and improve the safety and scalability of digital mental health care.

The Research Fellow will work across all of the AI initiatives, providing scientific and technical expertise, supporting research execution, and contributing to the translation of outputs into global public goods.

Responsibilities

1. Research & Technical Leadership
   • Lead and contribute to research activities across multiple projects (supported by the AI team leadership), including:
   • Mapping user journeys and regulatory workflows (AI Regulatory Co-Strategist).
   • Designing and validating benchmarking datasets (AI Co-Scientist).
   • Developing safety evaluation methods and digital footprint standards.
   • Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g., expert interviews, thematic analysis, benchmarking framework design, AI evaluation).
   • Conduct technical writing of study protocols, reports, and peer-reviewed publications.
   • Collaborate with academic, industry, and government partners to ensure methodological rigor and relevance.
2. Project Execution & Coordination
   • Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of research work packages.
   • Manage research outputs including datasets, knowledge graphs, evaluation frameworks, and regulatory toolkits.
   • Coordinate with partners (e.g., Google, University of Birmingham, African Medicines Agency, Wellcome Trust, Gates Foundation) to deliver joint activities.
   • Ensure compliance with PATH and donor research ethics and data protection standards.
3. Stakeholder Engagement & Knowledge Translation
   • Liaise with regulators, policymakers, product developers, and SMEs to co-design tools and frameworks.
   • Support dissemination of findings through publications, open-access toolkits, workshops, and conferences.
   • Promote global access by ensuring research outputs are openly shared and designed for LMIC applicability.
   • Contribute to PATH's thought leadership in AI and global health.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following:
• Regulatory science for health products.
• Vaccine immunology / correlates of protection research.
• AI/ML methods, including LLMs, benchmarking, or safety evaluation.
• Excellent scientific writing skills, including track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders (researchers, regulators, policymakers, product developers).
• Commitment to PATH's values of health equity, innovation, and partnership.
• Master's degree with significant research experience, or PhD in a relevant field (e.g., AI4public health, regulatory science, computational biology, computer science, psychology, or related).
• At least 3-5 years of applied research experience (in any setting, from corporate consultancy to academia).
• Demonstrated experience working on multi-partner, cross-disciplinary projects.
• Prior experience in global health, regulatory systems, vaccine R&D, or digital health preferred.
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of additional languages (especially those relevant in Africa, e.g., French) desirable.
• Willingness to travel internationally (up to 20%).
• Must have legal authorization to work in the UK.