Research Fellow in Health Policy Mathematical Modelling

Build the Next Generation of Health Policy Simulation Models

Do you want your research to influence how governments design policies to prevent chronic disease? Are you excited by the challenge of combining data, simulation, and policy to tackle the world’s biggest health problems?

The Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation (CHEPI) at Imperial Business School is seeking a Research Fellow in Health Policy Mathematical Modelling to take a leading role in advancing Health-GPS — our state-of-the-art microsimulation model for non-communicable disease (NCD) policy analysis.

Why This Role Matters

Chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease remain leading causes of illness and premature death worldwide. Yet, the tools available to evaluate and design effective prevention policies are still evolving. Health-GPS provides a framework to explore how changes in diet, physical activity, and related risk factors affect long-term population health and economic outcomes.

Health-GPS represents the gradual accumulation and interaction of individual-level risk factors — such as BMI, diet, and income — offering insights into the potential impact of different policy interventions over time.

You will lead the evolution of this model as part of major international projects including:

• GOLDFINCH – estimating the effects of fiscal policies on ultra-processed food consumption.
• JA Prevent NCD – a European Joint Action on integrated strategies for NCD prevention.
• JACARDI – a European initiative to reduce cardiovascular and diabetes risk.

Working with economists, epidemiologists, and data scientists, you’ll push the boundaries of policy simulation and shape real-world decision-making.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development, optimisation, and maintenance of Health-GPS, ensuring its continued scientific and policy relevance.
• Coordinate modelling activities across multiple projects and deliver high-quality outputs on time.
• Integrate new methodologies, including AI and machine-learning approaches, into simulation design.
• Conduct quantitative analyses to estimate the health and economic impact of proposed policies.
• Identify and manage relevant datasets in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Communicate findings through academic papers, policy briefs, and stakeholder workshops.
• Contribute to funding proposals and the expansion of CHEPI’s modelling activities.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a creative and technically strong individual with:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in health economics, epidemiology, computer science, or a related field.
• Experience building or using microsimulation models or other quantitative policy tools.
• Strong programming skills (C++, R, Python, or similar).
• Experience working with large or longitudinal datasets.
• The ability to translate complex model outputs into actionable policy insights.
• Curiosity, independence, and enthusiasm for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Experience applying AI or ML methods to health or policy modelling is highly desirable.

How to Apply

Interested? Apply online with:

• A cover letter explaining your motivation and relevant experience.
• Your CV.
• Contact details for two referees.

Further Information

This is a full-time, fixed-term for 24 months (with the possibility to extend), based at our South Kensington campus (hybrid). Start date: as soon as possible.

For questions about the role, contact Prof. Franco Sassi (f.sassi@imperial.ac.uk).

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