Senior Cross-Cutting Researcher

About GiveWell

GiveWell's mission is to help people in need by researching the most cost-effective ways to save and improve lives, sharing work openly, and directing donations to high-impact programs. The organization has grown from directing $1.5 million in 2010 to over $400 million in 2025, with grantmaking anticipated to approach or exceed $1 billion annually.

The Role

GiveWell seeks a Senior Researcher for the Cross-Cutting team to strengthen funding decisions across the entire portfolio. The Cross-Cutting team addresses methodological questions, research quality, and organization-wide problems that transcend individual program areas.

As a Senior Cross-Cutting Researcher, you will:

• Shape ambitious research agendas spanning GiveWell's portfolios
• Answer complex questions that inform grantmaking decisions across the organization
• Conduct rigorous evidence reviews and cost-effectiveness modeling
• Lead retrospective evaluations of completed grants ("lookbacks")
• Conduct red-teaming exercises to scrutinize grantmaking areas
• Collect on-the-ground quantitative and qualitative data to identify gaps in current grantmaking
• Explore applications of AI to improve research processes
• Develop new methods to solicit expert feedback and measure value of information
• Address complex research questions affecting the entire portfolio

Team & Approach

You will join a small, collaborative team combining rigorous evidence review, cost-effectiveness modeling, and thoughtful judgment. GiveWell supports diverse professional development pathways based on your preferences and organizational needs.

Location & Employment

This is a remote position open to candidates in the United States and internationally.

Compensation Disclosure: GiveWell has not published salary information for this role. The estimated range of $80,000–$130,000 USD annually is an editorial market estimate based on comparable senior research positions in the nonprofit and effective altruism sectors. Actual compensation varies by experience, location, qualifications, and GiveWell's final offer.