The IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), a French research institute working on global change and sustainable development in more than 50 countries, is recruiting an epidemiologist researcher on a 24-month fixed-term contract (CDD), based in Montpellier (UMR MIVEGEC), starting around 1 March 2027. Occasional travel to Madagascar is expected.
The position is part of the Ezaka Ho Tomady (EHT) programme, funded by the European Union in Madagascar for 2025–2029 (€32.5 million), which aims to strengthen the health system and improve equitable access to quality essential health services. The IRD provides technical assistance, including action-research to guide programme implementation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, UNICEF and the AFD.
Mission: Under the scientific co-director of the programme, and with IRD teams, INSPC and Malagasy partners, assess baseline health status and the effects of UNICEF-supported health system strengthening interventions in five districts of Madagascar, in order to identify progress, inequalities and useful programme adjustments.
Activities:
- Analyse representative household surveys (2026 and 2028): data preparation, weighting, estimates of maternal and child care coverage, mortality and nutrition.
- Study socio-economic and geographic determinants and inequalities in access to care, and their evolution between the two surveys.
- Conduct quantitative evaluation of interventions: before-after analyses and, where reliable comparators exist, quasi-experimental difference-in-differences with synthetic controls.
- Use monthly DHIS2 health information system data: data quality, service-use trends, interrupted time series, district comparisons.
- Produce reproducible analyses in R, write scientific articles and reports, and translate results into operational lessons for partners including UNICEF and the Ministry of Public Health.
- Contribute to feedback sessions with partners; occasionally deliver data-analysis training and co-supervise Master's students with INSPC.
Profile: PhD (level 8) in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, applied statistics or a related quantitative discipline. Excellent command of R and epidemiological statistical methods with reproducible analysis practice; experience analysing complex population surveys (weighting, stratification, clustering); mastery of longitudinal and quasi-experimental approaches (difference-in-differences, interrupted time series); ability to prepare and check heterogeneous data; knowledge of DHIS2, DHS/MICS or spatial analysis is appreciated; excellent scientific writing and communication in French and English (C1–C2). Rigour, autonomy, teamwork, and dialogue with non-academic partners.
Benefits: 32 days leave + 13 RTT, remote work 1–3 days per week possible, collective catering, MGEN supplementary health cover, social welfare association, training and mobility support.
Date limite de candidature 16/11/2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the IRD recruitment portal (candidate space) at the offer URL. HR contact: recrutement.dr-occitanie@ird.fr
https://emploi-recrutement.ird.fr/offre-de-emploi/emploi-chercheur-en-epidemiologie-et-evaluation-des-systemes-de-sante-h-f_848.aspx