Social & Behavioral Sciences Consultant – Diagnostics

About the role

PATH is seeking a Consultant – Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Advisor to support diagnostic validation studies for Ebola virus disease. The consultant will integrate social and behavioral science activities throughout study design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination, ensuring community perspectives and implementation realities are central to the work.

Key responsibilities

• Design and embed SBS activities within diagnostic validation and product introduction studies.
• Define research questions, develop protocols, discussion guides, survey instruments, and informed‑consent materials.
• Advise on qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‑methods approaches to address behavioral and implementation research questions.
• Conduct usability and user‑experience assessments for healthcare workers and other intended users.
• Assess patient, caregiver, healthcare worker, and community perceptions of diagnostic processes.
• Identify social, cultural, behavioral, and operational factors influencing study participation and diagnostic uptake.
• Provide guidance on informed‑consent processes, community engagement, and participant communications.
• Support teams in addressing specimen collection, storage, privacy, confidentiality, and data‑sharing concerns.
• Identify behavioral risks such as stigma, false‑negative consequences, and delayed care‑seeking.

Required profile

• Advanced expertise in global health, diagnostics, and implementation research.
• Proven experience with diagnostic validation studies and outbreak response.
• Strong ability to collaborate with investigators, ministries of health, community organizations, and local stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‑methods research designs.
• Experience designing usability and user‑experience assessments for health technologies.
• Familiarity with community engagement, informed‑consent processes, and ethical considerations in health research.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence diagnostic uptake in critical public‑health emergencies.
• Collaboration with leading global health experts and partners.
• Flexible consulting arrangement with a respected nonprofit organization.