The Population Council transforms global thinking on critical health and development issues through social science, public health, and biomedical research. Our success is due to the passion and commitment of staff working around the world.

We invite you to meet our people, learn about our mission and strategic plan, and follow us. We are guided by values of: Excellence and innovation; Collaboration and partnership; Diversity, equity, and inclusion; Accountability; and Ethics.

Salary transparency. The Population Council uses a strategy of market pricing when determining salary grades and ranges, constructing salary scales (hierarchy of positions/salary ranges), and placing individual positions into specific salary grades. We analyze external salary survey data to determine competitive pay levels for comparable positions in comparable organizations. We build consistency in salaries, salary scales, and compensation across our offices and affiliates. Local regulations and practices also are taken into account when developing compensation policies.

Professional training and development opportunities. The Population Council attracts, develops, and retains talent across the organization. An accelerated talent development program is available to staff who demonstrate the potential, aspiration, behaviors, commitment, and passion to become our next generation of leaders. The program operates on a two-year cycle, with a cohort of 15 colleagues per cycle from across the Council’s offices, programs, and functions. The program supports staff in their individual professional journeys and builds leadership skills and competencies, including the ability to set direction, engage people, and deliver results. The program provides participants with tailored advice, guidance, and opportunities to accelerate their career progression.

In addition to the accelerated talent development program, the Council provides all staff with professional development opportunities such as online and in-person training, education assistance, and support for memberships in professional organizations.

The Population Council offers competitive, flexible work schedules and comprehensive benefits. Benefits in all offices include health insurance available immediately upon hire, generous annual and sick leave, and paid parental leave.

Benefits for full-time US staff include:

  • Medical, dental, and vision
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Life insurance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Short-term and long-term disability benefits
  • 403B retirement with 12% employer contribution (up to a maximum salary of $200,000) after 1 year of employment
  • 13 weeks of paid family leave
  • 24 vacation and 12 sick days per year (accrued semi-monthly)
  • Approximately 10 paid holidays
  • Summer Fridays (half-day Fridays at the beginning of each summer through Labor Day)
  • Education assistance
  • College tuition support for dependents

The Population Council believes in the power of diverse perspectives. We champion all voices, treat one another with dignity and respect, and build trust and belonging.

Through our ongoing Agenda for Change initiative, we work to become an antiracist organization and to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We refine systems, structures, and processes to achieve and measure meaningful and sustainable impact across multiple dimensions.

The Population Council provides equal opportunity. We do not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered.

The Population Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to Black people and people of African descent, Indigenous people, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information.