Position Description:

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to address complex social challenges and improve well-being around the world. We create and use evidence to help our public and private sector partners improve programs, refine strategies, and advance knowledge. Over the past two decades, we have developed a large portfolio of international development work that spans more than 50 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Our work provides actionable learning to guide decision-making and improve outcomes in a range of policy areas, including health, agriculture, climate change, energy, education, and workforce development.

Mathematica seeks a principal researcher with expertise in postsecondary education to lead research and evaluation, program improvement, and/or technical assistance projects. The principal researcher will lead projects focused on postsecondary access and success, financial aid, and other postsecondary education topics for government agencies at the federal, state, and local level as well as private philanthropic and nonprofit clients.

Our current and recent work includes a range of projects such as:

• Developing a practice guide for secondary school educators on evidence-based college access and readiness practices
• Serving as a learning and evaluation partner for nine urban-serving universities aiming to build inclusive success pathways for adult learners
• Conducting a random assignment evaluation of a training for career navigators designed to support college and career transitions for learners enrolled in adult education programs
• Developing and executing a learning agenda for a postsecondary digital learning portfolio for a national philanthropic funder

The principal researcher will join our large and growing interdisciplinary staff of researchers in such fields as economics, education (measurement or policy analysis), sociology, and data science. Principal researchers will contribute to continuing growth in the Education and Employment division by directing projects, identifying and obtaining new opportunities, and mentoring junior staff.

Responsibilities:

• Represents Mathematica to clients as project director, principal investigator, or subject matter expert; able to engage clients to work through challenges and offer research, technical, or program expertise to help solve problems
• Regularly leads proposal content development, and leads the quality assurance reviews of other proposals in their field of expertise
• Assists in developing strategy and priorities around which clients to pursue, how to best leverage Mathematica expertise, and where to build additional capabilities
• Demonstrates thought leadership in one or more subject matter areas through published material including papers, journal articles, blog posts or other communications
• Represents Mathematica externally by speaking at conferences, leading panel discussions, serving on technical expert panels, and/or providing testimony
• Serves as mentor and thought leader at Mathematica for staff in one or more areas of subject matter expertise; develops ways to engage staff and share knowledge

Position Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in education (measurement or policy analysis), economics, sociology, public policy, or a related field or a combination of equivalent education and work experience
• 10 or more years of experience working with or evaluating programs/interventions designed to improve postsecondary access and success
• Experience in equitable evaluation and inclusive research is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Evidence of successful business development activities with the federal government, state or local education agencies, non-profits, or foundations
• Experience interacting with philanthropy, state and local education agencies, postsecondary education institutions, or other program practitioners through such as activities as training and technical assistance, program or curriculum development, or continuous quality improvement is a plus.
• Ability to develop research and policy questions and establish policy and technical frameworks for addressing them
• Ability to develop and implement solutions to critical issues facing government and private program providers
• Ability to discern policy, infrastructure, and data needs for the Postsecondary area within the Human Services unit
• Experience with quality assurance procedures
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience communicating research questions, designs, and findings in non-technical language to educators, school district leaders, postsecondary education institutions, states, federal agencies, foundations, and non-profits
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with clients and other external stakeholders
• Flexibility to handle multiple priorities, sometimes simultaneously, under deadline pressure
• Strong managerial skills of both projects and staff
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion through prior work.

Our work is more robust because it is informed by a variety of diverse perspectives, and we encourage applications from principal researchers from under-represented backgrounds. A cover letter and resume must be submitted at the time of application via our online application system. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis in the order that applications are received.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of $140,000 - $200,000. We offer flexibility to work remotely or in an office.

Available locations: Princeton, NJ; Washington, DC; Cambridge, MA; Ann Arbor, MI; Oakland, CA; Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; Remote

More about Mathematica
Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development. Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance.