Principal Researcher/Sr. Fellow & Project Leader - Education (Remote Eligible)

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 using data science and analytics. 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 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.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

Mathematica seeks a principal researcher or senior fellow who is passionate about improving educational outcomes to lead research and evaluation, program improvement, and technical assistance projects. We seek a principal researcher to lead research and evaluation, program improvement, and/or technical assistance projects in education. The principal researcher will lead projects focused on a variety of K-12 and postsecondary education topics, including literacy and math instruction, the educator workforce, chronic absenteeism, education technology, personalized learning, postsecondary access and success, career and technical education, and postsecondary supports for government agencies at the federal, state, and local level as well as private philanthropic and nonprofit clients.

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

Required 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 (principal researcher) or 15/+ years of experience (senior fellow) working with or evaluating education programs/interventions
• Extensive knowledge of federal education programs and approaches for improving educational outcomes for children, such as educator preparation and professional development, high quality instructional materials, school improvement strategies, special education services, and college and career readiness programs
• Experience partnering with state and local education agencies or other practitioners through research-practice partnerships, including projects focused on a variety of activities such as training and technical assistance, program or curriculum development, or continuous improvement
• Candidates with direct experience working in state and local education agencies or supporting state and local education agencies across the country are particularly encouraged to apply

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 activities such as training and technical assistance, program or curriculum development
• 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
• Experience conducting quality assurance to strengthen deliverables
• 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, and meet project timelines
• Strong managerial skills of both projects and staff