Position Description:

We are looking for senior researchers who are passionate about improving the well-being of marginalized or under-served communities to lead Human Services research and evaluation, program improvement, and technical assistance projects for foundations, non-profits, and public agencies. Our Human Services team works in a variety of program and policy areas including education, employment, early childhood, family support, and nutrition.

We seek candidates with expertise in equitable evaluation and/or culturally responsive approaches to creating and using evidence who have experience working closely with clients and project teams to apply an equity lens. We seek experiences in:

• Centering equity principles when engaging practitioners and communities and co-creating measurement, learning, and evaluation throughout all phases of a project.
• Elevating and centering the values, voices, and validity of those most impacted by research and program work.
• Identifying and analyzing how institutional, systemic, structural, or historical factors contribute to disparities and examining strategies to improve outcomes of historically marginalized communities.

As part of a community of colleagues committed to social impact, senior researchers deliver on the promise of our mission in service of equity and equitable outcomes. The following projects illustrate the types of work we have been doing recently:

• Conducting studies of initiatives designed to address root causes of educational and other disparities
• Providing engaging technical assistance to states and school districts to help them implement culturally responsive pedagogies and practices
• Conducting rapid-cycle learning activities for practitioners involved in two generation programs that combine adult training and early childhood programs and are informed by discussions with those impacted by the programs
• Facilitating technical assistance and communities of practice designed to advance learning and the objectives of grantmaking programs
• Conducting studies with tribal communities that engage community representatives in all aspects of the work

The new senior researchers will join Mathematica’s growing interdisciplinary staff with backgrounds in education, child or human development, psychology, sociology, economics, public policy, and data science in the Human Services unit. They will contribute to growth in the Human Services unit by leading and supporting projects, identifying and obtaining new work, and mentoring junior staff.

The role includes these activities:

• Leading interdisciplinary teams to bring an equity focused lens to research, program improvement, and technical assistance projects
• Applying principles of equitable evaluation and incorporating diverse participants, practitioners, and communities in sense-making, design, data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Working collaboratively with program providers and other practitioners to develop, implement, or test strategies for improving program performance and services in equitable ways
• Building partnerships and engaging with clients to understand the challenges they face and working collaboratively with them to develop innovative solutions, particularly as they relate to equity
• Contributing to the professional development of other Mathematica staff, particularly around equitable evaluation practices
• Providing thought leadership in the area of equitable evaluation, culturally responsive approaches, and participatory research
• Contributing to business development and proposals for new projects for foundations, non-profits, and government agencies
• Communicating with program/project officers and client staff or partners as appropriate on the financial status of projects, design and technical issues, and project reports and presentations

Position Requirements:

• Ten or more years of experience working with Human Service programs in the areas of evaluation, strategy, learning, training, capacity building, and/or performance measurement; at least five years of experience leading work in equitable evaluation and/or culturally responsive approaches and/or participatory research
• Extensive knowledge of how to center equity in working with communities impacted by programs in education, early childhood, employment, and/or family support

• Familiarity with the evidence base for effective practices, programs, and interventions in human services areas
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion through prior work.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience facilitating meetings, adult learning sessions and communicating research findings to non-technical audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with clients and community members and to lead a team with collaborators, including subcontractors and consultants, to work toward improving student and educator outcomes.
• Evidence of successful business development activities with the federal government, foundations, or state or local education agencies.
• Ph.D. or master’s degree in relevant field. We will consider candidates without an advanced degree who demonstrate substantial relevant experience.

Our work is more robust because it is informed by a variety of diverse perspectives, and we encourage applications from senior researchers from under-represented backgrounds.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of $115,000 - $155,000. 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

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.

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.

One of Mathematica’s core values is a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our efforts are more robust because they are informed by a variety of diverse perspectives, and our mission to improve societal well-being is strengthened by a greater understanding of issues and challenges facing the populations we serve. Mathematica’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion is woven into our everyday actions, policies, and practices—including decisions regarding recruitment, training, compensation, and promotion. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We offer Employee Resources Groups on a variety of topics, local diversity and inclusion activities in each office, and a Diversity council.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work. As a winner of the "Excellence in Diversity Award," we know that building an inclusive culture based on the diverse strengths of employees from different backgrounds is key to our success.