Position Description:

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 family support, nutrition, education, early childhood, and employment to health, 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.

Currently, we are looking for researchers to join our vibrant and growing Human Services division. Our researchers support ongoing project teams in the planning and execution of research projects for clients such as: The U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services, Justice, and Labor, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and numerous state and local agencies. Mathematica is seeking researchers with specific expertise who will conduct studies and support program improvement in the areas of child welfare, teen pregnancy prevention, employment, education, STEM, economic support for families receiving social benefits such as SNAP and TANF, strengthening families, child nutrition, criminal justice, and related topics.

The following projects illustrate the type of work we currently have under way.

• Assessing barriers to participation in nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP and their impact on the food security and well-being of families with low incomes
• Evaluating teacher training and professional development, literacy and STEM curriculum, school choice, and school improvement programs
• Assessing the implementation and effectiveness of linked, employment-focused reentry services delivered to individuals pre- and post-release
• Helping grantees who are implementing programs that address teen pregnancy and youth homelessness to produce rigorous evidence of program effectiveness (an example of evaluation technical assistance)
• Helping agencies understand how to apply equitable evaluation principles to evaluation design, analysis, and dissemination efforts
• Helping states and school districts build capacity to use data and strengthen supports for educators and students
• Applying rigorous analytic methods to survey and administrative data to evaluate the impacts of coaching programs, and examining the factors that contribute to program effectiveness
• Working collaboratively with SNAP and TANF agencies to iteratively test implementation strategies and gather information on their success, using techniques such as rapid cycle evaluation
• Assessing the implementation, cost, and quality of early childhood education
• Conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses to determine the effectiveness of interventions, programs, policies, and practices across a range of populations and policy areas
• Improving child welfare outcomes for children and families using modeling techniques such as predictive analytics
• Evaluating strategies for strengthening the engagement of fathers and paternal relatives with children
• Advising workforce development programs and state SNAP and TANF agencies on evidence-based ways to increase program engagement and on continuous improvement approaches to learn, innovate, and improve

Depending on projects and interests, duties might include:

• Assessing the strength of study designs and summarizing large and diverse sets of existing research through systematic reviews and meta-analyses
• Guiding program staff and policymakers in the use of evidence to make decisions about program selection and adaptation
• Bringing an equity-focused lens to process of conducting research and evaluation, study design, execution, and reporting
• Participating in evaluation activities such as developing rigorous study designs, conducting qualitative interviews and focus groups, analyzing quantitative and/or qualitative data, reviewing and synthesizing existing evidence, applying innovative methods such as machine-learning techniques, contributing to briefs and reports, and developing data visualizations to enhance the accessibility of findings.
• Helping program administrators and policymakers make decisions by cleaning, organizing, analyzing, and presenting large amounts of data
• Collaborating with state and local organizations through conducting evaluations or refining their programs
• Incorporating diverse stakeholder, participant, and community voices to contextualize findings
• Presenting findings and disseminating information to policy, practitioner, and researcher audiences.

Position Requirements:

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree with equivalent experience in economics, public policy, social work, sociology, psychology, education, statistics, data science/data analytics, demography, or a related field
• Strong quantitative and/or qualitative analytical skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to translate complex research methods and findings for a practitioner and policy audience
• Ability to work well in teams
• Of interest: experience working at a human services program or agency, school district, TANF agency, child welfare agency, state or federal government, or foundations

Mathematica offers a strong benefits package, which includes a profit-sharing 401(k) plan, health, dental, disability, and life insurance plans, comprehensive paid time off, and tuition benefits. Training and professional development are also provided. 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 research is more robust because it is 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.

A cover letter, CV, and writing sample or job market paper must be submitted at the time of application via our online application system. The deadline for applying to be considered for an interview is November 28, 2022. If you will be attending APPAM in November, please indicate that in your cover letter. We will also be conducting remote interviews.

Additionally, three letters of recommendation should be submitted directly by your references to HumanResources@mathematica-mpr.com.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of $90,000-$130,000. This position may be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance.

Available locations: Princeton, NJ; Washington, DC; Cambridge, MA; Ann Arbor, MI; Oakland, CA; Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL. The position is remote eligible.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. We welcome all candidates to consider joining our team.