Research Associate, Healthcare & Human Services Policy (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:
Benefits at a Glance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

We currently have openings for entry-level Research Associates with a
strong interest in managing and evaluating federal, state, or foundation-funded
programs and policies across health, disability, education, and employment
domains. The research associate role blends research, technical assistance, and
project management.

We are seeking intellectually prospective employees with a
passion for applied policy research and an interest in improving government
programs and service delivery systems. Research Associates contribute to a
variety of activities including evaluation design, data collection, analysis,
technical assistance, and operational support to inform evidence-based decision
making.

In particular, we are looking for individuals who can
support current and emerging work across a range of areas spanning healthcare
and human services, such as disability, population health, mental health and
substance use, value-based purchasing and alternative payment models, and
health care quality and outcomes, as well as education and employment domains
including K-12 and postsecondary education systems, workforce development and
training programs, employment services, and education-to-workforce transitions.
Candidates do not need experience in all these areas but should have academic
or professional experience in at least one. We encourage candidates who enjoy
working in a collaborative environment that emphasizes quality, rigor, and
critical thinking to apply.

Research Associates work across multiple policy areas,
typically on 3-4 projects at a time in roles requiring team coordination and
occasionally direct client contact. Research Associates may support projects
across the Healthcare Evaluation & Disability (HED) and Education &
Employment (EE) portfolios. Final team placement will align with candidate
experience and business needs.

Across all projects, Research Associates are expected to
perform a combination of the following tasks:

• Support
  project management activities, including creating agendas, tracking
  deliverables, scheduling meetings, and taking notes
• Learn
  complex policies and programs across health, education, employment, and
  disability domains to develop subject matter expertise
• Assist
  with interview scheduling, note-taking, and other qualitative data
  collection activities such as interviews, site visits, and focus groups
• Support
  quantitative and/or qualitative analyses, including cleaning, organizing,
  and summarizing data using tables, figures, and descriptive statistics
• Support
  recruitment and coordination with participating organizations such as
  schools, workforce programs, health care providers, or community-based
  organizations
• Compile
  and track project information in spreadsheets and databases
• Perform
  literature searches and reviews and synthesize findings from reports,
  policy documents, and academic articles
• Support
  administration and oversight of survey and data collection tasks,
  including preparing training materials, delivering training, and
  performing quality control activities
• Provide
  logistical and operational support for evaluations, including coordinating
  trainings, webinars, and expert meetings
• Provide
  or support delivery of technical assistance to programs, grantees, or
  government agencies
• Contribute
  to reports, issue briefs, client memos, and technical assistance tools

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in the social sciences, public policy, public health, education, economics, or a related field with an excellent academic record
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with a high level of attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, and self-directed, with strong interpersonal skills
• Interest in improving and researching government programs or providing technical assistance to public sector or nonprofit organizations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Some travel may be required

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
• Experience conducting research, evaluation, or data collection in health, education, workforce, or human services settings, including work with federal or state agencies, foundations, or related organizations
• Experience with project management or collaboration tools such as Microsoft Project, Confluence, SharePoint, or Jira
• Experience with quantitative or qualitative analytic software such as R, Stata, SAS, SPSS, NVivo, or ATLAS.ti
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to translate complex ideas for diverse audiences
• Curious, analytically minded, and comfortable responsibly incorporating AI tools into day-to-day work. Experience using AI to support research tasks, whether for literature reviews, data analysis, drafting, or synthesis, is a plus.

This position offers an anticipated base salary of $57,000-$65,000 annually.

Application Instructions:

Please submit a cover letter and your resume along with a work product that reflects independent analysis and writing, such as a capstone project or an analytic report.

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, orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

At Mathematica, we understand the importance of building relationships with colleagues. If you're not located near one of our offices but would like opportunities to meet up with co-workers, we offer coworking spaces where available. Ask your Talent Acquisition partner for more information about this opportunity and whether it's an option in your area.

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon passing a background check. Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance. Additionally, if you participate in or complete the application process and are denied, Mathematica may choose to terminate your employment.

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.