Experience Inc. Jobs

• Position Description*:

Mathematica seeks a senior researcher or researcher who is passionate about systematically improving mathematics instruction for K-12 students, and particularly for students from historically underserved populations. This person will lead math-focused education projects for various entities, particularly the Institute of Education SciencesRegional Education Laboratory for the Central Region(REL Central; CO, KS, NE, ND, SD, MO, and WY). REL work melds deep content and methodological expertise with extensive partnership building. REL projects allow local communities to have the advantage of high caliber research and technical assistance/coaching support that is targeted to their priorities and particular contexts.  The person in this role will use their expertise to make a tangible impact on students, teachers, schools, communities, and systems.  

The person in this role must have demonstrated excellence in:

• Building relationships with educator partners at states, districts, tribal agencies, schools, and other entities to understand their K-12 math needs and pursue evidence-informed solutions
• Strengthening partners’ capacity to use evidence and generate actionable data to inform policies, practices, and interventions in K-12 math education
• Collaborating with local partners to develop, implement, and/or test innovations and strategies for improving K-12 math performance
• Providing thought leadership in substantive topics related to systemic math improvement and evidence-informed strategies to improve outcomes, particularly for students from historically underserved populations
• Developing evidence-based professional learning systems for math teachers that incorporate principles of high-quality adult learning by closely connecting professional learning opportunities to school-based practices

The person in this role will also contribute to other math education projects for federal, state, and local government agencies and foundation clients. We partner with clients such as the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, the National Science Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, and numerous state and local agencies.

Examples of our current work to which this person may contribute include:

• Working with teachers in Tribal jurisdictions to develop, implement and scale effective culture-based math interventions designed to substantially improve math outcomes for indigenous learners.
• Partnering with SEAs and districts to support schools in differentiating instruction via blended learning so that teachers are better able to target instruction to learners’ specific needs.
• Designing a toolkit for algebra teachers so that they are better able to implement evidence-based strategies (such as using worked examples) in algebra I classrooms.
• Partnering with a foundation to develop and launch an evidence-grounded impact decision-support tool that shows the potential outcomes of foundation strategies with the associated uncertainties
• Partnering with foundation grantees to co-develop and implement measurement and evaluation plans to inform the improvement of math interventions and assess their outcomes
• Support a foundation to make sense of research evidence and use it to inform decision making across a portfolio of grantees working to improve math outcomes for students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty
• Supporting a foundation to assess the effectiveness of math curricula in improving a range of student outcomes how different professional learning supports are related to their effectiveness.
• Partnering with the U.S. Department of education to conduct a rigorous study of the relative effects of different types of math curricula.
• Partnering with a state education agency to build a cohesive partnership around addressing math learning loss that resulted from learning disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The new researcher or senior researcher will join Mathematica’s growing interdisciplinary staff with backgrounds in education, child or human development, learning sciences, psychology, sociology, economics, public policy, and data science in the Employment and Education Division (EED) within the Human Services unit. They will contribute to growth in the EED division by leading and supporting projects, identifying and obtaining new work, and mentoring junior staff.

• Position Requirements*:

  • Experience partnering with educational entities to develop and improve programs and improve outcomes for K-12 students, preferably math outcomes for students in historically underserved populations.
  • Familiarity with the evidence base for effective practices, programs, and interventions in K-12 math
  • Interest in co-developing a portfolio of projects focused on improving K-12 math outcomes across Central region states and tribal entities
  • 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 other external stakeholders and to lead a team with collaborators, including subcontractors and consultants, to work toward improving student and educator outcomes.
  • Ph.D. or master’s degree in relevant field (for example, public policy, economics, sociology, education, psychology, social work, public health, or other social sciences). We will consider candidates without an advanced degree who demonstrate substantial relevant experience.

Staff with practitioner experience in K-12 education,as demonstrated by experience in one or more of the following areas are preferred:

• Teaching (early childhood through grade 12), particularly in math or other STEM subjects.
• Instructional leadership (e.g., instructional coach or professional development lead), particularly in math or other STEM subjects.
• School or district leadership (e.g., assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent)
• Curriculum writing/ curriculum development, particularly for K-12 math
• Designing, leading, or contributing to programmatic or policy change at a State Education Agency or other educational entity

Staff with experience in one or more of the following areasare preferred:

• Direct experience working with state and local education agencies, Native American tribes, and tribal education departments, especially in the Central region (CO, KS, NE, ND, SD, MO, WY)
• Working on federally funded programs and projects such as the Regional Educational Laboratory system.
• Employing participatory research methods and the principles of equitable evaluation, including incorporating education community members’ voices into research design, execution, and the interpretation of results.
• Employing rapid-cycle evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and/or human centered design methods.

Candidates with ten or more years of experience working with programs, including experience leading teams, will be considered for the senior researcher role. At the senior level, a Ph.D. or master’s degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of $90,000-$130,000 (researcher); and $115,000 - $155,000 (senior researcher).

We offer flexibility to work remotely or in an office. The ideal candidate would be located in the REL Central region: CO, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD, or WY.

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. 

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.