Sr. Researcher, Healthcare Evaluation (Remote Eligible)

Mathematica, Inc.; Ann Arbor (MI); Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mathematica is seeking a Sr. Researcher, Healthcare Evaluation, who will lead complex research and evaluation projects focused on health policy and federal programs. The role emphasizes working with CMS data, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and translating analytic findings into actionable insights for clients.

Remote eligible with potential collaboration across offices. Ideal candidates bring 10+ years of research experience, strong quantitative skills, and excellent communication for

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or master's degree with equivalent experience in a relevant field; a combination of education and work experience may be substituted.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in research, evaluation, data analytics, health policy, or a related field.
• Strong quantitative research skills and demonstrated expertise designing and conducting rigorous program or policy evaluations.
• Experience working with large, complex administrative data, including CMS data; knowledge of CMS programs and data (CMMI a plus).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for policy and practitioner audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on complex quantitative research and evaluation activities for federal and other clients
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams, providing direction and coordination to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget
• Design and implement rigorous research and evaluation approaches to address health policy and program questions
• Work with large administrative data sources, including CMS data, to assess programs, policies, outcomes, and implementation
• Assess data quality and guide interpretation of findings
• Lead and contribute to efforts to integrate, link, and aggregate multiple data sources
• Apply advanced quantitative methods to analyze data and answer policy questions
• Explore machine learning and AI to improve research efficiency and client decision making
• Translate complex methods and findings into clear information for policymakers and practitioners
• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to inform decisions
• Incorporate stakeholder perspectives into research design and reporting
• Develop client deliverables: analytic reports, memos, briefs, dashboards
• Present findings to policy, practitioner, and research audiences
• Delegate and mentor project staff, and support task leadership
• Contribute to proposals and business development activities
• Contribute to external thought leadership through publications and talks
• Foster Mathematica's culture of belonging and high-quality work

Skills

Quantitative research

Data analytics

Health policy

Project leadership

Communication

CMS data familiarity

Education

Ph.D. or master's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Sr. Researcher, Healthcare Evaluation (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: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Mathematica is seeking a Senior Researcher with strong quantitative research and evaluation expertise to lead and contribute to complex research, evaluation, and data analytics projects, with a particular focus on health policy and federal health programs. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience designing and conducting rigorous evaluations, working with large and complex administrative data, and translating research and analytic findings into actionable insights for clients and policymakers.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience working with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data and programs, including the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). The successful candidate will combine strong methodological and analytic expertise with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, collaborate effectively with clients and partners, and contribute to the development of new approaches that improve the efficiency, timeliness, and usefulness of research and evaluation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead
  and advise on complex quantitative research and evaluation activities for
  federal and other clients
• Lead
  multidisciplinary project teams, providing the direction, organization,
  and coordination necessary to deliver high-quality work on time and within
  budget
• Design
  and implement rigorous research and evaluation approaches to address
  complex health policy and program questions
• Work
  with large and complex administrative data sources, including CMS data, to
  assess programs, policies, outcomes, and implementation
• Assess
  data quality and fitness for use, identify and address limitations in
  administrative data, and guide appropriate interpretation of findings
• Lead
  and contribute to efforts to integrate, link, and aggregate multiple data
  sources to support research and decision making
• Apply
  advanced quantitative methods to analyze data and answer research and
  policy questions
• Explore
  and apply machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other emerging
  analytic approaches to improve research efficiency, accelerate the
  generation of insights, and support client decision making
• Assess
  the strength of study designs and existing evidence and contribute to
  evidence reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, as appropriate
• Translate
  complex research methods, data considerations, and findings into clear and
  actionable information for policymakers, program administrators,
  practitioners, and other audiences
• Collaborate
  closely with clients and other stakeholders to understand their needs,
  communicate project progress and findings, and inform program and policy
  decisions
• Incorporate
  stakeholder, participant, and community perspectives into research and
  evaluation design, implementation, and reporting, as appropriate
• Develop
  and contribute to client deliverables, including analytic and technical
  reports, memos, issue briefs, presentations, technical assistance
  resources, data visualizations, and dashboards
• Present
  research findings and technical information to policy, practitioner,
  researcher, and other external audiences
• Delegate
  and oversee research and evaluation activities to project staff and
  provide leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to support
  successful completion of project tasks
• Lead
  and contribute to proposals and other business development activities,
  including helping to identify client needs and opportunities to apply or
  expand Mathematica's expertise
• Contribute
  to external and internal thought leadership through publications,
  presentations, technical papers, articles, blog posts, webinars, or other
  communications
• Contribute
  to the growth, expertise, and institutional knowledge of Mathematica staff
• Champion
  Mathematica's values, cultural fundamentals, and culture of belonging
  while promoting a positive workplace experience

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D.
  or master's degree with equivalent experience in a relevant field; a
  combination of equivalent education and work experience may be substituted
  for these requirements
• At
  least 10 years of relevant experience in research, evaluation, data
  analytics, health policy, or a related field
• Strong
  quantitative research skills and demonstrated expertise designing and
  conducting rigorous program or policy evaluations
• Experience
  working with large, complex administrative data, including demonstrated
  ability to understand and address data quality, completeness, consistency,
  and other limitations
• Experience
  integrating, linking, or aggregating multiple data sources for research
  and analysis
• Knowledge
  of and experience working with CMS programs, policies, and/or data;
  experience with CMMI is strongly preferred
• Experience
  applying or incorporating machine learning, artificial intelligence, or
  other advanced analytic approaches to improve research processes, analytic
  efficiency, or the generation of actionable insights
• Demonstrated
  ability to provide task and project leadership and coordinate the work of
  multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent
  written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate
  complex research methods, data issues, and findings for policy and
  practitioner audiences
• Strong
  stakeholder and client management skills, including the ability to build
  productive relationships and facilitate discussions with diverse groups
• Strong
  organizational skills and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability
  to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and project financial targets
• Strong
  facilitation, listening, relationship-building, and consensus-building
  skills
• Experience working with other federal health or
  human services agencies is a plus

Currently, Mathematica's largest client is Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Most staff working on CMS contracts will be required to complete a successful background investigation including the Questionnaire for Public Trust Position SF-85. Staff that are unable to successfully undergo the background investigation will need to be able to obtain work outside CMS. Staff will work with their supervisor to get re-staffed, however if they are unable to do so it may result in employment termination due to lack of work.

This position offers an anticipated base salary range of $120,000 - $160,000 on an annual basis. This position is eligible for an annual bonus target opportunity based on individual and company performance.

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.

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/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.