Quantitative Equity Research Associate

Overview:

MDRC invites applicants for a position as a Quantitative Equity Research Associate. This position, located in the Center for Data Insights (CDI) will focus on leading our organization’s advancement in quantitative and data science methods that measure, describe and analyze equity in access to and outcomes of human service programs. The associate will bring their expertise to bear on projects in multiple MDRC policy areas, which include children and families, pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade education, postsecondary education, young people who are not connected to work or school, work and income security, housing, economic mobility, criminal and juvenile justice, and health. 

MDRC is committed to finding solutions to some of the most difficult problems facing the nation — from reducing poverty and bolstering economic self-sufficiency to improving public education and college graduation rates. We design promising new interventions, evaluate existing programs using the highest research standards, and provide technical assistance to build better programs and deliver effective interventions at scale. We work as an intermediary, bringing together public and private funders to test new policy-relevant ideas, and communicate what we learn to policymakers and practitioners — all while embedding a focus on equity in our interventions designed to improve the lives of individuals, families, and children with limited income.

The MDRC Equity Collaborative and the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Council support the thoughtful and systematic application of culturally responsive, equity-based, and inclusive research practices in MDRC’s work. We seek to enhance the quality and rigor of our work, in terms of how we understand the social and education policy challenges that we aim to address, in what we study, in how we conduct our work and interact with the communities our work serves, and in how we share our findings. In doing so, we aim to enhance the relevance and promise of our work in reducing inequities in social, educational, and economic institutions and systems.

Responsibilities:

·       Collaborate with staff within CDI and within MDRC policy areas to develop frameworks for conducting and communicating empirical research that centers racial equity or reflects culturally responsive analytics. Also support staff in developing analytic guides, code repositories, dashboards, data visualizations and communication templates that implement these frameworks.

·       Join multidisciplinary teams – combining expertise in data science, behavioral science, operations and subject-matter knowledge – on technical assistance projects focused on improving the equity of access to and outcomes of social services programs.

·       Contribute to building a team culture centered around diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracist practices.

·       Engage with MDRC senior management and methods groups, such as MDRCs’ Equity Collaborative and Implementation Research Group, among others, to support learning throughout the organization about culturally responsive evaluation and research and technical assistance. 

Requirements:

·       Doctorate or master’s degree in quantitative social science, data science, statistics, biostatistics, economics, education, public policy, sociology, public health or a related field OR 5+ years applying quantitative or data science methods (which could include predictive analytics and machine learning)

·       Knowledge of and expertise in racial equity research or culturally responsive measures and methods.

·       Demonstrated interest in using quantitative methods for social good and in one or more of MDRC’s policy areas: children and families, pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade education, postsecondary education, young people who are not connected to work or school, work and income security, housing and communities, economic mobility, criminal and juvenile justice, and health.

·       Excellent communication skills and ability to explain technical approaches to variety of audiences.

·       Experience working in or with nonprofit organizations or local, state, or federal government agencies is preferred.

·       Familiarity with qualitative research methods focused on equity is a plus.

·       Ability to work both independently and as part of diverse, multidisciplinary teams.

·       Comfort working in a fast-paced environment and in a hybrid workplace

The position is open to all MDRC office locations in NY, DC, LA, and Oakland, California. Some on-the-job training is provided.

If you want to be part of a diverse and multidisciplinary staff in a collaborative environment and values a meaningful career, then we want to work with you!

Instructions: This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact Aaron Schmidt, President at [email protected]. When submitting your application, please include:

• Resume
  


• Cover letter
  


• Written research and programming sample
  

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that the health and safety of our employees and candidates is very important to us and that interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing. As a Federally Contracted employer, MDRC is in full compliance with all applicable regulations including, but not limited to, recent changes that require vaccination of employees of federal contractors. All employees are required to be fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccinations, unless they have sought and received an exemption from this policy due to a disability or other medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Accommodations are granted in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Applicants must submit proof of vaccination or request and submit an applicable request for accommodation during the offer stage.

MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No qualified applicant, employee, intern, volunteer, or apprenticeship trainee will be discriminated against on the basis of his, her, or their race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin (including physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics), marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group, tribal affiliation, membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group, name that is associated with a national origin group, accent, language use, immigration status, citizenship, possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their lawful presence in the United States, and other definitions under California or other states’ laws, ancestry, creed, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), age, citizenship, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, gender transitioning or perceived gender transitioning, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected medical leaves (requesting or being approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act) or similar state family medical leave laws, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Legal work authorization is required. To request a reasonable accommodation during any stage of MDRC&’s employment process due to a disability, please contact [email protected].

MDRC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion exceed compliance requirements. We believe that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce of all backgrounds and perspectives improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff. By fostering an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, we seek an environment in which staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged in their work.