Senior Researcher

The Senior Researcher will help shape the future of learning and work by producing original, actionable research on the connections between education and economic opportunity. This full‑time role sits within Strada’s Institute for the Future of Work and reports to the Institute’s Managing Research Director. The Senior Researcher is responsible for leading and executing methodologically rigorous research projects—from data management and statistical analysis to writing and visualizing key findings.

This role is ideal for a researcher who thrives at the intersection of empirical inquiry and public impact. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in quantitative research methods and a strong interest in informing education and workforce policy through rigorous, applied research. This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC. The Senior Researcher is expected to work in Strada’s DC office two days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely from home the remaining three days.

Strada Education Foundation is a national nonprofit organization on a mission to improve lives by forging clearer and more purposeful pathways between education and employment. We work with partners in education and the workforce to identify and scale solutions that help more Americans access postsecondary education and training that leads to good jobs, meaningful careers, and economic mobility.

The Strada Institute for the Future of Work produces rigorous, field‑leading research focused on strengthening the connection between postsecondary education and economic opportunity. Our work informs policy, practice, and public dialogue—especially in areas where evidence is limited but critical for advancing equity and impact.

• Lead the day‑to‑day execution of complex quantitative research projects aligned with the Institute’s priorities.
• Prepare and manage large, longitudinal datasets for analysis using Stata or R.
• Make sound methodological decisions regarding sampling, variable construction, and analytic techniques.
• Perform advanced statistical analyses, data quality checks, and prepare codebooks and documentation.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to deliver high‑quality research.

• Draft and co‑author peer‑reviewed journal articles, policy briefs, and public reports.
• Synthesize literature and develop subject matter expertise on key education and workforce topics.
• Create presentations, data tables, figures, and infographics to communicate findings to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Deliver presentations at conferences, panels, and internal meetings.
• Provide feedback on team products to ensure clarity, accuracy, and accessibility.

• Identify emerging questions and areas of inquiry aligned with Strada’s mission.
• Cultivate relationships with partners to explore new research collaborations.
• Support grant development and funding proposals to expand the Institute’s research agenda.

• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and contractors; provide clear direction and feedback.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive research environment.
• Contribute to Strada’s diversity, equity, and inclusion learning agenda.
• Support organizational health and DEI goals through respectful, transparent collaboration.

• PhD (completed or imminent) in public policy, economics, sociology, demography, higher education, or a related discipline.
• Expertise in quantitative methods, including causal inference and longitudinal data analysis.
• Strong experience with data cleaning, coding, and management in Stata (preferred) or R.
• Experience writing for both peer‑reviewed journals and broader public or policy audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional writing, verbal communication, and collaboration skills.

• Experience with education and workforce data at the course, student, institution, or labor market level.
• Experience with federal…