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.

About Strada and the Institute for the Future of Work

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 education/workforce datasets.
• Familiarity with qualitative data analysis (e.g., NVivo).
• Experience writing research reports for policymakers or translating findings for policy audiences.
• Prior work with state or national higher education/workforce organizations.
• Experience developing research grant proposals.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness reimbursement
• Professional development resources

Travel Requirements: It is likely the role will naturally entail some travel for conferences and other meetings up to 15%.

Mission and Values Alignment:

Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with Strada's guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.    

Strategy and Innovation Leadership:

Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.   

Strategic Problem Solving: 

Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.  

Execution and Operations Leadership:

Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.  

DEI Commitment:

Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.    

Relationship Building and Collaborative Capabilities: 

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to Strada’s organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. Strada is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace-certified by Diversity for Social Impact, a strategic professional and organization development company dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to drive social impact worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+  and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.