What is a Research Scientist at Mathematica?
A Research Scientist at Mathematica plays a pivotal role in driving high-impact, data-driven social policy research. Mathematica is dedicated to improving public well-being by bringing rigorous, objective evidence to bear on the nation’s most pressing social challenges. As a Research Scientist, you will design and execute sophisticated research methodologies, evaluate public programs, and translate complex data into actionable insights for federal agencies, state governments, and private foundations.
Your work directly influences policies and programs in critical areas such as healthcare, education, labor, family support, and international development. Unlike academic research, which often focuses on theoretical frameworks, the research you conduct at Mathematica has immediate, real-world applications. You will work on large-scale evaluations and data-analytics projects that help policymakers understand what works, what does not, and how public programs can be optimized to better serve communities.
To succeed in this role, you must possess not only exceptional quantitative or qualitative research skills but also the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. You will collaborate with data scientists, policy experts, and program administrators to solve complex societal problems. It is a highly collaborative, mission-driven environment where scientific rigor meets public service, making it an incredibly rewarding career path for dedicated researchers.




