MD - Rockville

26995BR

Job Description

Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Westat is seeking a Principal Research Associate to join its team of experienced evaluators who design and conduct studies of federal social and education programs and policies. This position involves serving as a lead methodologist on evaluations identifying the causal impacts of interventions. The position involves serving as a methodological resource for a variety of studies. It is expected that the successful candidate will help advance not only Westat's but also the field's ability to generate accurate, reliable, and interpretable evaluation findings.
This position is remote-eligible.
Job responsibilities:
* Serving as principal investigator on multiple impact evaluations
* Serving as a methodological advisor and quality assurance reviewer on impact evaluations
* Co-authoring reports for policymaker audiences.
* Mentoring staff on evaluation methods
* Conducting thought leadership to advance methods for ensuring accurate and interpretable findings from impact evaluations.
* Contributing to the identification and advancement of business opportunities.
* Making substantive contributions to sections of technical proposals and budgets.
Basic Qualifications:
* Doctoral degree in a social science field (e.g., economics, education, psychology, public policy, or sociology) with 10 or more years of experience in social policy evaluation; or a master's degree in a social science field with 15 or more years of experience in social policy evaluation.
* Expertise in impact evaluation methods, including random assignment, regression discontinuity, and observational studies.
* Experience serving as principal investigator on federally funded impact evaluations.
* Experience conducting and reporting findings from federally funded impact evaluations.
* Demonstrated record of thought leadership activities, including publications in peer reviewed journals, conference presentations, and client presentations.
* Proven record of successful business development.
* US Citizenship required by contract.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Expertise in applications of Bayesian statistics in causal frameworks
* Demonstrated experience contributing to proposals to evaluate social policy and/or education programs or policies.
* Expertise with data science applications for prediction.
* Completion of IES-supported trainings in cluster randomized trials, meta-analysis, quasi-experimental designs, or cost-effectiveness analysis.
* Certification in What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) 5.0 standards.
* Experience directing projects for federal clients.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
• Sick Leave (10 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Career Area

Research

Pay Range

The anticipated salary range for this role is $185k-$215k per year and will be commensurate with experience.

Bonus Eligibility

Yes