Education Research Senior Consultant

Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) is seeking an experienced Education Research Senior Consultant to support proposals for research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The Education Research Senior Consultant will play a key role in conducting applied research, designing and implementing studies, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and contributing to the development of reports, tools, and other products that support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in education.

The ideal candidate will have strong research and analytical skills, experience working with local and statewide education data, and the ability to communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to complex research projects focused on improving educational outcomes and strengthening the use of evidence in decision-making.

• Conduct literature reviews, environmental scans, and evidence syntheses.
• Prepare datasets for analysis using administrative, survey, assessment, and other education data sources.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses using appropriate research methods.
• Assist with research design, instrument development, sampling plans, and analytic plans.
• Develop tables, figures, dashboards, visualizations, and summaries of findings.
• Support collection, management, and documentation of research data.
• Contribute to technical reports, research briefs, presentations, and other project deliverables.
• Draft sections of study plans, protocols, and methodological documentation.
• Support development of logic models, performance measures, and outcome tracking frameworks.
• Participate in research team meetings and contribute to project planning and implementation activities.
• Assist with quality assurance reviews of research products and analyses.
• Support compliance with research standards, data privacy requirements, and human subjects protections.
• Contribute to proposal development and technical writing efforts.

• Master's degree in education, public policy, statistics, measurement and evaluation, data analytics, social sciences, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of experience conducting applied research, program evaluation, policy analysis, or data analysis.
• Experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative analyses using a variety of research methods.
• Proficiency with one or more analytic tools, including R, Stata, SAS, SPSS, Python, NVivo, ATLAS.ti, or similar platforms.
• Experience working with large, complex, or longitudinal datasets.
• Experience cleaning, managing, analyzing, and interpreting data from multiple sources.
• Experience conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, evidence syntheses, or similar research activities.
• Ability to translate complex analyses and research findings into clear, actionable insights for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience preparing technical reports, research briefs, presentations, memoranda, or other research deliverables.
• Knowledge of research design, evaluation theories and methodologies, and evidence-based decision-making practices.
• Strong written communication, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and contribute effectively to collaborative project teams.
• Must be eligible to obtain the required federal personnel security clearance.

• Doctoral degree in education, public policy, statistics, measurement and evaluation, data analytics, social sciences, or a related field.
• Experience supporting federally funded research, evaluation, technical assistance, or capacity-building projects.
• Experience working with state educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, or other education-focused organizations.
• Experience working with administrative education data, longitudinal data systems, assessment data, survey data, or other large-scale education data sources.
• Experience conducting implementation studies, survey research, mixed-methods studies, quasi-experimental studies, or other applied research projects.
• Experience developing logic models, measurement frameworks, performance indicators, or outcome monitoring approaches.
• Experience developing data visualizations, dashboards, or other tools to communicate findings to decision-makers.
• Experience contributing to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, white papers, or other research dissemination products.
• Familiarity with human subjects research requirements, IRB or OMB processes, research ethics, data governance, and data privacy requirements.
• Knowledge of federal education programs, education research organizations, or evidence standards used in education research and evaluation.
• Experience supporting proposal development, technical writing, or business development activities for research and evaluation projects.

• Submit a tailored cover letter that:
• Describes how your experience aligns with the Education Research Senior Consultant role, including your experience conducting applied research, evaluation, policy analysis, or data analysis projects.
• Identifies the states, jurisdictions, or regions in which you have worked directly with education agencies, policymakers, practitioners, or other education stakeholders, and briefly describe the nature of each engagement, your role, the stakeholders involved, and the outcomes or products supported.
• Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae that:
• Summarizes your education, employment history, and experience.
• Lists your peer-reviewed publications, applied research reports, or other relevant products or reports, as well as any relevant presentations that demonstrate your expertise in education research.
• Identifies any relevant certifications, training, or credentials, including project management certifications, What Works Clearinghouse certification, human subjects research training, or other relevant credentials.

EEO Statement: Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and competitive selection process.