Research Associate Ii - Postsecondary Education Research

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Join the Education and Child Development Department at NORC at the University of Chicago as a Research Associate II working on education issues including career pathways, postsecondary campus climate research, evaluation studies, statistical methods, data science, and analysis across a broad range of education and social policy issues with a special focus on diversity and equity.

The position is based in our Chicago or Bethesda office or could be remote. There is also the opportunity to work in a hybrid setting (i.e., part remote, part in-office).

DEPARTMENT: Education and Child Development

For more than 40 years, NORC has been committed to conducting high quality education research. Our department’s research covers the full array of education-relevant populations, from birth across the life course. NORC is a leader in conducting large national surveys, as well as more targeted state and local studies, harvesting reliable, actionable data. The scope of our education research methodologies is wide-ranging, as well – including primary data collection, analysis and reporting of existing data, transcript abstraction, classroom observations, qualitative analysis, and experimental and quasi-experimental designs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with business development activities, supporting all aspects of proposal efforts including drafting subsections of proposals, compiling data, and drafting charts or exhibits.
• Assist in the development of client reporting deliverables, including monthly or annual progress reports, memos, slides, data charts, and tables for presenting study findings.
• Support senior staff in the development and implementation of data collection and analysis activities.
• Assist in design of data collection instruments and outreach materials.
• Assist in creating presentations for client meetings and conferences.
• As appropriate, provide support and/or conduct analyses of quantitative and/or qualitative data
• Provide logistical support to study teams in the planning and conducting project activities including site visits, telephone interviews, and meetings.
• Prepare literature reviews, and written descriptions of data collection methodologies and procedures.
• Coordinate project activities and events, including setting up meetings and conference calls and liaising with consultants and subcontractors.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Experience with or training in the principles, processes, and methods of social science research a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, other social science, public policy, economics, or statistics is a plus. Degrees in other subjects may be considered, if other relevant skills apply.
• Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.
• At least 18 months of relevant work/social science research experience.
• Proficiency with MS Office software, including Excel.
• Strong writing skills, including experience with report writing.
• Outstanding interpersonal and critical reasoning skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Experience conducting literature reviews; using and/or designing qualitative data collection tools

• Experience conducting quantitative data collections such as online surveys.
• Experience working with data, conducting data quality review and data analysis. Additional advanced quantitative research skills.
• Experience conducting interviews and/or focus groups.
• - including key informant interviews, site visits and/or focus groups.

WHAT WE DO:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

WHO WE ARE:

For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

EEO STATEMENT:

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.