| JOB DESCRIPTION: |
NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a qualified Data Scientist I to join the Methodology and Quantitative Social Sciences Department.
At NORC, Data Scientists play a key role in working with our research teams to produce valuable insights for our clients. This position supports the development of the strategy and vision for data analysis projects and performs tasks such as importing, cleaning, transforming, validating, or modeling data. Data Scientists may also support the presentation of data by developing charts, graphs, and tables. In addition, the Data Scientist may assist in data collection from primary or secondary data sources (e.g., administrative records, commercial data, social media data), identify, analyze, and interpret trends or patterns in data sets and maintain databases/data systems, dictionaries, etc. The Data Scientist is expected to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Applicants would preferably work from either our Chicago, IL or Washington, DC offices (full time or hybrid), but NORC will consider applications for a remote position.
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DEPARTMENT: Methodology and Quantitative Social Sciences
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The Methodology and Quantitative Social Sciences department implements state-of-the-art methodologies and develops innovations to deliver reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business and policy decisions for NORC clients. The department provides leadership throughout the project lifecycle on study design, data collection, assessment of data quality, quantitative analysis, and dissemination of results. The Methodological and Quantitative Social Sciences department also conducts its own research and is a leader in designing and implementing rigorous, efficient methods for gathering, evaluating, and analyzing data from primary and secondary sources. The department provides expertise and leads NORC strategy on the use of a broad range of methods and techniques, including research and experimental design, recruitment and retention, instrument design and testing, assessing data quality, evaluating measurement properties of new measures, causal inference methods, machine learning, natural language processing, analysis of clustered data, data visualization and use of novel data sources and technologies to improve data gathering. The department collaborates with the Statistics and Data Science Department on areas of synergy and intersection and with all NORC subject matter departments, in addition to leading its own projects.
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| RESPONSIBILITIES: |
- Gather and interpret results using a variety of techniques, ranging from simple data aggregation via statistical analysis to moderate to complex analytical/predictive modeling and/or intermediate machine learning.
- Prepare reports and develops charts, graphs, tables and interactive data tools.
- Under the direction of senior leadership, create, manage, and maintain databases/data systems, data dictionaries, codebases.
- Conduct data management, including collecting, merging, cleaning, transforming and harmonizing data.
- Work directly with clients and/or project and business leaders to assist in identifying data and/or analytical requirements.
- May assist in proposal development.
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| REQUIRED SKILLS: |
- Bachelor's degree in Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or Social Science related field. Masters Degree preferred.
- 4 years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility. This work should include working with large datasets (e.g., data mining), and conducting a variety of analytics (including but not limited to techniques, such as statistical analysis, clustering, segmentation, machine learning, natural language processing, and GIS). The experience should include a strong emphasis on programming.
- Knowledge in at least one of the following programming languages: R, Python, SAS, Stata.
- Strong foundation in areas of statistics, machine learning, and research methods.
- Working knowledge of different types of data that can be collected, e.g., social media, administrative, webpages, survey, and/or sensor data.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments to meet project needs.
- Strong written and verbal communication, including strong technical writing skills.
- Able to explain technology, techniques, and approaches to expert and non-expert audiences.
Desired expertise and skills:
- Expertise conducting data science work in at least one of NORC’s research domains.
- Experience using and developing tools for reproducibility, e.g., R Markdown, Quarto, Git, package development.
- Expertise in R or Python
- Knowledge in multiple of the following programming languages: R, Python, Stata, SAS, SQL
- Experience in at least one of the following areas: natural language processing, GIS, and data visualization (especially interactive data visualization)
Occasional travel to sites and business meetings required.
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| SALARY AND BENEFITS: |
The pay range for this position is $88,000 – $157,000.
This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to:
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Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment
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Dental and vision insurance
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A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program
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Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance
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Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
NORC’s Approach to Equity and Transparency
Pay and benefits transparency helps to reduce wage gaps. As part of our commitment to pay equity and salary transparency, NORC includes a salary range for each job opening along with information about eligible benefit offerings. At NORC, we take a comprehensive approach to setting salary ranges and reviewing raises and promotions, which is overseen by a formal Salary Review Committee (SRC).
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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