Research Associate - Education and Child Development (Bethesda)

Join the Education and Child Development Department at NORC at the University of Chicago as a Research Associate working on education issues from early childhood through graduate school and beyond, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion with the goal of improving the social, academic, and economic, outcomes of our Nations most vulnerable youth. Take this opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the department during a time of strategic growth.

While our main office locations are in Chicago, IL, and Bethesda, MD, we will consider qualified candidates who prefer to work remotely.

For more than 40 years, NORC has been committed to conducting high quality education research. Our department of Education and Child Development's research covers the full array of education-relevant populations, from pre-school children to the post-graduate doctorate holders. NORC is a leader in conducting rigorous evaluations, large- and small-scale surveys, as well as descriptive and policy studies. The scope of our education research is wide-ranging, including early care and education (ECE), STEM education, civic engagement, rural education, campus climate, and longitudinal career outcomes.

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

• Bachelor's degree. A degree in early childhood, 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.
• At least 18 months of relevant work/social science research experience.
• Experience with or training in the principles, processes, and methods of social science research a plus.
• Strong writing skills, including experience with report writing.
• Outstanding interpersonal and critical reasoning skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office software, including Excel.

• Interest and experience in culturally responsive evaluation and community engagement.
• Experience conducting literature reviews; using and/or designing qualitative data collection tools-- including key informant interviews, site visits and/or focus groups.
• Experience conducting interviews and/or focus groups.
• 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.
• Spanish language skills valued, but not required.

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.

For over 75 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 were 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.

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.