Research Scientist - Education and Child Development
Company: NORC at the University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 2, 2026
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Job Description:
JOB DESCRIPTION: Join the Education and Child Development
Department at NORC at the University of Chicago as the newest
Research Scientist focusing on early childhood issues, including
work that is responsive to cultural and linguistic diversity,
disparities and equity issues. Based in our Bethesda office, take
this opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the
department during a time of strategic growth. As a condition of
employment, all NORC employees and contractors – including those
working remotely – must be fully vaccinated (as defined by current
CDC guidance) against COVID-19. DEPARTMENT: EDUCATION AND CHILD
DEVLOPMENT 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
large national surveys, as well as more targeted state and local
studies, harvesting reliable, actionable early childhood data,
particularly data on early care and education. The scope of our
education and early childhood 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: Design program
evaluations in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of
researchers and program partners Serve as project or task leader on
large projects, overseeing staff responsibilities, monitoring
budgets, and coordinating schedules Conduct quantitative and
qualitative analysis Review, synthesize, and describe existing
evidence Guide programs and policymakers in using evidence to make
decisions Author white papers, briefs, and reports; submit articles
for publication in refereed journals Synthesize and present
research findings to policy, practitioner, and researcher audiences
at professional meetings Engage in business development activities
including idea generation, outreach, grant writing, and responding
to requests for proposals (RFPs) Occasional travel to client
meetings and conferences REQUIRED SKILLS: Bachelor’s Degree is
required, PhD is strongly preferred At least 7 years of experience
in positions of increasing responsibility in research or related
field (or equivalent education) including at least 3 years' of
social science project management as well as experience with the
design and execution of social science research and in publishing
research results, with a strong career-appropriate record of
peer-reviewed technical publications NORC will possibly hire at the
Senior Research Scientist level for more qualified candidates
Interest and experience in early care and education programs,
preschool, elementary schools and community-based programs, as well
as diversity and equity issues a plus Advanced quantitative and/or
qualitative skills Strong written and oral communication skills,
including an ability to translate complex research methods and
findings for a practitioner and policy audience Strong problem
solving, project management, relationship management skills Ability
to manage time to work on multiple projects simultaneously Some
experience in client communications and relationship management;
solid technical writing skills Strong proficiency with statistical
analysis packages such as such as SAS, SPSS, STATA, or R
Outstanding interpersonal and critical reasoning skills LI-KB1 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 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 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.
Keywords: NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago , Research Scientist - Education and Child Development, Science, Research & Development , Chicago, Illinois
