Senior Research Scientist (Economist) – Economics, Justice and Society Research

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Join the Economics, Justice and Society (EJS) department at NORC at the University of Chicago as a Senior Research Scientist. Based in our Bethesda or Chicago Loop office, take this opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the department during a time of strategic growth. As a member of the department’s leadership, this person will work with colleagues in Chicago and Bethesda to conduct and expand our portfolio of work in economic research and analysis. Bring your expertise in a socio-economic content area (e.g., business dynamics, entrepreneurship, business owner characteristics, labor and workforce dynamics, household finance, income and poverty, well-being, wealth and assets, energy and the environment, data science, and research methods) and methodological knowledge to this leadership role along with your passion for mentorship and collaboration.

Play a strategic role to further develop a world-class research function at one of the nation’s most respected research institutions, significantly impacting NORC’s success and service to our clients. 

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

To comply with the Executive Order issued by President Biden on September 9, 2021, all NORC employees and contractors – including those working remotely – must be fully vaccinated by Wednesday, December 8, 2021, as a condition of employment. This means that a 2nd injection (if applicable) must be given two weeks prior to the deadline (by November 24, 2021.)

DEPARTMENT: ECONOMICS, JUSTICE AND SOCIETY

The Economics, Justice and Society (EJS) Department focuses on a broad range of topics relating to critical economic and social issues. We are home to many of NORC’s largest and longest-running surveys, and we also engage in policy analysis and evaluation research relating to social programs and issues, the economy and the labor force, transportation and traffic safety, and crime and law enforcement. We work with a diverse set of clients and partners, including policy-makers and data users in national, state and local governments, academia, and the press.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Providing research expertise and serving as a subject matter expert to obtain funding for, plan, and execute research studies
• Leading strategic projects by providing technical input and direction to staff regarding research design, questionnaire content, data analysis, and study conclusions
• Conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Authoring white papers, briefs, and reports; submit articles for publication in refereed journals
• Presenting research findings at professional meetings
• Independently drafting and managing contract proposals and grant applications including estimating project budgets
• Communicating effectively with key strategic partners inside and outside of NORC, as well as current and prospective funders and clients to advance the Department’s strategic initiatives
• Managing teams to carry out strategic initiatives and business development opportunities, including monitoring and oversight of finances and administration for projects
• Supporting a cohesive, team-oriented culture across a geographically dispersed staff and promote communication and integration among all members to foster collegiality and ongoing collaboration
• Occasional travel to client meetings and conferences 

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s or PhD strongly preferred
• At least 9 years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility in social science research or related field (or equivalent education) including at least 3 years of social science project management
• 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.
• A demonstrated record of developing new business relationships and securing funding from government agencies, non-profit, and commercial organizations
• Advanced quantitative skills
• Strong proficiency with statistical analysis packages such as such as SAS, SPSS, STATA, or R
• Experience managing client relationships, complex projects, and budgetary oversight in government agencies, academic research, consulting, private sector, or non-profit settings
• The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills and an aptitude in leading and working with project teams as well as coordinating on work conducted within the Department

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.