Senior Scientist

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Join the NORC team in working on the pre-eminent study of early care and education. NORC seeks a leader in guiding and conducting analytic work on the National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE). The NSECE is a nationally representative study that characterizes the use and availability of early care and education in the United States. NORC has conducted the NSECE for the Administration for Children and Families since 2007 and is currently preparing for a 2024 fielding of the study (see https://www.norc.org/Research/Projects/Pages/national-survey-of-early-care-and-education.aspx). In addition to the critical role on the NSECE, the Senior Research Scientist in this position will also develop and work on a range of early childhood studies, including work that is responsive to cultural and linguistic diversity, disparities and equity. This person will also work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of talented and dedicated professionals to develop and implement additional early childhood studies focused on a range of topical areas (e.g., Head Start, health and disabilities, parental engagement, among other topics).

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

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 DEVELOPMENT

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:

Lead data analytic work for the NSECE providing clients with highly useful information that is completed on time and on budget
Lead business development efforts to expand work in early childhood education by identifying growth opportunities and leading pursuit
Design additional early childhood studies in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and program partners
Serve as project or task leader on large research and evaluation projects, overseeing staff responsibilities, monitoring budgets, and coordinating schedules
Create, foster, and maintain strong client relationships by making connections, identifying business challenges/needs, and proactively offering constructive solutions
Support a cohesive, team-oriented culture across a geographically dispersed staff and promote communication and integration among all members to foster collegiality and ongoing collaboration
Present to client, policy, and professional audiences
Design and implement studies in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers
Author white papers, briefs, and reports; submit articles for publication in refereed journals
Occasional travel to client meetings and conferences

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Master's Degree or Bachelor's Degree and equivalent experience; Doctoral degree preferred
At least 9 years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility in education research or related field, and at least 3 years of experience directly managing a large and complex project or portfolio of projects
Recognition as an expert in early childhood education, with deep understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity, disparities and equity issues, as evidenced by supporting publications and presentations
Experience successfully managing teams to conduct large scale, complex research projects, or other similar accomplishments
Experience in reporting on research to a wide range of both internal and external stakeholders using a variety of platforms
Experience interacting with clients and stakeholders regarding early childhood research and policy
Experience leading proposals to address the needs of public-service agencies
Intellectual curiosity, strong problem solving, and relationship management skills
Spanish language skills preferred (particularly native fluency)
NORC will possibly hire at the Principal Research Scientist level for more qualified candidates

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.