Data Analyst I or II - Statistics and Data Science research support

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a qualified Data Analyst I or II (we are open to hiring at either level) to join the Statistics and Data Science department and support a diverse range of research projects. At NORC, Data Analysts are early career team members who train and work with our Statisticians and Data Scientists to perform tasks such as data processing, quality assurance, analysis, and dissemination.

As part of their data processing responsibilities, Data Analysts import, clean, standardize, transform, and validate data sets. They also research and document data procedures and support the investigation of data problems. They may identify, analyze, and interpret trends or patterns in data sets, support modeling efforts, and help prepare data presentations and reports, including developing charts, graphs, and tables. In addition, the Data Analyst may assist in data collection and harmonization from primary or secondary data sources (e.g., administrative records, commercial data, social media data), preparing data files for delivery, and the maintenance of databases, data systems, and their relevant metadata/dictionaries. The Data Analyst is expected to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position., The Statistics and Data Science (SDS) department provides the scientific foundation required to advance NORC’s project portfolio. SDS delivers rigorous, innovative, and fit-for-purpose solutions along the project lifecycle. The department provides leadership for NORC’s approach on a broad range of approaches for study design and the analysis of primary and secondary data. SDS expertise includes artificial intelligence and machine learning; Bayesian analysis; causal inference; disclosure avoidance; imputation; data linkage and statistical matching for combining multiple data sources; data quality assessment; efficient and reproducible workflow development; privacy-preserving methods; small area estimation; statistical methods for survey sampling, weighting, estimation, and inference; and visualization.

The SDS department works closely with research, technology, and operational teams across NORC to ensure that statistical excellence and innovation remain central to the organization’s work. Many of NORC’s projects and proposals are led by substantive research departments that require significant contributions from SDS staff. SDS works closely with highly collaborative groups across the organization to ensure success through cross-departmental partnerships. To further capture the innovative spirit of NORC, SDS also leads projects that target departmental focus areas. Examples of recent project topics involving SDS staff include survey design, weighting, and analysis; AI for enhancing data quality, standardization, and integration; enhancing traffic safety data; linkage of health administrative data and surveys; and testing data visualization approaches for effective communication., * Collaborate with statisticians, data scientists, technology experts, and subject matter experts to implement and improve data management and analysis activities.

• Develop programs and scripts for data cleaning, integration, transformation, and harmonization, as well as data quality checks and validation
• Support and enhance applications and databases already built for various research needs and produce data documentation and dictionaries.
• Create data dashboards and visualizations, including preparing charts, graphs, and tables for reports and presentations.
• Perform various types of data analysis and modeling, often involving multiple data sets.
• Contribute to documentation, reports, and presentations through writing sections, creating basic analytic summaries, and developing tables and graphics.
• Apply AI tools to help improve efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, data science, computer science, or an equivalent field.
• 0-2 years’ relevant experience (internships included).
• Statistical programming in multiple packages and databases, including Python (required)
• Familiarity working with large data sets, conducting statistical and quantitative modeling with strong programming.
• Strong foundation in areas of analytic methods, data engineering, machine learning, and scientific methods of inquiry.
• Experience with data management, data reduction techniques and data visualization.
• Working knowledge of different types of data that can be sourced whether from administrative data, surveys, social media, or sensor data.
• Strong skills in problem solving and quantitative analysis are required, including a willingness to understand deviations and ask questions about data issues.
• Able to organize and prioritize work assignments to meet project needs.
• Strong communication, writing and data storytelling skills.
• Enthusiasm for teamwork and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with SAS, Tableau, Hadoop, Hive, Databricks, MapReduce, and/or other large data systems
• Additional expertise in large and small language models, and machine learning, in working in cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), and with command-line workflows (e.g., in bash)
• Experience with JavaScript programming.

Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. now and in the future. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

The pay range for this position is $62,000-$73,000.

This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment
• Dental and vision insurance
• A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program
• Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

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.