Research Analyst I

Department
 

UEI CCSR Research 4

About the Department
 

For over 30 years, the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research (UChicago Consortium) has informed solutions to the most difficult problems facing urban schools. The UChicago Consortium is committed to better understanding the fundamental practices and conditions that advance student learning, promote attainment, and foster more equitable outcomes. We work in a highly collaborative environment that produces research of high technical quality to inform policy and practice in the Chicago Public Schools, as well as schools nationwide. A central component of our work is engaging with a diverse set of stakeholders and stimulating evidence-driven discourse about the vital issues facing schools. The UChicago Consortium has been described as the “gold standard” for education research-practice partnerships and has been replicated nationally. Our research has been an essential factor in improving outcomes for students and school staff both in Chicago and in school districts across the country. In collaboration with educators, policymakers, and communities, the To&Through Project aims to significantly increase high school and post-secondary completion for under-resourced students of color in Chicago and around the country by providing education stakeholders with research-based data on students’ educational experiences and facilitating dialogue on its implications for adult practice. For more information about the UChicago Consortium, see consortium.uchicago.edu and the To&Through Project, see toandthrough.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary
 

The Research Analyst I will support the work of Consortium and To&Through Project research teams as they design and implement studies. The successful candidate will contribute to the organization’s capacity to conduct highly-rigorous quantitative research on the Chicago Public Schools. The position requires someone with quantitative research and programming skills and a passion for doing meaningful work to improve schools The Research Analyst I will be responsible for cleaning and creating large-scale data bases and conducting detailed statistical analyses for research studies. The successful candidate will have a commitment to urban education, be deeply curious, and be willing to learn new methods and topics. The Research Analyst I position requires someone who is able to handle multiple concurrent tasks and projects and work in a highly collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to conceptualizing, designing, and planning research projects, framing research questions, and identifying appropriate data and methods. 

• Conduct statistical analysis of large-scale databases using R, SAS, or STATA, including both simple descriptive group comparisons and advanced statistical modeling.

• Create specialized databases by merging multiple, complex data sources, including school-, student-, teacher-, community-, and neighborhood-based files.

• Conduct data quality control procedures and update and create internal processes and data documentation. 

• Review pertinent literature and write literature summaries.

• Create effective displays of findings.

• Contribute to the writing of Consortium reports, academic journal articles, and grant proposals.

• Help manage project timelines, schedule meetings, and other project administrative tasks.

• Actively participate in organization-wide activities, including serving on committees, attending weekly Consortium-wide meetings, and providing feedback on others’ work.

• Participate and present findings in weekly meetings of researchers.

• Analyze and maintain data and/or specimens. Conduct literature reviews. Assist with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.

• Maintain technical and administrative support for a research project.

• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, policy studies, psychology, or other relevant social science or mathematical discipline.

Experience:

• Experience in urban education, education research, policy, and practice.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Familiarity with one or more programming languages (e.g., R, SAS, Stata, Python) required and the ability to use or learn to use R.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge and demonstrated use of multivariate statistics.
• Ability to take initiative and a proactive approach to tasks and projects.
• Passion for improving educational outcomes and supporting actionable uses of research evidence.
• Commitment to understanding and improving outcomes for students of all backgrounds and experiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently, with supervision, and in collaboration as a team member.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

Application Documents :

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Writing Sample (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Applicant Inquiry Form. <span>Applicant Inquiry Form</span> The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Department
 

UEI CCSR Research 4

About the Department
 

For over 30 years, the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research (UChicago Consortium) has informed solutions to the most difficult problems facing urban schools. The UChicago Consortium is committed to better understanding the fundamental practices and conditions that advance student learning, promote attainment, and foster more equitable outcomes. We work in a highly collaborative environment that produces research of high technical quality to inform policy and practice in the Chicago Public Schools, as well as schools nationwide. A central component of our work is engaging with a diverse set of stakeholders and stimulating evidence-driven discourse about the vital issues facing schools. The UChicago Consortium has been described as the “gold standard” for education research-practice partnerships and has been replicated nationally. Our research has been an essential factor in improving outcomes for students and school staff both in Chicago and in school districts across the country. In collaboration with educators, policymakers, and communities, the To&Through Project aims to significantly increase high school and post-secondary completion for under-resourced students of color in Chicago and around the country by providing education stakeholders with research-based data on students’ educational experiences and facilitating dialogue on its implications for adult practice. For more information about the UChicago Consortium, see consortium.uchicago.edu and the To&Through Project, see toandthrough.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary
 

The Research Analyst I will support the work of Consortium and To&Through Project research teams as they design and implement studies. The successful candidate will contribute to the organization’s capacity to conduct highly-rigorous quantitative research on the Chicago Public Schools. The position requires someone with quantitative research and programming skills and a passion for doing meaningful work to improve schools The Research Analyst I will be responsible for cleaning and creating large-scale data bases and conducting detailed statistical analyses for research studies. The successful candidate will have a commitment to urban education, be deeply curious, and be willing to learn new methods and topics. The Research Analyst I position requires someone who is able to handle multiple concurrent tasks and projects and work in a highly collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to conceptualizing, designing, and planning research projects, framing research questions, and identifying appropriate data and methods. 

• Conduct statistical analysis of large-scale databases using R, SAS, or STATA, including both simple descriptive group comparisons and advanced statistical modeling.

• Create specialized databases by merging multiple, complex data sources, including school-, student-, teacher-, community-, and neighborhood-based files.

• Conduct data quality control procedures and update and create internal processes and data documentation. 

• Review pertinent literature and write literature summaries.

• Create effective displays of findings.

• Contribute to the writing of Consortium reports, academic journal articles, and grant proposals.

• Help manage project timelines, schedule meetings, and other project administrative tasks.

• Actively participate in organization-wide activities, including serving on committees, attending weekly Consortium-wide meetings, and providing feedback on others’ work.

• Participate and present findings in weekly meetings of researchers.

• Analyze and maintain data and/or specimens. Conduct literature reviews. Assist with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.

• Maintain technical and administrative support for a research project.

• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, policy studies, psychology, or other relevant social science or mathematical discipline.

Experience:

• Experience in urban education, education research, policy, and practice.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Familiarity with one or more programming languages (e.g., R, SAS, Stata, Python) required and the ability to use or learn to use R.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge and demonstrated use of multivariate statistics.
• Ability to take initiative and a proactive approach to tasks and projects.
• Passion for improving educational outcomes and supporting actionable uses of research evidence.
• Commitment to understanding and improving outcomes for students of all backgrounds and experiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently, with supervision, and in collaboration as a team member.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

Application Documents :

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Writing Sample (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Applicant Inquiry Form. <span>Applicant Inquiry Form</span> The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.