Research Associate II - Education Research - Hybrid Chicago Loop Office

NORC at the University of Chicago
United States
Jun 4, 2026

Full-time

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY:	Join the Education and Child Development Department at NORC at the University of Chicago as a Research Associate II. The ideal candidate will bring experience supporting education research and/or technical assistance contracts or grants. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens due to security clearance requirements for projects. Location: This is based in our Chicago Loop office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office.
DEPARTMENT: Education and Child Development	For more than 40 years, NORC has been committed to conducting high-quality education research and capacity building. Our Education and Child Development department focuses its research and technical assistance across the full array of education-relevant populations, from preschoolers to the post-graduate doctorate holders.
RESPONSIBILITIES:	Support the development and implementation of large technical assistance and research projects, including the Regional Educational Laboratories and the Comprehensive Centers. Prepare technical assistance tools and resources, literature reviews, and written descriptions of data collection methodologies and procedures. Assist in design of data collection instruments and outreach materials. Execute data cleaning, review, and file preparation; analyze primary and secondary data under the general direction of senior staff. Conduct ad hoc quantitative data analyses and summarizes information into tables, graphics, and text as appropriate for the intended audience. Collect, analyze, and report qualitative data. Provide logistical support to project teams in planning and conducting project activities, including meetings. Assist in creating presentations for client meetings and conferences. Assist in the development of client reporting deliverables, including monthly or annual progress reports, memos, slides, data charts, and tables for presenting study findings. Assist with business development activities, supporting all aspects of proposal efforts including drafting subsections of proposals, compiling data, and drafting charts or exhibits. Coordinate project activities and events, including setting up meetings and conference calls and liaising with consultants and subcontractors.
REQUIRED SKILLS:	Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, other social science, public policy, economics, or statistics. Degrees in other subjects may be considered, if other relevant skills apply. At least 18 months of relevant social science research experience. Experience with or training in the principles, processes, and methods of social science research a plus. Strong persuasive writing skills with a focus on Plain Language, including experience with report writing. Outstanding interpersonal, time management, and critical reasoning skills. Proficiency with MS Office software, including Excel. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens due to security clearance requirements for projects. Please include a Resume and Cover Letter when applying. Candidates should be prepared to provide professional references and a writing sample upon request.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:	The pay range for this position is $62,000 - $68,000. 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). NORC is committed to equity and transparency in its pay practices. We publish salary ranges and benefit information for every job. The listed hiring range reflects what we, in good faith, expect to pay at the time of posting, though actual compensation may vary and may be adjusted over time. A candidate’s placement within the range depends on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs.
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 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.
EEO STATEMENT:	NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics. #LI-MS1

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Job ID:

85850

Location:

Illinois Chicago - 300 E Randolph St

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Employment Type:

Full-time

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Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY:	Join the Education and Child Development Department at NORC at the University of Chicago as a Research Associate II. The ideal candidate will bring experience supporting education research and/or technical assistance contracts or grants. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens due to security clearance requirements for projects. Location: This is based in our Chicago Loop office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office.
DEPARTMENT: Education and Child Development	For more than 40 years, NORC has been committed to conducting high-quality education research and capacity building. Our Education and Child Development department focuses its research and technical assistance across the full array of education-relevant populations, from preschoolers to the post-graduate doctorate holders.
RESPONSIBILITIES:	Support the development and implementation of large technical assistance and research projects, including the Regional Educational Laboratories and the Comprehensive Centers. Prepare technical assistance tools and resources, literature reviews, and written descriptions of data collection methodologies and procedures. Assist in design of data collection instruments and outreach materials. Execute data cleaning, review, and file preparation; analyze primary and secondary data under the general direction of senior staff. Conduct ad hoc quantitative data analyses and summarizes information into tables, graphics, and text as appropriate for the intended audience. Collect, analyze, and report qualitative data. Provide logistical support to project teams in planning and conducting project activities, including meetings. Assist in creating presentations for client meetings and conferences. Assist in the development of client reporting deliverables, including monthly or annual progress reports, memos, slides, data charts, and tables for presenting study findings. Assist with business development activities, supporting all aspects of proposal efforts including drafting subsections of proposals, compiling data, and drafting charts or exhibits. Coordinate project activities and events, including setting up meetings and conference calls and liaising with consultants and subcontractors.
REQUIRED SKILLS:	Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, other social science, public policy, economics, or statistics. Degrees in other subjects may be considered, if other relevant skills apply. At least 18 months of relevant social science research experience. Experience with or training in the principles, processes, and methods of social science research a plus. Strong persuasive writing skills with a focus on Plain Language, including experience with report writing. Outstanding interpersonal, time management, and critical reasoning skills. Proficiency with MS Office software, including Excel. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens due to security clearance requirements for projects. Please include a Resume and Cover Letter when applying. Candidates should be prepared to provide professional references and a writing sample upon request.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:	The pay range for this position is $62,000 - $68,000. 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). NORC is committed to equity and transparency in its pay practices. We publish salary ranges and benefit information for every job. The listed hiring range reflects what we, in good faith, expect to pay at the time of posting, though actual compensation may vary and may be adjusted over time. A candidate’s placement within the range depends on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs.
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 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.
EEO STATEMENT:	NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics. #LI-MS1

Posted:

04/06/2026