Research Associate I supporting Advanced Data Solutions (ADS) – Part-time (10-24 hours/week)

NORC at the University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a part-time Research Associate I (10-24 hours/week) to support business development and special projects within the Advanced Data Solutions Center. The role will involve working closely with the Senior Director of Advanced Data Solutions on quantitative analyses, including programming for data manipulation and analysis. The associate will assist with methodological and analytic sections of proposals, contribute to program operations improvements, support client engagement, and manage diverse projects. The position is based in Chicago, with occasional in-office meetings required, though exceptional remote candidates may be considered. The Advanced Data Solutions Center offers a range of data management, computational science, and informatics solutions, including the NORC Data Enclave® for secure data access and analysis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Data Science, Statistics, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Ability to work 10-24 hours per week (hours can vary week to week).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make recommendations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and drive workstreams independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to clearly present insights both verbally and in writing.
• Experience working with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel required).
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, including both technical and non-technical teams.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Comfort working in ambiguous or evolving environments, with the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
• Candidate will have experience with MS Windows, MS Office, and analytical tools.
• Able to come to our Chicago Loop office for occasional meetings.
• Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.
• Unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with R, SQL, Python, or similar tools is a plus but not required.
• Experience with Active Directory, SAS/Stata/SPSS/R, SQL and/or other statistical applications is a plus but not required.
• Prior experience in business analysis, consulting, strategy, or special projects roles is preferred.
• Exceptional remote candidates may also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Assist with conducting cost modeling, scenario analysis, and data-driven evaluations to support decision-making and product migration strategies.
• Coordinate efforts to automate user support tasks by partnering with technical teams; define requirements, track progress, and ensure successful implementation.
• Create and maintain a visual dashboard for key performance metrics.
• Assist with cross-functional projects, including setting up meetings, identifying stakeholders, managing timelines, and contributing to deliverables.
• Coordinate across business and technical teams to ensure alignment and execution of key initiatives.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analyses to support business needs, translating complex findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including presenting analysis, progress updates, and recommendations.
• Support the development of proposals, business cases, and strategic materials as needed.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to manage dependencies, contracts, and project-related requirements.

Benefits

• NORC contributes directly to retirement program accounts without any required employee contributions.
• Eligible to make pre-tax or post-tax contributions as part of NORC’s Supplemental Retirement Plan.
• Eligible for three days of holiday pay (intermittent staff who meet tenure requirements).
• Free counseling and referrals through NORC’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff, their significant others, and dependent children who live at home.
• World-class benefits.
• Business casual environment.
• Emphasis on continuous learning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level