Researcher (Data Linking and Analytics)

CHAPIN HALL CENTER FOR CHILDREN•Chicago, IL

12d•$75,700 - $101,026•Remote

About The Position

Chapin Hall is seeking an individual to work on a team engaged in empirical, analytical, and conceptual child and family welfare research across state and international child welfare and other social service systems. The Researcher’s main contribution to research projects is leading collegial management, linking and transformation of large administrative datasets across systems, planning and executing statistical analysis, and presentation of projects’ findings to answer research and policy questions that impact children and families. The individual will lead and participate in discussions regarding study design and methodology; develop and maintain codes, programs, and functions that transform data into analyzable formats and/or that can be utilized for data analysis; and perform statistical modeling of data using SAS, R, Python, SQL/PostgreSQL, Power BI and/or other appropriate analytic and visualization software programs. To support version control and code documentation in a collaborative environment, the Researcher should have experience with GitLab software or its equivalent and in leading this effort across projects. The Researcher will also participate in meetings with external stakeholders where they will present their own and colleagues’ work, write sections of research results for funders and publications, and have experience leading technical discussions with client information technology staff and program managers regarding usage and usefulness of client data and present significant findings and advancements at conferences, etc. Chapin Hall embraces a Work from Anywhere” approach which offers flexible remote work from anywhere in the United States. Chapin Hall also offers in-person opportunities for staff to build: 1) connections, 2) team cohesion and creativity, and 3) a sense of belonging to the organization. All staff are expected to travel to and engage in a minimum of two annual 2-day “All Hall Convenings” featuring shared learning, teamwork, and fellowship. Reasonable accommodations are made for those who require modifications.

Requirements

A PhD in data science, biostatistics, computer science, econometrics, statistics, or social science/policy with significant advanced coursework in statistics and programming plus two or more years of applied research experience using child welfare administrative data.
Minimum of two years’ applied research experience working with large-scale administrative datasets and data systems in child welfare systems.
Experience in transferring and integrating large-scale child welfare administrative data for applied research and implementation evaluation, including cleaning and diagnosing inconsistencies, resolving inaccuracies, and designing, implementing and managing automated ETL pipelines.
Expertise in child welfare content knowledge, demonstrated through authored peer-reviewed journal articles and conference presentations.
Professional experience with R, Python, SQL/PostgreSQL, Power BI, and/or other appropriate program languages, preferably experience working in a Unix/Linux environment.
Proficiency in advanced statistical methodology, such as multilevel modeling, time series, causal inference, machine learning (ML) in the child welfare context.
Proficiency in collaborative coding, applying best practices including code review and version control, and skilled in using Git to lead and coordinate workflows across projects.
Demonstrate capacity to lead research study design and oversee research projects from inception to dissemination in collaboration with internal teams and external clients, while mentoring junior staff through skill development and professional guidance.
Ability to translate and convey complex concepts and study findings in oral, written and visualized communications; prepare written sections of interim and final reports and contributed to peer-reviewed publications, translating research insights into actionable recommendations for both academic and practitioner audiences.
Synthesize literature to inform research study design and contextualize findings.
Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative while managing multiple tasks concurrently.
Strong attention to detail with good organization and communication skills.
Demonstrated judgment and discretion in the handling of sensitive information.

Responsibilities

Using R, Python, SQL/PostgreSQL, Power BI and/or other appropriate analytic software programs, independently converts, merges and assembles large-scale administrative data that often needs to be cleaned for analysis for multiple projects.
Develops and maintains programming code that transforms administrative data into analyzable formats and/or that can be utilized for data analysis, with a strong emphasis on policy-relevant insights, quality assurance, and transparency.
Collaborative coding: automates existing and emerging processes for importing, documenting, integrating, and updating data and collaborates in coding best practices such as code review and version control with experience using Git software or its equivalent and in leading such efforts across projects.
Performs statistical modeling and analyses.
Leads and participates in discussions regarding study design and methods, including developing study objectives, sampling strategies, and data collection procedures to achieve study objectives.
Utilize cutting edge child welfare and data science methods to answer policy-relevant research questions.
Leads technical discussions with client information technology staff to ensure the right use of client administrative data to provide the most value for our clients. Develops, employs, and maintains dashboards and other appropriate data visualization techniques to drive assimilation of findings.
Writes research briefs and reports for funders and/or publications in peer-reviewed journals, and assists with report production activities, including proofing, formatting and creating tables and graphs.
Presents research results to external stakeholders and conferences.
Performs additional duties as assigned.