Evaluation and Research Scientist

University of Chicago; United States; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Partial remote work arrangement

Job summary

University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute seeks an Evaluation and Research Scientist to lead program evaluation and research focused on STEM and data science education. You will manage project design, literature reviews, data collection, analysis, IRB processes, and reporting for multiple projects.

You will collaborate with senior researchers, funders, and partners, contribute to funding strategy and grant proposals, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for programs and

Qualifications

• Education: college/university degree in a related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in a related discipline.
• Experience with program evaluation and research in STEM education or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage research and program evaluation projects related to STEM, data science, and AI education.
• Oversee evaluation design, data collection, analysis, and reporting; collaborate with stakeholders.
• Contribute to funding strategy, proposal development, and grant materials for sponsors.

Skills

Research design

Program evaluation

Mixed-methods

IRB compliance

Grant writing

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field

Tools

SPSS

R

Stata

NVivo

Job description

Department PSD Data Science: Systems Administration

About the Department The Data Science Institute (DSI) executes the University of Chicago’s bold, innovative vision of Data Science as a new discipline. The DSI seeds research on the interdisciplinary frontiers of this emerging field, forms partnerships with industry, government, and social impact organizations, and supports holistic data science and AI education. The staff in the Data Science Institute support the University’s students and scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination.

Job Summary

The Evaluation and Research Scientist will lead and support program evaluation and research projects focused on kindergarten–adult STEM education, with an emphasis on high school and postsecondary data science and AI education. The Evaluation and Research Scientist will report to the Director of Outlier Research and Evaluation and will work collaboratively with senior researchers, DSI colleagues, funders, and partner organizations. This role involves managing multiple stages of the research and evaluation process, including project design, literature reviews, instrument development, data collection and management, quantitative and qualitative analysis, IRB compliance, and the preparation of reports, presentations, manuscripts, and other written deliverables. The Evaluation and Research Scientist will also contribute to funding strategy and proposal development, including identifying relevant funding opportunities, drafting research and evaluation plans, developing scopes of work, and preparing funder-facing materials for grants, contracts, and sponsored projects. The ideal candidate is an experienced, organized, and self‑motivated research and evaluation professional with strong experience in program evaluation and mixed‑methods research. The successful candidate should be able to lead projects with minimal guidance, contribute effectively to collaborative projects, communicate findings clearly to multiple audiences, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for programs, partners, and funders.

Responsibilities

• Leads research and program evaluation projects related to STEM, data science, and AI education, while also supporting other projects across the team's research and evaluation portfolio.
• Manages program evaluation projects, including evaluation design, data collection planning, instrument development, analysis planning, reporting, and partner communication.
• Collaborates with senior researchers, research staff, DSI colleagues, funders, and partner organizations to design, implement, and disseminate research and evaluation work.
• Contributes to the development of evaluation frameworks, logic models, research questions, data collection strategies, analysis plans, and reporting structures.
• Leads or substantially contributes to IRB submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and related compliance processes.
• Contributes to funding strategy and proposal development, including identifying relevant funding opportunities, drafting research and evaluation plans, developing scopes of work, and preparing proposal materials for grants, contracts, and sponsored projects.
• Drafts or contributes to proposal materials, including statements of need, background sections, project descriptions, research and evaluation activities, timelines, deliverables, and descriptions of organizational capacity or prior work.
• Serves as a resource to colleagues on research and evaluation procedures, data collection, analysis, reporting, IRB processes, and proposal development.
• Presents research findings at meetings and conferences, as well as to funding agencies.
• Conducts literature reviews.
• Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis.
• Designs and manages databases.
• Writes reports, articles and manuscripts.
• Performs other related tasks 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with progressively responsible research, program evaluation, and/or STEM education experience.
• Substantial experience designing, managing, and implementing program evaluation projects, preferably in education, workforce development, youth programming, higher education, informal STEM learning, or related settings.
• Experience leading research and/or evaluation projects with minimal guidance.
• Experience managing mixed‑methods research or evaluation projects.
• Experience independently developing data collection instruments, analysis plans, reports, presentations, and partner-facing materials.
• Experience leading small to medium-size program evaluations and/or research projects.
• Experience seeking funding or contributing substantially to grant proposals, sponsored research applications, evaluation scopes of work, foundation/funder submissions, contract proposals, or related funding materials.
• Experience contributing to funder reports, grant deliverables, scopes of work, budgets or budget narratives, and proposal timelines.
• Experience working with schools, districts, higher education institutions, community organizations, funders, or grant‑funded programs.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong knowledge of research and program evaluation methods, including survey design, interview/focus group protocols, observation tools, logic models, implementation evaluation, outcome evaluation, and evaluation reporting.
• Ability to independently manage research and evaluation projects, while contributing effectively to collaborative team‑based projects.
• Strong methodological judgment, including the ability to adapt research and evaluation procedures to fit project needs, partner contexts, and available data sources.
• Experience collecting, cleaning, managing, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data.
• Experience guiding or coordinating data collection, coding, analysis, and reporting across project teams.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet software, including Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with at least one statistical or qualitative analysis tool, such as SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA, Dedoose, NVivo, or similar software.
• Ability to write clearly and persuasively for multiple audiences, including researchers, funders, practitioners, institutional leaders, and community partners.
• Ability to translate research and evaluation findings into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
• Ability to develop clear and compelling proposal materials, including research and evaluation plans, statements of need, timelines, deliverables, and descriptions of organizational capacity or prior work.
• Familiarity with STEM education, data science education, AI education, or related education and workforce development fields.
• Knowledge of school, district, state, federal, higher education, or grant‑funded program contexts.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize, track timelines, coordinate across teams, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Professionalism, adaptability, and emotional intelligence in collaborative and partner‑facing settings.

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for a partial remote work arrangement. A fully remote work arrangement may be considered.

Job Family Research Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $85,000.00 - $95,000.00

Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of NonDiscrimination. 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. 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.

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The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/