Statistician I - survey research and analytic projects - Chicago Loop Office

National Opinion Research Center - NORC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement program

Paid time off

Job summary

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a Statistician I in the Statistics and Data Science department to support AmeriSpeak and broader survey research across NORC's health, society, economics, and education research portfolios. Proficiency in R is required; SAS and Python are a plus, with machine learning and reproducible computing valued.

This hybrid role is based in either our Chicago Loop or downtown Washington, DC office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in statistics or related field required.
• Proficiency in R; SAS or Python a plus.
• Experience with survey statistics and complex survey data preferred.
• Clear, well-documented statistical coding and reproducible research practices expected.

Responsibilities

• Support AmeriSpeak survey operations and weighting, variance estimation, and nonresponse analysis.
• Write programs to extract/manipulate data and perform statistical analyses.
• Assist with survey statistics tasks, including sample frame prep and panel process improvements.
• Contribute to statistical reports and deliverables for technical clarity and project questions.
• Develop materials on sample design, weighting, variance estimation, and study design.
• Design and implement data cleaning, transformation, validation, and documentation programs.
• Apply reproducible research practices with version control and peer review.
• Create dashboards/visualizations to communicate findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Explore machine learning/AI-assisted analytic workflows where appropriate.
• Interact with clients to clarify needs and report progress.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Problem solving

Critical thinking

Education

Master's degree in statistics or related field

Tools

R

SAS

Python

MS Office

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a qualified Statistician I to join the Statistics and Data Science department. This position will primarily support AmeriSpeak, NORC's probability-based research panel, while also contributing to survey research and analytic projects across NORC's health, society, economics, and education research portfolios. The Statistician I applies statistical methods and operational processes with supervision, with a primary focus on supporting AmeriSpeak survey operations and methodology, including sample selection, weighting, nonresponse analysis, variance estimation, survey data processing, quality control, and statistical analysis.

The role also supports data preparation, documentation, statistical programming, quality checks, and clear communication of methods and results. Candidates should be proficient in R. SAS and Python experience are pluses. Experience or interest in machine learning, AI-assisted analytic workflows, data visualization, and/or reproducible computing practices is also valued.

Additional responsibilities include assisting with proposal activities related to sampling, weighting, variance estimation, analysis, or study design, and working effectively in a team-oriented environment.

Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Location: This is a hybrid role based in either our Chicago Loop or downtown Washington, DC office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office.

DEPARTMENT

The Statistics and Data Science department implements state-of-the-art statistical methods and develops innovations to deliver reliable data and rigorous analyses that guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions for NORC clients. The department provides leadership throughout the project lifecycle on study design, data collection, assessment of data quality, quantitative analysis, and dissemination of results. The department conducts its own research and is a leader in designing and implementing rigorous, efficient methods for sampling, weighting, variance estimation, imputation, and survey data analysis for sample surveys and evaluation research. The department also provides expertise in statistical modeling, small area estimation, Bayesian analysis, assessing data quality, data visualization, machine learning methods, and approaches using artificial intelligence that support NORC's research. The department collaborates with departments throughout NORC, as well as leading its own projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support AmeriSpeak survey operations and methodology, including sample selection, weighting, variance estimation, nonresponse analysis, survey data processing, quality control, and statistical analysis.
• Write and implement programs to extract and manipulate data, make statistical calculations necessary for selecting samples and implementing weighting, and perform statistical analyses.
• Assist with survey statistics tasks, including sample frame preparation, survey panel process improvements and enhancements, and survey data analysis.
• Contribute to statistical sections of reports and other deliverables for technical clarity and effectiveness in addressing project research questions.
• Support development of sample design, weighting, variance estimation, analysis, and study design materials for reports, proposals, and technical documentation.
• Design and implement programs or scripts for data cleaning, transformation, validation, quality checks, and documentation.
• Apply reproducible research and statistical programming practices, including clear documentation, version control, peer review, and validation checks.
• Contribute to dashboards, data visualizations, and other products that communicate findings clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Apply or learn machine learning, AI-assisted analytic workflows, and modern computing practices where appropriate to improve analytic efficiency and quality.
• Interact with clients on a limited basis to clarify needs, report progress, resolve problems, and provide information and recommendations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Master's degree in statistics, biostatistics, survey methodology, mathematics, data science, computational social science, or a related field required.
• Coursework or applied experience in survey statistics, including sampling, weighting, variance estimation, statistical inference, or survey data analysis. Experience working with complex survey data is preferred.
• No prior full-time professional experience required, although relevant graduate coursework, internships, assistantships, or applied project experience in survey statistics are valued.
• Strong foundation in mathematical statistics, including probability theory, statistical estimation, inference, modeling, and study design.
• Proficiency in R required. SAS and/or Python proficiency is a plus.
• Ability to write clear, well-documented statistical code and perform data cleaning, transformation, validation, and quality checks.
• Familiarity with reproducible research and statistical programming practices, such as version control, code review, documentation, testing, and quality assurance.
• Experience or interest in data visualization, machine learning, AI-assisted analytic workflows, or scalable computing practices is a plus.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work to meet project needs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and critical reasoning skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The pay range for this position is $93,000 - $100,000.

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.