Data Scientist

At NORC, Data Scientists play a key role in working with our research teams to produce valuable insights for our clients. This position supports the development of the strategy and vision for data analysis projects and performs tasks such as importing, cleaning, transforming, validating, or modeling data. Data Scientists may also support the presentation of data by developing charts, graphs, and tables. In addition, the Data Scientist may assist in data collection from primary or secondary data sources (e.g., administrative records, commercial data, social media data), identify, analyze, and interpret trends or patterns in data sets and maintain databases/data systems, dictionaries, etc. The Data Scientist is expected to work collaboratively in a team environment.

The Statistics and Data Science department conducts a wide range of statistical and data science projects, engaging in statistical analysis, modeling, data linkage, statistical matching, disclosure control, small area estimation, and Bayesian analysis, to support all aspects of social science research. NORC statisticians and data scientists design and implement rigorous, efficient methods for sampling, weighting, and imputation for sample surveys and evaluation research. They also employ statistical modelling, machine learning methods, and data visualization for analyzing and interpreting data. The department collaborates with the Methodology and Quantitative Social Sciences department, all NORC research departments, and the Academic Research Centers in addition to conducting research in its own field.

• Gather and interpret results using a variety of techniques, ranging from simple data aggregation via statistical analysis to moderate to complex analytical/predictive modeling and/or intermediate machine learning.


• Prepares reports, develops charts, graphs, tables and interactive data tools, primarily in R.


• Create, manage, and maintain databases/data systems, data dictionaries, etc.


• Conduct data management, including merging, cleaning, transforming and harmonizing data.


• Work directly with clients and/or project and business leaders to assist in identifying analytical requirements.


• May assist in proposal development by drafting subsections.

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field


• Strong foundation in areas of statistics, mathematics, machine learning, scientific methods of inquiry.


• Working knowledge of different types of data that can be sourced whether from social media, administrative or sensor data.


• Strong problem-solving skills.


• Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments to meet project needs.


• At least 2 years’ experience (at least 4 years’ experience if Bachelor's degree) in positions of increasing responsibility, conducting statistical and quantitative modeling, melding analytics with strong R programming.


• Strong written and verbal communication including strong technical writing skills.


• Strong data visualization/presentation skills, especially interactive data visualization.


• Able to explain technology, techniques, and approaches to others.


• Experience with interactive data visualization tools in R, including (but not limited to) Shiny, ggiraph, r2d3, and plotly.


• Experience with literate programming tools in R, such as R Markdown or Quarto.

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.

For over 75 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.

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.