Researcher (Data Analytics and Visualization)

Chapin Hall is seeking an individual to work on a team engaged in empirical, analytical, and conceptual child and family welfare research primarily in Illinois but also across other state and international child welfare systems. The Researcher's main contribution to research projects is leading collegial management, linking and transformation of large administrative datasets, 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 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 aWork 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.

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 generalizability 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.
• 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 by our clients.
• Conducts qualitative interviews, supports qualitative data collection, and contributes to qualitative data analysis using machine learning, natural language processing, large language models, and/or other artificial intelligence methods.
• Conducts literature reviews to support study design and analysis.
• 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.

• A master's degree 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 administrative data.
• Minimum of two years' applied research experience working with large-scale administrative datasets and data systems preferably in the Illinois child welfare system, if not in other public sectors, and/or related work.
• 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. Demonstrated experience with Illinois child welfare administrative data is strongly preferred.
• Experience in working with large-scale child welfare administrative datasets and leading technical discussions with client executives, managers, information technology and other stakeholders to design, develop, and deploy appropriate data products and visualization applications. Involved across the entire workflow, from querying and processing through publishing and product development, including establishing system and user requirements that align with client IT needs and enable successful product implementation within client's networks.

• 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, causal inference, machine learning (ML), along with natural language processing (NLP) and applications of large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence (AI) 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.
• Conduct qualitative research using interview, focus group, and narrative/text data, facilitate data collection across diverse populations, and contribute to qualitative data analysis using ML, NLP, LLMs, and/or AI methods.
• 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.
  
  

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to operate a computer extensively for four (4) or more hours per day.
• Must be able to travel locally and out of state occasionally.

Pre-employment background checks are required for all Chapin Hall positions. Chapin Hall approaches background checks with respect and fairness, ensuring that every applicant is given equitable review and opportunity. Chapin Hall's background check process complies with Section 2-103.1 of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Accordingly, a conviction will only be considered disqualifying if it has a substantial relationship to the job, or if hiring the individual would pose an unreasonable risk to workplace safety. If you have any questions, please reach out to HumanResources@chapinhall.org.

Formal expressions of interest are accepted online only. A cover letter, resume, writing sample, and reference contact information are required to be considered for this position. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should contact Human Resources by calling (773) 256-5157, or by sending an email to recruiting@chapinhall.org.

Chapin Hall is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that values and actively seeks diversity in its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity orexpression, citizenship, citizenship status, pregnancy ormaternity, nationalorigin,statusasanindividual with disability, ancestry,protectedveteranstatus, oranyother statusprotected by law. Per U.S. Department of Labor regulations, Chapin Hall offers visa sponsorship in limited instances for hard-to-fill specialty occupation roles. If you have questions about visa sponsorship at Chapin Hall, please reach out tohumanresources@chapinhall.org

Regarding the salary range:

Chapin Hall adheres to a competitive market-aligned salary structure for all its administrative, policy, and research roles. Starting salaries within posted ranges are determined by the Chapin Hall Human Resources Department using a consistent, rigorous, and equitable review process.

Benefits

Chapin Hall provides a strong benefits program that addresses the diverse needs of our staff. The Chapin Hall Benefits Program offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options that allow you to design your own plan, to balance individual needs with affordability and support long-term financial stability for staff and their family. Our benefits include comprehensive health plans, paid time off, sick time, parental leave and retirement options. For more information on our benefits visit our Chapin Hall Website.