Research Associate I - Health Care Programs Research - Chicago Loop Hybrid Office

JOB SUMMARY:

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a Research Associate I to join the Health Care Programs Research Department. The Health Care Programs team provides data-driven research, policy and program analysis, and technical assistance to a mix of clients including federal and state governments and foundations.

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

DEPARTMENT:  Health Care Programs Research

NORC’s Health Care Programs team provides a wide array of services and expertise to support federal and state government and foundation clients in addressing health system transformation and delivery, payment reform and implementation, and a range of policy issues facing public health insurance programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace coverage. 

NORC’s expert staff has extensive knowledge of all aspects of health care delivery, from private marketplaces and employer-sponsored insurance to Medicare and Medicaid; from large health care systems to small clinics; and from the needs of children to those of older adults, and people with disabilities. Our expert team includes social scientists that acquire, collect, and analyze data from health care organizations and patients; evaluators; health services researchers; health-policy analysts; and professionals with first-hand experience running and supporting health care programs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide general research support related to health policy research and technical support.
• Conduct literature reviews, environmental scans, statistical analysis of primary and secondary data and prepares memos, tables, and graphs based on findings under supervision of experienced professionals.
• Take notes at meetings and prepare initial draft of minutes.
• Develop project materials, such as report outlines, visual exhibits for reports, and serving as an editor for deliverables.
• Support business development efforts through coordination of document preparation and reproduction.
• Under the direction of senior staff, support the development of new business by conducting background research on programs, award history, and client goals and objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor's Degree from accredited college or university in Social Science, Public Health, Health Policy, or a related field.
• 6 months of research experience (internships included) in health research, public health, health policy with qualitative and/or quantitative methods and analysis required.
• Some understanding of public health insurance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.
• Understanding of routine sampling procedures and working knowledge of statistical software packages (SAS, SPSS, NVivo, Tableau, etc.) preferred.
• Must demonstrate effective workplace competencies, including:
  • Effective problem solving skills
  • Adaptability and willingness to work on multiple projects simultaneously
  • Strong written and verbal communications
  • Attentiveness to detail
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team
• Proficiency with MS Office/M365 applications.
• Occasional travel for site visits and meetings may be required.
• This is a hybrid role based in our Chicago Loop office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office.
• Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Please include a Resume and Cover Letter when applying. Candidates should be prepared to provide professional references and a writing assignment upon request.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The pay for this position is $56,000.  

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