Sr. Research Analyst, Thirty Million Words

Department
 

BSD SUR - OHNS: Thirty Million Words

About the Department
 

The TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health at the University of Chicago develops, tests, and implements evidence-based interventions designed to promote very young children’s cognitive and social-emotional development, with a priority placed on that of children living in poverty. TMW Center interventions are designed to be overlaid onto existing health, education, and social service systems working at scale in a given community in order to meet families where they already are. Our goal is to effect population-level change in children’s academic and developmental outcomes.

Job Summary
 

The job participates in scientific research projects for the Thirty Million Words Center. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

Responsibilities

• Executes product roadmap for SPEAK-CAT by coordinating between the SPEAK-CAT research and technology teams. Implement product enhancements for SPEAK-CAT, including improvements to functionality and reporting.

• Supervises the work of the developer team by attending daily standup calls and monitoring progress of tickets in the Shortcut ticketing system.

• Works with product designers to improve the SPEAK-CAT user experience and to develop score reports and data visualizations for individuals and organizations.

• Manages SPEAK-CAT implementation across internal projects and external partnerships, balancing competing priorities to commit to and execute on agreed-upon time frames.

• Coordinates translation of the SPEAK-CAT into other languages.

• Recruits participants for data collection and maintains data collection records for research studies (e.g., updating trackers, checking data for consistency, providing payment to participants).

• Creates and manages survey tools for data collection, using REDCap, Qualtrics, and Contentful.

• Leads study sessions with participants, including parents and young children.

• Provides trainings to and support for undergraduate research assistants.

• Maintains organization, formatting, and backup of documents including in Google Drive, Zotero, and on the TMW Server.

• Monitors project workplan and schedule, proactively identifying risks and developing mitigation plans as needed.

• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.

• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.

• Takes responsibility for the following non-laboratory duties: transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments; presenting research; and recruiting and scheduling research subjects. Acquires higher-level skills and knowledge in the process.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience in a research lab or setting.

• Experience in early childhood research or education.

Preferred Competencies

• Familiarity with survey research methods.

• Advanced knowledge of research/statistics software and programs (e.g., Excel, Qualtrics, REDCap, R, SPSS).

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exem