Entry Level Data Analyst R Programming Jobs in Chicago, IL

Responsibilities

For US Applicants: Please submit your application through our online portal by our deadline: August 11, 2026 for consideration.

The Data Analyst Role

This role is open to candidates in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, LA, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco.

The Data Analyst plays a central role in delivering the rigorous analyses that underpin Cornerstone Research’s work in complex litigation, regulatory investigations, and financial disputes. You will work in case teams that range in size but typically include an academic or industry expert, senior consultants, and analysts. Within a case team, you will make important contributions during all phases of a project – from initial data ingestion through final deliverable.

Your work will span a wide range of analytical tasks, including building and cleaning large datasets, running quantitative models, and translating case team needs into structured, reproducible data outputs. The role demands precision and attention to detail, as the outputs you produce directly support expert testimony and client-facing work in high-stakes legal and regulatory proceedings. You will operate within a collaborative team environment and are expected to develop your understanding of the economic and legal context of the cases you support.

This is a hybrid role. Data Analysts are expected to work at least 50% in-office at their respective local office.

Workstreams & Tasks

• Execute exploratory and econometric analyses, investigating the analytical possibilities of case data and accelerating the case team’s time-to-insight on complex datasets

• Own end-to-end data workflows on cases, including ingestion, cleaning, transformation, and validation of large, complex datasets, collaborating with team members to ensure shared understanding of approach and scope

• Build, document, and maintain data infrastructure and pipelines that meet the firm's standards for reproducibility and defensibility

• Apply independent technical judgment to translate case strategy into structured, well-documented data outputs

• Uphold coding standards and reproducibility practices on data work across the case lifecycle, serving as the technical reference point for the case team on data infrastructure decisions

• Lead escalation and resolution when technical issues arise

Data Analyst Development

This is an early-career role designed to build deep technical capability and professional judgment, beginning with a comprehensive orientation and training program to introduce you to the firm.

Data Analysts are part of Cornerstone Research's industry-leading Data Science Center, which provides continuous learning and development programs covering sophisticated data analysis and engineering tools, as well as the soft skills needed to work effectively with case teams, clients, and experts.

Required

• BA/BS or MA/MS in a quantitative field, such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or a related discipline; strong academic performance expected

• 1-3 years of relevant work experience, including demonstrated ownership of projects involving data analysis, econometrics or statistical research, or programming, with the ability to execute data tasks accurately and efficiently

• Strong foundational analytical skills, including the ability to manipulate structured datasets, identify data quality issues, and produce clean, well-documented outputs

• Working knowledge of SQL for data extraction and analysis, and experience working with relational databases

• Proficiency in at least one analytical programming language (e.g., Python, R)

• Understanding of statistical concepts and their applications in business settings

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a team structure

• Exposure to large or complex datasets (terabytes, not gigabytes)

• Comfort working with Bash/CLI/Git

• High attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment to accuracy in quantitative work

Preferred

• Familiarity with economic or financial concepts, through coursework or prior work experience

• Demonstrated ability to produce clean, well-documented, and reproducible analytical work

• Experience working with cloud data platforms (e.g., Redshift, S3, Databricks)

• Interest in business and economics

• Interest or familiarity in using AI coding tools

Application Requirements

• Resume

• Cover Letter (required when finalizing your application on the employer's career portal)

• Portfolio (optional, if applicable please upload under “Additional Documents” when finalizing your application on the employer's career portal)

Cornerstone Research will provide H-1B, H-1B1, E3 and TN visa support to full-time candidates that require visa support. Full-time candidates requiring visa support, must have a STEM-eligible degree and at least 36 months remaining of work authorization.

Cornerstone Research offers a market-leading compensation and benefits package. The base salary for the Data Analyst role is $122,500. In addition to the base salary, new Data Analysts will be eligible for a starting bonus. Data Analysts are also eligible for discretionary bonuses based on case performance, firm contributions, and other factors. Previous relevant work experience will be taken into consideration in determining compensation. Information about our benefits, including health and wellness and family support, can be found on the Careers page of our website.

About Cornerstone Research

Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial consulting and expert testimony in all phases of complex disputes and regulatory investigations. The firm works with an extensive network of prominent academics and industry practitioners to identify the best-qualified expert for each assignment. With a reputation for high quality and effectiveness, Cornerstone Research has consistently delivered rigorous, state-of-the-art analysis since 1989. The firm has more than 1,100 professionals in nine offices across the United States, UK, and EU.

Cornerstone Research is involved in a broad variety of high-profile projects. Current exemplary matters include claims of anticompetitive conduct, potential mergers and the impact on market competition, the impact of intellectual property infringement, allegations of misleading marketing or false claims, allegations of manipulation of financial markets, evaluation of fair merger prices, securities litigation, claims in consumer finance, anticompetitive conduct in financial markets, and corporate governance issues. We cover topics in a broad range of industries including consumer goods, life sciences, high technology, energy, telecommunications, industrial markets, banking, securities, fintech, private equity, insurance, and cryptocurrency.

More details on Cornerstone Research and what we do can be found on our website: www.cornerstone.com.

About Data Science Center

The Data Science Center (DSC) is the Cornerstone Research's center of excellence for advanced analytics, data infrastructure, and AI-enabled innovation. The DSC sits at the intersection of economics, data science, and litigation. We partner with consultants to build practical, AI-powered products that reshape how Cornerstone delivers. The DSC brings together deep domain expertise, direct access to real user problems, and strong distribution channels, creating the conditions for legal technology that lasts.

Cornerstone Research provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to legally protected categories, such as age, sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, creed/religious belief, medical condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, or genetic information or testing, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, military status, veteran status, arrest or conviction record (except where permitted by law), sexual orientation, ethnic background, citizen status, ancestry, national origin, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law.