Policy Research Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. DEPARTMENT: Health Care Evaluation Research NORC’s Health Care Evaluation Research department evaluates the effectiveness and impact of health care programs and policies, with a focus on improving how care is financed and delivered.

The team supports federal, state, and nonprofit clients through rigorous mixed-methods research on Medicare, Medicaid, and other health and human services programs. Our multidisciplinary team includes economists, statisticians, data scientists, and qualitative researchers with deep experience in health policy and program evaluation. Together we generate actionable insights that help policymakers improve cost, access, and quality in health care.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide research support on health care and health policy topics. Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans. Provide project support, including scheduling meetings and interviews; taking notes and drafting summaries; and developing outlines and presentation materials.

Clean and prepare data files for analysis. Support analysis of primary and secondary data, including basic analyses using R, SAS, NVivo, or similar tools. Develop tables, graphics, and written summaries from quantitative and qualitative data.

Provide editorial and quality assurance support for deliverables. Assist in developing data collection protocols, training materials, and monitoring reports. Support proposal development through background research and coordination of document preparation.

Contribute to business development research on programs, award history, and agency priorities. Perform other duties as assigned. REQUIRED SKILLS: Bachelor's Degree from accredited college or university in Social Sciences, Economics, Statistics, Public Health, Health Policy, or a related field.

At least six months of research experience (internships included) in health care research, public health, or health policy, with qualitative or quantitative methods. Some understanding of public health insurance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Familiarity with statistical and analytic software (e.g., R, SAS, NVivo, Dedoose, 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, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). NORC is committed to equity and transparency in its pay practices.

We publish salary ranges and benefit information for every job. The listed hiring range reflects what we, in good faith, expect to pay at the time of posting, though actual compensation may vary and may be adjusted over time. A candidate’s placement within the range depends on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs.

WHAT WE DO: 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.

WHO WE ARE: For over 80 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.

EEO STATEMENT: NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics.