Department
PSD Data Science: Research Staff
About the Department
The Data Science Institute at the University of Chicago was established to support the development of emerging efforts in data science across the University. The staff in the Data Science Institute support the University’s community of scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination. Together with the University's deans and department chairs, the Data Science Institute provides the opportunities, infrastructure, and resources that encourage our faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work.
Job Summary
The Data Science Institute (DSI) is seeking a highly experienced Director for Outlier Research & Evaluation to lead DSI’s data science education research and evaluation portfolio. The Director for Outlier Research & Evaluation reports to the Senior Director of Research Programs & Strategy. The Director will oversee a group of research professionals who, in collaboration with the director, plan, conduct, and disseminate high-quality data science education research and evaluation projects. This role includes developing and managing grants, fostering collaborations with institutional and external research partners, and expanding the national impact and visibility of DSI’s education research efforts.
The Director for Outlier Research & Evaluation will focus on positioning the DSI to become a data science education research hub by securing large-scale external funding, building strong university-wide partnerships, and increasing visibility through data science education research programs.
This at-will position is wholly funded by contractual grant funding, which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract(s). Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of grant funds and satisfactory job performance.
Responsibilities
- Provide intellectual leadership and strategic direction for Outlier Research & Evaluation’s data science education research and evaluation portfolio.
- Lead and conduct rigorous research and evaluation studies, serving as principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on multiple projects and contributing actively to study design, analysis, and dissemination.
- Lead, manage, and supervise research professionals and support staff that are involved with planning, implementing, monitoring, and compliance aspects of data science education research and evaluation projects and advise the team on long-range plans for projects.
- Ensure research is conducted in compliance with human subjects research requirements, including managing IRB protocols, data protection, and ethical research practices across all projects.
- Develop and sustain strong relationships with faculty members, research partners, and other stakeholders within and beyond the university.
- Work collaboratively with Data Science faculty, DSI’s staff, and research professionals to develop evaluation and data science education research proposals for grant funding.
- Identify and prioritize opportunities to grow the data science education research and evaluation efforts and expand impact.
- Hire and manage staff to meet the data science education research and evaluation goals.
- Oversee administrative, financial, and reporting activities for the research portfolio, ensuring compliance with University and sponsor requirements.
- Pursue and secure data science education research and evaluation grant funding.
- Manages research professionals and support staff involved with planning, monitoring, and compliance aspects of research projects. Advises other researchers on long-range plans for research projects.
- Reviews research of others, and may conduct own research, in area of expertise. Edits and approves articles, reports and manuscripts. Presents research findings at meetings and/or conference. Manages the research of processes in clinical or non-clinical settings. Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
- Perform other related work as needed
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- PhD or equivalent degree in relevant field.
Experience:
- 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in education research and evaluation projects.
- 3+ years of specialized work experience in data science education research and evaluation.
- Experience serving as principal investigator or co-PI on externally funded research projects, with responsibility for conceptual leadership, grant management, and supervision of research teams.
- Experience leading program evaluations in collaboration with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and companies.
- A strong track record of successful data science education grantsmanship, manuscript preparation or report writing.
Preferred Competencies
- Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary and cross-sector research teams, and to build partnerships with faculty, funders, and community stakeholders to advance shared research goals.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, planning and problem-solving skills with an ability to prioritize, drive and complete multiple projects under stringent deadlines, and to respond to changing priorities.
- Effective organizational and time management skills with a high degree of attention to details.
- Outstanding written and oral communications skills for grant proposals, reports, and manuscripts.
- Strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
- Meticulous diplomacy in interactions with multiple diverse partners.
- Demonstrated intellectual leadership and scholarly expertise in education or data science education research.
- Deep understanding of mixed-methods, quantitative, and/or qualitative research and evaluation design, including human-subjects research compliance and ethical data practices.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (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
People Manager
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$117,000.00 - $135,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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