Research Fellow

Chapin Hall seeks a translational scholar to lead a research and evaluation portfolio in economic and concrete support services and programs, maltreatment prevention, and improvement in child and family well-being. We seek to hire an individual who shares our core values and standards for designing and conducting high quality research and evaluation intended to improve quality of life, well-being, and outcomes for children, youth, and families. Chapin Hall seeks to improve the evidence base; inform decision making at the federal, state, and local levels; support the design and testing of interventions; enable faithful implementation and adaptation; develop innovative means of leveraging administrative data to inform systems change; and address racial inequities in child and family-serving systems. This is an ideal opportunity for an established scholar and leader.

The successful applicant will develop, lead, and collaborate with a team of staff to design and conduct translational mixed-methods research and program evaluations that inform child and family-serving systems, policies, programs, and interventions related to economic and concrete support, child welfare, and family well-being. This research leader will have a national reputation, a rigorous portfolio of funded, policy relevant translational research, and a track record of effective mentoring. This leader will maintain a clearly articulated research agenda, a dynamic, funded portfolio and work across teams to generate research that can inform public policy and interventions. They will establish themselves as an organizational leader who attracts collaborators and designs and executes research in partnership with colleagues and state child welfare leaders, pursuing a range of dissemination outlets aimed at diverse stakeholders. Additionally, the Research Fellow will seek and maintain an active, positive role in contributing to the organizational culture through formal and informal engagements, mentoring, and service.

Experience leading a body of large research projects (including federal) and strong management skills are fundamental to the role. This individual will lead Chapin Hall’s portfolio of research and program evaluations on economic and concrete support services and programs. The successful applicant will have a demonstrated record of leadership and collaboration with internal and external partners (e.g., public and private funders, fellow scholars, implementers), be well versed in child welfare and other human service system policy and practice, including economic support programs, and have demonstrated success in designing and conducting mixed methods research and evaluation studies, including experimental or quasi-experimental designs. Experience conducting economic analysis (e.g. benefit-cost analysis) is preferred.  

Chapin Hall embraces a “Work from Anywhere” approach which offers flexible remote work from anywhere in the United States. Chapin Hall also offers in-person opportunities for staff to build: 1) connections, 2) team cohesion and creativity, and 3) a sense of belonging to the organization. All staff are expected to travel to and engage in a minimum of two annual 2-day “All Hall Convenings” featuring shared learning, teamwork, and fellowship. Reasonable accommodations are made for those who require modifications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads a rigorous portfolio of interdisciplinary, funded research related to Chapin Hall’s mission, contributing to organizational strategy, growth, and impact.
• Generates innovative research questions and approaches; develops and implements research studies that utilize appropriate research methods (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods), working in partnership with community partners and (if relevant) public system partners.
• Develops new business by pursuing external partnerships, writing grants, and pursuing contracts.
• Oversees the development of client/project deliverables, contributes to and ensures continuous quality improvement, and creates a team culture that results in staff and client satisfaction.
• Reports to stakeholders and disseminates findings to multiple audiences and outlets, in collaboration with colleagues and Chapin Hall leadership.
• Through active mentoring and leading by example, contributes to the professional development of colleagues, ensuring succession and promoting the growth of talent, research agendas, and funding
• Through close engagement with colleagues and leadership, functions as a thought leader in the organization and seeks to further Chapin Hall’s mission.
• Through committee and related service, contributes to the development and refining of internal systems that support the effective execution of projects, staff development and advancement, and a positive organizational culture.
• As appropriate, engages/oversees capacity building, implementation support, and embedded research and evaluation activities as part of partner engagements; effectively integrates multiple functions to produce relevant, holistic, and timely research findings.
• Understands and effectively navigates the complex relationships between key funding, research, and policy stakeholders.

• A doctoral degree in social work, public policy, education, public health, child and human development, psychology, sociology or another relevant field plus a minimum of 10 years of experience leading the design and implementation of research and evaluation in child welfare or related field.
• A longitudinal record of scholarly productivity, e.g., ample experience in the design and conduct of research, including positions of successive responsibility and leadership (e.g., principal investigator, center director, team leader on funded projects, administrative leader).
• A track record in securing funding from multiple sources, i.e., an established, funded portfolio of translational research, including grants and contracts from public (federal, state, jurisdictions) and private (foundations, other sources) sources.
• Evidence of successful collaboration and partnership with funders, colleagues, senior scholars, administrators, and other leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor junior staff and/or graduate students who develop and execute independent portfolios of research.
• Expert knowledge of the relative strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including the clear ability to design, develop, execute, present, and publish translational research.
• Experience designing and executing economic analysis (e.g. benefit-cost analysis, return on investment models) is preferred.
• Knowledge of child welfare or other human service systems policy and practice.
• Knowledge of economic support programs.
• Successful dissemination, including but not limited to writing and publishing research reports for scholarly (peer reviewed) and non-scholarly audiences, delivering presentations and providing consultation to a diverse range of stakeholders, and effectively tailoring messages to the audience
• Strong project and personnel management skills, with the ability to manage multiple, concurrent tasks required.
• Highly flexible problem-solving and analytic skills required.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the desire and ability to contribute positively to the culture and intellectual life of Chapin Hall and to effectively manage key stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated judgment and discretion in the handling of sensitive information.
• Understands the relative merits and limitations of diverse analytic software such as R, SAS, SPSS, STATA, Atlas.ti, and/or NVIVO, as applicable.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to operate a computer extensively for four (4) or more hours per day.
• Must be able to travel locally and out of state occasionally.
   

Pre-employment background checks are required for all Chapin Hall positions. Formal expressions of interest are accepted online only. A cover letter, resume, writing sample, and reference contact information are required to be considered for this position.

Individuals in need of reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should contact Human Resources by calling (773) 256-5157, or by sending an email to recruiting@chapinhall.org.

Chapin Hall is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that values and actively seeks diversity in its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, status as an individual with disability,  ancestry, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Per U.S. Department of Labor regulations, Chapin Hall offers visa sponsorship in limited instances for hard-to-fill specialty occupation roles. If you have questions about visa sponsorship at Chapin Hall, please reach out to humanresources@chapinhall.org

Regarding the salary range:

Chapin Hall adheres to a competitive market-aligned salary structure for all its administrative, policy, and research roles. Starting salaries within posted ranges are determined by the Chapin Hall Human Resources Department using a consistent, rigorous, and equitable review process.