Research Scientist II

Position Overview

We are looking for a passionate research scientist to make change and foster improvements to justice and community well-being in the state of Illinois. Use your research skills to examine public programs and data trends to better inform and advance the state’s understanding of crucial criminal justice issues. Be a leader in translating research data, findings, and implications to state and local policymakers, practitioners, and communities for positive change.  

Essential Functions

• Plans and conducts research studies and disseminates research findings to advance knowledge and programming in areas such as criminology, public health, victim studies, and violence prevention in the state of Illinois
• Assist with improving data collection and reporting systems for diverse criminal justice and victim service stakeholders and practitioners
• Provides training and support to internal and external entities on collecting and interpreting data and using data for planning and evaluation purposes
• Establishes and maintains work-related professional contacts with internal and external entities, including researchers, stakeholders, and practitioners

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a master’s degree in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, public health, public policy, social work, statistics, or a related field; or
• Requires admission into a Ph.D. program in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, public health, public policy, social work, statistics, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers knowledge of scientific research methods equivalent to one year of experience conducting research
• Prefers excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to identify solutions for improved data collection and reporting
  tools and systems as demonstrated by experience drafting and/or adapting data collection instruments, tools, or procedures
  to better meet data collection needs
• Prefers excellent verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated by experience drafting papers, articles,
  reports, or presentations
• Prefers ability to prepare reports, presentations, and data visualizations using quantitative and qualitative datasets as
  demonstrated by experience drafting research papers, reports, or articles, AND developing research presentations or data
  visualizations
• Prefers ability to deliver presentations and/or trainings to various professional and lay groups as demonstrated by
  experience giving presentations at local, regional, or national conferences, workshops, or trainings
• Prefers ability to use analytic software (e.g., SPSS, R, SQL) equivalent to one year of experience using analytic software
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain working relationships with agency staff and stakeholders, researchers, and
  practitioners as demonstrated by at least six months of experience working with government agencies, researchers/research
  institutions, or community-based organizations
• Prefers knowledge of Institutional Review Boards and human subjects of research protection equivalent to experience
  leading or providing research support for one IRB approved research study

Conditions of Employment

• Requires proper documentation for approved work in the United States
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• Requires a valid and current driver’s license
• Requires ability to pass a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

ICJIA responds to community needs with research and federal and state grants administration. ICJIA administers over 100 million dollars in grants, including the R3 (restore, reinvest, renew) grants (funded through the tax on legalized cannabis), state violence prevention grants, and federal grants including under the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act. ICJIA convenes groups and collaborates on efforts to reform the criminal justice system. ICJIA leads criminal justice reform efforts by supporting policy makers through research.