Postdoctoral Research Associate




Children and Family Research Center




School of Social Work


The Children and Family Research Center (CFRC) was established in 1996 in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to identify and monitor child welfare service outcomes, conduct program evaluations of key interventions and complete research on critical issues that impact the success of these efforts. The CFRC conducts child welfare program evaluations and promotes evidence-based practices that advance the public mission of ensuring the safety, permanence, and well-being of children in or at risk of substitute care. The CFRC also conducts research in related fields of research such as sexual assault, children's mental health services, implementation science, and predictive analytics, contributes to the intellectual and scientific development of research studies including the development of proposals, study design, and methods, and collaborates with other researchers to conduct data collection and analysis and assists in the preparation of research reports, presentations, and academic articles.

The postdoctoral research associate will be appointed for a 12-month term, renewable based on performance and funding availability. The candidate will be directly supervised by Assistant Professor and CFRC Faculty Director William Schneider and will have the opportunity to collaborate with CFRC Faculty Affiliates.

Job summary

Contributes to the intellectual and scientific development of research studies at the UIUC Children and Family Research Center (CFRC) including the development of proposals, study design, and methods. Collaborates with other researchers to conduct data collection and analysis, and assists in the preparation of research reports, presentations, and academic articles. Work within a team environment to perform research and evaluation activities that enhance the child welfare and related human service fields, inform state and/or federal policy and practice, and contribute to scientific knowledge about child and family services. Work both independently and as part of a team on projects related to both the core work products of CFRC and those related to CFRC's mission lead by Dr. William Schneider and Dr. Hyunil Kim.

Duties and Responsibilities

Perform a range of research activities that may include:

Research and evaluation

• Developing evaluation plans and research designs to answer specific research questions

• Designing data collection instruments

• Collecting primary data through surveys, interviews, and focus groups

• Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, including data included in large, administrative data sets

• Participating in research team meetings and supervising undergraduate and graduate students

Dissemination

• Writing and submitting reports to funders as required

• Presenting research findings to agency administrators and community stakeholders

• Presenting research findings at academic conferences

• Writing scholarly articles for publication in academic journals

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate degree in Social Work received by time of appointment. Demonstrated proficiency in research and analyzing and reporting both quantitative and qualitative data. Demonstrated proficiency using various statistical software programs (e.g. SPSS, SAS, R, STATA, NVivo). Prior experience in child welfare research.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by research publications in academic journals or final evaluation reports. Ability to translate and convey complex concepts and research findings to a variety of audiences in both oral and written communications. Ability to work independently and effectively follow through on multiple priorities under deadline pressure.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is July 2024. Fully-remote or hybrid work may be considered for this position. The minimum of the salary range for this position is $62,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.


The position offers ample opportunity for professional development, such as attending workshops, additional training in specific research methods or tools, and mentorship opportunities. The position will also offer training and mentorship on grant writing and the opportunity to apply for research funding.

Required Documents to Apply

• Current CV

• Writing sample

• Cover letter describing your research interests and experience and reason for applying

• Names and contact information of three professional references

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST ) on April 30, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu/ will not be considered. Upload your cover letter, resume, and names and contact information for three professional references. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact SW- HR@illinois.edu . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .