Science & Research Jobs in Illinois with TN Sponsorship

JOB SUMMARY:

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a motivated, self-directed Systems Administrator. This role focuses on Apple macOS endpoint management and Microsoft 365 services, including SharePoint Online. You will partner with the Service Desk and IT teams to resolve incidents and requests quickly and provide great service. You will also monitor service health, make routine updates and configuration changes, maintain documentation, and troubleshoot complex issues.

Location: This is a hybrid role based in our Chicago Loop office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office.

DEPARTMENT: Information Technology - Administrative Systems and Support

NORC's Information Technology program provides technology services to our staff and clients. Given the critical role technology plays in our day-to-day lives, we are committed to providing professional, high-quality solutions in order to further our collective goal of advancing social science research.

Responsibilities:

• Check Microsoft 365 Service Health and flag user-impacting issues.
• Link reported problems to known Microsoft 365 incidents.
• Work ServiceNow incidents (INC) and requests (REQ) through resolution.
• Provide clear, timely ticket updates to users and the Service Desk.
• Handle escalations and serve as a higher-tier support resource.
• Support SharePoint Online operations, including access, sync, sharing, and site/library issues.
• Coordinate fixes and vendor escalations when needed.
• Manage macOS devices in Microsoft Intune (enrollment, compliance, and configuration policies).
• Test and deploy macOS and application updates.
• Perform recurring operational checks (for example, endpoint and security agent health).
• Troubleshoot failures and complete remediation work.
• Support software deployments, including packaging and testing when needed.
• Perform data restores in Rubrik and document the outcome.
• Own assigned business services (for example, Kadence) and manage technical issues and changes.
• Maintain and improve procedures, troubleshooting guides, and runbooks.
• Support projects and process improvements across IT.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Project laptop image creation.
• Service ownership.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field (or equivalent years of work experience); an associate degree with strong experience will be considered.
• At least 3 years of systems administration experience.
• Strong endpoint administration experience in an enterprise environment (macOS and Windows).
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Intune (enrollment, compliance, configuration, and troubleshooting).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 administration and service health monitoring.
• Experience supporting SharePoint Online (preferred).
• Experience working in an ITSM tool (ServiceNow preferred), including incident and request workflows.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and root-cause analysis experience.
• Knowledge of endpoint security basics (for example, encryption and endpoint agents).
• Scripting or automation experience (PowerShell for Windows and Bash for Macs preferred).
• Working knowledge of Active Directory and Group Policy in hybrid environments.
• Strong customer service skills with non-technical users.
• Change Management skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well with teammates with different skill levels.
• Ability to connect day-to-day work to business goals.
• Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The pay range for this position is $85,000-$95,000.

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.