Jacob manages research projects with complex sample designs, focusing on hard-to-reach populations. His work spans topics including health, politics, technology, education, finance, and labor. He uses a range of recruitment methods, including web, telephone, mail, and interactive voice response (IVR) to ensure robust data collection.

He leads the development and maintenance of the ChicagoSpeaks panel, a high-quality probability research panel representing Chicago residents. Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, Jacob aims to ensure the panel advances its mission of driving positive social impact within the Chicago community. Similarly, he oversees the AmeriSpeak® project team in developing the SPACE City Panel, which surveys people in the greater Houston area.

Jacob played a key role in establishing the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Voice of Work research panel, leading the AmeriSpeak team and overseeing project management for more than 30 projects. He served as a project manager on the Foresight 50+® panel, a collaboration between NORC and AARP. Beyond panel development, he drives initiatives focused on automation and process analysis, earning NORC’s Innovation Merit Award for his contributions.

Before joining NORC, Jacob worked in research and strategy consulting for nonprofit associations and societies, including the American Heart Association. He designed research plans, conducted data collection and analysis, and delivered insights aligned with organizations’ strategic goals.