Assistant Research Director

Department
 

UL Inclusive Economy Lab

About the Department
 

Our focus for generations, government policies and institutional choices have excluded many Americans from opportunities for education, employment, and wealth creation. Ending intergenerational poverty and building an inclusive economy—one that provides real economic opportunities for all communities—requires collaboration across sectors, as well as scientific evidence about what works and what doesn’t. Traditional research can take years, and the results often don’t reach those who need the information most—the people living with and working on these issues. The University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab solves this by working with policymakers, organizations, and communities to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate that evidence into real policy changes that expand economic opportunity and improve lives. Founded in 2015, The University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab conducts rigorous research that expands economic opportunity for people harmed by discrimination, disinvestment, and segregation. One of five Urban Labs based at the Harris School of Public Policy, the Inclusive Economy Lab is led by Pritzker Director Marianne Bertrand, Chris P. Dialynas Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the Booth School of Business. We partner with policymakers, community-based organizations and others to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate findings into policy changes that end intergenerational poverty. By identifying barriers to social mobility and racial equity and highlighting the programs and policies that have the most positive impact, our work creates aims to create greater economic opportunity. We specialize in evaluating programs with the potential to improve lives in four main areas: • College and Career Success • Housing Stability • Financial Security • Quality Jobs
Who We Are: The Inclusive Economy Lab is led by Marianne Bertrand, the Chris P. Dialynas Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Co-Director of Social Enterprise Initiative at Booth, and the Pritzker Director of the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab. Her research, which covers labor economics, corporate finance, and development economics, has been published widely. She is a member of the board of directors for the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Our full-time staff currently consists of an Executive Director, Scientific Director and twenty-five full-time staff, including data analysts and program managers at our main office in downtown Chicago. Our constantly evolving portfolio of projects spans workforce development, housing and homelessness, postsecondary education, and income support policies. Our Values: • Conduct science in service of cities: We feel a sense of urgency to do research that improves people’s lives. We select projects that lead to solutions for policy, practice, and increased investments on the ground. Our research is rigorous and informed by the historic and current contexts that shape urban residents’ lives • Foster lasting relationships: We collaborate with policymakers, practitioners, and people with lived experience to understand multiple perspectives and figure out what works. • Elevate equity & inclusion: We aim to hire people with a range of personal and professional backgrounds, skillsets, and identities. We expand access to evaluation for a broad range of organizations and we conduct work that affirms the dignity of all people. • Check our privilege: We recognize the power and privilege we have as members of the University of Chicago. We practice humility and recognize that expertise comes in many forms and there are limits to our own • Embrace a growth mindset: We invest in our people and develop our skills and content knowledge together. We work respectfully as a team to achieve our shared goals.

Job Summary
 

This position independently designs, performs analysis, and publishes results from research projects, applying statistical methods from proposal phase through report phase. Develops objectives, designing sampling, randomization, and data collection procedures. Develops and implements new innovative procedures in the areas of data collection, quality control, statistical analyses, and presentation of results.

Responsibilities

• Directs 3-4 applied research projects focused on homelessness/housing, college access and success, workforce development, or financial stability.

• Manages research and project staff, providing scientific direction and ensuring the rigor and quality of all work.

• Leads data analyses and oversees the work of junior analysts.

• Facilitates strategic conversations about new projects and initiatives the Inclusive Economy Lab should take on.

• Collaborates with researchers to design, implement and conduct results from research projects, with responsibility for writing statistical design, methods, and analysis for research proposals.

• Serves as the lead on scientific content of research proposals.

• Disseminates research findings to both research and practitioner/policy maker audiences.

• Leads the statistical analysis and reporting for multiple research projects.

• Takes responsibility for ensuring the statistical analysis of direct reports is aligned with the research projects and ensures quality of the work.

• Represents the Inclusive Economy Lab in the reporting of statistical findings to research partners contributing to research projects.

• Designs tables and statistical procedures for specific research studies. Takes primary responsibility for writing the statistical design and documenting statistical considerations in grant proposals for faculty throughout the unit.

• May serve on committees, supervise project personnel, and coordinate quality control efforts to support the efforts and ensure success of research projects. Writes the results section of reports and publications.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in economics, sociology, public policy, or other relevant social/mathematical science field.

Preferred Competencies

• Engage thoughtfully with issues related to race, identity, and equity and work across differences.

• Demonstrated experience working with communities that have experienced segregation and disinvestment.

• First-generation college students and those with lived experience in communities experiencing poverty and disinvestment are encouraged to apply.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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