Research Specialist

Department
 

Law Coase-Sandor Institute for Law and Economics

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago Law School occupies a unique niche among this country's premier law schools. Located on a residential campus in one of America's great cities, UChicago Law offers a rigorous and interdisciplinary professional education that blends the study of law with the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Students, faculty, and staff form a small, tightly knit community devoted to the life of the mind.

Job Summary
 

The Coase-Sandor Institute for Law & Economics at the University of Chicago Law School seeks a Research Specialist to participate in scientific research projects, ensure compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates, analyze possible solutions using standard procedures, write articles, reports and manuscripts, and assists in drafting presentations on research findings. The Institute promotes the understanding and dissemination of the economic approach to law. For more information about the Institute, please visit http://www.law.uchicago.edu/coase-sandor.
The role is intended to operate on a pre-doc model, with the Research Specialist remaining in the role for up to two years before pursing graduate studies, although this can be extended by mutual agreement.

Responsibilities

• Builds and manages data sets.

• Builds and tests econometric models.

• Creates tables and figures to communicate findings.

• Helps with the design of experimental and survey studies.

• Conducts complex data analysis.

• Writes and edits research documentation.

• Discovers new data sources and cleans/prepares data for analysis.

• Simultaneously manages the delivery of potentially multiple research projects adhering to deadlines and high standards of quality.

• Provides general assistance to the Institute, as well as to Law School faculty and post-doctoral scholars.

• Attends various law school events, including conferences and workshops.

• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project. 

• Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents. 

• 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 < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• A degree with training in statistical methods, including familiarity with experimental methods.

• An advanced degree in economics or a related field with evidence of strong mathematics, statistics, and econometrics background is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Significant research experience in a university setting is strongly preferred.

• Programming with Stata and/or R, as well as software such as Matlab or SAS.

• Programming in Python. Familiarity with programming languages such as Perl or Ruby.

Preferred Competencies

• Must be self-directed.

• Ability to work independently and within teams.

• Ability to work effectively across multiple projects.

• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.

• Competence and experience programming with Stata, as well as familiarity with other statistical packages such as R, Matlab, or SAS.

• Competence and experience programming in Python.

• Working knowledge of MS Excel.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

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
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or 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.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.