Research Specialist

Department
 

SSD: Economics - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department
 

For over a century, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics has been recognized as one of the world's leading centers for economic research and education. The Department's faculty has received numerous awards, including more Nobel Prize laureates and John Bates Clark medalists in economics than any other university. Among our faculty are many members of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Econometric Society.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to Professor John List in the Department of Economics, the Research Specialist will develop, design, conduct, and support experiments in economics. The position entails collaboration on new and ongoing research projects with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a focus on (but not limited to) the implementation and empirical analysis of field experiments. Specifically, the Research Specialist will be involved in advanced empirical work in education, labor economics, discrimination, behavioral economics, and other topics within applied microeconomics. The optimal candidate will work with limited direction and be part of the vibrant research environment of the Department of Economics at The University of Chicago and properly prepare for a successful academic career. This is a 1-year position funded by a research grant.

Responsibilities

• Implement experiments conduct data analysis and modify existing codes to provide robustness of test results.

• Contribute to writing, proofreading, and fact-checking papers and presentations.

• Write models, collect, manipulate, and analyze experimental datasets.

• Clean data, analyze data, and programming.

• Collaborate on new and ongoing research projects and involved in advanced empirical work in the areas of energy, charitable giving, education, labor economics, discrimination, behavioral economics and other topics within applied microeconomics.

• Ensures compliance with institutional, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates.

• Installs, sets up and performs experiments, interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.

• 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:

• Master’s degree in economics, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field; pursuing a PhD in Economics.

Experience:

• Knowledge of LaTeX.

• Relevant research experience, especially with data.

Technical/Knowledge/Skills:

• Statistical analysis package such as Stata, R, or Python.

Preferred Competencies

• The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who thrives working both independently, with minimal supervision, and as a part of small research teams, juggling multiple projects concurrently.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear and compelling written materials geared toward technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to prioritize effectively to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced working environment.

• Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail.

• Strong interest in development economics.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Three references (required)

• Cover Letter (include earliest available start date)

• Writing Sample (optional)

• Transcript (preferred, unofficial is acceptable)

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.

 

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