Research Specialist

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Department SSD: Economics-Staff and Temporary Employees-Brown Research Team About the Department For more than a century, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics has been a global leader in economic research and education. Our distinguished faculty have earned numerous prestigious awards, including more Nobel Prizes and John Bates Clark Medals in economics than any other university. Many of our faculty are also esteemed members of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Econometric Society, reflecting the department’s enduring impact on the field. Job Summary Directly reporting to Professor Christina Brown, the Research Specialists will be a part of the vibrant research environment of the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at The University of Chicago. The Research Specialists will assist with development economics research projects, focused on labor markets and/or education and health. 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. The Research Specialists’ responsibilities will span all stages of research, writing and administering surveys, cleaning and organizing data, conducting statistical analyses, running simulations, and preparing manuscripts and presentations. The position offers a hybrid schedule of on-campus and remote workdays and a commitment of one year with the possibility of renewal. Responsibilities Support the Principal Investigators (PIs) in the implementation of development economics research, including randomized control trials in South Asia. Collaborate with research teams on the university campus and abroad. Handle the cleaning and management of complex data collected from various sources. Maintain a high standard of data quality through rigorous application of high-frequency checks on the incoming data. Apply advanced statistical techniques and coding skills to interpret data and analyze results. Deliver insightful and timely reports to support decision-making regarding the ongoing projects. Conduct literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents. Play a pivotal role in preparing, developing, and coding survey instruments, ensuring they are well-structured and aligned with the research objectives. 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. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, public policy or related field. Experience: Statistical analysis package such as Stata (preferred), R or Python. Preferred Competencies Work both independently, in a self-directed manner, and as a team member. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear and compelling written materials geared towards technical and non-technical audiences. Mature, self-directed individual with the ability to balance multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in order to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced working environment. Work efficiently with minimal supervision. Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail. Strong interest in development economics. Application Documents Cover letter (required) CV/resume (required) Three (3) professional references (required) Short writing sample, showing use of data (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 Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ? FLSA Status Exempt ? Pay Range $50,150.00 - $64,900.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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. 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. 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.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Mount Prospect , Research Specialist, Science, Research & Development , Chicago, Illinois