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.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab is seeking a full-time Assistant Research Director to provide scientific and intellectual leadership for Inclusive Economy Lab projects. The Assistant Research Director will serve as a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator and/or lead analyst on 3-4 Inclusive Economy Lab projects, ensuring the rigor and quality of the Lab's work.

Responsibilities

• Direct 3-4 applied research projects focused on homelessness/housing, college access and success, workforce development, or financial stability.
• Manage and mentor research and project staff, providing scientific direction and ensuring the rigor and quality of all work.
• Lead the statistical analysis and reporting for multiple research projects, including overseeing the work of junior analysts.
• Contribute to strategic conversations about which new projects and initiatives the Inclusive Economy Lab should take on.
• Execute the strategic vision of the IEL and research funders by ensuring statistical programming and evaluation is aligned with best practice.
• Work collaboratively with practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement applied research projects.
• Design standard operating procedures and analytic tools to support the work of the data team.
• Serve as the lead in developing the scientific content of research proposals.
• Disseminate research findings to both research and practitioner/policy maker audiences.
• Serve as a member of the Inclusive Economy Lab’s data management team.
• Design tables and statistical procedures for specific research studies. Take 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.
• 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.

Work Experience:

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

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

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

$93,500.00 - $121,000.00

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.

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