Academic and Research Specialist

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Academic and Research Specialist works closely with a diverse group of 5-7 faculty to further the faculty mission of teaching and research. The Specialist must understand and anticipate faculty needs, understand faculty culture, and deliver effective solutions to individual faculty, research assistants, and other members of the community. Must participate in professional meetings to discuss research and academic goals and implementation strategies. Strong analytical and administrative skills are used to maintain relations with faculty, and are a high priority in supporting and collaborating with faculty, faculty support staff, PhD students, and University visitors. High levels of initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm are keys to success. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Master’s degree.
Mastery of Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Exposure to content management and learning management tools, such as Canvas.
Learn tools such as LaTeX and Stata.
Interest in business school environment, grants/proposals, and research/lab work.
High degree of professionalism.
Excellent service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Superior organizational skills and constant attention to detail.
Outstanding problem solving and analytical skills.
Knowledge of research techniques and methods.
Proven ability to work independently, proactively, courteously, efficiently, and tactfully, using sound judgment, in a fast-paced environment with diverse populations.
Demonstrated skill managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, time sensitive, high output environment.
Maintain confidentiality of student and faculty information.
Understand faculty needs and faculty culture, while also being able to deliver effective solutions to individual faculty.
Familiarity with a research environment.

Responsibilities

Furthers the faculty mission of teaching through the creation and preparation of course materials including Canvas (course management) sites, digital course reserves, course materials, handouts, and PowerPoint slides.
Analyzes, validates and evaluates drafts of problem sets and exams to ensure clarity and accuracy, and recommends changes as necessary.
Calculates and validates advanced math formulas/equations; have possession of a general understanding of basic concepts as they relate to economics is useful.
Oversees and manages teaching assistants on behalf of faculty in a manner consistent with faculty requirements.
Responds to students on a wide variety of concerns and course-related questions.
Enters grades with delegated authority from faculty members, ensuring FERPA privacy guidelines are met.
Furthers the faculty research mission by providing technical and administrative support for primary research, which includes pulling data sets and cleaning data; preparation of manuscripts and other documents; editing documents for clarity; navigation of paper submission process with publishers; management of research labs or centers, for example, RA time management, ordering/coordinating research study supplies, and managing hardware and software used for studies, and grant proposals; may orient or coordinate the work of research support staff and students; conduction of literary reviews which require the ability to research similar bodies of work in the marketplace that will serve as a foundation for new research by faculty; and analysis of data using statistical software and/or specialized software.
Acts as an ambassador for Booth and a resource for guests before, during, and after their visits to campus.
Assumes responsibility for ensuring highest quality event management for events such as research seminars, conferences, and meetings.
Oversees and reconciles budget, through vendor selection, budget projections, and general checks and balances within the budget, for workshops and events.
Manages day-to-day operation of faculty group, primarily in the areas of financial and support services management.
Ensures compliance with relevant Booth, University and other policies and guidelines.
Develops budgets for workshops and events.
Monitors and reconciles accounts.
Oversight management of the day-to-day financial processes, payment of invoices, and processing of reimbursements.
May develop financial reporting for grants.
Creates, edits, and maintains class web pages and faculty personal web pages, utilizing advanced computer skills in web page management.
May provide assistance to other office staff, such as Deans’ Office during recruiting and research centers with which the faculty collaborate, to ensure efficiently running organization support to all faculty.
Supervisor will assist in determining some faculty needs, and may assign tasks as needed on behalf of faculty and the Faculty Services office.
Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendors contracts.
Preparing and monitoring the budget for a unit.
Researches and analyzes data to create reports, and may create other reports for grants and contracts.
Performs other related work as needed.