Academic and Research Specialist

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

5d•$59,000 - $62,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Academic and Research Specialist works closely with a diverse group of 5–7 faculty members to support their teaching and research missions. The role requires anticipating faculty needs, understanding faculty culture, and providing effective solutions to faculty, research assistants, and other members of the community. The specialist participates in professional meetings to discuss research and academic goals and implementation strategies, and uses strong analytical and administrative skills to support faculty, faculty support staff, PhD students, and University visitors. Initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm are important to success. The position supports teaching by creating and preparing course materials, managing Canvas sites and digital course reserves, reviewing problem sets and exams, checking advanced math formulas and equations, overseeing teaching assistants, responding to student questions, and entering grades while following FERPA requirements. Research support includes working with data, preparing and editing manuscripts and other documents, assisting with publication submissions, supporting research labs and centers, coordinating research staff and supplies, conducting literature reviews, supporting grant proposals, and analyzing data with statistical or specialized software. The specialist also supports campus visitors and manages research seminars, conferences, and meetings, including event budgets. Day-to-day responsibilities include financial and support services management, policy compliance, budget preparation and reconciliation, invoice and reimbursement processing, financial reporting, and maintaining class and faculty web pages. The role may also assist other offices and research centers and perform other related work as needed. The position is currently expected to work in the office at least three days per week, with occasional evenings and weekends as needed. It is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Requirements

A college or university degree in a related field.
2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Mastery of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Excellent service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Strong organization, attention to detail, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Ability to work independently and proactively, courteously, efficiently, and tactfully, using sound judgment in a fast-paced environment with diverse populations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, time-sensitive, high-output environment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of student and faculty information.
Ability to understand faculty needs and culture and deliver effective solutions.
Work in the office at least three days per week and occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Master’s degree.
Exposure to content management and learning management tools such as Canvas.
Ability to learn tools such as LaTeX and Stata.
Understanding of academia and higher education in a research and teaching environment.
Interest in a business school environment, grants and proposals, and research or laboratory work.
Knowledge of research techniques and methods.
Familiarity with a research environment.
General understanding of basic economics concepts.

Responsibilities

Create and prepare course materials, including Canvas sites, digital course reserves, handouts, and presentation slides.
Review and validate drafts of problem sets and exams for clarity and accuracy, recommending changes as needed.
Calculate and validate advanced mathematical formulas and equations.
Oversee and manage teaching assistants on behalf of faculty.
Respond to students’ course-related questions and concerns.
Enter grades under delegated faculty authority while complying with FERPA privacy guidelines.
Provide technical and administrative support for faculty research, including obtaining and cleaning data, preparing and editing manuscripts and other documents, and navigating publication submissions.
Support research labs and centers by coordinating research assistant schedules, study supplies, hardware, software, and grant proposals.
Orient or coordinate research support staff and students as needed.
Conduct literature reviews and analyze data using statistical or specialized software.
Support campus guests and manage research seminars, conferences, and meetings.
Select vendors, develop budget projections, and oversee and reconcile budgets for workshops and events.
Manage day-to-day financial and support services, ensure compliance with applicable policies, monitor and reconcile accounts, process invoices and reimbursements, and prepare financial reporting for grants as needed.
Create, edit, and maintain class and faculty web pages.
Assist other office staff, the Dean’s Office, and research centers as needed.
Monitor financial and budgetary activities, including vendor contracts, and prepare and monitor unit budgets.
Research and analyze data to create reports, including reports for grants and contracts.
Perform other related work as needed.