Research Professional – Professor Christopher Blattman (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)

Pre-Doctoral in Economics Program (PREP)•Chicago, IL

2d•$55,000 - $62,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) at the University of Chicago is seeking a full-time Research Professional to work with Professor Christopher Blattman as part of BFI’s Development Economics Initiative. The role involves collaborating on new and ongoing research, particularly empirical analysis of field and quasi-experiments, and research at the intersection of development economics and political economy, including violence prevention and the economics of organized crime. The position spans the research process, including project and measurement design, secure data management and documentation, empirical and theoretical analysis, preparation of papers, presentations, and reports, and development of research data systems and AI-assisted tools. The Research Professional will work with faculty, research staff, and external partners in BFI’s research environment, and may participate in seminars and workshops in preparation for an academic career. The position requires a commitment of at least one year, ideally two years. The employee must be available to start no later than July 2027, with earlier start dates preferred. The stated expected start date is no later than July 1, 2027. The role is primarily performed indoors in an office setting and may involve short periods of fieldwork. Compensation is $55,000–$62,000 annually, with an additional $2,000 professional development fund. The role is benefits-eligible; the University offers eligible employees health, retirement, and paid time off benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, mathematics, public policy, or a related field with substantial quantitative training; applicants must have completed the degree by June 2027.
Strong quantitative and programming skills.
Relevant research, data analysis, or programming experience; experience gained through coursework may count.
Experience applying statistical or econometric methods and working with large or complex datasets.
Experience with a statistical analysis package such as Stata, R, or Python; Stata and R are strongly preferred.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent organization, and close attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, balance multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
Commitment of at least one year and availability to begin no later than July 2027.

Nice To Haves

Research experience is strongly preferred, especially experience with Stata or R.
Knowledge of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and econometric analysis is particularly valued.
Experience with other programming tools such as Python or Matlab is valued.
Effective use of agentic AI tools such as Claude Code or Codex for coding, data work, and documentation, with sound judgment to verify outputs and handle confidential data appropriately.
Experience with Git, LaTeX, or survey platforms such as Qualtrics or SurveyCTO is valued.
Working proficiency in Spanish is valued but not required.
An earlier start date is preferred.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the design, documentation, and implementation of research in development economics.
Clean, manage, and analyze research data while following data security and confidentiality requirements.
Write and maintain reproducible code and research workflows.
Develop research data systems and AI-assisted tools.
Coordinate with faculty, research staff, and external partners on project needs.
Conduct literature reviews and support research planning.
Support project and measurement design, empirical and theoretical analysis, and preparation of papers, presentations, reports, and replication materials.