Research Specialist

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

5d

About The Position

The Research Specialist will work directly under the supervision of Professor Leonardo Bursztyn to make important contributions to research projects in the area of behavioral economics, political economy and development economics. This includes topics such as the role of social norms and social pressure in decision-making, and social interactions and identity. The Research Specialist will also have the opportunity to be part of the vibrant research environment of the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at The University of Chicago. This position will require a commitment of at least 1 year, with the possibility of renewal, and would be ideal for a candidate who is interested in gaining experience before applying to graduate school. The expected start date would be July 2026. Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator. Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project. Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, development, public policy, statistics or related field.
• Master’s degree in economics, public policy or related field.
• Research or program evaluation experience (1-2 years).
• Programming experience, including cleaning and manipulating large data sets and coding and implementing statistical procedures.
• Knowledge of Stata, Python, and/or R.
• Proficiency in Excel and Latex.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop code to analyze micro data sets. Coding will be done in Stata, R or equivalent statistical package.
• Help design, launch, and analyze field experiments and online experiments. The position will demand close collaboration on a number of new and ongoing projects.
• Assist in the identification and preparation of grant applications.
• Conduct independent problem-solving with high-level directional advice.
• Be fully informed on the latest developments in the relevant research areas and present findings effectively and articulately.
• Assist faculty to identity, assess, and organize information addressing research goals.
• Help coordinate a small team of undergraduate RAs.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees