Sr. Research Specialist - Contract

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

5d • $80,000 - $120,000

About The Position

To transform mental health through compassionate, innovative interdisciplinary care, pioneering research, and the education of future leaders dedicated to advancing the well-being of individuals, families, and their communities. The Research Senior Specialist provides advanced leadership and expertise in supporting the scientific and administrative operations of a complex research enterprise. This role plays a critical part in facilitating the development, implementation, and stewardship of interdisciplinary research programs, ensuring that investigators and teams are well supported across all phases of the research lifecycle. Working closely with institutional partners, the Research Senior Specialist integrates research administration with the strategic and scientific goals of the organization. Serving as a central liaison between investigators, administrative offices, and external collaborators, the Research Senior Specialist translates complex research policies and procedural requirements into effective operational practice. Through this work, the Specialist strengthens the infrastructure that underpins scientific inquiry—promoting collaboration, enabling innovation, and advancing the institution’s broader research mission.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree.
• Knowledge of research regulatory policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Excel, and financial systems.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Strategic thinker who can balance innovation, financial accountability with consistency.
• Organizational skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the content and capacity to execute distance learning outcomes.
• Design customized content based on adult learning principles.
• Manage staff to ensure quality customer engagement and accurate and timely resolution of user inquiries.
• Manage the LMS provider agreement and customized development of LMS capacity.
• Coordinate with the LMS support team to identify, report, and help resolve technical issues.
• Track and share patterns or recurring concerns may indicate broader system issues.
• Assists in analyzing data for the purpose of extracting applicable information.
• Performs research projects that provide analysis for a number of programs and initiatives.
• May assist staff or faculty members with data manipulation, statistical applications, programming, analysis and modeling on a scheduled or ad-hoc basis.
• Collects, organizes, and may analyze information from the University's various internal data systems as well as from external sources.
• Improves financial, personnel, planning, compliance and other administrative aspects of research project.
• Collaborates with other researchers on long-range plans for research projects.
• Leads, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology.
• Establishes goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives that strengthen research infrastructure, enhance collaboration, and advance the scientific mission of the organization.
• Provides expertise to researchers on compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates.
• Leads the establishment of new laboratories and provides assistance with purchasing new laboratory equipment; ensuring efficient operation of laboratory, including overseeing maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment.
• Improves financial, personnel, planning, compliance and other administrative aspects of research project.
• Collaborates with other researchers on long-range plans for research projects.
• Leads, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology.
• Establishes goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines.
• Performs other related work as needed.

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: Mid Level