Department
SSD: Economics - Staff and Temporary Employees
About the Department
For over a century, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics has been recognized as one of the world's leading centers for economic research and education. The Department's faculty has received numerous awards, including more Nobel Prize laureates and John Bates Clark medalists in economics than any other university. Among our faculty are many members of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Econometric Society.
Job Summary
The Research Director (RD) reports directly to Professor Christina Brown and leads all research support efforts for the multiple projects that Professor Brown has in her portfolio. The RD will travel internationally to implement and oversee field research meetings with centers and government offices to ensure compliance with country, government, and international regulations, supervise and train Research Specialists and student Research Assistants, provide guidance on their work, and manage administrative processes. The RD will also be responsible for writing grants, managing budgets, expenditures, and allocation of resources effectively, and collaborating with university and department staff to comply with URA and financial guidelines; in addition, the RD will also provide project reports and prepare manuscripts and presentations of research results.
Responsibilities
- Explore new research ideas and support the design of randomized controlled trials.
- Travel extensively to supervise project implementation and offer support to research partners.
- Support the development of manuscripts, reports, presentations, and research proposals.
- Present research findings at meetings, including engagements with donor agencies.
- Manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) documentation.
- Track project milestones, provide status reports to project leadership, resolve issues, and troubleshoot problems throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensure secure archiving of all project data and documents upon project completion.
- Oversee the strategic planning and execution of all research projects.
- Maintain relationships with implementation and data collection partners to ensure the project's operational viability.
- Lead weekly team meetings and keep track of project progress through status reports.
- Guide research staff and student employees on tasks and projects.
- Review and approve time for staff and student employees.
- Assist in recruiting and managing research staff, including predoctoral research specialists, field research assistants, and student research assistants.
- Provide financial oversight and manage project expenditures.
- Regularly report the financial status of grants and available funds.
- Proactively identify additional funding needs for all new and existing projects and secure funding through grant applications and proposals.
- Interact with potential donors to initiate new research projects.
- Write grant applications and proposals.
- Collaborate with the Grants Manager to adhere to budget guidelines.
- Coordinate effectively with URA, Procurement, Grants, and other university departments to ensure seamless project execution.
- Explore opportunities to establish new research partnerships in study locations.
- Use subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab/and/or research-related duties and tasks. Work independently to assist with project design.
- Solve complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology.
- Perform other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
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Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- A master’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, or related field.
Experience:
- Working knowledge in research and evaluation of international development, with proven analytical, quantitative, organizational, and management skills.
- Background working in a low-or middle-income country.
- Involvement working in South Asian countries.
Preferred Competencies
- Demonstrated project management skills, including attention to operational and research detail and managing multiple projects efficiently.
- Work both independently, in a self-directed manner, and as a team member.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear written materials geared towards technical and non-technical audiences.
- Mature, self-directed individual with the ability to balance multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced working environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively work with global teams across cultures, work styles, and time zones.
- Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail.
- Strong interest in development economics.
Application Documents
- Cover letter (preferred)
- Resume/CV (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Research
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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