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Research Professional – Michael Greenstone (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)

Chicago, IL

Job Title: Research Professional – Michael Greenstone (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)

Location: Chicago, IL – Hyde Park Campus, Saieh Hall 

Expected Start Date: July 15, 2025

The priority application deadline is August 26th, 2024 at 11:59pm CT. All applications received prior to this deadline will be reviewed. Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to apply early.

For questions about this position, please email maskinner@uchicago.edu  

About the Department
The Energy Policy Institute at Chicago (EPIC) is an interdisciplinary research and training center. EPIC is contributing innovative solutions to the global energy challenge: how can we ensure that people around the world, today and in the future, have access to reliable, affordable energy needed for human development without putting our health, environment and climate at risk? For more information visit , https://epic.uchicago.edu/, and https://epic.uchicago.edu/about/jobs-fellowships/fellowships/predoctoral-fellows/predoctoral-fellowship-program/fellowship-opportunities/.

Job Summary

The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) invites applications for full-time research professional positions starting in July 2025. An interdisciplinary research and training center at the University of Chicago, EPIC is contributing innovative solutions to the global energy challenge: how can we ensure that people around the world, today and in the future, have access to the reliable, affordable energy needed for human development without putting our health, environment and climate at risk? Previous results from EPIC projects have been influential with policymakers worldwide and featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other leading publications.

Successful candidates will work under the direction of Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics at the University of Chicago. Responsibilities span all stages of research, including managing projects, collecting and analyzing data, creating presentations, and editing manuscripts. His research involves using experimental and quasi-experimental methods to study topics in energy and environmental economics. A few current research projects include implementing and evaluating the world’s first market for particulates in India, using machine learning to better target regulatory enforcement of natural gas production in Colorado, and estimating the effect of renewable portfolio standards across the United States.

The program is a “pre-doc” and is intended to serve as a bridge between college or a master’s program and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. In the past three years, previous research professionals have gone on to pursue Economics PhDs at the following institutions: Berkeley (2), Duke Finance (1), MIT (1), UChicago (1), Yale (2).

Applicants must have completed a bachelors or master’s degree by the beginning of their employment and have strong quantitative and programming skills. Candidates with research experience are strongly preferred, especially those with experience in Stata, R, Python or MATLAB. The ideal candidate would begin on July 15, 2025 or earlier and work for EPIC for one or two years before applying to graduate school in Economics or another quantitative field. EPIC offers competitive salary and employee benefits. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Visa sponsorship is available.

Responsibilities

  • Performs complex lab and/or research-related duties and tasks
  • Identifies, constructs, and prepares data for analysis
  • Conducts analysis in Stata, Python, MATLAB, and/or R
  • Participates in writing reports and manuscripts
  • Presents results and engages in discussion in project meetings
  • Creates presentations to communicate results to a variety of audiences including policy makers, academics, and industry experts

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree by the start date in any of the following major fields: economics, business (with a concentration in economics), finance, public policy (with a concentration in economics), other social sciences (with quantitative training), mathematics, statistics, or computer science

Experience:

  • Relevant research experience as a research assistant. 

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

  • Experience with Stata, Python, Matlab, and/or R required

Preferred Competencies

  • Self-driven and able to work independently
  • Interest in applying to a quantitative PhD program 
  • Ability to train others
  • Advanced knowledge in relevant scientific field
  • Advanced knowledge of research techniques or methods
  • Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedure
  • Analytical skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organizational skills
  • Verbal and written communication skills

Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)
  • Transcript (required, unofficial copies accepts)
  • Two professional references (required)
    • In the interview round, candidates will be asked to supply two references (full name, title, organizational affiliation, email address, and how you know your reference).
    • We have a strong preference for your most recent direct supervisors, thesis advisors, or professors who have taught you in coursework related to the position (e.g., economics or econometrics or another quantitative subject). References should be able to speak to the applicant’s ability to conduct research, execute difficult tasks, communicate effectively, and problem solve.
    • Please check with your references prior to sharing their contact information with us and confirm they are willing to provide a reference
  • One writing sample (optional),
    • Ideally a solo-written academic or policy piece from a class or a short report you prepared as a research assistant. If you choose to submit a writing sample for a group project, please indicate your contribution in a few sentences in a footnote on the first page

Application Process

  1. The priority application deadline is August 26th, 2024 at 11:59pm CT. All applications received prior to this deadline will be reviewed. Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We strongly encourage applicants to apply early.
  2. Qualified applicants will be invited to complete a data analysis task to demonstrate quantitative and programming proficiency.
  3. Highly qualified applicants will be invited to interview with our team and provide two references.

The University of Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, and job seekers. No person shall be discriminated against in employment or harassed because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, parental status, ancestry, source of income, or other classes protected by law. This policy includes the commitment to maintaining a work environment free from unlawful harassment.  

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