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

Chicago, IL

Job Title: Research Professional (RP) 

Location: Chicago, IL 

Salary Ranges: $55,000–62,000 annual salary, additional $2,000 professional development fund 

Terms: Seeking a Research Professional for a period of at least one but ideally two years 

Projects: Projects include research on the Economics of the Global Energy Challenge, including the estimation of energy demand and reforms to bring electricity prices closer to cost in developing countries, willingness to pay for clean air, emissions market design and regulation, the damages of climate change, and adaptation to its impacts. 

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2026 

Department: Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago

Priority Application Deadline: September 21, 2025
 

Job Summary 

The Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with Professor Michael Greenstone on ongoing and new research projects related to research on the Economics of the Global Energy Challenge. Applicants must have completed a Bachelors degree by June 2026 and available to begin work in July 1, 2026. The Research Professional’s responsibilities will span all stages of research, including collecting data of in both tabular and spatial formats, developing algorithms that clean and organize data, conducting statistical analyses, running simulations, and preparing manuscripts and presentations. 

The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. Applicants must 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 work for EPIC for one or two years before applying to graduate school in Economics or another quantitative social science. EPIC offers competitive salary and employee benefits. 

Recent Research Professionals in this position have been admitted to graduate school at in economics at MIT, University of Chicago, Yale, UC Berkeley, and other excellent programs in the United States and abroad. Past Research Professionals have also been awarded the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Unit-Specific Responsibilities

  • Write programs in Stata, R, Python to analyze large datasets 
  • Construct maps, figures, and tables for economics papers 
  • Identify new data sources 
  • Conduct literature reviews 
  • Editing tasks 
  • Other duties as assigned 

Unit-preferred Competencies

  • Desired (but not required) skills include advanced familiarity with numerical optimization and package development in R and/or Python, and the ability to use Stata to manage and analyze large datasets. Although previous experience with any specific language is not essential, familiarity with at least one scripting language is encouraged. 
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously 
  • Excellent organizational skills 
  • Attention to detail 
  • Strong academic writing/communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in economics, computer sciences, engineering, or related STEM fields is highly desirable.

Experience

  • Relevant research experience as a research assistant.

Technical Knowledge/Skills

  • Knowledge of R and/or Python preferred 
  • Knowledge of STATA preferred 

Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)
  • Cover Letter (required)
  • Writing Sample (required)
  • Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) (required)
  • Two Professional References (required)

About the Department  

The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), part of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) produces data-driven research that advances society's understanding of the global energy challenge and translates research insights into real-world impacts through strategic outreach and training for the next generation of global energy leaders. EPIC’s pre-doctoral fellowship program, part of the Becker Friedman Institute's Pre-Doctoral in Economics Program (PREP), serves as a two-year bridge program between college and a doctoral program.  Recipients gain an in-depth understanding of the entire research process while undergoing intensive career development as part of a close-knit community

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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. 

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. 

 

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