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Research Professional – Josh Gottlieb and Matt Notowidigdo (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: Research in health economics 

Expected Start Date: Flexible 

Reporting to: Joshua Gottlieb, Matthew Notowidigdo 

Department: Becker Friedman Institute 

 

Job Summary 

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with BFI Health Initiative Faculty on ongoing and new research projects related to research in the economics of health. This includes developing new ideas, identifying and cleaning data sources, preparing and conducting analyses, and shaping the results for presentation and publication. Applicants must have completed a Bachelors degree prior to starting this role.

Successful candidates will work directly with BFI Health Initiative Faculty and co-authors as part of BFI's Predoctoral Research in Economics Program (PREP). The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. 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. 

Past Research Professionals in this position have been admitted to graduate school at Princeton, University of Chicago (Economics), Northwestern (Economics), Northwestern (Kellogg), Harvard (Health Policy), University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) and other excellent programs in the United States and abroad. 

Unit-Specific Responsibilities

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

Unit-preferred Competencies

  • Desired (but not required) skills include advanced familiarity with programming, and the ability 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 
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills 

Preferred Qualifications:

Education

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

Experience

  • Relevant research experience as a research assistant.

Technical Knowledge/Skills

  • Knowledge of R, Python, 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 Becker Friedman Institute for Economics aims to foster frontier research and apply those findings to achieve global impact. BFI brings together researchers from the Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, the Law School, and the entire University of Chicago Economics Community to leverage robust data, apply cutting-edge analytical tools, and uncover novel insights on the world’s most difficult economic problems. BFI then bridges the divide between academic researchers and relevant policy makers by translating and packaging rigorous research into accessible formats and proactively sharing those findings with decision-makers and thought leaders in business, government and nonprofit institutions. In this way, BFI has the potential to play a significant role in meeting the most difficult challenges facing the global 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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