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Research Professional – Marianne Bertrand and Chang-Tai Hsieh (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 related to global innovation, China's economic growth, and technological revolution in the US service sector

Reporting to: Marianne Bertrand and Chang-Tai Hsieh  

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2026 

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 Professors Marianne Bertrand and Chang-Tai Hsieh as part of BFI’s Predoctoral Research in Economics Program (PREP). Successful applicants will on ongoing and new research projects related to global innovation, China's economic growth, and technological revolution in the US service sector.

The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical methodology in economics and the social sciences. Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree prior to starting 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 1, 2026 and work for BFI for two years before applying to graduate school in Economics. BFI offers competitive salary and employee benefits. 

Unit-Specific Responsibilities

  • Write programs in Stata 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 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 Matlab, Stata, R and/or Python required. 

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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